Mandibular subcondylar fracture accessibility with transparotid approach by rhytidectomy and modified Risdon approach: An anatomical comparative study.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of our anatomical study was to compare the accessibility of the area at the level of the neck of the condyle and the condylar head by two different approaches: the modified Risdon approach and a transparotid approach by rhytidectomy (TPAR).

[METHODS] An anatomical study was performed on 12 heads of cadavers preserved with a solution rich in glycerin and ethanol, but very low in formalin. A modified Risdon approach and a TPAR were each performed on a hemiface of the same head. The bone surface was rendered digitally accessible on an anatomical diagram using Image J software. The software was used to determine a concordance score between the area of accessibility and the area of interest necessary for osteosynthesis of a high subcondylar fracture. This score was presented as a numerical scale from 0 to 100. We measured the total number of pixels in our area of interest and assigned it a score of 100. We then compared the area of accessibility with the area of interest necessary for osteosynthesis of a high subcondylar fracture.

[RESULTS] Using the modified Risdon approach, an average score of 55.88 (SD = 18.96) was found, or 55.88% of the accessible area of interest. Using TPAR, we found a score of 91.05 (SD = 7.95) or 91.05% of the accessible area of interest. This difference in score between the two techniques was significantly different (p < 0.001), taking into account intra-hemiface and intra-individual correlation.

[CONCLUSION] TPAR seems to be more effective in treating high condylar process fractures of the mandible.