• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2021

A transparotid approach, with a retromandibular or preauricular incision, is an alternative surgical approach for treating a subcondylar fracture and reducing the potential for complications such as injury to the facial nerves. However, retromandibular and preauricular incisions are both created far away from the parotid gland-dissection area. Thus, it is necessary to undermine the skin and retract it anteriorly to access the surgical field. Here, we introduce a modified approach wherein the incision allows for direct access to the fracture site. This approach may be adopted to shorten the incision length, reduce the retraction trauma at the surgical site, and help prevent injury to the facial nerve.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2018

Background Condylar process fractures account for one-third of all mandibular fractures, and the distal fragment is prone to dislocate to the medial side due to the pulling of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Retromandibular approaches are commonly used, but the intraoperative view becomes limited in medially dislocated fractures. This study summarized a series of cases of retromandibular reduction for medially dislocated condylar process fractures and described our supplementary procedure to realign the dislocated condylar process. Methods Nine patients with medially dislocated condylar process fractures underwent surgical correction from January 2012 to December 2016. In 6 of them, it was possible to realign the fractures with a conventional retromandibular approach, but for 3 cases of severe dislocation to the middle cranial fossa, a supplementary transoral procedure was carried out. The angle difference between the ramus and condyle, ramus height, and maximal mouth opening (MMO) were evaluated. Results All 9 cases were restored to the proper anatomical alignment without any major complications, and postoperative images revealed successful union. The angle difference was $8.94^{\circ}{\pm}4.11^{\circ}$ preoperatively, and $0.99{\pm}0.49^{\circ}$ at the 6-month follow-up. The pretreatment ramus height difference was $6.12{\pm}6.09mm$, and the postoperative difference was $0.18{\pm}0.10mm$. These changes after surgery were statistically significant. The MMO before surgery was $11.44{\pm}3.0mm$, and the postoperative MMO was $37.2{\pm}2.9mm$, reflecting a significant increase after reduction. Conclusions Retromandibular reduction is a useful method in medially dislocated condylar process fractures, and additional transoral assistance should be considered to realign condylar processes that severely dislocate to the middle cranial fossa.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.497-504
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• 2011

Purpose: Patients who had a subcondylar fracture with a displaced or deviated condylar segment were treated with a retromandibular approach (RMA) or an endoscope-assisted transoral approach (EATA) in our department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The clinical results of the approaches were compared. A comparative study of specific approaches for subcondylar fractures has not been published before in Korea. Methods: Twenty-one patients with subcondylar fractures of the mandible were included. Ten patients were treated with the retromandibular approach and 11 were treated with an endoscope-assisted transoral approach. We examined patient age, gender, fracture sites, classifications, period of maxillomandibular fixation, facial nerve (FN) or greater auricular nerve (GAN) injuries, maximal mouth opening, deflection, occlusal changes, number of plates, follow-up period, and other complications. Preoperative computed tomography and pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up panoramic views were taken of each patient. Results: Mean maximal mouth openings were similar between the two approaches. FN and GAN injuries were more frequent in the RMA group but the deflective rate with mouth opening was higher in the EATA than that in RMA group. Two cases of post-operative infection occurred in the EATA group, and occlusal changes were observed in one case for both approaches. Conclusion: The RMA offers more direct access and visualization of the surgical field but it can cause scars and retractive injuries of the FN and GAN. But, EATA did not result in consequent nerve injuries or scars postoperatively, but unfavorable fractures such as $medial$ $override$ condyles were more difficult to reduce endoscopically. Except cases of an expected difficult reduction, the treatment of choice for a displaced subcondylar fracture may be an EATA.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.376-380
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• 2013

Frey syndrome is a disease characterized by abnormal sweating, facial redness, and rare pain by stimulation of taste sense on the limited area dominated by the auriculotemporal nerve and great auricular nerve. Although the developmental mechanism and histopathologic cause of Frey syndrome are still being debated, the most reliable theory is based on injury of the parathympathetic nerve connected to the auriculotemporal nerve continuing to abnormal regeneration. The other theory is that the sweat glands develop an increased sensitivity after degeneration of sympathetic fibers. Therapy of Frey syndrome includes drugs, radiographic treatment, and surgical treatment; however, in most cases, treatment is not satisfactory. This is a case report on a 24-year-old male patient with Frey syndrome caused by the fracture reduction with retromandibular approach after multiple facial traumas and spontaneous healing without any special treatment.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2009

