A transparotid transcutaneous approach for internal rigid fixation in condylar fractures

Retromandibular Approach and its Different Variations in the Management of Fracture Condyle: Surgical Experience

The management of condylar fractures is a controversial topic in maxillofacial surgery. Surgical treatment is the preferred treatment choice nowadays and the article aims to describe different variations of the retromandibular approach with their surgical outcome based on experience. A total of 15 cases were managed with the retromandibular approach and its different variations. We advocate retromandibular approach for the management of condyle fractures, and among which retromandibular retroparotid and retromandibular anteroparotid provide best accessiblity with less bleeding and minimal risk of injury to the facial nerve.

Open Treatment of Mandibular Condyle by Direct Transparotid Approach: Our Experience

The fractures of the mandibular condyle are commonly encountered in maxillofacial surgical practice. The controversies to open or not to open are still ongoing. We have used both techniques, to successfully manage our patients. Open treatment of condyle fracture with or without dislocation is technically challenging. We used a "Direct Transparotid" approach in treating 13 condyle fractures over a period of 4 years. The patients were evaluated for facial nerve injury, salivary fistula, scar, function, and occlusion over a period of 12 months. There were no major complications with acceptable scar, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. The script aims at presenting our experience of direct transparotid approach surgical technique.

Treatment of mandibular condyle fractures using a modified transparotid approach via the parotid mini-incision: experience with 31 cases

Surgery for mandibular condyle fractures must allow direct vision of the fracture, reduce surgical trauma and achieve reduction and fixation while avoiding facial nerve injury. This prospective study was conducted to introduce a new surgical approach for open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condyle fractures using a modified transparotid approach via the parotid mini-incision, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. The modified transparotid approach via the parotid mini-incision was applied and rigid internal fixation using a small titanium plate was carried out for 36 mandibular condyle fractures in 31 cases. Postoperative follow-up of patients ranged from 3 to 26 months; in the first 3 months after surgery, outcomes for all patients were analyzed by evaluating the degree of mouth opening, occlusal relationship, facial nerve function and results of imaging studies. The occlusal relationships were excellent in all patients and none had symptoms of intraoperative ipsilateral facial nerve injury. The mean degree of mouth opening was 4.0 (maximum 4.8 cm, minimum 3.0 cm). No mandibular deviations were noted in any patient during mouth opening. CT showed complete anatomical reduction of the mandibular condyle fracture in all patients. The modified transparotid approach via the smaller, easily concealed parotid mini-incision is minimally invasive and achieves anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation with a simplified procedure that directly exposes the fracture site. Study results showed that this procedure is safe and feasible for treating mandibular condyle fracture, and offers a short operative path, protection of the facial nerve and satisfactory aesthetic outcomes.

The perilobule approach to subcondylar fractures

Several approaches to the management of subcondylar fractures have been used, including the submandibular approach, the preauricular approach, and the retromandibular approach. Although they provide excellent access to repair fractures of body, ramus, and condyle, we have found it difficult to manage subcondylar fractures using either of these approaches. We describe a novel approach for subcondylar fractures that provides direct access to the fracture site. A total of 17 consecutive patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation of their subcondylar fractures using this technique. The incision line is located just anterior and posterior to the ear lobe, and is comprised of lower part preauricular and upper retroauricular incisions. Intraoperatively, the method applied shortened the time necessary for and simplified the procedure of reduction and osteosynthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful in most patients. Radiologic follow-up revealed correct reduction and fixation in all the cases. There were no occlusal disturbances, no trismus, no lateral deviations of the mandible, and no nerve lesions. Our findings indicate that the short perilobe approach is an easy and safe technique for displaced subcondylar fractures.

Results of transmasseteric anteroparotid approach for mandibular condylar fractures

Management of condylar fractures has been the subject of much disagreement and debate. There is no general consensus for definitive treatment. Although there is a growing tendency for open reduction and internal fixation technique, risks and morbidity of the surgical procedure are still a point of concern for maxillofacial surgeons. To reduce potential complications and improve surgical exposure, the transmasseteric anteroparotid approach was introduced. Since 2008, we have operated on 6 patients (7 fractures) using this approach. The technique is easy to learn, provides adequate surgical exposure for open reduction internal fixation, and has few complication rates.

Clinical experience with osteosynthesis of subcondylar fractures of the mandible using TCP plates

AIM

To evaluate the clinical and radiological results obtained with a new kind of osteosynthesis device (Modus TCP) plates, Medartis, Basel, Switzerland), especially designed for low subcondylar fracture (LSCF) and high subcondylar fracture (HSCF) of the mandible in association with the high submandibular approach (HSMA).

METHOD

A prospective clinical and radiological study was carried out over a 41-month period. All adult patients suffering from a displaced LSCF or HSCF who consented to the surgical treatment were included in the study. All fractures were operated on using an HSMA and were stabilised using a 4- or 9-hole TCP((R)) plate. No intermaxillary fixation was used and a soft diet was started on the 1st postoperative day. Clinical examinations and control X-rays were carried out on the 10th postoperative day, in the 1st, the 3rd and, at least, in the 6th postoperative months.

MATERIAL

Sixty-four patients (12 females, 52 males - mean age: 28.3) with a total of 75 fractures (54 LSCF, 21 HSCF) were included in the study. Mean postoperative follow-up was 14 months.

RESULTS

In the 6th postoperative month, all fractures were consolidated in 79% of the cases in an anatomical position. A secondary displacement of the fracture occurred in 6.6% of the cases. Plate fracture was not observed. Dental occlusion remained unchanged in 94% of the patients. The mandibular movements (mouth opening, protrusion, lateral movements on the unfractured and fractured side) had normal mean values (49.5, 10.4, 12.8, 12.1mm, respectively). These movements were symmetrical in 95% of the patients. No patient complained about articular pain or noise. No facial nerve palsy was noticed, not even a transiently one. All patients but one found the scars acceptable.

CONCLUSION

TCP plates, in association with HSMA, were found to be an efficient osteosynthesis device for stabilising subcondylar fractures.

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

INTRODUCTION

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.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

If conducted properly, the transparotid facelift approach offers a safe and effective approach for direct fixation of condylar fractures.