Endoscope-assisted fixation of mandibular condylar process fractures

Purpose: Reduction and plate osteosynthesis of condylar fractures often req uire a wide extraoral approach with the risk of aesthetic impairment and po ssible facial nerve palsy. To avoid complications, the purpose of this pilo t study was to use an endoscopic device fur the treatment of condylar fract ures also allowing for endoscopically assisted plate application. Patients and Methods: Seven condylar fractures were operated under endoscop ic control. In three patients, a newly developed device for endoscopically controlled plate al,plication was clinically tested. The new device and the application technique is described in detail. Results: In two of three cases using this approach, fracture healing nas ac hieved with the condyle in the anatomically correct position. In the third case the plate had to be removed early because of insufficient screw fixati on. Conclusion: This technique mar be helpful to further minimize surgical trau ma in head and neck fracture treatment. The newly developed plate applicati on device may also be used to approach other regions of the skull eg, the s kull base, the zygoma, or the orbit.