Abstract

Plating the Posterior Border of the Mandibular Ramus by Retro-Parotideal Approach in the Treatment of a Subcondylar Fracture

Gurkan R. Bayar, Timur Akcam, Aydin Gulses, Metin Sencimen, Aydin Ozkan

Mandibular condylar fractures have a high incidence but there is no consensus regarding the best method of treatment. The aim of this paper is to describe the surgical management of a subcondylar fracture in a 23-year-old male. The fracture was treated by plating the inferior border of the mandibular ramus with access to the fracture line via a retromandibular approach combined with a semi-preauricular incision. The retro-mandibular approach combined with semipreauricular incision seemed to be a simple and short method. Its other advantages were that it completely exposed the operative field, facilitated reduction and fixation, and reduced the risk of damaging the facial nerve. The main disadvantage was compromised facial aesthetics due to scar tissue formation.