'Temporomandibular joint hematoma nerve block'-a new technique in management of mandibular condylar fractures

Purpose Management of mandibular condylar fracture has invited a great deal of controversy in maxillofacial trauma care. In the orthopaedic literature, surgeons have exhaustively described the use of a 'hematoma block' technique during closed reduction (CR) of the ankle or other long bone fractures. Post-traumatic ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is due to development and progression of the intra-articular hematoma. We improvised their technique for use during CR of mandibular condylar fractures. The desirable effects which can be achieved with our proposed 'novel TMJ hematoma nerve block' technique are evacuating the accumulated hematoma, blocking auriculotemporal and masseteric nerves which in turn causes relaxation of the lateral pterygoid muscle, all in all, favouring accurate anatomical reduction of the fracture. Method Thirteen patients with isolated unilateral condylar fractures were subjected to our new technique. The parameters assessed were the amount of hematoma evacuated, pain in TMJ region during reduction and postoperative anatomic reduction on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Results All the patients showed a significant reduction in pain and lowered post-reduction angulation between the proximal condylar and distal ramal segments. Conclusion Our technique is minimally invasive, safe, simple to perform, yielding excellent anatomic reduction of the fracture fragments.