title: Preauricular transparotid approach to mandibular condylar fractures without dissecting facial nerves.
abstract: Preauricular transparotid approach without dissecting the facial nerve was used for surgical treatment of 15 condylar fractures in 14 patients. The parotid fascia was opened just above the fracture site, and by dissecting the parotid gland and masseter muscle, the fracture was directly exposed. The facial nerve itself was not dissected expressly. All fractures could be reduced accurately and fixed firmly with miniplates. A direct approach just above the fracture site provided good vision of the fracture, avoiding facial nerve palsy caused by strong retraction. Moreover, by not dissecting the facial nerve, the operation time was shortened. This approach was useful for surgical treatment of both condylar neck and subcondylar fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ishikiri-Seiki Hospital, Osaka, Japan. yabe@msic.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yabe
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D004210:Dissection; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; 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*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult