USE OF RIGID EXTERNAL FIXATION IN FRACTURES OF THE MANDIBULAR CONDYLE

In this article the use of a rigid external fixation system is propose d for the early treatment of condylar fractures. This method offers th e advantage of not damaging the articular structures during reduction and allows early mobilization for a rapid recovery. In our Centre 28 p atients have been treated with the rigid external fixation system, wit h good functional results. Of these 15 men and 13 women, 22 had a mono condylar fracture and 6 had a bicondylar fracture. In all the cases th ere was a complete recovery of the occlusal situation and of the mouth opening; no patient surgically treated with this method has ever pres ented problems of a local or general nature. The purpose of this repor t was to evaluate the use of external fixation for the treatment of ex tracapsular condylar fractures with luxation of the fragment out of th e glenoid cavity.