Mechanism in favorable prognosis of pediatric condylar fractures managed by closed procedures: an experimental study in growing rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism in favorable prognosis following pediatric condylar fractures managed by closed procedures. Seventy-five 1-month-old male Wistar rats were used in this experiment. Unilateral medially rotated condyle fracture in growing rats was adopted as the condyle fracture model to investigate the mechanism in favorable healing of pediatric condylar fractures. The entire fracture healing process was investigated. The rotated subcondylar fractures in young rats healed by means of callus formation, with simultaneous and prompt repositioning of the condyle. The positive outcome in these condyle fractures was also associated with active cell proliferation potential in the condyle, as well as the condyle's remodeling capability. The growth potential and remodeling capability of the condyle during the growing period might be the intrinsic factor for favorable healing following pediatric condylar fractures managed by closed procedures.