Treatment of severe bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis in adults: our protocol.

AIM

In order to evaluate the reliability of interpositional gap arthroplasty with temporalis myofascial flap the authors retrospectively analysed the data of 5 patients suffering from bilateral temporomandibular ankylosis operated on with this technique.

METHODS

The preoperative assessment included evaluation of pain during function, interference with eating and the maximal interincisal distance. All patients received bony ankylosis removal, interposition of a finger-shaped temporalis myofascial flap in the articular gap and coverage with temporoparietal fascial flap as a new capsule. In the postoperative period an aggressive physiotherapy was carried on for at least 6 months.

RESULTS

All cases experimented release of pain (evaluated by a Visual Analogue Scale method), a return to a normal diet and a stable improvement in mouth opening during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique should be considered a reliable method to avoid relapse of ankylosis and to stabilize postoperative results.