An assessment for auriculotemporal syndrome following temporomandibular joint surgery through the preauricular approach

Twenty temporomandibular joints (TMJs) were operated on for the correction of arthrographically confirmed internal derangements using a modified preauricular approach. Postoperatively, three of the 20 patients tested exhibited auriculotemporal syndrome as deduced from a starch-iodine test. The manifestation was subclinical and consisted of sweating only over the distribution of the auriculotemporal and great auricular nerves in response to a gustatory stimulus. The response was variable from patient to patient.     

改良耳颞切口在颞下颌关节手术中的应用

目的:评价改良耳颞切口在颞下颌关节手术中的效果。方法:回顾分析1998年7月～2002年11月间收治的72例颞下颌关节病患者,男性35例,女性38例,年龄4～72岁,平均年龄36.1岁。所有患者均采用改良耳颞切口及进路术式,于耳颞部行美容切口设计,先翻开耳前皮瓣,暴露颞浅血管分支,然后沿耳颞神经血管束前缘进入,向前下翻开颞深筋膜瓣,倒“L”形切开关节囊后暴露髁突。结果:72例患者中获得随访38例(49侧),随访期4～45个月,平均17.7个月。仅1侧右颞区皮肤麻木,3侧额纹消失,总体对手术切口满意度为97.4%(37/38),不满意1例为髁突骨折患者,术后8个月术区瘢痕仍很明显,伴有颞区皮肤麻木和额纹消失。结论:改良耳颞切口及进路是目前治疗颞下颌关节疾病的理想术式之一。     

Facial nerve injury during surgery of the temporomandibular joint: a comparison of two dissection techniques

Changing the dissection technique for gaining access to the temporomandibular joint decreased the incidence of facial nerve injury from 25% to 1.7%. This decrease can be attributed to the elimination of both development of a skin flap and dissection of tissue overlying the lateral capsule. Normal anatomic variation in the distribution of facial nerve branches may relate to the incidence of clinically apparent injury.     

Analysis of temporomandibular joint function after orthognathic surgery using condylar path tracings

Condylar path tracings provide quantitative and qualitative data regarding the functional status of the temporomandibular joint. This study was designed to identify the functional status of the TMJ by means of condylar path tracings before treatment and to monitor the response of the TMJ to orthognathic surgery. Baseline data for condylar tracings using a sagittal recording device were established in relation to normal limits for opening, protrusive, and medial excursions of the mandible. In 54 patients 108 joints were studied before and up to 1 year after orthognathic surgery. Internal derangements were identified with condylar tracings before treatment in 72% of all joints studied. Also, condylar tracings identified internal derangements that were not found on clinical examination in 11 of 39 patients. Functional adaptation of the TMJ was found to be more favorable for mandibular reduction and maxillary impaction than for mandibular advancement or combined upper and lower jaw procedures. Condylar path tracings were shown to represent a noninvasive technique to identify and monitor the functional status of the TMJ in response to surgical orthodontics.     

正颌外科治疗后颞下颌关节改变的X线研究

目的 了解正颌外科手术后颞下颌关节（ｔｅｍｐｏｒｏｍａｎｄｉｂｕｌａｒ ｊｏｉｎｔ,ＴＭＪ）形态的改变,探讨手术方式不同对ＴＭＪ的影响。方法 正颌手术患者５７例,术前、术后１周、１年分别拍摄定位许勒位片用于观察髁突位置及关节形态的变化。结果 ①正颌手术可导致髁突移位,但大多数关节适应后并不发生病变,术后１年髁突位置已调整到术前相似的位置。②手术方式不同髁突位置的变化也不尽相同。③８６．４％的患者关节无明显变化或发生了适应性改建;１３．６％患者关节发生了退行性改变。结论 正颌手术可对ＴＭＪ产生影响,但大部分处于关节的正常适应范围内。     

Morbidity associated with the preauricular and perimeatal approaches to the temporomandibular joint

The preauricular and perimeatal approaches to the temporomandibular joint were compared in a study involving 56 patients. It was concluded that the preauricular approach offers better access and carries less risk of serious postoperative complications.     

Facial asymmetry in temporomandibular joint disorders

In order to investigate skeletal deviation in patients with internal derangement of the TMJ, facial asymmetry was examined by the frontal cephalogram and compared with a control group of asymptomatic subjects. It was demonstrated that mandibular lateral displacement in the patients was significantly greater than that in the controls. The degree of displacement was significantly related to the cant of the frontal occlusal plane and the frontal mandibular plane, indicating the reduced vertical dimension of the posterior occlusal level and the ramus height on the mandibular displaced side. It is concluded that facial asymmetry due to mandibular lateral displacement is a relatively common problem in patients with internal derangement of TMJ. The cant of the frontal occlusal plane seems to be an important occlusal characteristic related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction.     

Disc-repositioning surgery of the temporomandibular joint using bioresorbable screws

For successful disc-repositioning surgery, following arthrotomy and disc recovery by the release of attachments, the disc must be fixed and stabilized in the correct relationship with the condyle and fossa. This report describes a new surgical technique for fixing the disc to the condyle using two resorbable screws.     

Changes in signs and symptoms following temporomandibular joint disc repositioning surgery.

