Evaluation of the Clinical Outcomes of the Berger-Tenenhaus Approach for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Fractures.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes, such as duration of surgery, ease of surgical access for fixation, injury to branches of the facial nerve, and scar assessment encountered on using the Berger-Tenenhaus approach for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of subcondyle, ramus, angle, and body fractures of mandible.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a prospective clinical study. Patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seventeen patients in the age group above 18 years were included in this study. All patients were treated under general anesthesia using Berger-Tenenhaus approach for ORIF. The surgical outcomes were evaluated with follow-ups conducted at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the average duration of surgery was 34.47 ± 7.383 minutes with good access to fracture sites and inconspicuous scars at the 6th month. There were no cases of facial nerve paralysis.

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that the Berger-Tenenhaus approach is an effective and safe technique for ORIF of mandibular fractures, such as subcondyle, ramus, body, and angle. This approach has less duration of surgery with good access, no morbidity to the facial nerve, and provides cosmetic results.