Abstract
Aim
The objective of this study was to compare the rate of complications encountered on using different incisions to access the fracture site for the open reduction and internal fixation of isolated subcondylar fractures. The parameters evaluated are: the occurrence of salivary fistula, infection, and injuries to the seventh facial nerve. An assessment of the surgical scar was also undertaken.
Materials and Methods
20 patients who met the previous criteria and were willing to participate in the study were placed (five each) into the pre-auricular, submandibular, retromandibular transparotid or retromandibular transmassetric group based on the incision scar they selected after a description of the operation and being explained about the possible complications.
Results and Conclusion
Comparison of the complications could not ascertain the superiority of any approach over the other since the outcomes were not statistically significant. However, judging by operator and assistants’ subjective assessment, the retromandibular approaches seem to provide a more direct visual field and an almost straight line access for the fixation of the fracture. The transmassetric approach seems to be a safer approach since the nerves encountered can be visualized and avoided.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ellis E 3rd, Palmieri C, Throckmorton G (1999) Further displacement of condylar process fractures with closed treatment. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 57(11):1307–1316
Ellis E 3rd, Throckmorton GS, Palmieri C (2000) Open treatment of condylar process fractures: assessment of adequacy of repositioning and maintenance of stability. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 58(1):27–34
Ellis E 3rd, Throckmorton GS (2000) Facial symmetry after closed and open treatment of fractures of the mandibular condylar process. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 58(7):719–728
Ellis E 3rd, Throckmorton G (2001) Bite forces after open or closed treatment of mandibular condylar process fractures. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 59(4):389–395
Ellis E 3rd, McFadden D, Simon P, Throckmorton G (2000) Surgical complications with open treatment of mandibular condylar process fractures. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 59:950–958
Lutz JC, Clavert P, Wolfram-Gabel R, Wilk A, Kahn JL (2010) Is the high submandibular transmasseteric approach to the mandibular condyle safe for the inferior buccal branch? Surg Radiol Anat 32(10):963–969
Hammer B, Schier P, Prein J (1997) Osteosynthesis of condylar neck fractures: a review of 30 patients. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 35(4):288–291
Widmark G, Bågenholm T, Kahnberg KE, Lindahl L (1996) Open reduction of subcondylar fractures: a study of functional rehabilitation. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 25(2):107–111
Tang W, Gao C, Long J, Lin Y, Wang H, Liu L, Tian W (2009) Application of modified retromandibular approach indirectly from the anterior edge of the parotid gland in the surgical treatment of condylar fracture. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67(3):552–558
Trost O, Trouilloud P, Malka G (2009) Open reduction and internal fixation of low subcondylar fractures of mandible through high cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67(11):2446–2451
Wiwanitkit V (2010) High cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach for low subcondylar fracture of mandible. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 68(4):951 author reply 951–952
Trost O, El-Naaj IA, Trouilloud P, Danino A, Malka G (2008) High cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach for open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fracture. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 66(1):201–204
Chossegros C, Cheynet F, Blanc JL, Bourezak Z (1996) Short retromandibular approach of subcondylar fractures: clinical and radiologic long-term evaluation. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 82(3):248–252
Meyer C, Zink S, Chatelain B, Wilk A (2008) Clinical experience with osteosynthesis of subcondylar fractures of the mandible using TCP plates. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 36(5):260–268
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ebenezer, V., Ramalingam, B. Comparison of Approaches for the Rigid Fixation of Sub-Condylar Fractures. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 10, 38–44 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-010-0145-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-010-0145-1