title: Three-dimensional assessment of unilateral subcondylar fracture using computed tomography after open reduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to assess the accuracy of three-dimensional anatomical reductions achieved by open method of treatment in cases of displaced unilateral mandibular subcondylar fractures using preoperative (pre op) and postoperative (post op) computed tomography (CT) scans.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 10 patients with unilateral sub condylar fractures confirmed by an orthopantomogram were included. A pre op and post op CT after 1 week of surgical procedure was taken in axial, coronal and sagittal plane along with three-dimensional reconstruction. Standard anatomical parameters, which undergo changes due to fractures of the mandibular condyle were measured in pre and post op CT scans in three planes and statistically analysed for the accuracy of the reduction comparing the following variables: (a) Pre op fractured and nonfractured side (b) post op fractured and nonfractured side (c) pre op fractured and post op fractured side. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-dimensional anatomical reduction was possible in 9 out of 10 cases (90%). The statistical analysis of each parameter in three variables revealed (P < 0.05) that there was a gross change in the dimensions of the parameters obtained in pre op fractured and nonfractured side. When these parameters were assessed in post op CT for the three variables there was no statistical difference between the post op fractured side and non fractured side. The same parameters were analysed for the three variables in pre op fractured and post op fractured side and found significant statistical difference suggesting a considerable change in the dimensions of the fractured side post operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The statistical and clinical results in our study emphasised that it is possible to fix the condyle in three-dimensional anatomical positions with open method of treatment and avoid post op degenerative joint changes. CT is the ideal imaging tool and should be used on a regular basis for cases of condylar fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sathya Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Devireddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: R V Kishore
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rajasekhar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gali
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sridhar Reddy
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kanubaddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Dasari Mallikarjuna
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chintareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Mannava
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siddhartha
keywords: Computed tomography; imaging; open reduction; three-dimensional; unilateral condyle fractures