Purpose: Fractures of the mandibular condylar area are common injuries that account for 29% to 40% of fractures of the facial bones and represent 20% to 62% of all mandibular fractures. Currently 3 main methods are being used in the treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures: closed reduction; open reduction and internal fixation; Endoscopic reduction and internal fixation. Each method has its proponents and opponent as well as advantages and disadvantages, and indications for each vary among surgeons. There are six approaches of open reduction: submandibular, retromandibular, preaurilcular, postauricular, intraoral, transparotid approach. Among them, transparotid approach has been described for subcondylar exposure with dissection in the direction of facial nerve fibers to expose the bone through the parotid gland. This approach carries the risk of a parotid glandular fistula as well as facial nerve injury but has the advantage of being directly over the fracture site. We report safety and efficacy of surgical treatment using a transparotid approach for direct plating. Methods: A 43-year-old man sustained multiple facial bone fractures by driver traffic accident. Mandibular subcondyle was fractured and dislocated internally. We performed open reduction and internal fixation by transparotid approach. Fractured site was fixed by titanium mini plate & screw. We applicated arch bar for approximately 3 weeks. Results: Follow-up length was about 5months. Scar of surgical incision was indistinct, there was no symptoms and signs of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, and maximal mouth opening was measured 49.5 mm. Conclusion: Transparotid approach has high risks of facial nerve and parotid gland injury, but paradoxically it is the most effective technique in saving facial nerve. Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular subcondylar fracture by transparotid approach with precise and versed procedure, best outcome can be expected.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2012

Purpose: This study considered the effects and proper treatments of mandibular condyle fractures by comparing clinical differences and complications according to analysis and treatment plan. Methods: From September 2007 to August 2010, patients who were diagnosed with condylar fracture and monitored for more than 3 months were selected. Cases were divided in a reductive manner and evaluated by type and period of intermaxillary fixation (IMF), status of occlusion and trismus according to the Spiessle/Schroll method. A total 50 patients were examined. Results: The number of the unilateral condyle fractures was 45 and 30 patients had multiple fractures. Type of fracture was categorized by the Spiessle/Schroll method. There were 21 patients with type I, 11 patients with type II, 3 patients with type 3, 10 patients with type V and 5 patients with type VI; there were no patients with a type IV fracture. 11 patients were operated on with open reduction. Among them, 9 patients were type II and 2 patients were type I. For type I patients, an intra-oral approach was conducted with an endoscope and trocar. For 3 of the type II patients, an retromandibular approach was conducted and for the rest of the type II patients, the same approach as type I was used. The periods of IMF were 2.36 weeks (mean) in open reduction group and 2.9 weeks (mean) in closed reduction group and the total mean period is 2.78 weeks. All patients had stable occlusion after removing the IMF. Trismus occurred in 1 patient for open reduction and 5 patients for closed reduction. Facial nerve palsy was observed in one patient postoperatively that resolved after 6 months. Conclusion: In this study, similar prognosis was shown after an open and closed reduction was conducted. Therefore, treatments need to be planned depending on the degree of condyle fracture and the amount of displacement. Additionally, the period of IMF could be shortened with open reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.505-509
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• 2011

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a low-grade malignant salivary gland neoplasm that was first described in 1972. EMC occurs in the older age group, there is a female predilection and mainly involves the parotid gland. Most authors recommend superficial parotidectomy as a treatment for low-grade malignant tumor in the superficial lobe of parotid gland. The treatment of epithelial-myoepithelial tumors typically includes surgical excision aimed at achieving a R0 resection. This paper reports a case of EMC of the parotid gland treated only by a conservational surgical excision. The lesion was exposed by the retromandibular approach and detached. After the parotid gland envelop was exposed, the mass was observed and was easy to remove due to capsulation. The preoperative diagnosis was a pleomorphic adenoma on the left parotid gland. The tumor was removed surgically with a conservative extracapsular dissection. The postoperative diagnosis was EMC, so superficial parotidectomy or radiation therapy was considered. Nevertheless, the patient was observed and no additional treatment was attempted because the patient was old and a successfully excision of the tumor had been achieved.