Weight Changes (in kg) in Mandible Fracture Patients After IMF: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: This prospective study is done to assess weight loss due to maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in patients who have undergone treatment for maxillofacial fractures. This fixation method is a closed reduction technique that can interfere with normal nutrition intake of solid and semisolid foods and thus can result in weight loss and malnutrition. Therefore, in this study we explain the degree and pattern of weight loss in patients treated with MMF.Materials and Methods: We treated 300 patients for 4 to 6 weeks of MMF. We measured and compared the weight before and after MMF.Results: The loss of weight was statistically significant ( P < .001) with MMF treatment.Conclusion: MMF caused mild to moderate malnutrition in some cases so protein diet was recommended to such patients post treatment.