title: The effect of gap arthroplasty on temporomandibular joint ankylosis: an experimental study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the functional and anatomical changes after gap arthroplasty release of unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Five adult sheep weighing an average of 57 kg were used. All right joints were operated. Ankylosis was induced in the right TMJ by articular damage, disk removal and placement of a bone graft plus immobilization wire. At 3 months the gap arthroplasty were performed. All TMJs were examined functionally, radiologically, macroscopically and histologically. Functionally, the range of jaw movements decreased following induction of ankylosis (P<0.0001), increased immediately on release but was reduced again at 3 months after release (the vertical movement, no statistically significant difference; the right movement, P<0.001; the left movement, P<0.0001). Histologically, all operated joints showed fibrous adhesions across the gap, and further, the articular surface was irregular with osteophytes and with bony islands in the gap. This appearance is more consistent with a fibrous reankylosis than a functioning pseudo joint. This study shows that the gap arthroplasty for TMJ ankylosis did not restore the TMJ functionally and histologically to the preexisting state.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Dental School, Adelaide University, South Australia. oral.surgery@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurita
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Goss
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012756:Sheep; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology; D017211:Treatment Failure