The Case of the Irretrievable Mandibular Condyle: My Experience with Utilization of an Extraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy in Managing Severely Medially Displaced or Dislocated Mandibular Condyle Fractures

The Case of the Irretrievable Mandibular Condyle: My Experience with Utilization of an Extraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy in Managing Severely Medially Displaced or Dislocated Mandibular Condyle Fractures:

Abstract

Medially displaced condylar head fractures pose a challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Accessing, retrieving, and reducing a displaced fracture is seemingly impossible at times. Consideration of the risks must also be taken, including significant bleeding during exposure, injury to the facial nerve, and ability to fixate an unstable segment. Performing an extraoral vertical ramus osteotomy to safely access the condylar head fracture will provide a safer and more meaningful approach to managing severely medially displaced or dislocated mandibular condyle fractures in cases when the condyle is irretrievable.