title: Preserving the posterior superior synovial recess during allograft TMJ diskal condylar transplantation in the adult goat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that sparing the posterior superior synovial recess during the resection of temporomandibular joint condyle and disk would maintain a critical mass of synovium necessary to predictably achieve a successful allograft joint reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 15 adult goats underwent unilateral resection of their temporomandibular condyle and meniscus. The fossa and posterior superior synovial recess were left intact. They were immediately reconstructed with cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyles and temporomandibular joint disk harvested from 15 adult donor goats. The animals were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6 and 12 months and histologically at 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 15 animals, 13 met all the criteria to be declared a success and retained the posterior superior synovial recess.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate joint reconstruction using cryogenically preserved mandibular condyles and temporomandibular joint disk can have a high rate of success if the native posterior superior synovial recess remains intact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Tex., USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bifano
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bifano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006041:Goats; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D011859:Radiography; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome