Digital planning and Personalized Fixation of Mandibular Condylar Fractures: A Rapid Systematic Review

Abstract

Digital planning may improve the execution of mandibular condylar fracture fixation, but its clinical value depends on whether anatomical precision translates into functional recovery and durable stability. This rapid systematic review examined clinical evidence and its biomechanical implications. PubMed-source records were searched through Europe PMC, with supplementary web and citation-based retrieval. Comparative studies and series of at least five patients undergoing digitally assisted primary fixation were eligible. Clinical and computational evidence were analyzed separately without meta-analysis. Two clinical searches yielded 721 records and 586 unique records after deduplication. Nine reports contributed 149 participants to a provisional synthesis, including a five-patient subgroup from a mixed-fracture series; five reports were assessed in full and four through abstracts. Two randomized trials involving 70 patients reported mean geometric deviations lower by 0.647 and 0.356 mm with digital assistance; consistent functional superiority was not established. Mixed-fracture evidence could not isolate the effect of condylar fixation. Biomechanical studies showed that fracture level, plate location, loading, and screw support alter construct behaviour. Bench validation supported comparative modelling while also identifying systematic prediction errors. Digital assistance therefore has stronger evidence for improving geometric execution than for preventing complications or fixation failure. A clinically useful personalized workflow should connect reproducible morphology, interfragmentary contact, fixation mechanics, and patient-important outcomes.