Autogenous dermal grafts for repair of temporomandibular joint disc perforations

Perforations of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) disc were made in the rabbits and repaired with autogenous dermal grafts. The healing process was investigated histologically. Twenty-one rabbits (forty-two TMJs) were divided into 3 experimental groups. Group 1. Six TMJs in which the superior aspects of the discs were exposed by the incision of the articular eminence. Group 2. Fifteen TMJs in which the discs were perforated. Group 3. Twenty-one TMJs in which the dermal grafts were sutured on the disc perforations. The results obtained were as follows: In group 2, all perforations were not repaired, except in one case. In group 3, 14/19 grafted disc perforations were repaired. One week after surgery, young, loose, collagenous tissue from the synovial membrane lined the margins of the perforations. Two weeks after surgery, vascularity from the synovial membrane and young collagen fibers were seen in the area of the repaired perforations. Four weeks after surgery, long and thick collagen fibers bridged the perforations.