Midface deviation due to mandibular fractures. (An experimental study with clinical comparison).

An experimental study was undertaken into the effect of fractures produced in the body of the mandible, the base of the condylar process and the mandibular condyles, on the bones of the middle third of the face using rabbit sucklings. The rabbits were sacrificed when fully grown, when it was found that in all cases the bones of the middle face had deviated to the traumatized side in comparison with the neurocranium. The greatest asymmetry occurred after injuries to the condyles and least following injuries to the body of the mandible. A comparative study on patients past growing age who had had an injury to the condyle before the age of 10 years suggested a similar disturbance of development. The present material, however, was so limited that reliable conclusions could not be drawn.