Long-Term Assessment of Condyle Fracture: Outcomes and Complications

Mandibular condylar fractures represent one of the most common injuries to the maxillofacial complex, with significant functional and aesthetic impact and a high complication rate. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and etiological profile, treatment options, and complications in patients with mandibular condylar fractures treated at the University Hospital of Western Paraná (HUOP) from 2010 to 2023. This is a retrospective, observational study based on the analysis of 234 medical records of patients diagnosed with mandibular condylar fractures, classified according to age, sex, etiology, use of safety devices, associated fractures, type of treatment, and complications. Statistical analysis included Pearson χ2 and Fisher exact tests, adopting a P≤0.05. Most patients were male (84.6%) and young adults, with a mean age of 31.8 years. The main etiology was traffic accidents (65.0%), with motorcycle accidents standing out (34.2%). Associated fractures were observed in 88.9% of cases, particularly in the parasymphysis and zygoma. Nonsurgical treatment was the most common (73.1%), while the retromandibular approach predominated in surgically treated cases. Complications were recorded in 30.2% of patients, with limited mouth opening being more common in the conservative group and facial paresis in the surgical group. It is concluded that condylar fractures primarily affect young men who are victims of motorcycle accidents, highlighting the importance of using safety devices and adopting individualized therapeutic protocols.