An interventional study of PRA approach and RT approach in Subcondylar Process of Mandible Open Fracture and Facial Nerve Injuries, sponsored by Cairo University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-08-02.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Of all the bones in the maxillofacial area, the condylar process is the most susceptible to fracture. The incidence of condylar fracture accounts for 25% to 50% of all mandibular fractures. Though remained controversial for a long time, surgical treatment of displaced subcondylar fractures appears today as the gold standard.
Although there is a developing preference for open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condylar fractures, the optimal approach to the ramus condylar unit remains controversial. Various approaches have been proposed, and each has specific shortcomings and disadvantages. Retromandibular, submandibular, transoral, and through parotid approaches are generally performed and sometimes used with an endoscope. Limited access and injury to the facial nerve are the most common problems, while Wilson introduced a new through masseter anteroparotid approach, this technique offers excellent access to the ramus condylar unit, and facial nerve damage risk is reduced.
Fractures of the mandibular condylar process have been documented to be one of the most common occurring mandibular fractures.
When open treatment is selected, several surgical approaches can be used to expose, reduce, and stabilize the fracture site, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Surgical approaches to the fractured mandibular condyle are broadly classified into intraoral and extraoral approaches. Intraoral approaches can be performed with or without endoscopic assistance. The most common extraoral approaches are submandibular, Risdon, preauricular, retroauricular, and retromandibular through parotid or through masseter approaches.
An intraoral approach is time consuming and requires special instruments such as an endoscope, and additional training. Furthermore, cases of high fractures and/or medially displaced condylar fractures are technically difficult to manage through an intraoral approach, incorrect anatomical reduction, condylar head resorption, myofascial pain, and malocclusions have been reported to be more common complications following the intraoral approach when compared to extraoral approaches.
In contrast, extraoral approaches are commonly used because they produce better visualization of the fracture site and therefore facilitate fracture reduction and fixation. However, extraoral approaches are complicated by the risk of injury to the facial, great auricular, and auriculotemporal nerves, visible scars, sialoceles, Frey syndrome and salivary fistulas.
Exclusion Criteria:
PRA extends downward in curvilinear fashion in cervicomastoid skin crease
Procedure: PRA approach
RT begins 5mm below the ear lobe and continues 3 to 3.5cm inferiorly.
Procedure: RT approach
A preauricular incision will be made that extends downwards in a curvilinear fashion in the cervicomastoid skin crease, though any variation in this incision will suffice. The great auricular nerve will be preserved and the flap raised in the subdermal fat plane, superficial to the superficial musculoaponeurotic layer to allow access to the masseter adjacent to the anteroinferior edge of the parotid gland, just below the parotid duct. Branches of the facial nerve will be readily identified and avoided with or without loupe magnification, on the surface of the masseter muscle.
The incision for the retromandibular approach begins 5mm below ear lobe and continues 3 to 3.5cm inferiorly. Initial incision begins through skin and subcutaneous tissues,platysma muscle ,(SMAS), parotid capsule Dissection is continued until the only tissue remaining on the posterior border of the mandible will be the periosteum of pterygomassetric sling,then the fracture site will exposed and reduced.
Minimize facial nerve injury
Regarding facial nerve injury the measuring device is House- brachmann facial nerve grading system (HBFNGS) while the measuring unit is numerical from (I-VI) I= Normal, II= Mild dysfunction, III= Moderate dysfunction, IV= Moderately severe dysfunction, V= Severe dysfunction, VI= Total paralysis. I= Better while VI= Worse
Time frame: Concerning the facial injury will be at 6 months
Minimize salivary fistula
Regarding salivary fistula the measuring device is clinical examination while the measuring unit is binary question.
Time frame: Salivary fistula at 1 week
Reduce scar formation
The character of any observed scar was scored as (1) no perceptible scar, (2) visible but thin and linear scar, (3) wide scar, and (4) hypertrophic scar or keloid. while the measuring unit is numerical from (1-4) 1= Better while 4= Worse
Time frame: at 6 months
Plan to share: Undecided — Once I finished the study I will share the data
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Facial Nerve Injuries
Cairo University