Overgrowth of a costochondral graft in nasal reconstruction

Nasal reconstruction with autogenous costochondral graft has been one of the surgical managements in craniofacial clefts. We have recently seen one patient who underwent this operation and the graft had overgrown like as in Pinocchio's nose-overly projecting nasal tip for almost 7 years. This case supports the notion that the costochondral graft itself carries intrinsic factors and the growth of the graft depends mainly on the costochondral graft itself. Therefore we acknowledge "the primary growth center theory" rather than "the functional matrix theory".     

Mandibular Condyle Reconstruction With Inlay Application of Autogenous Costochondral Graft After Condylectomy: Cerrahpaşa’s Technique

PURPOSE: Mandibular condyle reconstruction with free costochondral grafting is the most common method because of some advantages, such as its biological and anatomic similarities to the condyle, and growth potential in juveniles. Application techniques of the costochondral graft were reported in numerous articles with several advantages and disadvantages up to now. The purpose of this article is to present a new modification in application of the costochondral graft to the ramus of the mandible. This technique is pretty simple, but very effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The new technique described here consisted of a costochondral graft application for temporomandibular joint reconstruction, which was inserted into the medullary cavity of the mandibular ramus in 4 patients. This modification provided the graft placement as anatomical as the original condyle and further stabilized the graft in its position and inhibited its displacement without any fixation. This technique is pretty simple because an additional incision to the preauricular, facial nerve dissection, wide exposition and stabilization efforts are not required. RESULTS: Clinical and radiological evaluations on 14-month mean follow-up of 4 cases showed very satisfactory functional results with normal anatomic adaptation and configuration. In all cases, function of mandible was considered to be good with at least maximal interincisal opening of 30 mm. Good anatomical position of the graft and good bony healing were seen on the radiographs. Additionally, there was no need for postoperative intermaxillary fixation. CONCLUSION: With this technique, temporomandibular joint reconstruction by the costochondral graft can be performed as far as possible to the original condyle position.     

Intraoral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in facial asymmetry patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint bony ankylosis

Gap arthroplasty and costochondral rib bone graft are commonly performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to reconstruct the temporomandibular joint with ankylosis. However, unpredictable and unsatisfactory results such as re-ankylosis, growth disturbance, and facial asymmetry often occur. Even if the costochondral graft is successful, donor-site morbidity is inevitable. More recently, surgeons have become interested in distraction osteogenesis as a means of temporomandibular joint reconstruction. This case series presents the results of intraoral mandibular distraction osteogenesis and gap arthroplasty in two patients with facial asymmetry and unilateral temporomandibular joint bony ankylosis. Both patients had experienced failed gap arthroplasty and costochondral graft for the reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint. Distraction osteogenesis with gap arthroplasty proved successful in these two patients with follow-up of longer than 2 years.     

关节内窥镜辅助肋骨-软骨移植重建下颌髁突的临床应用

目的探讨经耳前切口关节内窥镜辅助肋骨-软骨移植重建髁突的可行性。方法对33例（49侧）颞下颌关节疾患,经耳前切口行髁突切除等病灶处理后充分分离下颌支表面骨膜,制备植骨床,行颌间固定;常规切取肋骨-软骨并修整形态;经颊部3～4 mm小切口穿入颊部穿通器,在内窥镜监视下,利用小型接骨板将肋骨-软骨置于下颌支外侧,完成坚固内固定。结果33例患者在关节内窥镜辅助下均顺利地完成了髁突的重建,术中视野清晰,固定稳固,无严重出血、螺钉松脱及颅脑损伤等并发症;术后无面瘫。影像学检查证实肋骨-软骨移植物与下颌支、关节窝保持良好的位置关系。结论经耳前切口关节内窥镜辅助肋骨-软骨移植重建髁突具有手术创伤小、用时短、切口小、术后无明显瘢痕和并发症少等优点。     

The costochondral graft: a solution or a source of facial asymmetry in growing children. A case report

Costochondral grafts are most commonly used to restore severely affected mandibular condyles in growing children. Despite their world-wide use, the growth of costochondral grafts can vary, excess growth being the most consequential problem. A report is presented her of a patient who sustained facial asymmetry to the left as a consequence of retarded growth in the left mandibular condyle. A costochondral graft was used to replace the left mandibular condyle at the age of 12 years 8 months, but six years after the operation the initially pleasing postoperative appearance had given away to facial asymmetry to the right. This was clearly due to the excess growth of costochondral graft. Possible aetiological factors, intrinsic, functional or both, affecting the growth of costochondral grafts are discussed.     

