Introduction
The aim of this study was to report Jordanian experience in surgical treatment of TMJ ankylosis in 22 children.
Patients and methods
This retrospective clinical study included children who were diagnosed with TMJ ankylosis and were treated in a dental teaching centre between 1993 and 2001. Patients underwent the release of 24 temporomandibular joint ankyloses and two different surgical techniques were used: either reconstruction of the condyle using costochondral grafts, or using the temporalis muscle as an interpositional material. Patients were followed up for 1–8 years.
Results
Twenty-two children (13 males and 9 females) were included in the study. Costochondral grafts were used as a reconstruction material in 16 TMJs (67%), whilst temporalis muscle was used as an interpositional material in 8 joints (33%). The mean preoperative maximum interincisor distance was 6.6mm±1.3, which was increased to a mean of 30.3mm±2.5 postoperatively. Two female patients (9%) suffered recurrence of the ankylosis within 6–12 months postoperatively. In one of these, a costochondral graft was used and temporalis muscle interposition in the other.
Conclusion
Costochondral graft as a reconstruction material and temporalis muscle as an interpositional material showed comparable success rates when treating TMJ ankylosis in 22 children.