retromandibular anteroparotid approach for mandibular condylar fracture

the aim of this study was to present and review retromandibular anteroparotid approach and to evaluate its efficacy and safety in reduction and fixation of subcondylar fractures. materials and methods : in the period between january 2013 to february 2014, 10 patients with the age range of 17 to 41 years with a diagnosis of subcondylar fracture at sina general hospital, iran, underwent open treatment of subcondylar fractures by retromandibular anteroparotid transmasseteric approach. results : occlusion status was evaluated by observing the dental contact by articulating paper and also as subjective by the patient, all patients had proper occlusion. 4 cases (40%) at the end of the first week after surgery complained of joint pain during the touch, at last follow-up, none of the patients had tenderness. all patients were normal at 6 months after surgical treatment in terms of mouth opening. facial nerve was maintained in all patients except only one case (10%) that weakness was observed in buccal branch of the facial nerve after surgery which was resolved completely after the 6-month follow-up and had returned to normal status. also, there were no signs of complications of salivary glands, such as salivary fistula, sialocele or postoperative infection. scars caused by surgical incision were barely recognizable in patients.. conclusion : due to results of this paper, rigid fixation of subcondylar fractures can be performed best with transmasseteric anteroparotid method causing least complications and optimum results. key words : mandibular condyle, mandibular fractures.