Retrospective study of absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in triamicinolone acetonide as interpositioning material in temporomandibular joint ankylosis in 350 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in triamcinolone acetonide as an interposition material in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis.


METHODS
This retrospective study was conducted in 350 patients of TMJ ankylosis who visited our outpatient department between 2000 and 2010, and were treated by the same surgeon. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, where in group 1, absorbable gelatin sponge soaked with triamcinolone acetonide was interposed in the surgical gap created after arthroplasty and in group 2, temporalis fascia was interposed. Preoperative assessment included history and physical examination, along with cause of ankylosis, Postoperative observation were undertaken for maximum mouth opening (MMO), facial nerve paralysis and recurrence.


RESULTS
At one year follow-up, in group 1 MMO ranged from 35 to 45 mm with no case of re-ankylosis while in the other group 25-43 mm, with re-ankylosis in 20 patients (13.69%).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study showed successful management of TMJ ankylosis using absorbable gelatin sponge soaked in triamcinolone acetonide in cases which did not require condylar reconstruction.
Associate Professor, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
U S
US
Pal
Senior Resident, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Nimisha
N
Singh
Senior Resident, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Laxman R
LR
Malkunje
Professor, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
R K
RK
Singh
Assistant Professor, Dept of Anaesthesiology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Satish
S
Dhasmana
Senior Resident, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Arvind Kumar
AK
Yadav
Senior Resident, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sharad
S
Chand
Absorbable gelatin sponge; Ankylosis; Interposition materials; Temporomandibular joint; Triamcinolone acetonide