Endoscopy-assisted internal fixation of ramus and subcondylar fracture / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinical application of endoscopy-assisted internal fixation of ramus and subcondylar fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 11 patients with mandibular ramus and subcondylar fractures, endoscopy-assisted internal fixations with titanium plates were performed using micro-angular drill and screwdriver.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the patients showed no visible facial scars. Orthorpantography and three dimensional reconstructions of spiral CT scan demonstrated that all fractures were healed 1 to 15 months after operation. Slight malocclusion existed in 1 case and slight limited mouth openings were found in 2 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endoscopy-assisted internal fixation of mandibular ramus and subcondylar fracture avoided visible facial scars and the risk of facial nerve damage, it is, therefore, a minimally invasive and effective procedure.</p>