Patient's Perception of Outcome after Extracapsular Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle Differs from Objective Evaluation-Experience of a Third-Level Hospital

Background: The aim of this study is to assess patients' subjective perception of treatment outcome after extracapsular fractures of the mandibular condyle. Methods: A questionnaire survey regarding facial nerve palsy (FNP), malocclusion, pain, reduction in maximum mouth opening (MMO) and further discomfort after 3, 6, and 12 months was carried out. Patients aged 18 or more presenting with an extracapsular condylar fracture between 2006 and 2020 were identified by purposive sampling Questionnaires were received from 115 patients. Fractures were classified on the basis of the pre-treatment imaging, the way of treatment was obtained from patients' medical records. Data were analyzed using Pearsons' chi-square-test, descriptive statistics and Student's t-test. Results: 93.0% of the fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). MMO reduction was the most common post-treatment complication (55.6%). ORIF was associated with less pain after 3 months (p = 0.048) and lower VAS scores compared to conservative treatment (p = 0.039). Comminuted fractures were more frequently associated with post-treatment malocclusion (p = 0.048), FNP (p = 0.016) and MMO reduction (p = 0.001). Bilateral fractures were significantly accompanied by malocclusion (p = 0.029), MMO reduction (p = 0.038) and pain occurrence (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients report less pain after ORIF. Comminuted and bilateral fractures seem to be major risk factors for complications. Subjective perception of complications after extracapsular condylar fractures differs from objectively assessed data.