Treatment of condylar neck fracture by Otten's minihooks

Nowadays, there are two different concepts of the treatment of condylar neck fracture: 1. Conservative treatment 2. Surgical treatment The conservative treatment have traditionally been treated by maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). One technique for conservative treatment of condyle neck fracture of the mandible using Otten's minihooks is described. The minihooks are fixed with AO miniscrews, which are inserted into the nasal spine and the symphyseal region of the mandible. They serve as abutments for intermaxillary elastics or wires. In the case of the displaced condyle fragment, we use an acrylic splint of the upper jaw with a fulcrum (Hypomochlion) in the molar region at the fracture side for distraction of the fragments. Maxillomandibular fixation is applied for 10 days. Sixty patients with condylar neck fracture were treated in the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Muenster, Germany, in 1995-1997. This method is simple and appears to be a time-saving method. It is also easy to maintain proper oral hygiene and can be performed under local anaesthesia. Keywords: condylar neck fracture, Otten's minihook