Surgical evolution in the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures

Background: In Literature fractures of the mandible that involve the condyle ranges from 20% to 35% and various possible surgical options are described according to the varying pathological situations. Up to the present, numerous techniques have been used for the surgical treatment of condylar fractures. In this article we are proposing the combination of two surgical techniques as therapy for extra-capsular condylar fractures with dislocation. Methods: From June 2003 to July 2007 30 patients were treated for condylar fractures with the application of a Rigid External Fixator under endoscopic assistance. This method includes a surgical reduction of the fracture with the aid of an endoscope, performing a transcutaneous insertion of a Rigid External Fixator to stabilize the fracture. Results: Out of the total number of patients, 28 reached an optimal result without the need for temporary immobilization of the temporal mandibular joint and pre-auricular cutaneous access, thanks to the decisive aid of the video-endoscope. Conclusions: The endoscope allows perfect control over both the positioning of the external fixator and the surgical reduction, restoring the normal movement of the mandible with a return to full anatomical functioning of the temporo-mandibular joint. This approach avoids possible damages to the facial nerve branches. The rigid external fixation system is better than an internal one, because it is less restrictive in precise anatomical reduction, since with an REF the condylar fragment is kept in the correct anatomical position but is not obliged to maintain that exact position, and therefore it is possible to carry out all the repair mechanisms listed above. Endoscopic assistance allows a good positioning control of the REF although the endoscopy permits an optimal control of the condylemeniscal complex mobility after REF application

Open reduction and internal fixation of extracapsular mandibular condyle fractures: a long-term clinical and radiological follow-up of 25 patients

Background: During the last 2 decades, many studies on the treatment of mandibular condyle fracture have been published. The incidence of mandibular condyle fractures is variable, ranging from 17.5% to 52% of all mandibular fractures. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes after surgical treatment of 25 patients with a total of 26 extracapsular condyle fractures. Methods: We used 2 types of surgical approaches, the retromandibular retroparotid or preauricular approach. Three kinds of rigid internal fixation plates were used—single plate, double plate, and trapezoidal plate. The following post-operative clinical parameters were evaluated: dental occlusion, facial nerve functionality, skin scarring, and temporomandibular joint functionality. All patients underwent post-operative orthopanoramic radiography and computed tomography. The patients were also monitored for complications such as Frey’s syndrome, infection, salivary fistula, plate fracture, and permanent paralysis of the facial nerve; the patient’s satisfaction was also recorded. Results: Of the 25 patients, 80% showed occlusion recovery, 88% had no facial nerve injury, and 88% presented good surgical skin scarring. The patients showed early complete recovery of temporomandibular joint functionality and 72% of them were found to be asymptomatic. The postoperative radiographs of all patients indicated good recovery of the anatomical condylar region, and 80% of them had no postoperative complications. The average degree of patient satisfaction was 8.32 out of 10. Our results confirm that the technique of open reduction and internal fixation in association with postoperative functional rehabilitation therapy should be considered for treating patients with extracapsular condylar fractures. Conclusion: The topic of condylar injury has generated more discussion and controversy than any other topic in the field of maxillofacial trauma. We confirm that open reduction and internal fixation is the treatment of choice for patients with neck and sub-condylar mandibular fractures

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Maxillomandibular Malformations: Role of Condylar "Repositionin" Plate

