Temporary silastic implantation following discectomy in the primate temporomandibular joint

Silastic (Dow Corning, Midland, MI) has been used in the surgical treatment of a variety of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders as either a permanent or temporary implant. In this study four Macaca fascicularis monkeys underwent bilateral TMJ discectomies and high condylar shaves. The experimental side was treated with a Silastic sheet implant which was removed at 3 months postdiscectomy. The contralateral side was left without an implant and served as a control. Animals were killed at 3, 4, 5, and 6 months postoperatively. A fibrous connective tissue capsule was found around the Silastic implant at all time intervals. This capsule formed a single joint space between the inferior surface of the glenoid fossa and articulating surface of the condyle. Three months following implant removal, the capsule was still present and there was no significant inflammatory cell infiltrate. The severity of the degenerative changes was decreased on the implant side.