Introduction: A functionally stable oteosynthesis enables early rehabilitation of the joints. However, there are a few studies about that.

Aim: This prospective study evaluated the mandibular movements and remission of signs and symptoms after open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condyle fractures with deviation.

Material and method: 20 consecutive patients with diagnosis of 23 mandibular condyle fractures with deviation and with or without shortening of the mandibular ramus, isolated or not, which were surgically treated with internal fixation with miniplates, were evaluated. All the patients underwent retromandibular approaches and fixation with two nonparallel 4-hole 2.0-mm miniplates. Patients were evaluated before surgery and through 180 days postoperatively.

Results: There was increase of range and complete recovery of mandibular movements at the studied period ( p < 0.001) with slow and progressive improvement of jaw opening and protrusion, while lateral movements presented rapid recovery after 60 days postoperatively. The previous symptoms of difficult chewing and swallowing and of pain in the TMJ presented rapid remission ( p < 0.001). The signs of inadequate occlusion, facial asymmetry, edema, and deviation at mouth opening present before surgery have remised early after surgery ( p < 0.001) but articular sounds remained with the same preoperative scores ( p = 0.227). There was no permanent damage to the facial nerve in this study. All the patients related satisfaction to the treatment.

Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular condyle fractures with deviation presented rapid recovery of lateral mandibular movements although slow recovery of jaw opening and protrusion, while the initial signs and symptoms presented early remission.

Conflict of interest: None declared.