title: Fracture of mandibular condyle—to open or not to open: an attempt to settle the controversy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcome of the open method versus the closed method of treatment for mandibular condylar fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with fractures of the mandibular condylar processes were evaluated. All fractures were displaced, with a degree of deviation between the condylar fragment and the ascending ramus of 10 to 45 degrees (mediolaterally). The patients were randomly divided into two groups, with group 1 receiving open reduction internal fixation and group 2 receiving closed reduction. The follow-up was done over the period of 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvement was seen in group 1 compared with group 2 in terms of anatomic reduction of the condyle, shortening of the ascending ramus, occlusal status, and deviation on mouth opening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A statistically significant difference was seen in the patients treated with the open method, with improved temporomandibular joint functions and fewer short- and long-term complications compared with those treated with the closed method.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: docos79@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Oral Implantologist, Institute of Dental Sciences, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology, ITS-Dental College, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology, Jaipur Dental College, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Mahendra P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Reader, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral Implantology, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niranjanaprasad Indra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome