Preauricular approach to the temporomandibular joint: a postoperative follow-up on nerve function, hemorrhage and esthetics.

The aim of the present study was to report the incidence of facial and auriculotemporal nerve weakness, postoperative hemorrhage and disfiguring scars following TMJ surgery by the preauricular approach. One-hundred and fifty consecutive patients with a mean age of 37 years were studied. A total of 189 surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Facial nerve function was estimated the day after surgery and after six weeks. After 16 months facial and auriculotemporal nerve function was assessed and the patient's estimation of the scar was registered. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred after 1% of the operations. Five percent of the patients had transient facial nerve weakness. Auriculotemporal nerve weakness was reported by 34% of the patients. None of the patients found the scars disfiguring. Although neurosensory disturbances were frequently found in the temporal region, the preauricular incision offers a safe and cosmetically acceptable access to the temporomandibular joint.