Management of mandibular fractures using biphasic pins and mandibular splints

Often the otolaryngologist is asked to manage the patient with facial trauma. Mandibular fractures make up 20 to 39% of all facial trauma cases, and thus necessitate a diversified and complete set of management tools. We have selected two seldom discussed modes of therapy for the complicated jaw fracture to present in this paper: 1. external fixation of Joe-Morrison Hall biphasic pins, and 2. mandibular dental appliances--splints. The advantage of the biphasic pin apparatus is that the fracture can be repaired and stabilized at a point remote from the infected fracture site. The high risk patients, endentulous patient, and patients with fractures from gunshot wounds all prove to be more easily managed by using the external appliances. The splint technique eliminates medial or lingual tip rotation and resultant postoperative malocclusion. Endentulous patients, pediatric patients, and those with multiple facial trauma also benefit from this procedure.