# Condylectomy surgery
Condylectomy is a surgical procedure which involves removal of the upper portion of the condyle (the head of the lower jaw). The main indication for this surgery is treatment of condylar hyperplasia, a disorder that causes overgrowth of the jaw joint resulting in deviation of the lower jaw and facial asymmetry.
Condylectomy stops the growth in the involved joint and thus stops the worsening of the jaw deviation and facial asymmetry. In addition, condylectomy improves the facial asymmetry to some degree.
The surgical procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgical approach is via an incision that is made along an anatomical fold of the ear, so the scar is inconspicuous. The operation takes up to 2 hours and the patient is usually discharged home the same day.
