• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2001

The treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures is a matter of controversy. The majority of mandibular subcondylar fracture are treated by closed reduction, but the displaced or dislocated mandibular subcondylar fractures may be treated by open reduction. The characteristics of open reduction are the anatomical reduction, the functional restoration, the rapid function, the maintenance of vertical ramus dimension, the better appearance and the less resultant TMJ problem etc. When an open reduction is considered, the wire, miniplate, lag screw and Kirschner wire are available with internal fixation. Of these, Kirschner wire is a simple method relatively and correct positioning of the wire achieves rigid fixation. But many open reduction methods for mandibular subcondylar fractures require extraoral approach. The extraoral approach has some problems, the facial scar and the risk of facial nerve injury. On the other hand, the intraoral approach eliminates the potency of the facial scar and the facial nerve injury, but is difficult to access the operation site. Since the intraoral approach was first described by Silverman (1925), the intraoral approach to the mandibular condyle has been developed with modifications. The purpose of this article is to describe the intraoral technique with the Kirschner wire on mandibular subcondylar fractures. Conclusion : The intraoral reduction with Kirschner wire on mandubular subcondylar fractures avoids the facial scar and facial nerve injury and is simple method to the extraoral approach. And it has minimal morbidity and better esthetics.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 1989

The therapeutic methods and follow - up prognosis of subcondylar fractures in adults have always been sources of controversy. To improve the therepeutic results in subcondylar fractures with displacement, and especially, the bicondylar ones, the auther employ the surgical reduction using of sagittal split and oblique subcondylar osteotomy. This report is illustrated by six clinical cases.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.631-635
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• 2007

Purpose: The classic technique for open reduction of subcondylar fractures is the submandibular approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical result of retromandibular approach to displaced subcondylar fractures. Material and methods: During a period of 24months we perfomed a prospective study with a retromandibular approach in 23 patients with displaced subcondylar fractures. In this article we describe clinical result in 23 patients with follow ups for 3 months after surgery. Preoperatively all patients had malocclusion and radiology demonstrated displacement. Result: The retromandibularl approach for ORIF was good in all case. Mouth opening(M/O) was 49mm. Occlusion was good too. Permanent facial nerve palsy was not detected. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the retromandibular approach is a safe technique for subcondylar fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.739-743
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• 2005

Subcondylar fractures have generally been treated by intermaxillary fixation except in cases where there is an absolute indication for open reduction. The reason behind a less aggressive surgical approach lies on the inherent difficulties in manipulating fragments in such a small area at the risk of damaging facial nerves or vessels such as the internal maxillary artery. However, long-term follow-up studies showed that conservative treatment of subcondylar fractures results in disturbances of occlusal function, deviation of the mandible, internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint, and ankylosis of the joint. We carried out open reduction of dislocated subcondylar fractures in 14 patients from 2000 to 2004 by a retromandibular approach. After the reduction of fractured bone, two H-shaped miniplates with 6 holes were fixed with screws at the anterior and posterior surfaces of the subcondyle. The retromandibular approach allowed good access and easy manipulation of the subcondyle. Immediate relief from malocclusion and correction of mandibular midline shifting were observed in all patients. Late temporomandibular dysfunction and ankylosis were not observed. Open reduction with plate osteosynthesis made it possible to avoid IMF in 7 of the 14 patients. The present study shows that open reduction through this retromandibular approach can produce good outcome in adult patients with subcondylar fracture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.284-290
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• 2012

Open reduction and anatomic reduction can create better function for the temporomandibular joint, compared with closed treatment in mandible fracture surgery. Therefore, the double miniplate fixation technique via mini-retromandibular incision was used in order to make the most stable fixation when performing subcondylar fracture surgery. Those approaches provide good visualization of the subcondyle from the posterior edge of the ramus, allow the surgeon to work perpendicularly to the fracture, and enable direct fracture management. Understanding the biomechanical load in the fixation of subcondylar fractures is also necessary in order to optimize fixation methods. Therefore, we measured the biomechanical loads of four different plate fixation techniques in the experimental model regarding mandibular subcondylar fractures. It was found that the loads measured in the two-plate fixation group with one dynamic compression plate (DCP) and one adaption plate showed the highest deformation and failure loads among the four fixation groups. The loads measured in the one DCP plate fixation group showed higher deformation and failure loads than the loads measured in the two adaption plate fixation group. Therefore, we conclude that the selection of the high profile plate (DCP) is also important in order to create a stable load in the subcondylar fracture.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2010

