Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle.

There exists no consensus "gold standard" treatment for condylar fractures, and there is continued debate on whether condylar fractures should undergo surgical or conservative management. Herein, we review various techniques of conservative, closed, and open surgical treatments of condylar fractures. Also, we review complications associated with each treatment modality and compare and contrast closed and open management. Standardization of fracture classification schemes and treatment modalities is needed to elucidate the best course of action for each patient and each fracture.

Tratamiento Ortopédico de las Fracturas de Cóndilo Mandibular A Propósito de Tres Casos / Orthopedic Treatment for Mandibular Condyle Fracture: A Three Case Series

RESUMEN: Las fracturas de cóndilo mandibular son frecuentes en el trauma maxilofacial. Pueden tratarse ortopédicamente o en forma quirúrgica, dependiendo principalmente de las características morfológicas y funcionales del caso, y también de la experiencia del cirujano y los recursos disponibles. En los últimos años se ha establecido una corriente proclive al tratamiento quirúrgico, basada en la rápida recuperación del enfermo y la disminución de las secuelas funcionales y estéticas. Sin embargo, el tratamiento ortopédico bien indicado y ejecutado, puede ser una buena alternativa de tratamiento y que debe ser considerada dentro de las propuestas terapéuticas. El Objetivo de este estudio, es presentar una serie de tres casos de pacientes afectados por fracturas de cóndilo mandibular, tratados en forma ortopédica, en el Hospital El Carmen Dr. Luis Valentín Ferrada, Santiago - Chile. Además, se presentará una revisión de las dos tendencias de tratamiento con énfasis en las indicaciones y protocolo adecuado de tratamiento ortopédico.

ABSTRACT: The Mandible condyle fracture, are common in maxillofacial trauma. They can be treated orthopedically or surgically, depending on the characteristics of the case, the available means and the experience of the surgeon. In recent years, a trend has been established that is prone to surgical treatment, based on the patient's rapid recovery and the reduction of aesthetic and functional sequelae. However, orthopedic treatment can be an excellent treatment alternative. This is why today the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures has become a controversy in the specialty. The objective of this report is to present a series of three cases of patients with mandibular condylar fractures, treated orthopedically, at the Carmen Clinical Hospital, Santiago - Chile. In addition with a brief review of the two treatment trends will be presented with emphasis on the indications and appropriate protocol of orthopedic treatment.

Engineering anatomically shaped human bone grafts.

The ability to engineer anatomically correct pieces of viable and functional human bone would have tremendous potential for bone reconstructions after congenital defects, cancer resections, and trauma. We report that clinically sized, anatomically shaped, viable human bone grafts can be engineered by using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and a "biomimetic" scaffold-bioreactor system. We selected the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar bone as our tissue model, because of its clinical importance and the challenges associated with its complex shape. Anatomically shaped scaffolds were generated from fully decellularized trabecular bone by using digitized clinical images, seeded with hMSCs, and cultured with interstitial flow of culture medium. A bioreactor with a chamber in the exact shape of a human TMJ was designed for controllable perfusion throughout the engineered construct. By 5 weeks of cultivation, tissue growth was evidenced by the formation of confluent layers of lamellar bone (by scanning electron microscopy), markedly increased volume of mineralized matrix (by quantitative microcomputer tomography), and the formation of osteoids (histologically). Within bone grafts of this size and complexity cells were fully viable at a physiologic density, likely an important factor of graft function. Moreover, the density and architecture of bone matrix correlated with the intensity and pattern of the interstitial flow, as determined in experimental and modeling studies. This approach has potential to overcome a critical hurdle-in vitro cultivation of viable bone grafts of complex geometries-to provide patient-specific bone grafts for craniofacial and orthopedic reconstructions.

Reemplazo temporomandibular. ¿Autógeno o aloplástico?: revisión de la literatura / Temporomandibular replacement. Autogenous or alloplastic?: a review of the literature

En algunos casos la patología articular produce la destrucción estructural, por lo que el reemplazo de los componentes de la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) es necesario. Las técnicas quirúrgicas pueden consistir en el reemplazo del cóndilo, la cavidad glenoidea y su eminencia articular, o ambos elementos. En los pacientes en crecimiento con asimetría deben emplearse los injertos costocondrales. La reconstrucción aloplástica es útil en pacientes adultos que han sido sometidos a múltiples operaciones en las que los injertos autógenos han fracasado.

In some cases joint pathology produces the destruction of structures so that replacement of components of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is necessary. Surgical techniques may consist in replacement of the condyle, fossa components, or both elements. In growing individuals with asymmetry, costochondral grafts should be used. The alloplastic reconstruction is specially useful in adult patients who have undergone multiple operations in which autogenous grafts have failed.

Free-grafting of mandibular condyle fractures: clinical outcomes in 10 consecutive patients.

"Free-grafting" of the superior segment, either alone or in combination with a posterior ramus osteotomy, is occasionally required when managing displaced condylar neck fractures. This allows ideal reduction and fixation, but carries the risk of proximal segment resorption, possibly requiring secondary reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of this technique in all patients who underwent this procedure during a seven-year period at a tertiary care centre. Ten patients who had undergone 11 free graft procedures were included in the study. Three patients required secondary costochondral reconstruction due to advanced resorption of the free-grafted condylar segment, this occurring from 3 to 9 months following the initial trauma surgery. All but one of the remaining patients exhibited varying degrees of condylar resorption/flattening radiographically, occurring within the first year only. However, no occlusal changes occurred in this group either objectively or subjectively during this year or during the subsequent follow-up period. The mean inter-incisal opening was 47mm (range 40-56). With the exception of one patient that had a non-painful reciprocal click of the treated side, no patients demonstrated either objective or subjective signs of TMJ pathology. No patients reported dietary limitations, and all reported satisfaction with treatment to date. Based on objective and subjective evaluation, free grafting of the fractured condylar segment in this patient population had a 70% success rate. All failures occurred within 9 months and required secondary costochondral reconstruction.

