Unified Hands Technique for Mandibular Dislocation

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 38, Issue 3, Pages 366-367 (April 2010)
 David Cheng, MD,  470 Schooleys Mountain Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Received 6 May 2008; received in revised form 4 December 2008; accepted 17 December 2008. published online 23 March 2009.
Abstract

Background: The conventional approach to mandibular dislocation involves intraoral bilateral inferior-posterior downward force on the patient's molar occlusal surfaces.
Discussion/Technique: The unified hands technique is a new method for reducing a mandibular dislocation. The technique involves intraoral unilateral application of both hands on the side of the dislocated mandible. This maneuver was successful in reducing a mandibular dislocation refractory to the traditional method of intraoral bilateral inferior-posterior downward force on the patient's molar occlusal surface.
Conclusion: The technique described may be useful for the emergent reduction of mandibular dislocations when traditional methods fail.