Treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis with temporalis muscle and fascia flap.

This study sought to determine the efficacy of interpositional arthroplasty with temporalis muscle and fascia flap in the treatment of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in adults. This retrospective study of seven cases evaluated the postoperative results of interpositional arthroplasty on temporalis muscle and fascia flap in adults. The operative protocol for unilateral TMJ ankylosis entailed, (1) resection of ankylotic mass, (2) intraoral ipsilateral coronoidectomy, (3) contralateral coronoidectomy when necessary, (4) interpositional tissue transfer to the TMJ with temporalis muscle and fascia flap, (5) maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), and (6) early mobilization and aggressive physiotherapy. The results of this protocol were encouraging, while the functional results of interpositional arthroplasty on temporalis muscle and fascia flap were satisfactory. The findings of this study support the use of temporalis muscle and fascia flap in adult patients with unilateral TMJ ankylosis. Early postoperative initial exercise, physiotherapy, and strict follow-up play an important role in preventing postoperative adhesions.     

Composite temporalis pedicle flap as an interpositional graft in temporomandibular joint arthroplasty: a preliminary report

Fifteen temporomandibular joint patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the effectiveness of a composite (fascia, muscle and periosteum) temporalis pedicle flap as an interpositional disc replacement. A modified Craniomandibular Index (CMI) and Symptom Severity Index (SSI) were used to assess clinical and subjective symptoms. Eighteen months postoperatively there was a significant reduction in the CM and SS indices (P less than .001), with significant clinical improvement of the mandibular range of motion (P less than .05). However, a significant reduction of translation (P less than .01) was evident indicating that the increased mandibular opening was owing to a compensatory rotational movement. This study indicates that the composite temporalis pedicle flap is a good autogenous tissue for the reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint.     

Management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis with temporalis fascia flap and fat graft

AimTemporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a serious problem that restricts jaw mobility and causes disturbances in facial and mandibular growth. The purpose of this paper is to present an easy and versatile method for the treatment of TMJ ankylosis to decrease postoperative complications such as re-ankylosis.Material and methodEleven patients who presented with ankylosis of the TMJ underwent surgical release. After performing gap arthroplasty through a preauricular approach, the temporalis fascia flap was transposed to the gap. An autogenous fat graft was then obtained from the abdomen and used as interpositional material. The follow-up time was 3–5 years.ResultsRe-ankylosis did not occur in any of the patients, and all had satisfactory mouth opening.ConclusionSurgical treatment of TMJ ankylosis with gap arthroplasty, interposition of the temporalis fascia flap and fat grafting is an effective and easily procedure for preventing of re-ankylosis. The autogenous nature and close proximity to the joint are the main advantages of the temporalis fascia flap when compared with other interpositional materials, and the fat graft provides additional support by reducing pressure.     

Report of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint: treatment with a temporalis muscle flap and augmentation genioplasty

A case of true bilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is presented. A 19-year-old male patient had a life-threatening ear infection at the age of ten resulting in a progressive restriction of his mouth opening. He presented with almost complete lack of mobility of the mandible. Surgical treatment was a resection of the ankylotic mass, interpositional temporalis composite muscle flaps, and early mobilization and aggressive physiotherapy. The functional results of the interpositional arthroplasty were excellent. After a two-year follow up, an augmentation genioplasty was performed in order to improve facial aesthetics.     

Navigation-guided gap arthroplasty in the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Gap arthroplasty, used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, is challenging, requiring resecting of massive abnormal bone formation at the skull base with complex and distorted anatomy. This study evaluated the application of image-guided navigation to gap arthroplasty. Four gap arthroplasties were performed on patients with unilateral TMJ ankylosis under computer-assisted navigation guidance. After preoperative planning and 3-dimensional simulation, the normal anatomic structures of the TMJ were created by superimposing and comparing the unaffected and affected sides. The amount and range of ankylotic bone to be resected was determined and displayed. Registration achieved an accurate match between the intra-operative anatomy and the CT virtual images. Anatomic structures and the position of surgical instruments were shown real time on the screen. In all cases the accuracy of the system measured by the computer did not exceed 1 mm. No complications occurred and the mean minimal thickness of the skull base between middle cranial fossa and reconstructed glenoid fossa was 1.97 mm. Using image-guided navigation resulted in safe surgical excision of the bony ankylosis from the skull base. Navigation-guided resection of the ankylotic bone in the TMJ gap arthroplasty was a valuable and safe technique in this potentially complicated procedure.     

