Retromandibular Approach for Subcondylar Fractures: A Prospective Study

Background: Condylar fractures accounts for 25-50% of all mandibular fractures. It can be extracapsular or intracapsular, nondisplaced, displaced, deviated, or dislocated from the disc. Objective: To evaluate the retromandibular transparotid approach for open reduction & internal fixation of subcondylar fractures for post-operative occlusal status, stability of fixation & postoperative complications. Material and Methods: The prospective study was performed on 24 patients (18 male and 8 females) sustaining 26 subcondylar fractures who were treated surgically utilizing retromandibular transparotid incision. Results: The most common etiology of injury was road traffic accidents in 62.5% patients. Satisfactory anatomic reduction and occlusion was achieved in all patients. The incidence of transient facial nerve injury was 16.67%. The facial nerve returned to normal function in 3 months in all the 4 affected patients. Conclusion: The incision provides easy visualization of the subcondylar region from the posterior edge of the ramus to the sigmoid notch, allows the perpendicular placement of screws to the fracture site, with minimal post operative complications and satisfactory esthetic results.