Background: Facial asymmetry from unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) may be definitively treated in the presence of active disease (with high condylectomy and concurrent orthognathic surgery) or after waiting for disease inactivity (orthognathic surgery alone). There is currently no consensus on the standard of care. In this study, we sought to compare functional and esthetic outcomes, as well as treatment duration, between these 2 management options.
Methods: Patients who underwent treatment for UCH were identified through retrospective review. Pre- and postoperative 3-dimensional (3D) images were obtained. Short- and long-term operative outcomes of those treated during the active (group 1) were compared to those treated in the inactive phase (group 2). Total treatment time, operative time, and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Facial asymmetry was also assessed by laypersons using a Likert scale.
Results: Fifteen patients (mean 25.6 years, range 14-56) were included: 6 in group 1 and 9 in group 2. All surgical outcomes were statistically independent of procedure type. Treatment time was significantly longer in the group 2 (P = 0.03). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in facial asymmetry scores postoperatively with no significant difference in pre- or postoperative asymmetry between groups (P = 0.64).
Conclusions: In patients with active UCH, high condylectomy and orthognathic surgery is a procedure that restores facial symmetry and improves jaw function while halting mandibular growth. Good esthetic and functional outcomes, as well as reduced treatment time and disease burden, support the use of this treatment option for this population.