Reduction of superior-lateral intact mandibular condyle dislocation with bone traction hook

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Orthognathic Surgery

Background:

• Mandibular condyle dislocations, particularly of intact condyles, are infrequent complications after facial trauma.
• Simultaneous dislocations of both intact condyles with a symphysis fracture present a unique surgical challenge.

Observation:

• A 54-year-old male sustained bilateral intact condyle dislocations and a symphysis fracture from a road traffic accident.
• Conventional closed reduction techniques failed to reposition the dislocated condyles.

Findings:

• A percutaneous bone traction hook applied at the sigmoid notch facilitated successful repositioning of both intact mandibular condyles.
• The symphysis fracture was subsequently reduced and fixed, restoring normal occlusion and function.

Implications:

• Percutaneous bone traction offers a viable alternative for managing complex mandibular dislocations unresponsive to standard methods.
• This technique may be beneficial in treating rare cases of bilateral intact condyle dislocation with associated mandibular fractures.