ABSTRACT
AIM: Mandibular condylar fractures account for 25 to 52 % of all mandibular fractures. Though current literature favors open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of condylarbase and low condylarneck fractures, extraoral approaches are usually considered to be complicated by the risk of facial nerve injury and other possible complications. This study was undertaken to demonstrate that the periangular transmasseteric infraparotid surgical approach (TMIP) to condylarbase and low condylarneck fractures provides excellent access to the bony fragments with minimal risk of complications such as facial nerve and parotid gland injury. PATIENTS: In the period from January 2010 to December 2018, 81patients (96 fractures) with condylarbase and low condylarneck fractures underwent ORIF via periangular transmasseteric infraparotid surgical approach. RESULTS: The results of this retrospective study showed minimal postoperative complications. The periangular transmasseteric infraparotid surgical approach allowed precise anatomic repositioning and fixation of the bony fragments in almost all cases except for two juvenile cases with noticeable scars and one case with plate fracture. There were no transient or permanent facial nerve palsies, parotid gland or salivary fistulae complications during a 12month followup period. CONCLUSION: The periangular infraparotid transmasseteric approach to ORIF of condylarbase and low condylarneck fractures is an effective and safe approach allowing accurate anatomic reposition and fixation of the fragments with minimum surgical complications (Tab. 1, Fig. 12, Ref. 21).