Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Year : 2024
Volume : Volume 15
Issue : Issue 4
Address for correspondence :
Dr. Gundlapally Anusha Reddy
anushareddy0296@gmail.com
Background: Treatment of mandibular condylar process fractures has long been a topic of debate among the maxillofacial community. The conservative approach has been an age-old practice. The treatment of condylar process fractures has changed from closed reduction with maxillomandibular fixation to various types of semirigid internal fixation as a result of the advancement of better fixation materials and surgical technique improvement. The intended goal of selecting surgical therapy for condylar process fractures was to re-establish the pre-existing anatomic relationship of the fractured fragments by stable fixation and prompt restoration to normal function without the need for a lengthy period of maxillomandibular fixation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis conducted at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery after obtaining ethical clearance. Patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of subcondylar fractures (SCFs) were treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) through the transmasseteric anteroparotid (TMAP) approach. The maximal interincisal pain-free mouth opening, the deviation of the jaw when opening the mouth, occlusal discrepancies, pain, facial nerve function (FNF), infection, and scar quality were all assessed in each patient. Condylar displacement and vertical ramal height were measured radiographically. Results: The statistical program SPSS for Windows (version 17) was used to analyze the data (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 20 patients, 17 (85%) were male and 3 (15%) were female, with ages ranging from the second to fifth decade. There was a substantially higher mean degree of displacement pre-operative than post-operative (P = 0.001). The mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scale significantly differed from pre-VAS to 1 month (P = 0.001). ORIF treatment for SCFs led to improved joint function, earlier pain relief, faster return to normal function, stable occlusion, and preservation of FNF. Conclusion: When treating patients with mandibular SCFs, ORIF using the TMAP approach to accomplish anatomical reduction can produce satisfactory functional and esthetic results.
