[Intra- and extra-capsular condyle fractures in the growth period. Therapy, clinical course, complications].

37 patients had been reviewed after surgical (n = 25) or conservative (n = 12) treatment of condylar fractures. Morphologic and functional outcomes were equal in spite of the poorer starting position of the patients that had been operated on. Injuries and complications due to the operation, such as facial nerve palsy, growth inhibition or obvious scars have never been found. Conservatively treated and operated patients alike showed a moderate limitation of opening and mediotrusion on the fracture side, and both groups showed a flattening of the protrusion path.