Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

With the aid of 22 cases of mandibular ankylosis, the classification, aetiology, radiography, clinical symptoms and the operative procedures are discussed. By means of condylectomy (four patients), or a condylotomy (14 patients) or a horizontal ostectomy in the ascending ramus (performed in two patients with a relapse of condylotomy) in which a triangular bone fragment is removed in the dorsocaudal region, bone contact is prevented during mouth-opening. Considering the number of relapses (three of the 18 operated patients) the results as compared with those in the literature may be described as satisfactory.