ENDOSCOPIC SUBCONDYLAR FRACTURE REPAIR - FUNCTIONAL, AESTHETIC, AND RADIOGRAPHIC OUTCOMES

An endoscopic method of mandibular subcondylar fracture repair has bee n described recently. To determine die effectiveness of this new techn ique, we longitudinally studied functional, aesthetic, and radiographi c parameters following endoscopic repair of 22 subcondylar fractures i n 20 patients. Restoration of mandibular function was achieved without postoperative maxillomandibular fixation. Premorbid occlusion was res tored. Clinical jaw motion was found to progressively increase with a mean interincisal jaw opening of 43 mm achieved after the eighth posto perative 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 h ead. Endoscopic subcondylar fracture repair was efficacious at functio nal, aesthetic, and radiographic restoration of the mandible.