title: Retromandibular approach to condyle fractures: two case reports.
abstract: Retromandibular approach was first described in 1967 for vertical subcondylar osteotomy and later became popular for surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and low condyle fractures. The trajectory of the incision, parallel to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus, allows a good approach with easy separation of the buccal and marginal mandibular branches of the facial nerve, when they are present in the surgical field. When open reduction and internal rigid fixation with plates and screws are indicated for condylar fractures, retromandibular approach offers an excellent esthetic result with low morbidity. Two clinical cases are presented, in which the surgical treatment was carried out for condylar fractures, and clearly illustrate the proposed approach.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Bahiana para o Desenvolvimento das Ciencias/SESAB, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danilo Borges
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.forename: Miguel G Setúbal
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Antonio Marcio
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marchionni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography