A SIMPLE METHOD TO ENABLE FEEDING DURING MAXILLOMANDIBULAR FIXATION OF THE JAWS

The use of maxillomandibular fixation after surgery on the jaw bone in variably affects the dietary intake and the oral hygiene of patients. When the upper and lower jaws are kept in occlusion, the patient has t o take bland food that has to sieve through the crevices between teeth to enter the oral cavity. This results in food accumulation around te eth, orthodontic appliances, and surgical wound. Feeding in this manne r can also be very trying on some patients. A simple method is devised in which finely minced food can be introduced by a catheter directly into the oral cavity.