Purpose: Surgical approaches to the condylar neck and subcondyle area can cause some morbidity such as, facial nerve injury, time-consuming nature and external scar etc. So many surgeons hesitate using open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of subcondylar fractures. We report open reduction and internal fixation of subcondylar fractures in 13 adult patients via transmasseteric approach. Methods: From 2007 to 2009, 13 adults with subcondylar fracture of mandible were treated with open reduction and internal fixation via transmasseteric approach. A preauricular incision was extended downwards in a curvilinear fashion in the cervicomastoid skin crease. Skin flap was elevated above the SMAS layer. Masseter muscle was splitted at the anteroinferior edge of the parotid gland. After the fracture was reduced, fixed with appropriate plates and screws. All operation were performed under general anesthesia. Results: Mean follow-up period was 13.3 months. There were no signs and symptoms of facial nerve injury, difficulty in mouth opening, or malocclusion. Dissection time was roughly within 30 minutes. Conclusion: Transmasseteric open reduction and internal fixation of mandible subcondylar fracture can be performed with excellent visualization, and inconspicuous scar. It also offers swift access to the subcondylar area while substatially reducing the risk to the facial nerve and eliminating the complications associated with transparotid approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.267-276
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• 2022

Objectives: Recently a modified high-submandibular approach (HSMA) has been introduced for treatment of condylar fracture. This approach involves an incision line close to the mandibular angle and transmasseteric transection, leading to a low incidence of facial palsy and allowing good visualization of the condyle area, especially the condylar neck and subcondyle positions. This study reports several cases managed with this modified HSMA technique for treating condylar fractures. Materials and Methods: Six cases of condylar fractures treated with modified HSMA technique were reviewed. Results: Three unilateral subcondylar fracture, 1 bilateral subcondylar fracture, 1 unilateral condylar neck fracture, 1 unlateral simultaneous condylar neck and subcondylar fracture cases were reviewed. All the cases were successfully treated without any major complication. Conclusion: Reduction, fixation, and osteosynthesis of condylar fractures via the modified HSMA technique enabled effective and stable treatment outcomes. Therefore, the described approach can be used especially for subcondylar and condylar neck fractures with minimal complications.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2009

Purpose: Fractures of the mandibular condylar area are common injuries that account for 29% to 40% of fractures of the facial bones and represent 20% to 62% of all mandibular fractures. Currently 3 main methods are being used in the treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures: closed reduction; open reduction and internal fixation; Endoscopic reduction and internal fixation. Each method has its proponents and opponent as well as advantages and disadvantages, and indications for each vary among surgeons. There are six approaches of open reduction: submandibular, retromandibular, preaurilcular, postauricular, intraoral, transparotid approach. Among them, transparotid approach has been described for subcondylar exposure with dissection in the direction of facial nerve fibers to expose the bone through the parotid gland. This approach carries the risk of a parotid glandular fistula as well as facial nerve injury but has the advantage of being directly over the fracture site. We report safety and efficacy of surgical treatment using a transparotid approach for direct plating. Methods: A 43-year-old man sustained multiple facial bone fractures by driver traffic accident. Mandibular subcondyle was fractured and dislocated internally. We performed open reduction and internal fixation by transparotid approach. Fractured site was fixed by titanium mini plate & screw. We applicated arch bar for approximately 3 weeks. Results: Follow-up length was about 5months. Scar of surgical incision was indistinct, there was no symptoms and signs of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, and maximal mouth opening was measured 49.5 mm. Conclusion: Transparotid approach has high risks of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, but paradoxically it is the most effective technique in saving facial nerve. Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular subcondylar fracture by transparotid approach with precise and versed procedure, best outcome can be expected.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.735-742
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• 2009

Purpose: The management of fractures of mandibular subcondyle continues to be controversial between open and closed treatment. The purpose of this article is to explain the endoscopic assisted open reduction and internal fixation and minimize the controversy. Methods: Nine patients of mandibular subcondylar fracture were reduced and fixed by using intraoral endoscopic - assisted open reduction and internal fixation and were followed up for 14 ~ 24 months after surgery. Results: Eight patients of mandibular subcondylar fracture had been treated without significant complications. One patient, whose malocclusion had been remained, was recovered normal occlusion by maxillomandibular fixation using intermaxillary screws for 3 weeks. Conclusion: The advantages of endoscopic - assisted open reduction and internal fixation are direct visualization, accurate fracture repair, minimized scar, decreased morbidity. And maxillomandibular fixation is not needed when it is done by accurate reduction and rigid fixation with one miniplate in the region of subcondylar fracture. With the above consideration, endoscopic - assisted open reduction and internal fixation can be considered as one of the best treament for subcondylar fracture of the mandible.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2006

There are several manners for surgical approaches to the mandibular condyle. With the retromandiular approach, the condyle and fracture are exposed directly and allow for good inspection and reduction. The retromandibular scar is very well camouflaged and practically invisible. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical results of retromandibular approach for the reduction and fixation of fractured mandibular condyles. We described postoperative complications such as temporary facial nerve weakness involving the marginal mandibular branch, mouth opening limitation and malocclusion in 13 patients with mandubular condylar fractures; 11 subcondylar fractures and 2 condylar neck fractures. The follow-up period was longer than 6 months in all patients. The retromandibular approach was successful in all subcondylar fracture cases. 2 patients with condylar neck fracture had mouth opening limitation and temporary marginal nerve palsy longer than 3 months. But there were no cases of permanent nerve injury and malocclusion. Our findings indicate that retromandibular approach is an easy and safe technique for subcondylar fracture but not for condylar neck fracture.