OPEN REDUCTION OF MANDIBULAR CONDYLE NECK FRACTURES: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Since cases of mandibular condyle fractures may result in difficulty of recovery of functional and aesthetic disorders, their immobilization and reduction are very important. It may cause long-term complications as well as limited mandibular movement, pain, malocclusion, pathological changes in the TMJ, osteonecrozis, facial asymmetry, ankylosis, functional and growth disorders. Appropriate treatment must enable the reconstruction of undamaged functional and natural form of mandibular condyle. For this purpose, an exact diagnosis, correct reduction and rigid fixation are required. In all types of condylar fractures, the presence of teeth, fracture level, the adaptation of the patient, masticatory system of the patient, as well as the presence of occlusal dysfunction and mandible deviation should be taken into consideration and then the appropriate treatment should be decided. In the past, mandibular condyle fractures were generally treated conservatively by intermaxillary fixation; however, recently, rigid internal fixation by open reduction became popular. Nevertheless, the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures is still controversial. In this case report, the treatment of a mandibular condyle neck fracture by open reduction is presented and a literature review about the treatment protocol of condylar fractures is performed.