The Sequential Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis with Secondary Deformities by Distraction Osteogenesis

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the sequential treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis with secondary deformities by distraction osteogenesis Methods: We retrospected 40 patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis, whose age varied from 9 to 53 years old (average 24.5 years old), in department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University. Among of them, 11 patients were diagnosed as unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis, 29 were diagnosed as bilateral joint ankylosis. OSAHS was found in 27 patients. All patients underwent distraction osteogenesis as the initial surgery, followed by arthroplasty. The orthognathic treatment was performed along with or after the arthroplasty. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by the improvement of MIO, appearance and respiratory function. Results: After the treatment procedure was ended, all patients’ mouth opening and appearance were improved remarkably, and the symptom of snoring disappeared. The patients were followed up for 4 to 72 months (average 20.5), only 4 patients were recurrent, and needed further surgical treatment. Conclusion: Our data suggests that the sequential treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis with secondary deformities by distraction osteogenesis, arthroplasty and orthognathic surgery could achieve satisfactory and stable result.