EFFECT OF INTERMAXILLARY FIXATION ON BIOCHEMICAL AND BLOOD MARKERS IN A SAMPLE OF YEMENI ADULTS

Background: Intermaxillary fixation is a technique that is used in the treatment of jaw fractures, orthognathic surgery, temporomandibular joint disorders, and occasionally morbid obesity. However, it disrupts normal nutrition, leading to weakened immunity, impaired healing, and higher complication risks, negatively impacting treatment outcomes and patient recovery. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the physiological changes in a sample of Yemeni patients following four weeks of IMF treatment. Materials and Methods: A study involving ten Yemeni adults underwent intermaxillary fixation for mandibular fractures. Parameters like body weight, lipid profile, liver function tests, kidney function tests, electrolytes, and hemoglobin levels were analyzed before and after treatment at a central blood bank. Results: The majority of patients were male (80.0%) and aged between 25 and 35 years, and the majority had a unilateral mandibular body fracture (50%). Clinical results after 4 weeks of intermaxillary fixation demonstrated significant reductions in body weight (4.2 kg) and BMI (1.0 kg/m2). post-IMF application, lipid profile analysis showed non-significant changes in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein levels, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides (p>0.05), liver function tests exhibited significant decreases in AST (7.7 µ/l, p=0.044), kidney function tests and electrolyte analysis revealed non-significant changes, and there were significant reductions in T.WBC (2.48 x 10⁹/L) and neutrophils (19.5%) after IMF (p=0.007). Conclusions: Intermaxillary fixation in Yemeni adults leads to weight loss and changes in liver and blood parameters, indicating its systemic effects. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional support and close monitoring during IMF treatment to mitigate malnutrition risks and optimize healing outcomes. Peer Review History: Received 21 May 2024; Reviewed 15 July 2024; Accepted 25 August; Available online 15 September 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Marwa A. A. Fayed, University of Sadat City, Egypt, [email protected] Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Prof. Abdulwahab Ismail Al-kholani, Dean of Faculty of Dentistry at 21 September University, Yemen. [email protected] Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]