Temporomandibular joint reconstruction with costochondral graft using modified approach

Abstract

12 patients presenting with long standing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis were treated with a costochondral graft inserted through a modified approach. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 17 years. A preauricular incision was made for resection of the ankylosed condyle. After release of the ankylosis the contralateral rib was harvested with costal cartilage. An intra-oral incision was made along the external oblique ridge to the mucobuccal fold and was used for resection of the coronoid process and insertion and fixation of the graft. The graft was fixed with a minimum of three titanium screws. The patients were instructed to start physiotherapy 1 week postoperatively and were followed up clinically and radiographically using 3D CT. Postoperative results were encouraging, the graft took well in all patients without postoperative infection or graft rejection. The graft was properly positioned in all cases. There were no visible scars as the preauricular scar is relatively hidden, no possibility of damaging the facial nerve or the marginal mandibular branch and shorter operating time.