Endoscopic subcondylar fracture repair: Functional, aesthetic, and radiographic outcomes

Chen Lee, Reid V. Mueller, Kelvin Lee, Stephen J. Mathes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

An endoscopic method of mandibular subcondylar fracture repair has been described recently. To determine the effectiveness of this new technique, we longitudinally studied functional, aesthetic, and radiographic parameters following endoscopic repair of 22 subcondylar fractures in 20 patients. Restoration of mandibular function was achieved without postoperative maxillomandibular fixation. Premorbid occlusion was restored. Clinical jaw motion was found to progressively increase with a mean interincisal jaw opening of 43 mm achieved after the eighth postoperative week. Patients were pleased with the aesthetic restoration of their chin projection, jaw line, and the symmetric midline movement of the chin point on jaw opening. Anatomic fracture reduction with rigid plate fixation was confirmed on early postsurgical radiographs. Late radiographs showed fracture union without remodeling of the condylar head. Endoscopic subcondylar fracture repair was efficacious at functional, aesthetic, and radiographic restoration of the mandible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1434-1443
Number of pages10
JournalPlastic and reconstructive surgery
Volume102
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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