Intraoral approach for arthroplasty for correction of TMJ ankylosis

This study evaluates the authors' technique using the intraoral approach for the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. The technique was used on 16 TMJs in 14 patients with a mean age of 28.5 years; their average postoperative mouth-opening was 33.7 mm. All the patients had Sawhney's type IV TMJ ankylosis except a child with type I. One patient had recurrent ankylosis and was managed using the same intraoral approach again. Average follow-up was 56 months. The protocol consists of interpositional arthroplasty via an intraoral approach and aggressive mouth-opening exercises. An intraoral incision is made over the buccal shelf and the soft tissue of the mandibular ramus reflected. Osteotomy is carried out at the coronoid process and adequate osteotomy is accomplished at the level of the condylar neck. Adequate gap osteotomy at the ankylosed condyle is performed and followed by placement of the interpositional material, such as rib cartilage, masseter, buccal fat pad and costochondral graft. The wound is then closed meticulously. The advantages of this intraoral approach are excellent cosmetic appearance with no facial scar, lower risk of injury to the facial nerve or auriculotemporal nerve and no salivary fistula formation.