What happens to the contralateral condyle after proportional condylectomy? A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated 3D positional and volumetric adaptations of the contralateral condyle after proportional condylectomy performed alone or combined with orthognathic surgery. METHODS: Twenty-three patients were allocated into three groups: isolated proportional condylectomy (G1), simultaneous condylectomy and orthognathic surgery (G2), and staged treatment (G3). CBCT analysis used anatomical landmarks, and condylar volume was assessed by semi-automated reconstruction. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 12.1, 9.7, and 13.3 months for G1, G2, and G3, respectively (7.7 months for T1-T2 in G3). G1 showed no significant positional changes. G2 exhibited superomedial rotational adaptation, with superior (0.5 mm, p = .01) and medial (1.5 mm, p = .04) displacements and lateral displacement of -0.5 mm (p = .048). G3 showed linear medial displacement of 2.6 mm (p=.04). No significant volumetric changes occurred in any group. CONCLUSION: Distinct short-term 3D adaptation patterns of the contralateral condyle occurred according to surgical strategy. Volumetric changes were modest, suggesting adaptive remodeling rather than pathological resorption.