title: Temporomandibular joint bilateral post-traumatic ankylosis: a report of a case treated with interpositional arthroplasty.
abstract: Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a severe disorder which leads to jaw function impairment and restricted mouth opening. The surgical approach to TMJ ankylosis can be performed according to different techniques. The present paper is a report of a bilateral post-traumatic case of TMJ ankylosis. The patient suffered bilateral condylar fractures as a consequence of a road accident and showed a limited mouth opening (22 mm) along with dental occlusion abnormalities. Conservative treatments were uneffective to improve jaw impairment, so a computerized tomography was requested for surgical treatment planning. Both temporomandibular joints showed severe ankylosis with a bone fragment located medially to the condyle. An arthroplasty with the interposition of a combined flap (temporalis muscle, fascia, periosteum) was performed. The post-treatment course was uneventful, and the patient has undergone physiatric rehabilitation immediately after the intervention. At the 5-years follow-up mouth opening was 46 mm. TMJ arthroplasty with the interposition of autogenous material is an effective technique to restore jaw function and to prevent recurrencies in cases of ankylosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. daniele.manfredini@tin.it
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manfredini
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guarda-Nardini
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult