An Evaluation of the Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Healing of Mandibular Fracture

Cranial Maxillofac Trauma ReconstructionDOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1544104The mandible is the most frequently fractured bone in maxillofacial trauma, the treatment of which consists of reduction and fixation of dislocated fragments by open or closed approach. Innovative techniques toward reducing the period of the postoperative intermaxillary fixation (IMF) are being researched. A relatively unknown treatment that may have an effect on fracture healing is ultrasound. Recent clinical trials have shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has a positive effect on bone healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LIPUS on healing by its application in fresh, minimally displaced or undisplaced mandibular fracture in young and healthy individuals. A total of 28 healthy patients were selected randomly from the outpatient department needing treatment of mandibular fractures. They were then randomly allocated to either of the following two groups—experimental group and study group. After IMF, patients in experimental group received pulsed ultrasound signals with frequency of 1 MHz, with temporal and spatial intensity of 1.5 W/cm2, pulsed wave for 5 minutes on every alternate day for 24 days, whereas patients in control group received no therapy except IMF. Radiographic density at the fracture zone was assessed from the radiograph by Emago (Emago, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Image Analysis software before IMF then at 1st to 5th weeks post-IMF. The amount of clinical m...
Source: Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research