Comparative evaluation of post treatment CT scan and clinical findings in open reduction and closed reduction of condylar fractures.

Mandible is largest and strongest of facial bones.  Mandibular fracture is the second most common fracture of facial bone, next to nasal bone. 25% to 40 % of mandibular fractures involve the condyle. In the literature, there exists no consensus “gold standard” treatment for mandibular condylar fractures, and there is a continuing debate on whether condylar fractures should undergo closed or open reduction. In recent years, open treatment has become more common, probably because of introduction of plate and screw fixation devices that allow stabilization of the fractures. However, the closed reduction method was most commonly employed due to difficulty in access to the condylar region because of anatomic complexity, reduced risks of general anesthesia and comparable functional outcomes obtained with closed reduction.