Free perichondrial grafting in the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Preliminary report.

We have operated on 6 cases of temporomandibular joint ankylosis, resecting a small amount of bone to create a false joint and then covering the two joint surfaces with sheets of perichondrium (autogenous, from the ribs). The perichondrium forms new cartilage on the joint surfaces, and the early results are encouraging. Only one of these cases was operated upon more than one year ago. He has an excellent result and this case is reported on in detail.