Purpose: The purpose of this report is to describe use of an endoscopic technique for exposure of the mandibular ramus/condyle unit (RCU) to facilitate reconstructive jaw procedures.
Patients and methods: This is a retrospective evaluation of 10 patients with diagnoses of idiopathic condylar resorption (n = 2), subcondylar fracture (n = 5), mandibular prognathism (n = 1), condylar hyperplasia (n = 1), and mandibular asymmetry (n = 1), who underwent endoscopic exposure of the RCU.
Results: All 10 patients had successful reconstruction of the RCU using the endoscopic approach. The procedures performed included the following: condylectomy (n = 5 sides), costochondral graft reconstruction (n = 4 sides), reduction of subcondylar fracture (n = 5 sides), and mandibular ramus osteotomy (n = 4 sides). Mean operating time was 84 minutes. No patients had marginal mandibular nerve weakness or other complications.
Conclusion: This case series demonstrates the feasibility of endoscopic access to the RCU. The procedures can be performed with no increase in operative time and with minimal morbidity.
Copyright 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons