Condylar Head Operative or Conservative 1 (CHOC1)

January 13, 2026 updated by: Niall Mcleod, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

Condylar Head Operative or Conservative 1, Randomised Controlled Trial

The condylar head is the part of the lower jaw which forms the joint. Displaced fractures of this area are uncommon but can cause problems with function, such as chewing, if not treated effectively. The medical literature does not have a clear consensus on whether these should be treated operatively (with surgery to reduce and fix the fracture) or conservatively (with advice and exercise and no surgery). The investigators propose a randomised controlled trial comparing the outcome of the operative or conservative treatment of condylar head fractures of the mandible, primarily with regards to patient related outcome measures of mandibular function, and secondarily objective measures of mandibular movement, function and symptoms to try and provide a clearer answer as to the best way of managing them.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The current medical literature provides conflicting evidence as to the benefits of operative or conservative management of displaced condylar head fractures. Whilst conservative treatment has few risks in itself, most of the evidence would suggest that outcomes are not quite as good as operative management. Operative treatment has complications that are not presented by conservative treatment, such as the risk of infection or facial nerve injury and therefore it is important to demonstrate that such treatment has sufficient benefits to merit it's consideration, and to properly inform the patients about the benefits and risks of treatment. When patients present with these injuries it is currently difficult to provide them with good evidence for them to make an informed decision with, as to whether to undergo surgery or not. At present the patient is expected to make a decision as to whether to have surgery or not based on this limited knowledge, and it is the investigator's experience with consulting these patients and the questions they asked that has demonstrated the need for and guided the design of the trial focusing on a patient related outcome quality of life measure, rather than the common objective measures.#

The main purpose of undertaking this RCT is to directly compare the results of operative and conservative management focusing on an outcome which is determined by the patients perception of their function and quality of life rather than purely objective measurements. A randomised controlled trial would provide the strongest level of evidence to support future care decisions and any patient with a unilateral fracture would be considered for inclusion if they can give informed consent and are able to complete the PROM questionnaire at the necessary time points. Exclusion criteria are limited, but include bilateral fractures because these are less common and the results may not be directly comparable.

The trial design has been kept simple and adds no significant burden to patients as all aspects of care and follow up are the same as the current standard of care apart from the completion of the questionnaire, which can be completed relatively quickly during participant's clinic appointments. The investigators are experienced surgeons in this field and able to fully answer any questions from patients with regards to the trial, and to risks and benefits of either treatment option. Neither has any conflict of interest in undertaking the trial.

All trial data will be handled confidentially in line with good governance procedures, and will be monitored by appropriate persons from the trial sponsors.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
14

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
      • Oxford, United Kingdom, OX3 9DU
        • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Warwickshire
      • Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV2 2DX
        • University Hospital Coventry

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 95 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the trial.
  • Male or Female, aged 18 years or above.
  • Be in good health - suitable for general anaesthesia for surgical treatment
  • Willing to allow his or her General Practitioner and consultant, if appropriate, to be notified of participation in the trial.
  • Unilateral condylar head fracture with or without other mandibular body or angle fractures, or other maxillofacial injuries
  • Condylar head fracture displaced by at least 2 mm measured on coronal or sagittal CT scan
  • In the Investigator's opinion, is able and willing to comply with all trial requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Undisplaced condylar head fractures, or displaced less than 2 mm on coronal or sagittal CT
  • Bilateral condylar head fractures
  • Pre-existing congenital or acquired pathology of the ipsilateral or contralateral temporomandibular joint - including but not limited to ankylosis, inflammatory arthropathy, idiopathic condylar resorption
  • Pregnancy (increased risk of joint pain and laxity)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Operative
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Condylar Head Fracture
Procedure: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
Surgical treatment of fracture
No Intervention: Conservative
Non-operatively managed Condylar Head Fracture

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Difference in functional self reported outcome measure
Time Frame: 12 months
Difference in function assessed using Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire
12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fracture Reduction
Time Frame: 12 months
Post operative fracture reduction (ramus / condyle height - fracture side compared to normal on post operative OPG)
12 months
Mouth Opening
Time Frame: 12 months
Mean interincisal opening- mm
12 months
Mandibular lateral movements
Time Frame: 12 months
Mean lateral excursion from affected side - mm
12 months
Mandibular protrusion
Time Frame: 12 months
Mean Protrusion - mm
12 months
Pain Score
Time Frame: 12 months
Pain - linkart score (0-10)
12 months
Dietary interference
Time Frame: 12 months
Dietary interference - linkart score (0-10)
12 months
Mandibular functional impairment
Time Frame: 12 months
Functional impairment rating scale (1-4)
12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Niall MH Mcleod, FRCS(OMFS), Oxford University Hospitals

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 24, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 30, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 21, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 24, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 29, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 13, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 12513

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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