Recurrence of a solitary bone cyst of the mandibular condyle in a bone graft. A case report.

The recurrence of a solitary bone cyst of the mandibular condyle in a costochondral bone graft is reported. A solitary bone cyst of the right condylar head and neck of a 10-year-old boy was treated by total resection and immediate reconstruction with a costochondral bone graft. Two years after the first operation, a recurrence of the solitary bone cyst within the bone graft was noted. An open treatment was performed. A review of the literature on solitary bone cysts and recurrences of solitary bone cysts shows that the case reported is unique. Possible reasons for the recurrence are discussed.     

自体肋软骨和自体喙突移植在成人单侧颞颌关节强直治疗中的临床效果比较

目的：比较成人单侧颞颌关节强直髁突重建中自体喙突移植和肋软骨移植的临床效果。方法：选取32例自体喙突移植和28例自体肋软骨移植重建髁突的颞下颌关节强直病例,对其术前和术后的饮食分数、最大张口度、侧向运动、开口型偏斜、CT扫描影像学等方面进行评价。结果：两组患者的关节强直治疗均取得满意效果。在饮食分数、张口度、侧向运动、开口型偏斜和复发率等术前及术后的测量值中,两组间差异无统计学意义（P>0．05）,但两组病例中术后张口度、侧向运动及饮食分数均较术前有显著改善。肋软骨移植术中有3例患者出现了胸膜撕裂,6例患者出现了移植骨供区的暂时性疼痛。肋软骨移植及喙突移植术后分别有5例和3例患者的面神经颞支受到了损伤,3－6月内康复。喙突移植组中无关节强直复发,肋软骨移植组中有1例复发。结论：在颞下颌关节强直矫治中,自体喙突移植是一种较好的髁突重建骨移植材料。     

Long-term follow-up of a mandibular costochondral graft

The long-term follow-up of a patient with unilateral mandibular condylar dysplasia and facial asymmetry, treated with a costochondral graft, is presented. The etiology of the deformity and the surgical treatment are discussed. A detailed review of the literature is included to introduce the reader to the biology and rationale for the use of costochondral grafts in growing patients.     

带软骨肋骨行颞颌关节区移植后生长及其影响因素的动物实验

目的 :研究自体带软骨肋骨游离移植后的生物学行为及其影响因素。方法 :3月龄新西兰白兔 2 0只随机分成 4组 :A ,B切除左侧关节盘 ,髁状突并下颌支 10mm后行自体带软骨肋骨移植关节成形术 ,A组软骨长 4mm ,B组 1mm。C组为手术对照 ,D组为健康对照 ,术后 4、6周分期处死进行X线及组织学检查。结果 :X线测量B、C组患侧下骨高度明显小于健侧 (P <0 .0 5)。组织学检查显示软骨增殖细胞接近软骨末端关节面 ,关节面有致密的平行排列的胶原纤维覆盖。结论 :自体带软骨肋骨颞颌关节区移植后保持了生长的趋势 ,软骨头改建为髁突类似结构 ,保留软骨长者生长趋势更强     

肋骨肋软骨移植在颞下颌关节重建中的应用进展

颞下颌关节疾病如骨折、强直、肿瘤等,常会造成髁突破坏或缺损,需进行颞下颌关节重建。目前,肋骨肋软骨移植已成为颞下颌关节重建的首选方法。20世纪20年代首次将肋骨肋软骨移植应用于颞下颌关节重建,之后诸多学者在肋骨肋软骨选择、术后肋软骨生长情况以及如何减少手术创伤等方面做了大量研究。本文主要从以上几个方面,对肋骨肋软骨移植重建颞下颌关节的现状作一综述。     

Treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis: a case report

Bony ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a male patient was not diagnosed until the patient reached his early teens, at which time the condition was treated with a costochondral graft. At the time of treatment, there was an expectation that further orthognathic surgery would be required to correct the skeletal deformity. However, with the release of the ankylosis and growth of the costochondral graft, a good functional and esthetic result was achieved without further surgery. It is important that family dentists be aware of the clinical signs and symptoms of TMJ ankylosis, to allow early diagnosis and treatment.     

