Surgical Management of TMJ Ankylosis: Report Of 20 Cases

TMJ ankylosis causes deleterious effects on occlusion and facial harmony. The projection of the mandible and its vulnerability to injuries makes the TMJ a common site of injury directly or indirectly. The surgical management of TMJ ankylosis consisting of 1) aggressive resection of the ankylotic segment, 2) ipsilateral coronoidectomy, 3) contralateral coronoidectomy when necessary, 4) lining the joint with temporalis fascia, 5) reconstruction of the ramus with a costochondral graft, and 6) early mobilization and aggressive physiotherapy 7) aesthetic facial rehabilitation is presented. The protocol was retrospectively evaluated in 20 patients treated and followed up postoperatively for at least 1 year. The mean maximum postoperative interincisal opening after 1 year was 36.35 mm and none of the cases reported with reankylosis. The result indicates that these surgical steps are effective in the management of TMJ ankylosis and prevents any reankylosis.