Extra corporeal fixation of fractured mandibular condyle

J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Sep;8(9):ZD41-3. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/10484.4914. Epub 2014 Sep 20.

Abstract

Condylar fracture is the second most common site in the mandibular fractures. Motor vehicle accident and fall are the major causes of such fractures. Because of the anatomical weakness of the condyle and the shape of the condylar head the antero-medial dislocation of the condyle is common. Open reduction and closed reduction is always debatable. The open reduction will bring back the normal function much earlier than closed reduction. Medially dislocated condylar fracture fragments are always managed with open method. In superior or high condylar fractures,exact reduction with conventional open reduction can be difficult due to the limited surgical and visual fields. In such cases extracorporeal fixation of condyle using vertical ramus osteotomy may be better choice to achieve perfect alignment and absolute maintaince of vertical height of the ramus and facial symmetry. We here present a case of extracorporeal fixation of unilateral left high condylar fracture.

Keywords: Dislocated condylar head; Extracorporeal fixation of condyle.

Publication types

  • Case Reports