Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: Case-series of two different surgical procedures

Introducation: The long-term outcome and clinical results of gaparthroplasty used for the treatment of condylar ankylosis of the mandible in children with application of postoperative activator appliances and costochondral rib graft are evaluated and compared. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of gap arthroplasty and costochondral graft methods on reankylosis, a mount of mouth opening and growth. Materials and Methods: A non-randomized, retrospective clinical study of l0 cases (5-12 years old) of condylar ankylosis of the mandible, surgically treated during a 10 year period from 2002 to 2012 was performed. Four patients were treated by condylectomy and interpositional flap, whereas six were treated by condylectomy and immediate costachondral rib grafts. The first group underwent long-term postoperative therapy using removable activator appliances. Casts, radiographs, photographs, and computed tomography (CT) were used post surgically to evaluate rib graft, condylar growth and function, occlusion, facial, and condylar symmetry. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 statistical software using Mann-Whitney, Paired T-test and Chisquare tests. Results: Children with long-standing condylar ankylosis of the mandible treated by condylectomy and interpositional flap showed more favorably when activators were used post-surgically. Conclusions: Gaparthroplasty with functional activator post-operatively can be considering for TMJ ankylosis.