Surgical complications with open treatment of mandibular condylar process fractures.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the surgical complications after open treatment for fractures of the mandibular condylar process.


METHODS
A total of 178 patients with unilateral fractures of the mandibular condylar process, 85 treated closed and 93 treated open, were included in this study. A tabulation of surgical findings and intraoperative and postoperative complications was prospectively performed. Standardized animating facial photographs were obtained at several postsurgical intervals and were examined and scored by a prosthodontist and an orthodontist for signs of facial nerve palsy and the quality of the surgical scar. Standard statistical methods were used to assess differences between open and closed treatment groups.


RESULTS
There were very few intraoperative or postoperative complications. At the 6-week point, 17.2% of patients treated open had some weakness of their facial nerve. This had resolved by 6 months. The scars were judged either wide or hypertrophic in 7.5% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on this study, surgical complications of open treatment of condylar process fractures that lead to permanent dysfunction or deformity are uncommon.
Ellis
E
E
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75239-9109, USA. eellis@mednet.swmed.edu
McFadden
D
D
Simon
P
P
Throckmorton
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012467:Salivary Gland Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D013547:Sweating, Gustatory / Q000209:etiology