Concepts in the management of temporomandibular ankylosis

Temporomandibular ankylosis is a relatively rare condition in the western world and is usually due to trauma or infection. There is a potential for significant growth disturbance in the growing patient and active treatment must be undertaken at an early stage. Aggressive resection of the ankylosis with or without coronoidectomies is performed followed by growth centre transplantation and active postoperative physiotherapy. In the adult patient, a large-gap arthroplasty must be created followed by an interpositional tissue transfer such as a temporalis flap or an alloplastic reconstruction.