Role of the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle in the Sagittal Fracture of Mandibular Condyle(SFMC) Healing Process

Objective: To examine the effect of the lateral peterygoid muscle in the reconstruct the condylar shape during the sagittal fracture of mandibular condyle(SFMC) healing process.Methods: Twenty-four adult sheep were divided into 2 groups.All sheep had a unilateral operation on the right side of cuting anterior and posterior attachments of the the discs,and an oblique vertical osteotomy was made from the lateral pole of the condyle to the medial side of the condylar neck.One group(group1) of twelve sheep's lateral pterygoid muscle were cut.The other group(group2) weren't cut the lateral pterygoid muscle.Each group sheep was sacrificed at 4 weeks(2 sheep),12 weeks(4 sheep),and 24 weeks(4 sheep) after surgery.Computed tomograms(CT) were taken after sacrificed,and the three-dimensional compute tomographic reconstruction was used to observe condylar shape.Results: In the group without cut the lateral peterygoid muscle,the joints showed greater overgrows of new bone and more advanced ankylosis.Conclusion: This study shows that the lateral pterygoid muscle plays an important part in reconstructing the condylar shape during the sagittal fracture of mandibular condyle(SFMC) healing process.