Bone Suture in Management of Mandibular Degloving Injury

Abstract

Traumatic degloving injuries of the mandible are rare intraoral soft tissue traumas. A simple review of the medical literature shows that no article up to this date has reported the prevalence of the degloving injuries of the mandible. Moreover, the highest incidence of mandibular degloving injuries is reported in children and young adults. In this article, the author describes the mandibular degloving injury, characterized by the separation of periosteum and soft tissues of the anterior buccal side of the mandible, and the bone suture technique. This article outlines that a correct diagnostic assessment and appropriate treatment plan can reduce the complications after mandibular degloving injuries.

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic injuries that separate the entire anterior mandibular gingiva and alveolar mucosa from the underlying bone expose the alveolar process and mental tubercle from marginal bone down to the mandibular inferior border. As can be expected, the applied shear forces to the mentum and lower lip are responsible for this condition,[1] whereas elective vestibular incisions, which are made in the mandibular anterior area for genioplasty, orthognathic surgeries, and trauma-treatment surgeries make two layer closure of the wound amenable.[2] These incisions are made below the attached gingiva with a cuff of the alveolar mucosa and mentalis muscle attached to the mandible. Furthermore, supplemental lower face bandage after surgery is also recommended.

On the other hand, these ideal conditions are not present in trauma patients. In this paper, the management of a severe form of mandibular degloving injury, that leads to complete full thickness separation of soft tissue from mandible, with delay in referral and infection of the open wound, is fully discussed.

CASE REPORT

A 14-years-old male with a history of “fall” trauma, of his bicycle, experienced soft tissue injuries in the maxillofacial region. The patient, one week later, was referred to the department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of Mashhad's university for the management of the lacerated intraoral soft tissue wound in mandibular anterior region.

In the extraoral examination, abrasions of the nose, lips, and mentum were present. In addition, the right mandibular incisors had been avulsed. Moreover, silk suture in the lower labial vestibule, from unsuccessful attempts to repair severed mucosa, was noted. Furthermore, debris, necrotic tissue, and exposed bone were present in the vestibular depth [Figure 1].

Figure 1.

Complete mandibular degloving injury exposing mandibular bone from marginal bone to inferior border

The patient's hospital discharge card emphasized that tetanus prophylaxis has been introduced. Brain CT scans and orthopantogram were also carried out.

After the administration of local anesthesia (lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1/80000), debridement of necrotic soft tissue and copious irrigation with high pressure volumes of normal saline was rendered. In the next step, suturing of soft tissue was attempted. Firstly, bone between the left lower canine and lateral lower incisor root was penetrated by a surgical round bur (number 2). Secondly, 3-0 plain gut suture in 26 mm curved needle was modified to straight one so that it can be passed through this hole and exit through the lingual mucosa. By the means of this plain gut suture, the buccal soft tissue flap, 10 mm below free margin, was grasped and sutured to the lingual mucosa [Figure 2]. Likewise, the same procedure was repeated on the right side in the intact bone, apical to the avulsed lateral incisor. The suture knots were placed in the buccal vestibule.

Figure 2.

Bone suture of the alveolar bone between the left canine and the lateral incisor

Furthermore, despite of the intact remaining lower anterior teeth and supporting bone, Essig wiring technique was applied to support the mucosal free edge suturing [Figure 3]. As far as medications are concerned, clindamycin antibiotic 150 mg tabs qid was prescribed for one week. Analgesics (acetaminophen 500 mg) and cholorhexidine mouthwash were also ordered. Additionally, proper manner of tooth brushing was emphasized to the patient and parents.

Figure 3.

Essig wiring supporting the sutures. Vertical mucosal tear in the midline heals by secondary epithelialization

The follow-up, which was carried out for one month after the treatment, has shown excellent results. Consequently, healthy gingiva without scar tissue was noticed [Figure 4].

Figure 4.

Four weeks after treatment; excellent healing of gingiva. Note the scar tissue in the center of the lip that healed by secondary intention

DISCUSSION

Degloving injury occurs most commonly in lower and upper extremities whenever strong shear forces are applied. For most instances, cleavage plane is usually in a plane between subcutaneous fat and deep fascia.[3,4] Similarly, in the oral cavity, the term maxillary degloving applies to the special surgical incisions in maxillary vestibular mucosa and endonasal incisions that give access to the midface.[2] Moreover, gingival degloving term is defined as soft tissue injury, in which full thickness separation of the gingiva from alveolar bone takes place.[3] Likewise, mandibular degloving injury is a traumatic separation of the alveolar mucosa from the mandible in a full thickness manner extending to the inferior border of the mandible.[4]

Usually, mandibular degloving injuries take place in MVAs, falls, and sport injuries, like skiing and biking. If immediate treatment of these injuries is to be considered, where soft tissues and mucosal remnants on mandibular are preserved, then primary suturing is indicated, whereas in late referral patients healing by secondary intention takes place, which is slow and accompanied with scar formation.[4,5] Anterior mandibular vestibular sulcus deepening and food entrapment are of the disadvantages of secondary intention wound healing in this region.

Bone suturing techniques in oral cavity operations are reported as useful aid in implant dentistry, vestibuloplasy, and cleft palate surgeries.[6,7]

CONCLUSION

There are few reported cases of mandibular degloving injuries in the medical literature. Nevertheless, the authors experience in a trauma center points out that the prevalence of this condition is much more than that reported. The case previously mentioned shows the difficulty of primary suturing in the mandibular degloving injuries. Correspondingly, conventional methods of suturing degloving injuries were not successful. Alternatively, bone suturing with Essig wiring technique for primary healing has shown better results and, therefore, it is obviously more recommended.