Secondary Treatment of Malocclusion/Malunion Secondary to Condylar Fractures

[Clinical application of disc reduction and anchorage for diacapitular condylar fracture with disc displacement]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of disc reduction and anchorage in treatment of diacapitular condylar fracture with disc displacement.

METHODS

Between June 2019 and June 2021, 20 patients (27 sides) with diacapitular condylar fractures with disc displacement were treated with disc reduction and anchorage combined with internal fixation. There were 15 males and 5 females with a median age of 40 years (range, 8-65 years). The fractures were caused by falling from height in 3 cases, traffic accident in 3 cases, and falling in 14 cases. Among them, there were 13 cases of unilateral fracture and 7 cases of bilateral fractures. Five sides were type A fractures and 22 sides were type B. There were 14 simple diacapitular condylar fractures, 12 diacapitular condylar fractures combined with mandibular chin fractures, and 1 diacapitular condylar fracture combined with mandibular angle fracture. The maximum opening was 5-20 mm (mean, 9.7 mm). The time from injury to operation was 4-20 days, with an average of 11.6 days. The postoperative imaging examination was performed to evaluate the reduction of fracture and disc. The maximum opening at 6 months after operation was recorded, and the clinical dysfunction index (Di) of Helkimo index was used to evaluate the temporomandibular joint function.

RESULTS

All incisions healed by first intention. All 20 patients were followed up 6-10 months (mean, 8 months). Postoperative imaging examination showed that 27 fractures were well reduced, of which 26 were anatomically reduced and 1 was basically reduced; the reduction of the temporomandibular joint disc was excellent in 25 sides, good in 1 side, and poor in 1 side, and the effective rate of disc reduction and anchorage was 96.3%. The occlusion relationship of the patient was stable and basically reached the pre-injury level, the incision scar was hidden, and the mouth opening significantly improved when compared with the preoperative level. The maximum mouth opening was 32-40 mm (mean, 36.8 mm) at 6 months after operation. Maximum opening was more than 35 mm in 17 cases. At last follow-up, joint function reached Di 0 grade in 8 sides, DiⅠ grade in 18 sides, and DiⅡ grade in 1 side. After operation, 2 cases of opening deviation, 1 case of joint click, and 2 cases of temporary disappearance of frontal striae on affected side occurred, which recovered to normal after symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSION

For diacapitular condylar fractures with disc displacement, it is necessary to adopt disc reduction and anchorage at the same time of fracture reduction and internal fixation, which can achieve good clinical results.

Management of Nonunion and Malunion After Primary Mandibular Condylar Fracture Treatment: A Review and Recommendations

PURPOSE

After primary treatment of mandibular condylar fractures, nonunion and malunion can result in considerable malocclusion and temporomandibular joint dysfunction owing to the integral role the condylar head plays in the temporomandibular joint. At present, the choice and timing of treatment are highly heterogeneous. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current literature to identify possible pitfalls, discuss available treatment options, and make recommendations.

METHODS

The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PROSPERO, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Embase were searched for content matching mandibular condylar fracture "revision surgery," "secondary surgery," "refracture," "malunion," and "malunion osteotomy." Articles in English, limited to human adults, published in the past 10 years, with abstracts and full text available and appropriate study designs, were included.

RESULTS

A total of 101 articles were retrieved for analysis, and 4 articles were included. Because of heterogeneity in these studies, a pooled analysis could not be performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery can be considered as primary treatment of condylar fractures, and early detection of complications allows for early intervention, leading to better outcomes. Treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction is highly heterogeneous and ranges from nonsurgical measures to joint reconstruction. Unilateral malocclusion can often be corrected with unilateral surgery, but bilateral surgery may be indicated in select cases. Bilateral deformities often require bilateral mandibular surgery, but in cases with preserved symmetry, maxillary surgery can be performed.

Secondary reconstruction of maxillofacial trauma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Craniomaxillofacial trauma is one of the most complex clinical conditions in contemporary maxillofacial surgery. Vital structures and possible functional and esthetic sequelae are important considerations following this type of trauma and intervention. Despite the best efforts of the primary surgery, there are a group of patients that will have poor outcomes requiring secondary reconstruction to restore form and function. The purpose of this study is to review current concepts on secondary reconstruction to the maxillofacial complex.

RECENT FINDINGS

The evaluation of a posttraumatic patient for a secondary reconstruction must include an assessment of the different subunits of the upper face, middle face, and lower face. Virtual surgical planning and surgical guides represent the most important innovations in secondary reconstruction over the past few years. Intraoperative navigational surgery/computed-assisted navigation is used in complex cases. Facial asymmetry can be corrected or significantly improved by segmentation of the computerized tomography dataset and mirroring of the unaffected side by means of virtual surgical planning. Navigational surgery/computed-assisted navigation allows for a more precise surgical correction when secondary reconstruction involves the replacement of extensive anatomical areas. The use of technology can result in custom-made replacements and prebent plates, which are more stable and resistant to fracture because of metal fatigue.

SUMMARY

Careful perioperative evaluation is the key to positive outcomes of secondary reconstruction after trauma. The advent of technological tools has played a capital role in helping the surgical team perform a given treatment plan in a more precise and predictable manner.