Assessment of complications of the open treatment of mandibular condylar fractures

The objective of our study was to analyze the complications of open treatment of mandibular condylar fractures operated via various surgical approaches. Thirtyeight patients with 42 fracture sides having moderate to severely displaced condylar fractures were studied. Open treatment was performed, and patients were assessed for complications of open treatment in terms of facial nerve paresis, unaesthetic scar, salivary fistula/sialocele. Facial nerve paresis was noted in 13 (31%) cases, mostly transient in nature (n=9, 69.2%), that recovered within 8 weeks. Furthermore, 5 (11.9%) patients had unaesthetic scar formation, while just 1 (2.4%) case of salivary fistula was observed. Facial nerve paresis was the most common complication of open treatment of mandibular condylar fractures and most of them were observed in cases operated by preauricular approach.

Functional Outcomes Of Open Versus Closed Treatment Of Unilateral Mandibular Condylar Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Although mandibular condylar fractures are among the most common fractures of maxillofacial region, the ideal method for treatment of these fractures is still a controversy. The objective of this study was to compare functional outcomes of open vs closed treatment of unilateral mandibular condylar fractures. METHODS: This study was carried out at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi. All patients, included in our study, were randomly put in open and closed treatment groups. Patients were assessed for maximal mouth opening, deviation of mandible on opening and occlusal status six months postoperatively. Maximal mouth opening was assessed by maximal interincisal distance, deviation of mandible on opening by calculating the midline discrepancy during mouth opening and occlusion was assessed by clinical examination according the modified criteria described by Singh V et al. Independent samples t-test was used to compare means of variables in open and closed treatment groups. RESULTS: After six months of follow up the mean mouth opening was 36.39±4.72 mm in open treatment group while it was 33.74±4.72 mm in closed treatment group and difference was statistically significant. While deviation of mandible on opening was found to be 0.48±0.99 mm in open treatment group and 1.09±1.60 mm in closed treatment group. The mean occlusal disturbance was found to be 1.17±0.38 in closed treatment group while it was 1.10±0.30 in open treatment group.. CONCLUSIONS: Open treatment of unilateral mandibular condylar fractures results in better functional outcomes particularly in terms of mobility of mandible (mouth opening).

Non-Vascularized Autogenous Bone Grafts for Reconstruction of Maxillofacial Osseous Defects.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes of non-vascularized bone grafts for reconstruction of maxillofacial defects. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, from January 2013 to December 2015. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive analyses of 30 patients, who underwent maxillofacial reconstruction with non-vascularized bone grafts, were conducted. The demographic information, diagnosis, and type of graft harvested to reconstruct the defect were statistically analyzed. Outcomes of reconstruction with non-vascularized bone grafts were analyzed in terms of mouth opening, success of dental rehabilitation, and postoperative complications, i.e. surgical site infection and hardware loosening. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients ranging from 8 to 60 years (33.57 ±14.74 years) had maxillofacial defects reconstructed mostly due to gunshot injuries, followed by post-resection defects. Overall 15 cases (50%) were reconstructed with iliac crest cortico-cancellous bone graft, 11 cases (36.7%) with rib; while in four cases (13.3%), costochondral graft was used for reconstruction. In 26 cases (86.7%), graft was found to be successful. In three cases, re-operation for onlay bone graft was required to provide optimal dental rehabilitation; while in just one case, postoperative surgical site infection was observed. CONCLUSION: Non-vascularized bone grafts provide a reasonable and effective modality for reconstruction of maxillofacial defects.