Recurrent trismus: twenty-year follow-up result

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Congenital Anomalies
• Craniofacial Development

Background:

• Trismus, or difficulty opening the mouth, can stem from various causes, including congenital anomalies.
• Oral synechia, cleft lip and palate, and limb anomalies are rare co-occurring conditions.
• Congenital soft-tissue adhesion presents a unique challenge in managing mandibular mobility.

Observation:

• A patient presented with recurrent trismus due to congenital soft-tissue adhesion in the retromolar region.
• The adhesion severely restricted mandibular movement, impacting oral function.
• The patient also exhibited cleft lip and palate, digital, and external genital anomalies.

Findings:

• Despite surgical interventions and postoperative therapy, mouth opening limitation recurred rapidly.
• Congenital and iatrogenic soft-tissue adhesions led to significant jaw deformities.
• Combined maxillary and mandibular advancement surgery was ultimately required for correction.

Implications:

• Recurrent trismus from congenital adhesions poses significant challenges in treatment and management.
• Early and comprehensive intervention may be crucial for preventing severe secondary deformities.
• This case highlights the complexity of managing craniofacial anomalies with associated soft-tissue restrictions.