Treatment of condylar fractures: A retrospective cohort study

Evaluate routine alterations in patients submitted to treatment of unilateral fractures of the mandibular condyle.

The sample consisted of 30 patients of both sexes submitted to surgical and nonsurgical treatment. All patients answered an evaluation questionnaire on perception of the Oral Impact on Daily Performances (OIDP) and underwent physical and imaging examination. The following aspects were evaluated in temporo mandibular join (TMJ) physical examination: maximum mouth opening, left/right lateral movements and protrusive movements. Vertical height measurements of right and left mandibular branches were evaluated by means of orthopantomography. Lateromedial and anteroposterior displacements were measured using Hirtz's axial radiography. Evaluation of diameter of the mandibular fossa and height of the glenoid fossa were measured by hypocycloidal tomography.

A minority (13.3%) answered the questions on OIDP positively, with a similar rate for both treatments. With regard to the vertical height variable, average vertical height was similar for both treatments. However, comparing fractured and nonfractured sides, the difference observed was statistically significant for both treatments. On the basis of the statistical results of this study, for both treatments there were no significant alterations in the maximum mouth opening variable, with an average of 43.35 mm for open treatment and 44 mm for closed treatment.

In the present study there were no significant differences between open and closed treatment of unilateral fractures of the mandibular condyle.