Carolin Lechler1, Florian Probst2, Carl-Peter Cornelius3, Wenko Smolka4. 1. Research Fellow, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Munich, LMU, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: c.lechler@campus.lmu.de. 2. Senior Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Munich, LMU, Munich, Germany. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Munich, LMU, Munich, Germany. 4. Senior Consultant, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Munich, LMU, Munich, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical, radiologic, and functional outcomes of patients with condylar neck or base fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation using strut plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with 34 condylar neck and base fractures were included in the study. Transoral endoscopically assisted, submandibular, or transparotid approaches were performed. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were evaluated. Functional outcomes were assessed with the Helkimo index in a subgroup of 15 patients. RESULTS: Strut plates were successfully placed in all surgical approaches used in this study. Fracture healing occurred without complications in 33 condylar processes. One plate fracture occurred. In the subgroup, 7 patients had a good functional outcome, 7 had a slightly impaired functional outcome, and 1 patient had a moderately impaired functional outcome. CONCLUSION: Strut plates are appropriate for retromandibular transparotid, endoscopically assisted transoral, or submandibular approaches in the management of condylar neck or base fractures. Intraoperative handling and fitting accuracy of the strut plates are good. Good to slightly impaired functional outcome was observed in a subgroup of patients.
PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical, radiologic, and functional outcomes of patients with condylar neck or base fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation using strut plates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with 34 condylar neck and base fractures were included in the study. Transoral endoscopically assisted, submandibular, or transparotid approaches were performed. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were evaluated. Functional outcomes were assessed with the Helkimo index in a subgroup of 15 patients. RESULTS: Strut plates were successfully placed in all surgical approaches used in this study. Fracture healing occurred without complications in 33 condylar processes. One plate fracture occurred. In the subgroup, 7 patients had a good functional outcome, 7 had a slightly impaired functional outcome, and 1 patient had a moderately impaired functional outcome. CONCLUSION: Strut plates are appropriate for retromandibular transparotid, endoscopically assisted transoral, or submandibular approaches in the management of condylar neck or base fractures. Intraoperative handling and fitting accuracy of the strut plates are good. Good to slightly impaired functional outcome was observed in a subgroup of patients.
Authors: Erin C Peterson; Dennis C Nguyen; Ethan J Baughman; Gary B Skolnick; John J Chi; Kamlesh B Patel Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2020-09-24