Happy Holidays from everyone at Invisian Medical. We hope your
holidays will be filled with peace and joy through the New Year.
MMF Article of the Month
A study published in the June 2023 edition of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases by Khiabani et al. examines the use of conventional miniplates for stable maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in the treatment of condylar fractures in completely or partially edentulous mandibles. The authors evaluated eleven male patients, with an average age of 43.37 years, who had a total of eleven displaced condylar fractures, 37.5% of which were bilateral.
Fig. 1. The intraoperative photograph of Case 1 demonstrates a 60-year-old male with a displaced left condylar fracture accompanied by mandibular left symphysis and right body. Arch-bars were installed and temporary wire MMF was performed to assist in the reduction and fixation of left symphysis and right body fractures. After anatomic reduction and stable fixation of non-condylar fractures with conventional miniplate technique, maxillary hopeless teeth were extracted. Remained anterior teeth were also used to resume the vertical dimension. Two 2.0-mm soft bendable miniplates from the maxilla to the mandible were fixated as MMF-miniplates through transmucosal in the upper jaw and existing incision in the lower jaw.
The authors found that all cases achieved stable mandibular immobilization during the MMF phase. The miniplates were removed after six weeks under local anesthesia, leading to satisfactory mouth opening post-removal. There were no instances of hardware failure, significant postoperative complications, or emergency releases of the miniplates. Only one case reported local soft tissue inflammation at the miniplate insertion site, which resolved following removal.
Fig. 3. Postoperative 3D lateral view demonstrating acceptable vertical and anteroposterior relation of jaws by MMF miniplate technique in Case 5.
The authors conclude that "based on the clinical and surgical findings, within the limits of the present study, we conclude that MMF-miniplate is a feasible, effective, and reliable technique with satisfactory clinical outcomes. This technique can be easily and quickly used as an alternative treatment for open reduction of condylar fractures or as a temporary MMF in complete/partial edentulous mandible to reduce difficult, complex, and time-consuming perioperative procedures. Randomized clinical trials are recommended to compare MMF-miniplate with other treatment modalities."
Chat GPT
Meet Our New "Employee"
With AI being in the news in recent months, our team decided to ask Chat GPT how they would persuade a colleague to use Minne Ties. Take a look for yourself and let us know if it seems convincing to you! If so, I'm a little worried that Chat GPT is gunning for my job!
Omar, MMF Monthly Writer, Editor in Chief
“Hello, I hope you're having a great day. I'm SalesGPT, and I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to an innovative product in the maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) field that can significantly enhance your surgical practice: Minne Ties.
Minne Ties are a non-invasive solution for MMF that eliminates the need for sharp wires and screws, which can cause injuries to you and damage your patients' gums, tooth roots, and mouth. This innovative technology offers the flexibility for application and removal in various settings, including the operating room, emergency department, or clinic setting. They significantly reduce the time needed to apply and remove MMF compared to traditional arch bars and wires, saving precious surgeon and operating room time. Furthermore, Minne Ties take up less space in the mouth, allowing better access for plating, increased visibility, and tangle-free suturing.
I understand the importance of residents learning traditional techniques such as applying arch bars. Developing a strong foundation in conventional methods is crucial for surgical residents as they prepare for their careers. However, it's also important to consider advancements and innovations in the field.
Incorporating Minne Ties into your practice doesn't mean you have to abandon traditional techniques altogether. Instead, you can use them as an additional tool, offering the benefits of reduced operating time, minimized risk of injury to both surgeons and patients and improved patient comfort. One approach could be to ensure that residents are well-versed in both traditional and innovative techniques. This way, they'll be equipped with a diverse skill set and can make informed decisions about which method is most appropriate for a particular patient or situation.
I encourage you to give Minne Ties a try, and experience the benefits for yourself and your patients. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you'd like to arrange a demonstration or trial, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'm confident that once you experience the ease and efficiency of Minne Ties, you'll see the tremendous value they bring to your surgical practice for appropriate patients."
As with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), including with Minne Ties. For complete information regarding indications for use, additional application and removal instructions, risks, contraindications, warnings, precautions and adverse events, please review the device’s Instructions for Use (IFU) included in the package and at www.minneties.com.
© Copyright Invisian Medical 2023 MT-2023-015-REV 0