Surgical Treatment of Intracapsular Condylar Head Fracture with Lag Screw Technique. A Case Report

Abstract

Intracapsular condylar fractures may account for 65% of all condylar fractures. This diversity of classifications makes epidemiological data collection challenging. Historically, intracapsular condylar fractures were treated in a closed or conservative manner, without open surgery and fixation of the bone fragments. Closed treatment has been described with acceptable outcomes without the risk of complications associated with the surgical treatment, that is, infection, damage to the facial nerve, and unaesthetic extra-oral scar. Recently, studies reporting the surgical treatment of condylar head fractures have reported better results regarding mandibular functional aspects, dental, and aesthetic results. It is also suggested that the repositioning of the articular disc during the surgical procedure, could prevent the consequences of its displacement in possible temporomandibular joint dysfunctions. The objective of this study is to report a clinical case of intracapsular condylar head fracture with open treatment, using lag screw fixation according to AO/ASSIF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) protocols and recommendations.