Quality of life assessment in temporomandibular joint ankylosis patients after interpositional arthroplasty: a prospective study

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis significantly impacts both physical and psychosocial patient wellbeing. A complete evaluation of treatment outcomes necessitates knowing the extent to which a patient’s quality of life (QoL) is impacted. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of TMJ ankylosis on QoL in 25 TMJ ankylosis patients treated by interpositional arthroplasty. The patients completed OHIP-14 and UWQoL questionnaires once before and then at 3 months after the surgery. There was a significant improvement in mean cumulative scores for both questionnaires. With the exception of functional limitation, all OHIP domains showed significant improvement. Preoperatively, the worst scores were found in the psychological distress domain, followed by the social handicap, physical pain and physical disability domains. More than half of the subjects (56%) reported having suicidal thoughts. Amongst the individual UWQoL domains, appearance, chewing, anxiety (P < 0.01), recreation and mood (P < 0.05) showed improved scores. Appearance and chewing were the top ranked priority domains before and after surgery. No significant change was found in speech, taste, sleep, or breathing. Psychosocial factors were found to play a much bigger role than previously thought. The physical, psychological, and social factors were intricately related and dynamically interacted with each other. Surgical treatment produced a definitive QoL improvement in the patients.     

The effect of gap arthroplasty on temporomandibular joint ankylosis: an experimental study.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the functional and anatomical changes after gap arthroplasty release of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Five adult sheep weighing an average of 57 kg were used. All right joints were operated. Ankylosis was induced in the right TMJ by articular damage, disk removal and placement of a bone graft plus immobilization wire. At 3 months the gap arthroplasty were performed. All TMJs were examined functionally, radiologically, macroscopically and histologically. Functionally, the range of jaw movements decreased following induction of ankylosis (P<0.0001), increased immediately on release but was reduced again at 3 months after release (the vertical movement, no statistically significant difference; the right movement, P<0.001; the left movement, P<0.0001). Histologically, all operated joints showed fibrous adhesions across the gap, and further, the articular surface was irregular with osteophytes and with bony islands in the gap. This appearance is more consistent with a fibrous reankylosis than a functioning pseudo joint. This study shows that the gap arthroplasty for TMJ ankylosis did not restore the TMJ functionally and histologically to the preexisting state.     

Fascia lata interpositional arthroplasty in the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis caused by psoriatic arthritis.

A patient with bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis, secondary to psoriatic arthritis, was treated by interpositional arthroplasty using fascia lata autogenous grafts. Despite gross limitation of mandibular movements prior to operation, radiological and functional recovery was complete at 2 years.     

颞肌筋膜瓣联合冠突移植治疗颞下颌关节强直

目的:应用带蒂颞肌筋膜瓣联合冠突移植治疗颞下颌关节真性强直,评价其重建颞下颌关节的效果。方法:对6例颞下颌关节真性强直患者切除病变区骨质,形成骨间隙,采用带蒂颞肌筋膜瓣转移充填骨间隙和冠突切取植入构造新的“髁突”,重建颞下颌关节。手术后常规随访,评价其疗效。结果:全部病例术后随访4～28个月,开口度3.1～3.8cm,平均开口度3.5cm,效果满意。结论:带蒂颞肌筋膜瓣联合冠突移植治疗颞下颌关节真性强直具有多方面优势,是防止颞下颌关节术后复发的有效手术治疗方法。     

The interpositional dermis-fat graft in the management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

The aim of this retrospective clinical study is to present the clinical experience of using dermis-fat interpositional grafts in the surgical management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in adult patients. Eleven adult patients who presented with ankylosis of the TMJ were identified and included in the study. All patients underwent a TMJ gap arthroplasty which involved the removal of a segment of bone and fibrous tissue between the glenoid fossa and neck of the mandibular condyle. The resultant gap was filled with an autogenous dermis-fat graft procured from the patient's groin. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Five of the 11 patients were found to have osseous ankylosis while 6 patients had fibro-osseous ankylosis. Two patients had bilateral TMJ ankylosis that were also treated with costochondral grafts which were overlaid with dermis-fat graft. The average interincisal opening was 15.6 mm on presentation which improved to an average of 35.7 mm following surgery. Patients were followed up from 2 to 6 years post-operatively (mean 41.5 months) with only 1 re-ankylosis identified out of the 13 joints treated. This study found that the use of the autogenous dermis-fat interpositional graft is an effective procedure for the prevention of re-ankylosis up to 6 years following the surgical release of TMJ ankylosis.     

The role of a temporalis fascia and muscle flap in temporomandibular joint surgery

Temporalis fascia, with a varying thickness of temporalis muscle, may be harvested as an axial flap based on the middle and deep temporal arteries and veins. The dependable blood supply, the proximity to the temporomandibular joint, and the ability to alter the arc of rotation by basing the flap inferiorly or posteriorly make this a versatile flap for lining the temporomandibular joint. In this report, the anatomy is reviewed, the harvesting technique is described, and multiple uses of the temporalis muscle-fascia flap in temporomandibular joint surgery are described.     

Interpositional arthroplasty for ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

The relevant literature relating to the etiology and treatment of intra-articular ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint is reviewed, and three cases of ankylosis (one unilateral and two bilateral) are reported. Two of these occurred subsequent to trauma, while the other was a manifestation of severe ankylosing spondylitis. They were successfully treated by interpositional arthroplasty with silicone rubber tubing.