Page 131 - Open versus closed Mandibular condyle fractures

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Chapter 4.2 Open versus Closed
The open and closed group did not differ significantly in age, gender, fracture level related to the mandibular joint capsule (intracapsular and extracapsular), or cause of fracture (Table 1).
The MFIQ was analysed as a continuous variable, since no cut-off points exist; however, the data were not normally distributed (P < 0.0001). In contrast, data from the MMO (P = 0.200) and the MAI (P = 0.200) were normally distributed.
A significant correlation between the MAI and total MFIQ score was found (r = 0.250; P = 0.033). There was a significant difference in the MFIQ between patients who underwent open versus closed treatment; however, no significant differences were found for MAI, MMO, dental state, and self-perceived occlusion between these treatment groups.
Gender, physiotherapy, presence of other fractures, and self-perceived occlusion had a significant effect on MAI (Table 1). Worse results were found on MAI for women than men, physiotherapy had a positive influence, having more than one fracture had a deteriorating effect, and a better perception of the patient on their occlusion had a positive effect on MAI.
DISCUSSION
Male patients with a unilateral condylar fracture, who receive physiotherapy, and/or have satisfactory self-perceived occlusion, exhibited the best recovery of masticatory performance in daily practice. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between masticatory performance and patient-reported mandibular functioning (i.e., MFIQ-score).
Overall, at least 1 year after treatment, individuals who experienced a unilateral fracture of the mandibular condyle, exhibit masticatory capacity comparable with that of individuals who have not suffered such injuries.2 This improvement of masticatory function was also seen in other studies; measured as bite force and muscle activity.27,28