Changes in condylar position after mandibular reconstruction with condylar head preservation by computed tomography

Publication date: Available online 15 January 2019

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Wei Wang, Xiao-feng Shan, Jie Liang, Shang Xie, Jie Zhang, Zhi-gang Cai

Abstract

Purpose

Condylar position may change after mandibular reconstruction using free fibula flap. The present study evaluated changes in condylar position using computed tomography (CT) after mandibular reconstruction with condylar head preservation.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study consisted of 16 patients. CT data of 32 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) were recorded before surgery (T0), 7–10 days after surgery (T1), and 16.8±7.4 months after surgery (T2). The anteroposterior condylar position was evaluated using Pullinger and Hollender's method (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 62:719, 1986). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (P = .05) was performed.

Results

Data of 16 patients were obtained for statistical analysis. Condylar position changed over time after mandibular reconstruction. The ipsilateral condyles moved anteroinferiorly after surgery (T0 to T1) and tended to move anterosuperiorly during follow-up (T1 to T2). No significant changes were noted in the contralateral condyles.

Conclusion

Condylar positions showed obvious changes over time after mandibular reconstruction with condylar preservation. Nevertheless, additional studies are warranted to further evaluate the relationship between condylar position and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function.

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