Costochondral Grafts in the treatment of Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: a Clinical Study

Background: Treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis usually requires adequate excision of the involved ankylotic block (arthroplasty) without interposing any material (gap arthroplasty) or interpositional arthroplasty using autogenous or alloplastic materials. The objective of this paper was to note the potential of the costochondral graft (CCGs) as an interpositional material and to see whether they induce normal growth potential in the reconstructed mandible. Materials and method: The ankylosed temporomandibular joint was reached by a preauricular incision with or without angulation and exposed. In the first 4 cases, arthroplasty was done using a bur. The bony mass was detached of its muscle attachments and removed. In the 5th case, condylectomy was performed. In all cases, this was followed by immediate costochondral grafting. Results: The maximal incisal opening in the pre-operative period ranged from 0- 2mm and in the immediate post- operative period from 15- 20mm. at the end of the follow up period it ranged from 20- 35 mm. The increase in SNB angle, SND angle, ramus length and mandibular body length all showed linear growth of mandible on the side where costochondral grafting was done. Conclusion: The articular reconstruction with costochondral grafts for the treatment of TMJ ankylosis is efficient in relation to post- operative maximal incisal opening, recurrence and articular function

Surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis : follow-up of 15 cases and literature review

Introduction: Ankylosis may be defined as the fusion of the articular surfaces with bony or fibrous tissue. The treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis poses a significant challenge because of the high incidence of recurrence. Purpose: To report 15 cases treated by either gap arthroplasty, or the articular reconstruction technique using costochondral grafts, coronoid process grafts or alloplastic condylar implants; evaluate the results of these surgeries and make a literature review. Methods: The sample was obtained from the records of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital (HUOC-UPE) of patients submitted to ankylosis treatment by alloplastic or autogenous graft between March 2000 and October 2006. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the cause of ankylosis, the maximal incisal opening, etiology and type of the ankylosis, recurrence rate and presence of facial nerve paralysis. Results: The mean maximal incisal opening in the preoperative period was 8.71 + 6.97 mm and in the postoperative period it was 28.50 + 8.10 mm, the recurrence rate was 20% (n=3), and always occurred in ankylosis type IV. Conclusion: The articular reconstruction with alloplastic or autogenous grafts, or gap arthroplasty for the treatment of ankylosis is shown to be efficient in relation to the post-operative maximal incisal opening, recurrence and articular function

Muscle activity of chewing in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Purpose: due to the presence of major masticatory dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, this study analyzed mouth opening and EMG activity of masticatory muscles in order to detect changes in these parameters after surgical release of mandible ankylosis. Method: in 7 patients with temporomandibular ankylosis, between 7 and 30 years (median = 9 years), the distance was measured as interincisal maximum active (DIMA) and we recorded the electromyographic activity (EMG) of masseter and temporal muscles during voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) and chewing, comparing the data before and after surgery using the Wilcoxon test. Results: higher values were observed for DIMA after surgery (p=0.0277), the asymmetry index showed no difference between the two evaluated periods for both studied muscles, the values of the EMG during VIC decreased after surgery for the right (p=0.0179) and left (p=0.0179) masseter but not for the temporal muscle, there were no changes in EMG values for the studied muscles during mastication. Conclusion: the surgical release of TMJ ankylosis resulted in an increase of mouth opening and decreased amplitude of action potentials generated during maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the masseter muscle on both sides, this did not change the asymmetry index of the masseter and temporal as well as the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle bilaterally during isometric contraction and masseter and temporal muscles during mastication.OBJETIVO: devido à presença de importante disfunção mastigatória em casos com anquilose da articulação temporomandibular (ATM), este trabalho analisou a abertura bucal e a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos mastigatórios para detectar mudanças nesses parâmetros após a cirurgia de liberação da anquilose mandibular. MÉTODO: em 7 indivíduos com anquilose temporomandibular, entre 7 e 30 anos (mediana=9 anos), foi mensurada a distância interincisal máxima ativa (DIMA) e registrada a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos músculos masseteres e temporais durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima (CVIM) e a mastigação habitual, comparando-se os dados pré e pós cirúrgicos pelo teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: maiores valores foram observados para a DIMA após a cirurgia (p=0,0277); o índice de assimetria, não mostrou diferença entre os dois momentos avaliados para ambos os músculos estudados; os valores da EMG durante a CVIM diminuíram após a cirurgia para os músculos masseter direito (p=0,0179) e esquerdo (p=0,0179), mas não para os temporais; não houve modificação nos valores EMG para os músculos estudados, durante a mastigação. CONCLUSÃO: a cirurgia para liberação da anquilose da ATM resultou em aumento da abertura bucal e diminuição da amplitude dos potenciais de ação gerados durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima para o músculo masseter, em ambos os lados; não modificou o índice de assimetria dos músculos masseter e temporal, bem como a atividade eletromiográfica do músculo temporal, bilateralmente, durante a contração isométrica máxima e músculos masseter e temporal durante a mastigação habitual

Fiberoptic Intubation in a Paediatric Patient with Severe Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Ankylosis

