title: [Clinical application of artificial condylar process for reconstructing temporomandibular joint].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility and clinical outcomes of artificial condylar process in reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2005 and January 2010, the reconstructions of the temporomandibular joints with artificial condylar process were performed in 10 cases (11 sides, including 7 left sides and 4 right sides). There were 7 males and 3 females with an average age of 50 years (range, 40-68 years). Mandibular condyle defects were caused by mandible tumor in 7 patients with a mean disease duration of 15 months (range, 9-24 months) and by bilateral condylar fractures in 3 patients with the disease duration of 2, 3, and 2 days respectively. According to Neff classification, there were type M and A in 1 case, type M and B in 1 case, and type M in one side and subcondylar fracture in the other side in 1 case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incisions in all patients healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All cases were followed up 1 to 4 years, showed facial symmetry and good occluding relation, and the mouth opening was 22-38 mm (mean, 30 mm). No temporomandibular joint clicking or pain and no recurrence of tumor were observed. Most of the artificial condylar process were in good position except 1 deviated from the correct angle slightly. All the patients could have diet normally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of temporomandibular joint reconstruction after tumor resection with artificial condylar process are good, but the clinical outcome for intracapsular condylar fracture is expected to be further verified.
authors.affiliation: Oral Medical College, Beihua University, Jilin Jilin, 132013, P R China. huangxiangdao@sina.com
authors.forename: Xiangdao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhanying
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Fasheng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Duan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000601:surgery*