Comparison between two techniques for the treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures: closed treatment technique and transoral endoscopic-assisted open reduction.

PURPOSE: The endoscopic-assisted technique for the treatment of subcondylar fractures has been used successfully and its acceptance develops as more surgeons gain experience. We present the short term results of this technique in a randomized prospective clinical trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 40 patients with mandibular subcondylar fracture were included in our study in two groups randomly. Patients of first group were treated by closed treatment technique and patients of second group by transoral endoscopic-assisted open reduction. All patients were followed for minimum of 12 weeks and occlusion, Mandibular Anterior Opening (MAO), mandibular deviation, and posterior ramal height were assessed.
RESULTS: In the endoscopic group the MAO was significantly greater and mandibular deviation was lesser at 2nd and 4th week of follow up. Posterior ramal height showed significant increase in the endoscopic group rather than closed treatment group.
CONCLUSION: The transoral endoscopic-assisted technique is a reliable and successful technique to address subcondylar fractures. The patients who were treated by this technique showed better results in the fields of mandibular function and patient satisfaction and comfort, although it is time consuming and needs expensive instruments.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes