Fractures of the condylar process: Surgical versus nonsurgical treatment

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes from surgical an d nonsurgical treatment of condylar process fractures. Patients and Methods: Two hundred thirty-four patients with fractures of th e mandibular condylar process were treated by open or closed methods. In th e follow-up study, 150 patients with a mean follow-up time of 2.5 years wer e analyzed using radiologic and objective and subjective clinical examinati ons. Results: No significant difference in mobility, joint problems, occlusion. muscle pain, or nerve disorders were observed when the surgically and nonsu rgically treated patients were compared, The only significant difference wa s in subjective discomfort. Surgically treated patients showed significantl y more weather sensitivity and pain on maximum mouth opening. Conclusion: Because of its disadvantages, open surgery is only indicated in patients with severely dislocated condylar process fractures.