Miniplate fixation of high condylar fracture and postoperative exercise regimen

The aim of this report is to present three cases of high condylar fracture treated with vertical ramus osteotomy, miniplate fixation of fractured condylar neck, and free grafting. The authors also introduce a simple and easy postoperative exercise regimen. A submandibular incision is made and the ascending ramus divided between the sigmoid notch and the angle of the mandible. After the fragment is removed, the dislocated head of the condyle is readily visible and can be retrieved. The reconstructed osteotomized ramus and condylar head can now be reinserted through the wound and plated. Intermaxillary fixation with arch bar is used. The length of the fixation period is about 14 days after surgery. At the end of this period, the bracket is applied to maxillary incisors, the occlusion becomes stable and reproducible, and then aggressive jaw-opening exercise begins. On postoperative day 21, elastics are applied 24 hours a day. They are placed lightly during the daytime to assist guiding protrusion of the mandible. The patient is instructed to protrude the mandible and to open the mouth simultaneously. The exercise is modified to lateral movement. After the bracket is removed on postoperative day 28, the patient exercises the chin laterally without any guiding elastic fixation for approximately 1 week. This regimen can be widely used in ostectomy-osteosynthesis cases.