Background: The authors present their experience with endoscopy assisted open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures of the mandible. Their results are presented in a retrospective study of 33 patients with unilateral subcondylar fracture, who underwent a surgical procedure between 2010 and 2015. Reduction and fixation, stability of occlusion 12 months after the operation and also presence of complications were evaluated.
Results: Satisfactory reduction (anatomic or physiologic) was achieved in 31 patients. Stability of occlusion was worse in 1 patient (due to condylar absorption). Complications included mainly inflammatory complications (4 patients) and temporary paresis of the facial nerve (3 patients). Impaired function of temporomandibular joint was not reported in any of the patients.
Conclusion: Endoscopy assisted open reduction and internal fixation is an alternative to classical surgical procedures, however it requires special instrumentarium and experienced surgical team.
Keywords: Endoscopy; condyle complications.; mandibular fracture.