FOLLOW UP OF BONE HEALING BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN MANDIBULAR TRAUMA PATIENTS. IS IT VALUABLE?

Abstract

Objective: Only a few studies have described successful monitoring of the fracture healing process. The study aims to assess the efficacy of ultrasonography in monitoring mandibular fracture healing and compare it to conventional panoramic radiography. Materials and methods: The study is a prospective trial conducted on 40 adult patients with a recent non-comminuted mandibular fractures requiring internal fixation with functionally-stabilized osteosynthesis. Patients were postoperatively evaluated for the clinical assessment of complication. Fracture healing analysis was assessed at regular intervals for 12 postoperative weeks using ultrasound and the conventional panoramic Xray. The Moed scoring index was utilized for quantitative representation of the data. Statistical analysis was performed along with data correlation and agreement analysis. Significance was set at the 5% level. Results: Thirty-eight of 40 fractures achieved union whereas 2 developed non-union at the 8th postoperative week. ultrasonography and radiography showed statistically significant monitoring of mandibular osseous fracture healing. Moreover, ultrasonography was significant in detecting the dynamic callous formation at the fracture site earlier than the radiography. Hyperechogenisty on USG was found to be more evident than radiography in confirming fracture healing progress. Conclusion: Ultrasonography sounds to be significantly efficient and safe alternative to conventional radiography with high rates of sensitivity in the monitoring of mandibular fractures healing. Moreover, In the early phases of bone healing monitoring, USG is quite useful for identifying bone healing problems earlier than the radiography.