Retromandibular approach in the management of condylar fractures by open reduction and internal fixation a prospective study

Modified Retromandibular Approach for the Management of Condylar Fractures of the Mandible

Condylar fractures of the mandible have been of particular interest to surgeons for decades, as there is a big debate regarding the management option: conservative versus surgical modality. Conservative treatment is the preferred treatment modality for condylar head (diacapitular) fractures. Currently, surgical modality is favored and surgeons are opting for open reduction and internal fixation for diacapitular fractures as it reestablishes the anatomical position of the fragments and disc, and permits immediate functional mobility of the jaw, thereby reducing the chances of occurrence of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. This case series enumerates the pros and cons of open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures of the mandible occurring at various levels using a modified retromandibular approach and highlights that this can be considered as one of the treatment options for condylar fractures.

Comparative Evaluation of Modified Tragus Edge Approach and Retromandibular Approach to Mid- or Low-Level Mandibular Condylar Fractures

Objectives

To compare and evaluate the modified tragus edge approach (MTEA) with retromandibular approach for surgical access to mid-level or low-level mandibular condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods

This study comprised of 22 patients with mid-level or low-level condylar fracture. Patients with clinical and radiological evidence of mid-level or low-level condylar fracture are included only in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A includes 11 patients, in which modified tragus edge approach was used, and group B includes 11 patients treated with retromandibular approach. Patients were evaluated clinically after first week, second week, fourth week, third month, and sixth month radiographically.

Results

The mean age of the study subjects in group A was 32.45 ± 8.98 years, while in group B, the mean age was 26.91 ± 5.79 years. Post-operatively, no significant difference was seen in relation to pain, occlusal relationship, mouth opening, and deviation of jaw during opening and closing movements. In terms of post-operative complication, only significant difference found between two groups is post-operative scar visibility, which is higher in retromandibular incision group as compared to MTEA.

Conclusion

Thus, we can conclude that MTEA provides ease of operation as a good exposure of mandibular mid- or low-level condylar fracture as retromandibular approach but with less visibility of post-operative scar as compared to retromandibular approach.

The Role of a Deep Neuromuscular Block in the Treatment of Mandibular Subcondylar Fractures

ABSTRACT

Mandibular fractures are the third most frequents maxillo-facial fractures. Most frequent site is the subcondylar region. Different approaches to reach subcondylar region, have been described. In the study was evaluated the advantages of neuromuscular block during endoscopic surgery for subcondylar fractures. Twenty-five patients affected by subcondylar fractures were enrolled in this study and divided in 2 groups; group A: patients who received an intraoperative booster of curare during surgical procedure and group B patients who underwent surgery treated without the intraoperative booster of curare. All patients were treated successfully by endoscope-assisted transoral approach. The analysis of time required for surgery showed a reduction in group A comparing to group B. The mean time for surgery for the patients in group B with displacement between 0° and 45° was 170 minutes, and for 45° to 90° was 230 minutes. In group A, the mean time was 117.5 minutes for patients with condylar displacement between 0° and 45°, and 147.5 minutes for the other group. In conclusion, deep neuromuscular block seems to improve the surgical conditions in patients undergoing subcondylar endoscopic assisted surgery, further study needs to assess this surgical technique in order to better define this surgical protocol.

Analysis between Retromandibular and Periangular Transmasseteric Approach for Fixation of Condylar Fracture - A Prospective Study

Introduction:

Condylar fractures make up for an average of 17.5%–52% of all mandibular fractures. The aim of the present study was to compare the ease, success, and complications between retromandibular and periangular transmasseteric approaches when used for open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods:

A total 20 cases with condylar fracture, ten each for retromandibular and periangular transmasseteric approach, were included in the study. Patients were evaluated at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Postoperative occlusion, maximum mouth opening, range of movement, facial nerve function, visibility, convenience of plating, and time taken for exposure, fixation, and closure were recorded. Incidence of complications such as wound dehiscence, wound infection, hematoma, sialocele formation, Frey's syndrome, and hypertrophic scars were also evaluated.

Results:

The mean exposure time in the retromandibular approach was 10 min 31 s and 9 min 17 s in the periangular transmasseteric approach. The incidence of facial nerve injury was 2 of 10 patients in the retromandibular group and 3 of 10 patients in the periangular transmasseteric group, all of which resolved within 6 months. The incidence of sialocoele was 2 of 10 in the retromandibular group. The time taken for exposure of the fracture site was statistically significant between the two approaches (P = 0.048) with longer time required for retromandibular approach.

Discussion:

It can be summarized that both the approaches are comparable and well suited for surgical management of condylar fractures. It was observed that in displaced condylar neck fractures, greater difficulty was experienced in the periangular transmasseteric approach than the retromandibular approach.

The Retromandibular Transparotid Approach for Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condylar Fractures

Introduction:

The retromandibular transparotid approach is most useful for condylar and subcondylar fractures and provides the best access to the joint and ascending ramus. The study aims at evaluating the ease of access and outcomes encountered on using the retromandibular transparotid approach to access the fracture site for the open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of condylar and sub-condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods:

An observational clinical study was carried out among 10 patients with unilateral and bilateral condylar fracture requiring ORIF. Maximal interincisal mouth opening, facial swelling, occlusal discrepancy, facial nerve injury, scar formation, and acceptability and complications including wound dehiscence, infection, and sialocele/salivary fistula were assessed and measured preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

There was a notable improvement in mouth opening and facial nerve weakness. Postoperative intermaxillary fixation was done with selective patients who had a discrepancy in their occlusion. Preoperatively, swelling was present in four patients (40%) out of 10 patients studied. There was no incidence of sialocele/salivary fistula in any of the cases studied.

Conclusion:

Retromandibular transparotid incision is technique sensitive and thorough knowledge about the retromandibular area is must for good results and minimal morbidity. The cosmetic results are good in this approach, as well as the facial nerve injury were less in this without any permanent damages.

Changes in mandibular and articular dynamics associated with surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of mandibular condylar fractures: a systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mandibular and articular dynamics and the presence of complications associated with surgical or nonsurgical treatments of condylar fractures.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical trials that compared open reduction internal fixation and maxillomandibular fixation in patients with condylar fractures were included. We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences) databases starting from February 2017 and updated in January 2019 and found 467 articles. We evaluated methodologic quality by using the criteria from Cochrane's Collaboration Tool.

RESULTS

After independent screening of abstracts, we assessed the full texts of 88 articles; 9 studies were included for qualitative synthesis; but only 8 were included for the meta-analysis. Four studies were considered to have high risk of bias, and 5 were considered to have low risk. The risk ratio (RR = 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.32) was observed for complications. The quality of evidence, using GRADE software, was considered low for maximum mouth opening and protrusive movement and moderate for lateral excursion movement and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggested that open reduction internal fixation and maxillomandibular fixation are effective. However, surgical treatment presented higher objective parameters. Nonsurgical treatment presented a high index of complications, such as malocclusion, pain and deviation.