title: Retromandibular transparotid approach to mandibular subcondylar and high ramus fractures: two-point fixation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the fractures of the mandibular condylar region are very common, the controversies about the treatment of this area is still ongoing. In recent years, general agreement has emerged that open treatment is more effective than closed approaches for extracapsular condylar fractures. However, this time, the method of surgical approach has become controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the retromandibular transparotid approach for the fixation of subcondylar/high ramus mandible fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subcondylar/high ramus mandible fractures were operated via the retromandibular transparotid approach with a two-point fixation in 24 patients. The patients were evaluated for bleeding during the operation and for hematoma, infection, Frey's syndrome, salivary fistula, facial nerve damage, occlusion, fracture site stability, chronic pain in the fracture site, hypoesthesia of the ear, and temporomandibular (TME) joint movements in the postoperative period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one major complication was encountered in one (4.1%) patient, which was damage to the temporal branch of the facial nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The retromandibular transparotid approach appears to be a safe and effective method for the internal fixation of extracapsular condylar fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey. cemsln@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mubin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoşnuter
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Soysal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baş
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dağhan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Işık
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durgun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / 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