title: Surgical evolution in the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Literature fractures of the mandible that involve the condyle ranges from 20% to 35% and various possible surgical options are described according to the varying pathological situations. Up to the present, numerous techniques have been used for the surgical treatment of condylar fractures. In this article we are proposing the combination of two surgical techniques as therapy for extra-capsular condylar fractures with dislocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2003 to July 2007 30 patients were treated for condylar fractures with the application of a Rigid External Fixator under endoscopic assistance. This method includes a surgical reduction of the fracture with the aid of an endoscope, performing a transcutaneous insertion of a Rigid External Fixator to stabilize the fracture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the total number of patients, 28 reached an optimal result without the need for temporary immobilization of the temporal mandibular joint and pre-auricular cutaneous access, thanks to the decisive aid of the video-endoscope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endoscope allows perfect control over both the positioning of the external fixator and the surgical reduction, restoring the normal movement of the mandible with a return to full anatomical functioning of the temporo-mandibular joint. This approach avoids possible damages to the facial nerve branches. The rigid external fixation system is better than an internal one, because it is less restrictive in precise anatomical reduction, since with an REF the condylar fragment is kept in the correct anatomical position but is not obliged to maintain that exact position, and therefore it is possible to carry out all the repair mechanisms listed above. Endoscopic assistance allows a good positioning control of the REF although the endoscopy permits an optimal control of the condylemeniscal complex mobility after REF application.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Sant'Andrea Hospital, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Evaristo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianmauro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liberatore
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University of study of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Mici
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elidon
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dell'Aversana Orabona
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy. piombino@unina.it.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piombino
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maglitto
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, University of study of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Catalfamo
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Department and Dentistry Department, University Hospital of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Riu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult