Use of a Heister mouth gag as an aid to reduction in open treatment of condylar fracture.

INTRODUCTION: The management of condylar fractures remains controversial. Open treatment of condylar fractures is a routine treatment in cases of displaced or dislocated condylar and subcondylar fractures. TECHNICAL NOTE: Because of the pull of the lateral pterygoid muscle, the condylar fragment is usually located anterior and medial to the mandible. Distraction of the mandible in an inferior direction simplifies proper reduction. Various distraction devices have been described in literature. We describe a technique of using the Heister mouth gag at the surgical site to aid in reduction of displaced dislocated condylar fractures.