title: Surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures using the retromandibular anterior transparotid approach and a triangular-positioned double miniplate osteosynthesis technique: A clinical and radiological evaluation of 124 fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different modalities have been described regarding the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures. The most advantageous and safest one is still a topic of discussion. The present analysis describes the combination of a retromandibular, transparotideal approach combined to a triangular-positioned double-miniplate osteosynthesis, with a special regard for the patients' long term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data of 102 patients with 124 condyle fractures treated with the mentioned surgical procedure were evaluated. Functional parameters such as the maximal interincisal distance, deviations/deflections, facial nerve function, occlusion as well as complications regarding the parotid gland, osteosynthesis, and esthetics were evaluated 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximal interincisal distance ranged from 38 mm after 1 week to 45 mm after 6 months. Deviations/deflections were seen in 22.5% of the cases 1 week postoperatively and decreased to 2% at 6 months postoperatively. A temporary facial palsy was diagnosed in 3.9% during the first follow-up, whereas no impairment was recorded after 3 or 6 months. At the same time, no patient had occlusional disturbances or complications regarding the parotid gland or the osteosynthesis 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct fracture visualization and a stable three-dimensional fracture stabilization are the main advantages of the presented combination of a surgical approach and osteosynthesis technique. Additionally, the absence of long-term complications confirms the safety of the procedure. Therefore, it may be considered as a successful treatment option for mandibular condyle fractures.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. DDr. Rasse Michael), Austria. Electronic address: dr.dalla-torre@gmx.at.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalla Torre
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. DDr. Grunert Ingrid), Austria.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burtscher
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. Dr. Jaschke Werner), Austria.
authors.forename: Gerlig
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Widmann
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. DDr. Rasse Michael), Austria.
authors.forename: Albina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pichler
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. DDr. Rasse Michael), Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasse
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, (Head: Prof. DDr. Rasse Michael), Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Puelacher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004954:Esthetics; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Approach; Condyle; Fracture; Osteosynthesis; Retromandibular; Transparotid