Preserving the posterior superior synovial recess during allograft TMJ diskal condylar transplantation in the adult goat.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that sparing the posterior superior synovial recess during the resection of temporomandibular joint condyle and disk would maintain a critical mass of synovium necessary to predictably achieve a successful allograft joint reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: A group of 15 adult goats underwent unilateral resection of their temporomandibular condyle and meniscus. The fossa and posterior superior synovial recess were left intact. They were immediately reconstructed with cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyles and temporomandibular joint disk harvested from 15 adult donor goats. The animals were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6 and 12 months and histologically at 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 15 animals, 13 met all the criteria to be declared a success and retained the posterior superior synovial recess. CONCLUSION: Immediate joint reconstruction using cryogenically preserved mandibular condyles and temporomandibular joint disk can have a high rate of success if the native posterior superior synovial recess remains intact.

Total reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint with cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyle, meniscus, and fossa in the adult goat.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of total temporomandibular joint reconstruction with the use of cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyle, disk, and fossa in the adult goat. STUDY DESIGN: This study consisted of an experimental group of 10 adult goats that underwent total resection of their temporomandibular joints. These animals were immediately reconstructed with cryogenically preserved mandibular condyles, disks, and fossa. These allograft were harvested from 10 donor animals matched to the recipient animal with respect to age, sex, and head dimensions. These grafts were harvested and stored at -185 degrees C for several months before implantation. At 2 years after surgery, the animals were killed. They were evaluated, clinically, radiographically, and histologically. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the eight surviving animals had a normal clinically functional joint with an intact superior joint space and viable articular surfaces. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that this temporomandibular joint reconstruction technique is feasible in the adult goat model and is deserving of further research.

Condyle transplantation in free flap mandible reconstruction.

Fourteen patients requiring hemimandible resection were reconstructed with bone free flaps onto which the resected condyle was mounted as a nonvascularized graft. Postoperative mandible function, facial aesthetics, and patient symptoms were reviewed. The follow-up period ranged from 13 to 56 months (average 30.4 months). Interincisal opening ranged from 25 to 52 mm (average 37.10 mm). Opening ability inversely correlated with a need for intraoral soft tissue replacement and with the administration of postoperative radiation therapy. Eight patients were available for late study of the transplanted condyle with lateral tomograms and computed tomographic scans. Condyle volume diminished considerably in some, but this did not correlate with a decrease in function. Dual joint function and preoperative occlusion were maintained long term with this technique. Aesthetic results were enhanced by the contribution of the transplanted condyle to improved accuracy of free flap bone graft fabrication and insetting. There were neither postoperative morbidity nor abnormal symptoms due to the use of the condyle as a nonvascularized graft. This study demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of condyle transplantation in free flap mandible reconstruction.

Growth potential of the rat mandibular condyle as an isogeneic transplant traversing the interparietal suture.

The mandibular condyle of 5-, 10- or 20-day inbred male rats was transplanted across the interparietal suture of male litter-mates and the transverse dimension of the neurocranium was measured from dry skulls at 25 or 35 days. The width of the neurocranium had increased significantly from days 5 or 10 to 25 in the rats with the transplants, whereas the difference from controls was small or non-existent by 35 days. Histological examination showed that the cartilaginous zone was reduced in the transplants at 25 days but that there were still layers of chondrocytes at 35 days. It is suggested that the rat mandibular condyle is endowed with a tissue-separating, interstitial growth potential that, to some extent, is unrelated to mobility, and essentially effected by chondrocyte hypertrophy.

Cryogenically preserved adult and juvenile goat mandibular condylar transplantation.

Loss of a functional temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has long been a clinical challenge in both children and adults. Although reconstruction to date has been performed with various prosthetic devices or autogenous costochondral grafts, these procedures have a potential for complications and morbidity. Our studies were performed to determine the feasibility of healing, growth, and long-term function of TMJ reconstruction techniques with cryogenically preserved mandibular allografts in the goat model. This species was chosen because the surgical anatomy and biomechanics of the goat TMJ are very similar to those of the human TMJ. The positive results of the studies and their relevance will be described.

Transplantation of cryogenically preserved mandibular condyles in the adult and juvenile goat.

Loss of a functional temporomandibular joint (TMJ), due to various causes including tumor resection, joint disease such as osteonecrosis, and injury or trauma, has long been a clinical challenge in both children and adults. It may be a significant problem facing physicians during another war. While reconstruction to date has been performed with various prosthetic devices or autogenous costochondral grafts, these procedures have a potential for complications and morbidity. This procedure could adversely delay the return of military members to a combat unit, or affect their ability to serve as functional members of society. Our studies were performed to determine the feasibility of TMJ reconstruction techniques, healing, and long-term function and growth using cryogenically preserved mandibular allografts in the goat. This species was chosen because the surgical anatomy and biomechanics of the goat TMJ are very similar to that of the human. The positive results of the studies and their relevance to future military medical readiness and civilian medicine will be described.

Matrix formation in the mandibular condyle of the rat (35S) - sulfate incorporation studies.

The matrix formation activity of the mandibular condylar cartilage was investigated using radioactive sulfate incorporation. The condylar cartilage was studied at various developmental stages; as an autotransplant, in situ and on a chemically defined medium. An initial decrease in the cpm/DNA was followed by an increase, until a maximum was attained for all groups, between the 14th and 17th days. Thereafter, the matrix formation activity decreased. There was a surprising likeness in the patterns of activity for all the samples investigated. This tends to support the hypothesis that cartilagenous growth seem to be regulated, at least to some extent by one or more humoral factors.