Reconstruction after hemimandibulectomy using a costochondral rib graft and a dacron-urethane tray with autogenous iliac bone: report of a case

A case is presented that describes a method of mandibular reconstruction using a costochondral graft for replacement of the condyle that is attached to a dacron-urethane tray filled with particulate bone and marrow harvested from the ilium and secured to the distal mandibular segment with stainless steel wire. The requirements of graft immobilization and early return to function were met by initially using maxillomandibular fixation and then using external pin fixation with a small hinge incorporated into the acrylic bar. The advantages of using a dacron-urethane tray as opposed to a metallic tray are described, and the use of costochondral grafts is reviewed.     

A retrospective analysis of growth of the constructed condyle-ramus in children with hemifacial microsomia

A retrospective analysis of changes in costochondral rib grafts used to construct the condyle-ramus in children with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) was made. The mean age at surgical correction was 6.5 years, and the average follow-up was 4.5 years. Direct measurements were made on panoramic radiographs. The condyle-ramus length was expressed as a percentage change comparing the constructed with the normal side. During the first 2 postoperative years, there was either no change or a slight decrease in the length of the rib graft. After 2 years, however, the costochondral graft elongated at a slow, irregular rate. The mode change was 11 percent over the postoperative study period. In four patients who exhibited rapid growth of the normal condyleramus (greater than the mean change of 0.94 cm), the constructed side failed to keep pace. In another group of four patients who exhibited moderate elongation of the normal side, the grafted side grew commensurately or demonstrated greater than normal percentage change in length. There was no correlation between the initial size of the costochondral graft, age at time of operation, or presenting type of mandibular deformity. These findings are discussed in terms of the intrinsic growth and the functional matrix theories of mandibular development.     

Biological reconstruction of the mandibular condyle

It is proposed in the scientific literature that the costochondral graft is the most suitable method for reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Success is demonstrated by function and continued growth. Creeping substitution of osteoid does not compromise the osteochondral graft. In many species cartilage autografts survive and grow despite the absence of perichondrium and synovial membrane. These studies emphasise the importance of transferring only a thin cartilage cap on an osteochondral graft for optimum survival of cartilage cells. Many experiments involving metatarsals or ephiphyseal heads have failed to reproduce the cartilaginous cap found in the normal condyle. Despite evidence from animal studies, there is human experience of the unpredictability of costochondral grafts. Much remains to be evaluated, in animal model systems comparable with man, before optimum joint replacement can be assured in the treatment of those with congenital and acquired deformities of the condyle.     

Retrospective comparison of autogenous cosotochondral graft and coronoid process graft in the management of unilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in adults

We retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes of autogenous coronoid process grafts (n = 32) and costochondral grafts (n = 28) in condylar reconstruction for the treatment of unilateral ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in adults. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included diet scores, cone-beam computed tomography (CT), maximal interincisal opening, lateral excursion, and mandibular deviation on opening the mouth. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the measurements before and after the operation with respect to incisal opening, lateral excursion, mandibular deviation, diet scores, or recurrence rate, but in both the postoperative incisal opening, lateral excursion, and diet scores had improved significantly compared with preoperatively. After costochondral graft 3 patients developed intraoperative plural tears, and 6 had temporary pain at the donor site. The frontal branch of the facial nerve was temporarily affected in 5 patients after costochondral graft and 3 after coronoid process grafts, all of which recovered in 3–6 months. There was no recurrence after coronoid process grafting, and one after costochondral grafting. The clinical outcomes in both groups were satisfactory and comparable. Autogenous coronoid process grafting may therefore be a good alternative for condylar reconstruction in patients with ankylosis of the TMJ.     

