Cases in surgery : illustrative of a new method of applying the wire ligature in compound fractures of the lower jaw / by Hugh Owen Thomas.

Thomas, Hugh Owen, 1834-1891.

Date:: 1875

Credit: Cases in surgery : illustrative of a new method of applying the wire ligature in compound fractures of the lower jaw / by Hugh Owen Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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$During the latter part of 1874 a gentleman of some local celebrity had a compound fracture of the left side of the jaw at the situation of the second molar tooth, first and second molars removed, third molar firm in posterior portion, but so depressed and nearly level that no use could be made of it to attach the wire; consequently I drilled the posterior fragment through the cheek in this way, placing the index-finger of left hand inside the mouth, slightly beyond and opposite the third molar. Thus I was able to steady the jaw, and to detect when the drill was through, also, it assisted to in- dicate the point outside the cheek that I was to select. Thus prepared, I pushed the drill through the cheek, drilled the posterior fragment, and on withdrawing the drill entered the wire through the puncture in-the cheek and hole in the jaw until I felt the wire at the base of the tongue, then drew forward the end (minus 1--4 in.), which I also bent to a right angle to avoid overdrawing it, then stretched the cheek, and the bent end disappeared; now I$