Condylar fractures in children - a study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to highlight the etiology, age, gender and site distribution, treatment options available and complications occurring as a result of condylar fractures in growing children. This retrospective study was carried out on a total of 57 patients from Jan 2008 to Oct 2009 at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhthunkhwa province of Pakistan. Fifty seven patients were recruited in this study. The male to female ratio was 1.61. Fall was the most common cause of condylar fractures i.e., [73.7%]. The peak incidence of condylar fracture was high among 6-10 years age group i.e. 26 [45.6%]. Forty one patients [71.9%] had unilateral condylar fractures and [28.1%] had bilateral. Maxillomandibular fixation [MMF] was performed in 28 patients [49.2%] to correct occlusal disturbance, minor deviations and to reduce the pain associated with it, while occlusion was disregarded in 29 patients [50.8%] but were put on close follow up. Overall 41 patients [71.9%] were treated successfully with conservative treatment approach but 16 patients [28.1%] have reported after 1-2 years with complications of temporomandibular joint [TMJ] Ankylosis. Among these 10 patients [62.5%] had unilateral TMJ Ankylosis. Gap arthroplasty with disc interpositioning was performed in patients with established complication of temporomandibular joint ankylosis