Remodelling following condylar fractures in children

Purpose: In this study, 18 children with 21 subcondylar fractures sustained during their growth period (age at trauma from 4-11 years, mean 7.7 years) have been followed-up. Material and Methods: All patients were treated by custom-made arch bars and intermaxillary fixation for 12-17 days, then kept on a liquid diet for 15 days without fixation. The mean follow-up was 4.7 years. The conservative treatment has been evaluated with clinical, radiographic, and functional parameters. Results: Remodelling of the condylar head was good in 17, whilst moderate remodelling occurred in the other four condyles. In four patients, a slight deflection (less than 2 mm) to the side of the fracture on wide mouth opening was seen. There was no malocclusion or ankylosis. Conclusion: Conservative treatment of condylar fractures during growth resulted in good function and good remodelling of the condyle. Functional treatment after intermaxillary fixation for 12-17 days proved to be quite acceptable. (C) 2001 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.