The Retromandibular Infraparotid Approach to Subcondylar Fractures

Abstract

Background:

The management of subcondylar fractures is frequently debated. ^{1 –3} Multiple surgical approaches have been described with variable rates of facial nerve injury and sialocele formation. ^{4 –8} We present a technique for open surgical management of subcondylar fractures through the retromandibular infraparotid approach.

Objective:

To demonstrate a surgical technique in management of subcondylar fractures.

Methods:

The video shows a patient undergoing repair of a subcondylar fracture through the retromandibular infraparotid approach.

Results:

This video submission demonstrates successful reduction and fixation of a subcondylar fracture through the retromandibular infraparotid approach. There were no complications in the postoperative period, specifically no facial nerve weakness, hematoma, or sialocele formation.

Conclusion:

Open repair of subcondylar fractures can be successfully treated utilizing the retromandibular infraparotid approach with low complication rates. This approach avoids disruption of the parotid gland with minimal risk of injury to surrounding neurovascular structures.

Authors' Contributions:

C.M.C. contributed to conceptualization, methodology, resources, visualization, writing–original draft, and writing—review and editing. G.A.C. was involved in methodology, resources, and writing—review and editing. D.J.H. carried out supervision, conceptualization, writing—review and editing, and visualization. S.K.S. was in charge of supervision, conceptualization, writing—review and editing, visualization, and project administration.

IRB Approval:

Institutional review board (IRB) approval was obtained through the Baylor College of Medicine (IRB #H-51375).

No competing financial interests exist.

No funding was received for this article.

Runtime of video: 5 mins 18 secs

Prior Presentation: This study was presented at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings—American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, May 3–4, 2023.