Outcomes of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures

The mandible is the largest and strongest of the facial bones. Mandibular bone fracture is the tenth most common fracture in the human body and second most of the facial bones next only to nasal bones. Among the mandibular bone fractures, condylar region is the most frequent site accounting for about 25-35 %. 1 Condylar fractures are usually the result of a direct blow to the chin or to the lateral side of the jaw caused by Road traffic accidents, violence, accidental falls and sporting injuries. Injury to the mandibular condyle fracture deserves special consideration apart from the rest of the mandible because of its anatomical differences and healing potential. 2 The treatment of condylar fractures has generated a great deal of discussion and controversy in oral and maxillofacial trauma and there are many different methods to treat this injury. For each type of condylar fractures, the techniques must be chosen taking into consideration the presence of teeth, level of the fracture height, patients’ adaptation, patients’ masticatory system, disturbance of occlusal function, deviation of the mandible, internal derangements of the TMJ and ankylosis of the joint with resultant inability to move the jaw, all of which are Sequels of this injury. 3 There are two principal therapeutic approaches to these fractures: Open reduction or surgical treatment and closed reduction or non surgical treatment. ABSTRACT