Auricular cartilage grafting in arthroplasty of the temporomandibular joint: a retrospective clinical follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate TMJ arthroplasty with auricular cartilage grafts in patients with osteoarthritis, refractory to previous surgical and nonsurgical treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-three TMJs in 18 patients where arthroplasty with auricular cartilage grafts had been performed were evaluated. Sixteen joints in 12 patients with grafts still in position were followed. TMJ pain at mandibular function, TMJ tenderness and mouth opening ability (MIO) were evaluated.


RESULTS
The grafts had to be removed from 7 TMJs (30%), all of which had been subject to previous surgery. In the 16 joints with grafts still in position a significant (P < .001) reduction of pain at mandibular function was found and MIO had increased significantly (P = .015).


CONCLUSIONS
TMJ arthroplasty with auricular cartilage grafts can reduce pain and improve mandibular function in patients with osteoarthritis. The method seems to be less favorable in patients where previous TMJ surgery has been performed.
Svensson
Börje
B
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. borje.svensson@orebroll.se
Wennerblom
Karin
K
Adell
Ragnar
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult