title: Surgical treatment of the fractured and dislocated condylar process of the mandible.
abstract: Most fractures of the mandible can be managed conservatively. This report is a retrospective evaluation of the clinical and radiological results in 17 patients with 21 dislocated fractures submitted to open reduction and fixation, employing steel wires and maxillomandibular fixation. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 55 months, (mean 29.5). Functional assessment showed good opening movements (mean 41.9 mm). There were no cases of ankylosis, pain, or paralysis of the facial nerve. Radiological assessment was normal when the lateral pterygoid muscle was maintained adherent to the fractured proximal segment. Radiological signs of bone resorption occurred when the fractured segment was detached from the lateral pterygoid muscle. In our opinion, dislocated condylar process fractures can be managed surgically and with steel wire ligatures and maxillomandibular fixation. Whenever possible, the lateral pterygoid muscle should be inserted into the fractured proximal segment, i.e. as an osteomuscular flap.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishizuka
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Keira
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brenda
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Wolosker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000844:Ankylosis; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005158:Facial Paralysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013524:Surgical Flaps