Long-term stability of mandibular transverse width after symphyseal fracture associated with bilateral condylar fracture: A case series

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term stability of the transverse width of the mandible after surgery for symphyseal region fractures associated with bilateral condylar fractures.

Methods

This case series study reviewed data of patients with mandibular symphyseal region fracture and bilateral condylar fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of symphyseal region fracture; either closed treatment or ORIF for condylar fracture were included. Changes in intergonial and intercondylar dimensions from preoperative status to 6 months after ORIF were analysed. The amount of changes was calculated using surface-based superimposition with ProPlanCMF (Materialize, Belgium).

Results

Thirteen patients were included in this study. The mean change between the intergonial width preoperatively and intergonial width a few days postoperatively was −3.3 mm (SD: 5.8 mm, range: –12.5–5.2 mm) and that between the first few postoperative days and 6 months postoperative was −0.58 mm (SD: 1.2 mm, range: −3.0–0.9 mm). The mean change in intercondylar width between the first few postoperative days and 6 months postoperative was −0.92 mm (SD 1.9 mm, range: −5.5–1.7 mm). Two patients who underwent closed treatment of bilateral condylar fractures showed a relatively large amount of changes. Among them, one patient had the symphyseal fracture fixed with a miniplate, while the other patients had denture occlusion.

Conclusions

Long-term postoperative mandibular transverse width was comparatively stable. However, closed treatment of bilateral condylar fracture might be related to a decrease in the stability of mandibular transverse width.