A Systematic Review on Management of Condylar Fracture

Aim: The mandibular condyle or sub condylar region is one of the most frequent site of mandibular fracture encountered, occurring between 25% and 35% of all mandibular fractures. Condyle fracture accounts for approximately 30% and 37% of fracture in dentulous mandible patients and edentulous mandible patients, respectively. Surgeons often debate on which type of plate has a better potency over the other for the fixation of condylar fracture. We have tried to resolve this by conducting a systematic review by comparing the reduction outcomes of using 2 mini plates and 1 trapezoidal plate for condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods: An elaborate data base was done to collect articles pertaining to Fixation of condylar fracture using trapezoidal or mini plate. The study selection was restricted to articles published in English and from the year 1984 to 2021. The review was done in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines after detailed PICO analysis.

Results: The initial search returned 300 studies reported from January 1984 through June 2021. Abstract and full-text reports were acquired for 20 studies. After reviewing the full-text reports on the basis of inclusion/ exclusion criteria, Amster 2 scale, Pedro Scale and Robis only 2 studies were deemed eligible for the present review. The total sample size was 70 patients including 56 males and 14 females with mandibular sub condylar fractures and other concomitant fractures. The patients were classified in two groups according to the fixation method. The 2 fixation methods used are mini plates (group A) or a trapezoidal plate (group B).

Conclusion: The results of the systematic review concluded that that both the plates perform equally in the grounds of fracture reduction, functionally stable fixation, and postoperative infection and condylar movements. But trapezoidal plates are superior in terms of stability, hardware failure and time taken for fixation.