The Experiences with an Open Treatment of Mandibular Condylar Fractures in the Selected Group of Patients

Overview

The authors performed open reduction and internal fixation of 14 mandibularcondylar fractures in 13 patients during years 1997–1999. The patients were 12 males and 1female aged between 17 and 51. Three patients were operated for solitary unilateral condylarfracture. Concomitant mandibular body fractures were treated by Titanium miniplate osteo-synthesis in all remaining patients. In 12 fractures (11 patients) 4-holes Titanium miniplatewas used for fixation of fractured condyle. Submandibular approach was performed in 2fractures, intraoral approach in 3 fractures, combined submandibular and intraoral approachin 1 fracture, retromandibular approach in 6 fractures and preauriculo-temporal approach in2 fractures. The complications, that did not affect the outcome of treatment, were experiencedin 4 cases (28,5 %). In one case the treatment failed. Only the fractures operated fromretromandibular approach were free of complications. The authors deal with classification ofmandibular condylar fractures in relation to indications of open treatment, surgical techniqueand integration into treatment planning in polytraumatized patients.

Key words:
mandibular condylar fracture – Titanium miniplate – open reduction – internalfixation