1990 Volume 36 Issue 9 Pages 2055-2068
A clinico-statistical and follow-up study was made in 100 cases of mandibular condylar fracture in the First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The following results were obtained;
1. There were 62 males and 38 females. The ages of the patients at the time of injury ranged from 0 to 80, and the average was 29. 5 years old.
2. Eighty-five cases were treated within 2 weeks after injury.
3. Of all cases, 85 cases were unilateral fracture, and 15 were bilateral fracture. Direct fracture of the condyle was observed only in 5 cases.
4. Fracture position and form were determined according to the classification described by Kubo. Mandibular cervical dislocation was most frequently observed.
5. All cases were treated with a conservative therapy; intermaxillary fixation, chin cap, mouth opening training, etc.
6. In the results of follow-up examination by mail, 18.5% of all patient had a restriction of the mouth opening, 40.7% had a pain, and 64.8% had a joint sound. In unilateral fractures, 39.1% of the non-fractured joint had a joint sound.
7. The analytical results on the fracture type and present symptoms revealed that the patients with no displacement fracture had little dysfunction. On the contrary, those who had a displacement fracture had more problems. In conclusion, a preserved anatomical structure of TMJ proved to be the most important factor to heal mandibular condylar fracture.
