Mini-retromandibular access to the condyle in panfacial fractures

Surgical management of panfacial fractures can be extremely challenging. The many fracture lines and lack of landmarks make it difficult to restore the facial skeletal morphology. Extracapsular fractures of the mandibular condyle require open reduction and internal fixation to restore the vertical and sagittal dimensions of the mandible, representing the base for further facial skeleton reconstruction. Six patients with panfacial fractures, including a bilateral extracapsular condylar fracture, were treated between January 2006 and November 2009. One patient underwent surgical procedure 60 days after the injury. The condylar fractures were treated via a mini-retromandibular access. Overall, the bone morphology restoration was good. In particular, all of the condylar fractures were reduced satisfactorily. No complication was detected, and no facial nerve lesion was observed. The literature contains many proposals for surgically accessing panfacial fractures. Open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures are crucial for restoring face height. The mini-retromandibular access is especially suitable, because it allows safe, rapid surgical management.