Bilateral Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction With Custom Alloplastic Implants for Pediatric Ankylosis

For pediatric patients with refractory temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, reconstruction with autologous techniques such as costochondral grafts or distraction osteogenesis has long been considered the gold standard. Many surgeons believed the use of alloplastic joint replacement to be contraindicated in pediatric patients due to concerns for growth restriction and the limited lifespan of the implants. However, recent data has supported TMJ prostheses in skeletally immature patients. This study aims to present a case series of pediatric patients undergoing bilateral TMJ reconstruction with custom-made implants and evaluate their postoperative results. A retrospective chart review was performed of all consecutive pediatric patients undergoing bilateral alloplastic TMJ reconstruction for refractory ankylosis. All patients underwent bilateral TMJ release and total joint replacement with custom-made implants. Preoperative and postoperative cephalometric and volumetric airway data was obtained using cone-beam computed tomography. Three patients, aged 8 to 17, underwent bilateral TMJ replacement with custom-made implants. There were no postoperative complications, and no implants required explantation or replacement. Postoperatively, all patients had increases in maximal interincisal opening, which was stable over months/years of follow-up. The patients also subjectively reported improved speech and mastication; 1 patient had significant improvements in sleep apnea symptoms. Volumetric airway analysis revealed an average airway size increase of 25.6%. Alloplastic TMJ reconstruction is a safe, effective solution for refractory ankylosis in pediatric patients and represents a promising new frontier in craniofacial surgery. Continued long-term evaluation will provide further evidence of the utility of this procedure.