Management of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A case report

Abstract

Ankylosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complicated condition which impairs jaw function and nutrition. Post-traumatic joint ankylosis could be treated with various surgical techniques. However, no standard surgery guarantees symptom-free success. Treating post-traumatic TMJ thus remains a challenging task to oral and maxillofacial surgeons. This paper is a case of a bilateral post-traumatic TMJ ankylosis. The 27-year-old young man sustained mid-face and mandible fractures including bilateral condyles due to a road accident and was treated 7 years ago. The injured condyles are managed conservatively. He presented with limited mouth opening (13mm) along with bite changes. Conservative treatments failed to restore normal jaw movement. Preoperative cone beam CT revealed ankyloses joint of both sides. An arthroplasty with the interpositional umbilical fat grafting was performed. Follow-up course was uneventful with up to 40mm mouth opening. Arthroplasty with interpositional fat grafting is an effective technique to restore jaw function and to prevent relapse.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular joint
• Interpositional dermis fat
• Gap arthroplasty and ankylosis