Transoral open reduction with rigid internal fixation for subcondylar fractures of the mandible using a small angulated screwdriver system: is endoscopic assistance necessary?

Purpose: Although endoscopically assisted transoral open reduction and internal fixation of condylar mandible fractures is currently a popular technique, the need for it and its benefits remains unclear. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of open reduction and rigid internal fixation of subcondylar fractures of the mandible using a new small angulated screwdriver system without endoscopic assistance.

Patients And Methods: Fifteen patients with 15 linear subcondylar fractures were treated using this intraoral approach from June 2007 through March 2010 at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Kagawa, Japan.