[Sagittal fracture of mandibular condyle (SFMC): a clinical and pathological study on the operated patients].

8 patients with SFMC (9 TMJs) were treated surgically, of which findings on images, during operation and pathological examination demonstrated that SFMC of human being was able to reach bony healing, however, with a larger transverse diameter and a step-like articular surface or a bifid condyle; and that both the fractured and the remained condylar cartilage early show degeneration deteriorating progressively, as a result, all 3 six-month or more SFMC patients had perforation of disc and adhesion in TMJ and complained of TMJDS symptoms. These results support the views that the fate of SFMC is severe secondary osteoarthrosis and that SFMC patients should be treated with positive procedures as early as possible.