Fifty-one subjects with documented intra-articular pathology refractory to non-surgical therapy underwent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc repositioning surgery. Following surgery, subjects were evaluated for 6 months to 6 years by clinical examinations and questionnaires at designated times, and by postsurgical joint imaging. Significant decreases were noted in pain (headache, TMJ pain, ear pain, and neck/shoulder pain), the incidence of joint sounds and locking, and the presence of dietary restrictions. However, 35% of the subjects continued to have residual TMJ pain, and a similar percentage continued to need periodic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for analgesia. Some degree of dietary restriction remained in approximately 50% of the subjects, and joint sounds persisted in a similar percentage following surgery. Mean mouth opening was improved by 8 mm, although lateral movements were increased by less than 0.5 mm. Surgery did not decrease the occurrence of jaw deviation, and disc position was unchanged in 86% of the joints imaged at an average of 2 years following surgery. Although TMJ disc repositioning surgery significantly improved pain and dysfunction in TMJ surgery patients, the improvement in disc position was not maintained in most subjects following surgery.     

正颌外科治疗对颞下颌关节功能影响的研究

目的　观察正颌手术后颞下颌关节病各种症状及体征的变化 ,比较不同固定方式及手术方式对于颞下颌关节的影响。方法　正颌手术矫治的连贯患者 46例 ,术前 1周内及术后 1年记录患者的颞下颌关节情况。结果　全组Helkimo主诉症状指数 (Ai) ,临床指数 (Di)的差异无显著性 ,术后最大开口度与下颌前伸度皆减小 ,但只有 1%差别 ,无明显临床意义。单双颌手术及升支的 3种术式之间比较 ,各项症状与体征的变化差异无显著性。结论　正颌外科治疗对颞下颌关节的影响不大 ,不同的术式间对颞下颌关节的影响无明显不同     

Reoperative temporomandibular joint surgery

TMJ surgeries are not always successful. Many potential pitfalls can occur during any phase of the treatment and can lead to complications, less than desirable results, and short- or long-term failures. Unsatisfactory results can occur for multiple reasons, including misdiagnosis of the original pathologic condition, incorrect selection of surgical technique, technical failures, complications, systemic disease, and unrealistic expectations. This article focuses on the reoperation of the TMJ primarily in cases of internal derangement and discusses TMJ arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open joint procedures.     

A case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint secondary to preauricular trauma

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare benign arthropathy characterized by chondrometaplasia of the synovial membrane, particularly in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The purpose of this article is to describe an uncommon case of synovial chondromatosis arising from the inferior joint space of the TMJ with an enlarged condyle secondary to preauricular trauma in a 44-year-old healthy male. The possible role of a traumatic event in the etiology, the usefulness of the combined performance of CT and MRI examinations for preoperative diagnosis and current treatment are discussed.     

Rehabilitation of the temporomandibular joint after arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a new, relatively noninvasive surgical procedure for treating patients with TMJ dysfunctions beyond management by nonsurgical means. Ninety-two patients who underwent diagnostic and operative TMJ arthroscopy completed a staged physical therapy regimen, which resulted in functional mobility and mandibular use with little or no pain at 24-month follow-up. This report introduces TMJ arthroscopic diagnostic and surgical procedures and their respective rehabilitative protocols currently used to provide beneficial outcomes in postoperative treatment.     

The deep subfascial approach to the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to improve safety and visibility in the surgical approach to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In spite of the development of a myriad of surgical approaches to the TMJ, the facial nerve remains at risk for damage. For this reason the authors present an additional, safe, surgical approach to avoid injuries of the facial nerve during TMJ surgery, termed "the deep subfascial approach." PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two resident surgeons, under supervision of the Department Chief, made 29 surgical exposures of the condyle, safely using the deep subfascial approach. This surgical approach is carried out by means of a modified preauricular incision followed by the subfascial dissection. Dissection passes under both layers of the deep temporalis fascia. RESULTS: Neither permanent nor temporary motor loss of the frontal branch of the facial nerve was observed after surgery. It has not been necessary to ligate the superficial temporal vessels except the posterior branch of the superficial temporal artery. Aesthetic results were excellent in all cases. CONCLUSION: The operation is technically facile, surgically uncomplicated, and clinically effective. It is our opinion that the deep subfascial approach to the TMJ represents a safe method to avoid injury of the facial nerve. We suggest this surgical procedure as a routine and safe approach to the TMJ and to the zygomatic arch, especially in second procedures or in delayed treatments.     

Predictive risk factors for facial nerve injury in temporomandibular joint replacement surgery

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of temporary and permanent facial nerve injury in total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery and to identify potential predictive risk factors. We made a retrospective review of case notes and opportunistic review of patients treated in a single tertiary referral unit by a single surgeon. For each patient a number of potential risk factors were determined, and the presence or absence of nerve injury recorded at 2 week follow up and a minimum of 12 months follow up. At 2-week review, facial nerve weakness was noted in 38/133 cases (28%) and at last follow up there were 4/133 cases (3%) with continuing (permanent) facial nerve weakness. Bilateral surgery, revision TMJ replacement, primary diagnosis, the number of previous surgeries and a history of recovered facial nerve injury all significantly increased the likelihood of temporary facial nerve injury, but not the likelihood of permanent facial nerve injury. Factors which increase the risk of temporary facial nerve injury are relatively predictable and include bilateral surgery, revision TMJ replacement, and multiple open TMJ surgeries. Risk factors associated with permanent injury are less predictable but are likely to be similar. The identification of such factors allows for the risk stratification of patients and improve informed consent. We also recommend that patients with a single, previously failed open TMJ surgery should be considered for early TMJ replacement and in multiply operated patients a subfascial plane of dissection is adopted.