Interposition arthroplasty of temporomandibular joint ankylosis using temporalis muscle flap: our experience

Ankylosis is defined as loss of joint movement resulting from fusion of bones within the joint or calcification of the ligaments around it. Satisfactory surgical correction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is limited by a high recurrence rate. This study aims to show that interposition arthroplasty with temporalis muscle flap improves mouth opening in 6 patients with TMJ ankylosis. Six patients with TMJ ankylosis were treated by interposition arthroplasty. The patients were evaluated between ten and 18 months after surgery. Preand postoperative assessment included a thorough analysis of case history and a physical examination to determine the cause of ankylosis, the maximal incisal opening and type of the ankylosis, recurrence rate and presence of facial nerve paralysis. All 6 patients had unilateral involvement. The mean age was 12.5 years ±6.5 (range 6-19 years). The mouth incisal opening in the preoperative period ranged from 5 mm to 11 mm and in the postoperative period it ranged from 30 mm to 35 mm. No recurrence and no facial palsy were observed in our series. No recurrence was noted, and in all the cases there was type IV ankylosis. Trauma was the major cause of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in our sample. Interpositional arthroplasty is a highly effective and safe surgical management option for TMJ ankylosis with acceptable immediate and long-term outcome, particularly when temporalis fascia and muscle are used.