Clinical course of masticatory function recovery following endoscopic-assisted open reduction and internal fixation in patients with unilateral mandibular condyle fracture

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical course of masticatory function recovery following an endoscopic-assisted open reduction and internal fixation (EAORIF) procedure. Patients with a unilateral mandibular condylar fracture who underwent EAORIF for therapeutic purposes were evaluated, with comparisons made between those who underwent the procedure for base or neck fractures. At each time point analyzed after treatment, the occlusal contact area and maximum bite force in patients with a base fracture were greater, although the differences between the groups were not significant. Moreover, at 12 months following EAORIF for a base fracture, occlusal contact area and maximum bite force on the fractured and non-fractured sides were nearly equal, whereas these were significantly reduced in the fractured as compared with the non-fractured side in patients who underwent that treatment for a neck fracture. Additionally, after 12 months in the neck fracture cases, both occlusal contact area and maximum bite force on the fractured side were lower as compared with those on the non-fractured side. These findings indicate that EAORIF is an optimal method for base fracture treatment with regard to masticatory function.