Endoscopic mandibular condyle fracture repair

Treatment of mandibular condyle fractures remains a controversial issue. Arguments center on the relative merits of open versus closed treatment. In the past decisions were largely based on philosophy, anecdotal experience, and retrospective case series with short follow-up. Well-designed studies have now begun to appear in the literature and suggest improved results after open, anatomic reduction and fixation. Many surgeons are still hesitant about liberally applying the open approach due to the resultant facial scarring and the risk of facial nerve injury. Developments in endoscopic technology have recently been applied to facial fracture repair. The endoscopic approach to mandibular condyle fracture repair reduces the risk of facial nerve injury, and dramatically reduces facial scarring, compared with standard open approaches. We feel that the reduced morbidity of the endoscopic approach may allow the benefits of anatomic reduction and rigid fixation to be offered to a larger proportion of patients with mandibular condyle fractures. Technical and technological advances are expected to aid in the dispersal of these techniques in the future.