Open reduction of subcondylar fractures. A study of functional rehabilitation.

Open reduction of dislocated subcondylar fractures was carried out in 19 adult patients between 1990 and 1992. A comparison of the results between two groups of patients was made 1 year after trauma. The reference group consisted of patients with the same type of fracture but treated with only intermaxillary fixation (IMF) and moderate jaw exercises after release of IMF. Dysfunction of the masticatory system was noticed in only a few cases of either group. Open reduction with plate osteosynthesis made it possible to avoid IMF in 12 of 19 patients. The results in the two groups did not differ significantly from a functional point of view. There are, however, specific indications for open reduction based on the degree of dislocation and concomitant subjective symptoms.