Management of Sub-Condylar and Angle of Mandible Fracture by a Trans-Buccal Trocar Along With an Intra-Oral Approach

To evaluate the management of sub-condylar and angle of mandible fracture by a trans-buccal trocar along with an intra-oral approach. Study parameters included were assessment of adequacy of anatomical repositioning, fixation and stability of fracture site by radiographs, pre and post - operative occlusion by photographs. Evaluation of anatomical repositioning was done with fracture gap measurement on orthopantomogram after 6 months by applying paired student's T test. In mandibular angle fracture, pre- operatively, the mean of anatomical repositioning fracture gap measurement on orthopantomogram was 4.06 mm with a standard deviation of 1.42 mm and 6 months post-operatively, the mean was 0.5 mm with a standard deviation of 0.32 mm. The P value was < 0.00001, which shows a very high significant. In sub-condylar fractures, pre- operatively, the mean of anatomical repositioning fracture gap measurement on orthopantomogram was 6.77 mm with a standard deviation of 3.54 mm and 6 months post-operatively, the mean was 1.57 mm with a standard deviation of 2.37 mm. As the sample size was small, P value could not be calculated. The use of the trans-buccal trocar provides adequate anatomical repositioning, fixation, stability, occlusion and good accessibility during placement of plate and screws.