Anaesthesia of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves following subcondylar fractures of the mandible

Long-term Complications of Isolated and Combined Condylar Fractures: A Retrospective Study

Study Design

Fractures of the mandibular condyle are a common injury in maxillofacial trauma. Both conservative treatment (i.e., analgesic therapy and soft diet) and intermaxillary fixation (IMF) or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) have satisfactory and functional outcomes, though severe late-onset complications have been reported.

Objective

We compared the long-term complications of patients with condylar fractures treated conservatively, with IMF, or with combined ORIF and IMF.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all patients diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral condylar fracture, isolated or combined with a fracture of the mandibular body, admitted to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at UZ Leuven between January 2013 and January 2020. We collected data on age, gender, side of condylar fracture, presence of associated fracture of the mandibular body, referrals, initial treatment, long-term complications and secondary treatment. Long-term complications were defined as sequelae still present 6 weeks after initial treatment.

Results

Among 192 patients, 68.8% had unilateral and 31.2% bilateral condylar fractures; an associated fracture of the mandibular body was seen in 45.8%, 31% received conservative treatment, 51% IMF only, and 18% combined ORIF and IMF. Forty-eight percent of all patients suffered from 1 or more long-term complications, most frequently malocclusion (24%), reduced mouth opening (15.1%), nerve disturbances (13.5%), pain (8.9%), and facial asymmetry (2.6%). Surgery as a secondary treatment was necessary in 25% of all cases.

Conclusions

The presence of bilateral condylar fractures or associated fracture of the mandibular body is a risk factor for developing long-term complications. Most patients with long-term complications were initially treated with combined ORIF and IMF, but long-term complications after initial conservative or IMF treatment were treated with secondary surgery.

Inter Maxillary Fixation Versus Open Reduction for the Treatment of Mandibular Condyle Fractures: A Comparative Evaluation

Background:

The treatment for fractured mandibular condyles aims at restoring the masticatory ability, occlusion, symmetry, and function as the bit were before the trauma. The treatment of the mandibular condylar fracture can be done based on the two protocols.

Aims:

The present clinical trial was conducted to collate aftertreatment upshot of closed treatment and open surgical treatment for mandibular condyle fractures.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-two patients were divided into two groups (n = 12) which were treated with either the closed reduction using intermaxillary fixation or open reduction and internal fixation. The following clinical parameters were assessed at 1^st and 3^rd day and at 1, 3, and 6 weeks: lateral excursion and protrusion, occlusion; interincisal opening, mandibular ramus height, deviation/deflection during jaw opening, and pain assessment using visual analog score. The collected data were subjected to statistical evaluation.

Results:

Interincisal opening was found to be 8.125 ± 0.3467 mm and 6.016 ± 0.1528 mm, respectively, for Group I and Group II which was statistically significant (P < 0.00001). At the 3 months and 6^th week postoperatively, it was increased in the surgical groups to 17.433 ± 0.3822 mm and 19.175 ± 0.3696 mm, respectively.

Conclusion:

The present trial suggests surgical open reduction and internal fixation treatment of the mandibular condylar fracture is better than the nonsurgical closed reduction in terms of interincisal opening, lateral excursion, and protrusive mandibular movement range.

Condylar Fracture in a Child with Entrapment of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve

The aim of this article is to report the clinical case of a right subcondylar fracture in a 4-year-old boy. The displaced and medial angulated fragmented mandibular condyle in coexistence with an enlarged lateral pterygoid process was compressing the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) during its course in the area of the infratemporal fossa. This was expressed by exhibiting a rubbing behavior with resulting superficial ulceration at the right lower lip. Hypoesthesia of the lower lip may be a sign of the IAN entrapment after a subcondylar fracture in a child. In contrast to the adults where an open reduction is necessary to relieve the symptoms of hypoesthesia, in pediatric population, a conservative approach seems sufficient.

The ossified pterygoalar ligament: an anatomical study with pathological and surgical implications

Mandibular nerve entrapment has great significance, as it may be responsible for the appearance of several neurological pathologies, such as chewing disorders, taste loss, facial or tongue paraesthesia and neuralgia. The ossified pterygoalar (Pta) bar is the result of calcification and/or ossification of the ligament extending from the pterygospinous process of the lateral pterygoid lamina to the infratemporal surface of the sphenoid bone. The ossified bar may act as the cause for this entrapment. One hundred and forty-five Greek adult dry skulls were examined for the existence of a complete or incomplete Pta bar and a relative foramen. The Pta bar appeared in 31.7% of the skulls, in total, in 4.1% completely and in 27.6% incompletely ossified. The mean sagittal and transverse diameters of Pta foramen were 3.21 ± 1.70 and 4.79 ± 1.39 mm, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference between the presence of Pta bar and the side or gender. Apart from the neurological interest, this study highlights the importance of the existence of Pta bar in neurosurgery, anaesthesiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery. The passage of the needle through the foramen ovale for the injection of anaesthetics, as a treatment for trigeminal neuralgia may not be achieved due to this anatomical obstacle. In this case, intra- or postoperative radiologic investigation may be helpful.