title: Fate of the Coronoid Process After Coronoidotomy and Its Effect on the Interincisal Opening: A Clinical and Radiologic Assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coronoidotomy (surgical detachment of the coronoid process from the mandibular ramus) is used to treat several conditions, including coronoid hyperplasia and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. The stability of the outcome, however, is considered questionable because of the risk of reattachment of the coronoid process. This study aims to radiographically and clinically evaluate the long-term anatomic and physiological outcome after coronoidotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 17 patients with unilateral TMJ ankylosis, 25 coronoidotomies were performed as an additional maneuver to relieve trismus after ankylosis release. Radiologic evaluation was performed immediately and 1 year postoperatively with panoramic radiography and computed tomography to assess changes at the coronoidotomy site. Clinical assessment included measurement of the interincisal distance at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sharp osteotomy margin with a 3- to 10-mm gap between the ramus and coronoid process was observed immediately postoperatively in all cases. After 1 year, 23 cases (92%) showed partial (n = 5) or complete (n = 18) osseous union to the mandibular ramus, whereas in 2 cases, no evidence of fusion was observed radiographically. The mean interincisal opening achieved at 1 year was 33 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coronoidotomy is an effective but more straightforward adjunct to arthroplasty than coronoidectomy (surgical excision of the coronoid process) in the management of TMJ ankylosis, with achievement and maintenance of adequate postoperative mouth opening.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: drsm28@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sujata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sanchaita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohli
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dabas
authors.affiliation: Academic Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rudra Deo
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ranjeet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bodh
authors.affiliation: Academic Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000844:Ankylosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D063168:Mandibular Osteotomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014313:Trismus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*