A technique for mandibular distraction to reduce medially dislocated condylar fracture : Technical report of a case

Abstract

The treatment of condylar fractures in oral and maxillofacial trauma, where an open reduction and internal fixation has to be done, is still a controversial note. However, when taken a decision by the surgeon to operate, there are many difficulties on the operation theatre table, reducing the proximal condylar stump and applying mini fixtures. The techniques to reduce the condylar stump are endorsed in the medical literature. We report a different technique with the use of simple armamentarium, a 24G intravenous catheter, which facilitates better visualization of the proximal segment by distracting the distal segment for open reduction and internal fixation of condylar fractures.

Keywords

• case report
• condylar fractures
• distal segment
• temporomandibular joint