Craniofacial abnormalities are associated with mandibular hypoplasia, reduced mandibular space with overcrowding of soft tissues and maxillary hypoplasia. Decreased mouth opening and limitation in jaw protrusion are independent predictors of difficult airway in such patients. The relative difficult problem becomes even graver in the paediatric age group because of their small mouth opening and un-cooperativeness. A child with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis presented with negligible mouth opening and required surgical correction under general anaesthesia. Successful intubation was performed with endotracheal tube size 5.5 mm using an adult 4.3 mm fiberoptic bronchoscope under inhalational as well as topical anaesthesia

Muscle activity of chewing in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Purpose: due to the presence of major masticatory dysfunction in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, this study analyzed mouth opening and EMG activity of masticatory muscles in order to detect changes in these parameters after surgical release of mandible ankylosis. Method: in 7 patients with temporomandibular ankylosis, between 7 and 30 years (median = 9 years), the distance was measured as interincisal maximum active (DIMA) and we recorded the electromyographic activity (EMG) of masseter and temporal muscles during voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) and chewing, comparing the data before and after surgery using the Wilcoxon test. Results: higher values were observed for DIMA after surgery (p=0.0277), the asymmetry index showed no difference between the two evaluated periods for both studied muscles, the values of the EMG during VIC decreased after surgery for the right (p=0.0179) and left (p=0.0179) masseter but not for the temporal muscle, there were no changes in EMG values for the studied muscles during mastication. Conclusion: the surgical release of TMJ ankylosis resulted in an increase of mouth opening and decreased amplitude of action potentials generated during maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the masseter muscle on both sides, this did not change the asymmetry index of the masseter and temporal as well as the electromyographic activity of the temporal muscle bilaterally during isometric contraction and masseter and temporal muscles during mastication.OBJETIVO: devido à presença de importante disfunção mastigatória em casos com anquilose da articulação temporomandibular (ATM), este trabalho analisou a abertura bucal e a atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos mastigatórios para detectar mudanças nesses parâmetros após a cirurgia de liberação da anquilose mandibular. MÉTODO: em 7 indivíduos com anquilose temporomandibular, entre 7 e 30 anos (mediana=9 anos), foi mensurada a distância interincisal máxima ativa (DIMA) e registrada a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos músculos masseteres e temporais durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima (CVIM) e a mastigação habitual, comparando-se os dados pré e pós cirúrgicos pelo teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: maiores valores foram observados para a DIMA após a cirurgia (p=0,0277); o índice de assimetria, não mostrou diferença entre os dois momentos avaliados para ambos os músculos estudados; os valores da EMG durante a CVIM diminuíram após a cirurgia para os músculos masseter direito (p=0,0179) e esquerdo (p=0,0179), mas não para os temporais; não houve modificação nos valores EMG para os músculos estudados, durante a mastigação. CONCLUSÃO: a cirurgia para liberação da anquilose da ATM resultou em aumento da abertura bucal e diminuição da amplitude dos potenciais de ação gerados durante a contração voluntária isométrica máxima para o músculo masseter, em ambos os lados; não modificou o índice de assimetria dos músculos masseter e temporal, bem como a atividade eletromiográfica do músculo temporal, bilateralmente, durante a contração isométrica máxima e músculos masseter e temporal durante a mastigação habitual

Reconstruction of the adult hemifacial microsomia patient with temporomandibular joint total joint prosthesis and orthognathic surgery

HFM patients' reconstruction has always been a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons, and numerous reconstructive techniques have been described. Surgical treatment depends on the patient's age and contemplates Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) reconstruction in conjunction with orthognathic surgery, usually necessary following completion of growth to maximize the functional and esthetic results. Distraction osteogenesis had gained popularity as valid alternative in growing patients, but the two primary methods to reconstruct the TMJs involve the use of autogenous, using free or microvascular bone grafts, or alloplastic graft, but there is no widely accepted method

Surgical Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Relatively few patients develop such severe degenerative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease that they require total joint replacement. Current indications include those conditions involving condylar bone loss such as degenerative (osteoarthritis) or inflammatory joint disease (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid, and psoriatic). Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) secondary to ankylosing spondylitis remains an under investigated entity. We aim to provide an overview of treatment objectives, surgical procedures, and our experience with total TMJ replacement for this condition

Detection of bifid mandibular condyle using computed tomography

Objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) using computed tomography (CT) evaluation. Study Design: A retrospective study was carried out using the CT records of 550 patients referred to the Medical School of Erciyes University (Kayseri, Turkey) between 2007 and 2010. T-tests were used to compare frequency of BMC between the left and right sides and between female and male patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and a chi-squared test. Results: Of the 550 Patients, 10 patients (1.82%) were found to have BMCs. Five patients were female (50%) and five were male (50%). Of these 10 patients, 7 (70%) had unilateral and 3 (30%) had bilateral BMCs. As a result, a total of 13 BMCs were found in 10 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between either the right- and left-sided BMCs or between female and male patients (p >.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study investigating the prevalence and characteristics of BMC using computed tomography. Although BMC is an uncommon anomaly, it may be a more frequent condition in the Turkish population. Further studies and research on the orientation of duplicated condylar heads should be carried out