Even if the relationship between condylar position and/or temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and dentofacial deformity is controversial in literature, several patients presenting malocclusion refer to pain and TMDs as the main trouble. There are also various opinions concerning the alterations or improvements of temporomandibular joint symptoms after orthognathic surgery. In agreement with the experience of Universitat Wurzburg, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of splint technique to reproduce centric condyle positioning in bimaxillary osteotomy surgeries for the patients with skeletal-facial disorders and coexisting TMDs. The present study is based on a sample of patients with maxillomandibular malocclusion and coexisting TMDs who underwent bimaxillary osteotomy surgeries with splint technique. All patients underwent a protocol consisting of various steps: Pretreatment evaluation consisted of a questionnaire on subjective symptoms, clinical examinations, photographs of the occlusion, plaster casts, bite registrations, examination of the posture; instrumental examinations; panoramic, teleradiography, and cephalometric analysis; stratigraphy of TMD; and electromyography. Presurgical treatment consisted of therapy by modified Farrar splint associated with a pharmacologic therapy for the acute symptoms; orthodontic treatment associated with a global reeducation of the posture and a pompage of the masticatory muscles; and manufacturing of an occlusal splint in the most posterior asymptomatic position. Surgical treatment consisted of bimaxillary osteotomies performed after registering condyle position by a "repositioning" plate. The condyle position is guided by the intermaxillary fixation with the interposition of the occlusal splint. Surgery on maxillary is performed through Le Fort I osteotomy and fixation. Later, sagittal splint osteotomy of mandible is performed. Position of ramus and TMD complex is guided by the positioning of the plates modeled previously and fixed to maxillary and ramus in the same relationship registered with the splint. Finally, fixation of mandibular osteotomies is performed. Postsurgically patients underwent orthodontic treatment (to stabilize occlusal and articular changes) and physical therapy. After the end of treatment, stability of results was investigated with clinical, radiologic, and electromyographic valuations. The authors' experience suggests that, as in orthognathic surgery; identification of a correct condyle-fossa relationship (achieved by splint and repositioning plate) is essential to guide osteosynthesis after sagittal split osteotomy in patients affected by TMDs and ultimately affects the stability of the procedure

[The indications for reconstruction of the oral cavity using a pedicled flap of the musculus pectoralis major].

The reconstruction of postoperative or post-radiotherapeutic losses of substance in the oral cavity must respond to a number of basic requirements, such as lingual motility, the conservation of the labiogingival groove and adequate drainage of saliva towards the pharynx. This study reports the authors' experience of the reconstruction of the oral cavity using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. The identification of anatomic structures, such as the interpectoral compartment which separates the deep folium of the pectoralis major muscle from the clavi-coraco-axillary fascia covering the smaller pectoral muscle. Is indispensable for the correct preparation of the flap. Using an oblique incision along the lateral margin of the pectoralis major muscle the edge of the muscle is revealed and the muscle is separated from the pectoralis minor and from the costosternal structure. The cutaneous island is formed using the deep level of the muscle, and after tunnelling into the subcutaneous plane of the superficial fascia in the deltopectoral region, the flap is overturned to reach the part of the surgical reconstruction. The transposed tissue is sutured at various levels so as to reduce traction on a single component of the flap and to preserve the integrity of the perforating vessels. A total of 16 reconstructions of the oral cavity were performed by the authors using a pedunculated flap from the pectoralis major muscle. Fourteen of these cases were advanced stages of cancer and two were the outcome of radiotherapy. A myofascial flap was used in one case due to the excessive thickness of the subcutaneous panniculus of fat, whereas in the other cases it was not necessary to involve the cutaneous component which guarantees better functional adaptation. The following results were obtained: the metaplasia of the cutaneous surfaces of the flap into a multi-stratified non-keratinized epithelium and the contemporary reduction of cutaneous adnexa. The best functional recovery was observed using myocutaneous flaps compared to the case with the myofascial flap. Other results included: flap versatility in the reconstruction of the region of the retromolar trigonum and antero-lateral oral floor, and lastly the difficulty of performing a correct plastic surgery of the soft palate in those cases with damage in the tonsillar region and consequent rhinolalia. Complications observed, attributable to lesions of the perforating vessels, included two cases of total necrosis of the cutaneous component of the flap and four cases of partial necrosis which were resolved using local reclamation and medication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré periostitis ossificans.

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré is a rare syndrome; the mandible is the most commonly affected bone segment in the cervicofacial region. This chronic disease is characterized by a nonsuppurative ossifying periostitis with subperiosteal bone formation, commonly reactive to a mild infection or irritation. The differential diagnosis must be made with similar clinical conditions with hard mandibular swelling associated with bony sclerosis. Presumptive diagnosis can be achieved by radiology, but such diagnosis must be confirmed by histology. The aim of therapy is to remove the cause when recognized, aided by an adequate antibiotic therapy. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic features are presented in this case report

Fibrous Dysplasia: A Complex Maxillary Reconstruction

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign tumor of the skeleton. Mostly 2 forms are described: a monostotic and a poliostotic form. The maxilla and the mandible are the most interested of the facial district. The authors report a patient of a huge maxillary fibrous dysplasia. A 63-year-old patient was treated for a 20-year progressive left maxillary neoformation. A total maxillectomy was performed. The defect was reconstructed with a custom-made midface implant associated with a temporal and a pericranial flap