下颌髁突不明原因吸收的诊治

目的探讨下颌髁突不明原因吸收的诊治方法。方法对10例下颌髁突不明原因吸收患者的临床及影像学资料进行回顾性分析。10例下颌髁突不明原因吸收患者中,男性2例,女性8例,年龄19～31岁。患者主要临床表现为前牙开!、后牙早接触和Ⅱ类错!,影像学检查见髁突骨质吸收、高度降低、体积减小、形态不规则,下颌支高度降低,常伴有下颌支及髁突的发育不足;MRI表现为髁突乃至下颌支骨髓腔信号降低呈黑色无信号区。10例患者中4例髁突切除后内窥镜辅助下肋骨- 软骨移植重建髁突,2例患者行关节盘复位修补术,4例患者未作治疗。结果4例重建髁突患者术后随访6～18个月,重建的关节形态和功能良好,具有稳定的!关系;2例关节盘复位修补患者术后随访4～6个月,开!无明显加重,但髁突吸收区域亦未见适应性改建。结论髁突不明原因吸收根据临床表现和影像学检查可确诊;肋骨- 软骨移植重建髁突是治疗髁突不明原因吸收的有效手术方法。     

A retrospective study of the costochondral graft in TMJ reconstruction

A retrospective review of 76 costochondral grafts (57 patients) was undertaken to determine outcome with respect to the extent of previous surgery (none, disc surgery or soft tissue graft, alloplastic disc, alloplastic joint, previous graft) and to initial and preoperative diagnosis. The minimum follow up period was 2 years and for each patient both subjective (pain and dietary interference scores) and objective (interincisal distance) data was recorded. Collectively there was improvement in pain (mean 6.7 to 3.5) and diet (mean 2.2 to 3.0) scores with a moderate increase in interincisal distance (mean 21 to 24mm). In patients with no previous surgery, arthritic disease or congenital deformity the costochondral graft performed well but in patients with previous alloplastic discs and/or total joints the results were less predictable. A preoperative diagnosis of ankylosis was associated with a high complication and further surgery rate suggesting caution in this group of patients.     

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy involving the mandible: 7-year follow-up after hemimandibulectomy and costochondral graft reconstruction

Oral and maxillofacial tumors occur rarely in the pediatric population compared with the adult population. We report a case of a 6-months old female infant suffering from a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy involving the mandible. Tumor resection was performed using a submandibular approach; the mandibular defect was reconstructed primarily with autogenous costochondral grafts. During a 7-year follow-up period, there has been no tumor recurrence. The costochondral graft healed well; tracing of panoramic radiographs at 2, 3, and 6 years documented some vertical overgrowth and growth retardation in the transversal dimension. The authors conclude that the use of costochondral grafts despite its controversial role for mandibular reconstruction can be recommended in particular after continuity resections in newborn infants. However, long-term follow-up is necessary as well as secondary corrective surgery at early skeletal maturity.     

Eosinophilic granuloma of the mandibular condyle

An extremely rare location for eosinophilic granuloma of bone in the mandibular condyle has been described, illustrating the difficulties of diagnosis. Excision and reconstruction with a costochondral graft was successfully undertaken and remodelling of the graft occurred with the formation of a new condylar head. The patient is disease-free 17 months after surgery. The relevant literature is reviewed and suggestions made for management protocol.     

Deep circumflex iliac artery flap combined with a costochondral graft for mandibular reconstruction

Our aim was to use the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap together with a costochondral graft as a safe and reliable bone flap for routine reconstruction of the mandibular body and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Five patients with benign tumours of the mandible had segmental mandibulectomy including the condyle, and this was reconstructed in one stage using the DCIA combined with a constochondral graft. The rib was inserted into the iliac crest as a whole transplant, and fixed to the proximal stump of the mandible with a prebent reconstruction plate according to a computer-aided design. The grafts healed uneventfully, and dental implants were inserted in 4 cases. During the 2-year follow-up these patients had good mandibular function, including mouth opening, force of bite, and occlusion. The radiographs showed good bony consolidation between the graft and the stump of the mandible and function of the TMJ.A DCIA flap combined with a costochondral graft is a safe and reliable way to provide not only a large bulk of bone to suit the mandible, but also good function of the TMJ in the absence of radiotherapy.