Comparison of functional outcome after open and closed reduction of mandibular subcondylar fracture

Objective: To compare open reduction with internal fixation of mandibular subcondylar fracture with closed reduction in terms of adequate mouth opening. Method: The randomised clinical trial was conducted from March 2014 to February 2015 at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, King Edward Medical University and Allied Hospitals, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised patients who presented with unilateral subcondylar fractures. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group-A patients were treated with closed reduction and immobilisation and were discharged the same day, while Group-B patients were treated by open reduction with internal fixation and retained in ward for 1 day. Both were recalled for periodic follow-ups, and were compared in terms of achieving adequate mouth opening. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 70 patients, 35(50%) were in each of the two groups. The mean age in Group-A was 28.88 +/- 11.86 years compared to 28.22 +/- 10.80 years in Group-B (p>0.05). Mean mouth opening in the two groups were consistently positive, and significant at the last two follow-ups(p<0.001). Conclusion: The difference in results of both treatment modalities was significant, indicating that open reduction and internal fixation should be the preferred treatment.