The periauricular transparotid approach for open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures

• Published in: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 169 - 179
• Main Authors: Vesnaver, Aleš, Gorjanc, Matija, Eberlinc, Andreja, Dovšak, David A., Kansky, Andrej A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Condyle fractures; Dental Occlusion; Facial Paralysis - etiology; Female; Fracture Fixation - adverse effects; Fracture Fixation - methods; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Male; Mandibular Condyle - diagnostic imaging; Mandibular Condyle - injuries; Mandibular Condyle - surgery; Mandibular Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Mandibular Fractures - surgery; Maxillofacial injuries; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Treatment Outcome; Condyle fractures; Maxillofacial injuries; Human; Open reduction; Stomatology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Temporomandibular joint; Fracture; Trauma; Condyle of mandible; Treatment; Surgery; Surgical approach
• ISSN: 1010-5182; 1878-4119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2005.01.008

Treatment of fractures of the mandibular condyle fractures varies among centres as there still is no general consensus. The aim of this paper was to determine the safety and efficiency of surgical treatment using a transparotid approach for direct plating. A prospective clinical study was conducted on 34 patients with 36 fractures of the condyle. All 36 fractures were displaced, and 14 (39%) of them were fracture dislocations. The fractures were treated surgically with a transparotid facelift or retromandibular approach using miniplates and screws for fixation. Patients were carefully followed up and were asked to answer a survey paper 2–39 months postoperatively. Occlusion practically identical to the pretraumatic condition was achieved in 31 out of 33 dentate patients (94%). Postoperative interincisal distance was 30–61 mm (mean 44 mm), 4 patients (12%) had postoperative deflection to the side of injury during mouth opening. Facial symmetry was achieved in all of the patients. Eight out of 36 cases (22%) had a transient weakness of certain ipsilateral facial muscle groups, lasting for 4–8 weeks. In one of these patients, a mild weakness of the upper lip and lower eyelid persisted after 13 months. There were 5 cases of miniplate fractures (14%), all of them in patients in whom 1.7 or thinner miniplates were used. There were 5 cases of salivary fistulae (14%), all of them in patients where the parotid capsule was not closed in a watertight fashion. According to the postoperative survey completed by 32 patients, 30 of them (94%) were very satisfied with the outcome of treatment. If conducted properly, the transparotid facelift approach offers a safe and effective approach for direct fixation of condylar fractures.