The effect of autogenous costochondral grafts on temporomandibular joint fibrous and bony ankylosis: A preliminary experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to test the functional and histologic fate of costochondral grafts (CG) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction for unilateral ankylosis in the sheep.


METHODS
Five pure-bred adult Merino sheep were used. Ankylosis was induced by articular damage, disc removal, and placement of a bone graft. At 3 months, a gap arthroplasty was performed with a CG from the thirteenth rib. The sheep were sacrificed 3 months after CG reconstruction. The range of jaw movements were recorded at first operation, at lysis of ankylosis, and at sacrifice. The joints were examined radiologically, macroscopically, and histologically.


RESULTS
All sheep showed a decrease in masticatory function, as shown by weight loss and decreased jaw opening, during the ankylosis period. On release, they regained weight and increased the range of jaw movement. Histologically, the joint space was filled with fibrous tissue. However, the partial spaces around the CG head were covered by fibrous tissue and/or fibrous cartilage.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that, when CGs are used with a gap arthroplasty in a fibrous and bony ankylosed TMJ, masticatory function is restored.
Matsuura
Hiroaki
H
The First-Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan. matsuura@dpc.aichi-gakuin.ac.jp
Miyamoto
Hizuru
H
Kurita
Kenichi
K
Goss
Alastair N
AN
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D008409:Mastication; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012272:Ribs / Q000637:transplantation; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*