Although the retromandibular transparotid approach (RTA) has been widely used to treat mandibular subcondyle fractures, the transient facial nerve injury (FNI) caused by this approach is not uncommon. The purpose of this paper was to present an anatomical landmark for RTA to treat subcondylar fractures, aiming to minimize FNI caused by the surgery. A total of 25 patients with subcondylar fractures but no FNI underwent RTA surgery. Intraoperatively, the plane of angulus oris was utilized as a reference to open the parotid and masseter tissues for exposing the fracture site. Postoperatively, FNI and other surgical complications were counted. The results showed that except for 2 cases of hematoma, no FNI or other complications occur. As a conclusion, utilization of plane of angulus oris as a reference for RTA to treat subcondylar fractures might make the surgery safer and less invasive.
Copyright © 2020 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.