New surgical instrument for the treatment of condylar fractures: the digitised condylar retractor.

Reduction is one of the most difficult steps in condylar fracture surgery, and a key factor governing the postoperative outcome. In this study we evaluated quantitatively the effects of a digitised condylar retractor on the duration and rate of reduction. In a prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial, 48 patients with unilateral condylar fractures who were listed for surgical treatment were randomised to an experimental and a control group (n=24 in each). The experimental group was treated with a digitised condylar retractor, and the control group with traditional surgical instruments only. The primary outcome variables were duration and rate of reduction. The continuity correction chi squared test and independent samples t test were used for statistical analyses. The results showed that the mean reduction time was 21.3minutes in the experimental group and 42.4minutes in the control group (p=2.48*10−8, <0.001). The reduction rate was 21/24 in the experimental group and 17/24 in the control group (p=0.16). The results indicated that the mean duration of reduction was significantly shorter, and the reduction rate was higher, in the experimental group than among controls. In conclusion, the digitised condylar retractor can assist surgeons to improve efficiency and accuracy in the reduction of condylar fractures, so it merits promotion as an aid to their surgical treatment.