DESPITE the voluminous literature on the management of facial fractures in general and of middle third fractures in particular, there is still disagreement on the best method of fixation and on the general principles underlying these various methods. A better understanding of these principles could help to prevent the disabling dental malocclusions and concomitant temporomandibular joint disorders that can follow the repair of maxillary fractures. However, at times an additional impetus can be given to the development of a proven basic approach through the use of a method which lends itself to greater ease of use as is the case with the modification described in this paper.
Methods of Fixation
There are two basic methods of fixation of fractures of the floating edentulous maxilla: (1) the use of firm fixed appliances to restore and maintain the previous maxillary relationships, and (2) "suspension" of the maxilla from the remaining stable craniofacial