Retromandibular Approach to Condyle Fractures: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Retromandibular approach was first described in 1967 for vertical subcondylar osteotomy and later became popular for surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and low condyle fractures. The trajectory of the incision, parallel to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus, allows a good approach with easy separation of the buccal and marginal mandibular branches of the facial nerve, when they are present in the surgical field. When open reduction and internal rigid fixation with plates and screws are indicated for condylar fractures, retromandibular approach offers an excellent esthetic result with low morbidity. Two clinical cases are presented, in which the surgical treatment was carried out for condylar fractures, and clearly illustrate the proposed approach.

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Notes on contributors

Danilo Borges Dantas

Dr. Danilo Borges Dantas has a B.D.S. degree and is a resident of oral and maxillofacial surgery from the Fundação Bahiana para o Desenvolvimento das Ciencias/SESAB, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.

Miguel G. Setúbal Andrade

Dr. Miguel Gustavo Setúbal Andrade has B.D.S., M.D., and D.S. degrees. He is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, doctor of immunology at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Hospital da Cidade, Salvador-Ba, Brazil. He is also an assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial sur-gery and pathology from the Fundação Bahiana para o esenvolvimento das Ciencias/SESAB, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.

Antonio Marcio Marchionni

Dr. Antonio Marcio Marchionni has B.D.S., M.D., and D.D.S. degrees. He is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a doctor of laser dentistry at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital da Cidade, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. He is also an assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and pathology at the Fundação Bahiana para o Desenvolvi-mento das Ciencias/SESAB, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.