[Gunshot wound in the temporomandibular joint]

The authors describe the case of a bullet wound with comminuted fracture of the right temporomandibular joint, associated with a transverse comminuted fracture of the left ascending ramus and with an oblique fracture in the region of the left ascending angle of the mandible without dislocation. On being admitted at the author's clinic, the patient showed a grade II trismus and an open bite with a cutting edge distance of nearly 10 mm. Treatment consisted at first in passive and active expanding exercises under anaesthesia. In this way, it was possible to improve considerably the opening of the mouth. The open bite was also acted upon by intra-oral wiring. Follow-up examinations revealed good functional adaptation.