Endoscopically assisted treatment of condylar fractures--experiences following an educational course

The main methods of managing condylar fractures are non-operative; closed reduction and maxillomandibular fixation; and open reduction and internal fixation. Endoscopically assisted reduction and fixation, although a recognised method, is not commonly used. As with all new techniques, training must be available to enable surgeons to gain experience and achieve competence. We surveyed consultant maxillofacial surgeons who attended a structured educational course with practical experience in the techniques of endoscopically assisted reduction and fixation of condylar fractures, with the aim of establishing the value of such a course, and the subsequent clinical experience of those surgeons with this new technique. The results indicated that over a quarter of all surgeons had already used this method of repair after attending the course.