High condylectomy for the treatment of mandibular condylar hyperplasia: a systematic review of the literature

Mandibular condylar hyperplasia (MCH) is a rare, idiopathic disorder, which can cause both functional and aesthetic problems. MCH has often been described in the literature, but a comprehensive analysis of the current literature on MCH has not been undertaken. This study presents a systematic review analyzing the efficacy of high condylectomy in patients with MCH, with an emphasis on its role in the management of unilateral condylar hyperplasia. A systematic search of the current literature on high condylectomy was performed to find studies with sample sizes of more than five patients using a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The search terms revealed 664 studies, of which only 11 articles with a total of 289 patients were eligible for inclusion. Due to differences in the presentation of data, a meta-analysis was not conducted. High condylectomy appears to be a relevant surgical method to correct unilateral condylar hyperplasia. The current literature indicates large variations in terms of aetiology, use of diagnostic tools, and preferred time of intervention. Thus, further systematic studies are needed to determine which procedures offer the best aesthetic and functional results.