Follow-up investigation after reimplantation of a fragment for condylar fracture of the mandible: Report of 6 cases

Abstract

A follow-up investigation during a period of 2-7 years after open reduction for 6 condylar fractures of the mandible was performed. In this study including 3 males and 3 females ranging from 17 to 34 years of age, 3 cases had fracture-dislocation, 2 fracturedisplacement and one fracture-deviation. All cases were approached by preauricular and/or submandibular incision of the skin. The fragments after removal were reimplanted in the glenoid fossa. They were fixed with a Kirschner-wire pin in 3 cases, intraosseous wiring in 2 cases and miniplate in 1 case.
All patients had a satisfactory degree of mouth opening and occlusion. Two condylar fractures-displacement and-deviation located in the lower site progressed favorably. On the other hand, the results in 4 condylar fractures-dislocation and-displacement located in the higher site were not so good because of insufficient fixation: Fragments of 2 prolonged fractures were moderately resorbed, and 2 fresh fractures-dislocation and-displacement showed a bony union transformed to the medial side. It is supposed that open reduction due to reimplantation should be indicated for immovable fragments derived from condylar fracturesdislocation and-displacement located in the lower site.