Superolateral extracapsular dislocation of the mandibular condyle: Review of the literature and report of two cases

• Main Authors: Priyesh Gunvant Hira, Risimati Ephraim Rikhotso
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-03-01
• Series: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214541918300804

Trauma to the temporomandibular joint may cause one of several injuries amongst which is the dislocation of the mandibular condyle. Several aetiological factors result in condylar dislocation, and although there are global variations, road traffic accidents and falls feature prominently, followed by interpersonal violence.Dislocated fractures result in displacement of the condylar head out of the glenoid fossa. The condylar head may be dislocated anteriorly, posteriorly, medially, laterally or superiorly.Lateral dislocation of condylar head is very rare, and is regarded as an absolute indication for open reduction and internal fixation of the fractured condyle to relocate the condylar head into the fossa, to restore altered joint mechanics and to correct the resultant malocclusion. We review the literature on superolateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle and report on two cases of delayed presentation and their management. Keywords: Dislocation, Mandibular, Condyle, Superolateral, Extracapsular