Reduction of superior-lateral intact mandibular condyle dislocation with bone traction hook

Abstract

Lateral and superior-lateral dislocations of the intact condyle are a rare complication, following traumatic insult to the mandible. We report an unusual case of a 54-year-old male patient who experienced both types of dislocations of the intact condyles with symphysis fracture following a road-traffic accident. Under general anesthesia, conventional manipulation was unsuccessful in relocating the condyles into the glenoid fossa. After applying a percutaneous traction force, using a bone traction hook placed at the sigmoid notch, the displaced intact mandibular condyles were repositioned, and the symphyseal fracture was finally reduced and fixed. The mouth opening was within normal limits, and favorable occlusion was confirmed one month postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first case of dislocation of both intact condyles--associated with symphysis fracture--being reduced with bone traction hook.