Growth centre transplantation to replace mandibular condyles

Malocclusion and disharmony of facial growth are the usual results of injury to the mandibular condyle in children. Early replacement of the condyle with a skeletal growth centre such as the costochondral junction is postulated as one approach to management of such problems. This paper describes the results of such transplantations in ten growing children where there had been either ankylosis or excision of the condyle. Long term follow-up evaluation shows lack of uniformity in the subsequent growth of the transplants. Nevertheless, significant growth of the transplants is demonstrated in some of the patients. The data lends support to the principle that bony growth centres are in part responsible for the growth and maturation of the facial skeleton.