Importance

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Abstract

A surgical drill guide and retractor for treating mandibular fractures includes an adjustable length sleeve having an inner segment slidably mounted within an outer segment. The adjustable length sleeve also has a through-going lumen which connects a first opening at an end of the outer segment with a second opening at an end of the inner segment. The lumen is dimensioned for slidably receiving a drill bit or other instrument therein. A handle slidably retracts the inner segment into the outer segment to expose a preselected length of a drill bit or other instrument inserted through the lumen of the sleeve. A proximal end of the drill guide includes a mandibular retractor which is inserted intraorally or extraorally and has a retractor blade shaped to retract the cutaneous region laterally away from the bone. The retracting blade also has an aperture which allows surgical instruments to be inserted through the aperture to the bone. The retractor allows a surgeon to retract with one hand and view the surgical site. The surgeon's other hand is free to operate surgical instruments such as a drill or screwdriver.

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First Claim