Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis by Temporalis Muscle Interpositional Arthroplasty

The aim of the study was to assess temporalis muscle flap as an interpositional material for arthroplasty in patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis and to identify the most common cause of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Fifty patients of different age groups, reporting to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Armed forces Institute of Dentistry were enrolled in study. Surgical procedure involved condylectomy followed by temporalis muscle flap interpositioning. First postoperative maximal incisal opening (MIO) was recorded on 5th post-op day. Patients were regularly followed up for a period of 18 months and their maximal incisal opening (MIO) was finally recorded. Trauma was found to be the main etiologic factor in TMJ ankylosis( n=46, 92%), followed by infections (n=3). No case of relapse of limited mouth opening was seen during 18 months followup. Temporalis muscle proved to be a successful interpositional material with low morbidity and complications for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.