Mandibular condylar fractures has remained a challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons .Reviewing the literature,no consensus has been arrived at and surgeons continue to determine a treatment plan based on clinical experience and personal beliefs. Various surgical approaches have been presented for the treatment of condylar fractures: The submandibular, preauricular, intraoral, and retromandibular. The submandibular approach is very low for subcondylar fractures, and conversely the preauricular approach is very high while intraoral approach requires much retraction.Retromandibular approach will be discussed thoroughly with tips to protect branches of the facial nerve from injury during dissection with presentation of clinical cases.
Objectives:
Illustration of retromandibular approaches
How to protect branches of facial nerve
How to select the suitable surgical approach for each case