Wired jaw cutting wires in an emergency (2063)

Key points below

Cutting wires in an emergency

Your child had surgery to repair a broken jawbone. There are bars and wires that look like braces in your child’s mouth. These will keep the jaw in place while it heals. Some or all of the wires may need to be cut in case of an emergency. The doctor or nurse will give you a pair of wire cutters. They will show you which wires need to be cut. Be sure you or your child carries the wire cutters at all times. This includes clinic visits! If your child has a hard time breathing or vomits, you will need to cut the wires.

Cutting wires

If your child is having a hard time breathing, cut the wires and call 911 immediately.
If your child vomits, don't panic. Your child isn't eating solid food, so the vomit won’t have solids, and should easily pass back out between the teeth. Vomit may also come up through your child's nose. This is unpleasant, but won’t harm your child.
Use the wire cutters to cut all the up and down (vertical) wires so your child can open their mouth to clear any obstruction.
When you cut the wires, be sure to remove all the loose wires so your child does not swallow or choke on them.
If the wires have been cut, call your child’s surgeon to make an appointment to have the wires replaced.

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource:

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s surgeon, nurse, or clinic if you have any concerns or if:

You do not have the wire cutters.
Any of your child’s wires or bars are loose.
Your child’s mouth is bleeding.
Your child has special health care needs not covered by this information.