Interposition arthroplasty in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

We report a series of 60 cases of post- traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis that were treated at our unit from 1992 to 2002 by temporalis fascia flap interposition arthopiasty. Majority of these patients (21 patients, 35%) were in the age group of 15-20 years, with 39 males (65%) and 21 females (35%). The duration of ankylosis varied from 6 months to more than 4 years with 32 patients (54.32%) having a duration of 6 months to 2 years. 44 patients (73.33%) had unilateral white 16 patients (26.67%) had bilateral involvement of temporomandibular joint. Pedicled temporalise fascia axial flap based on superficial temporal artery was used for interpositional arthopiasty. The advantage is that it is available at the operative site, easy to raise, well vascularized, reliable and with better long term results. Adequate mouth opening was achieved in all cases and a long follow up, of up to 10 years for the earlier operated cases, showed no recurrence of ankylosis in any of the patients.