Evaluation of temporal fascia and dermal fat graft for temporomandibular joint ankylosis

The crippling disorder known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is caused by the fusing of the mandibular condyle to the base of the skull, which results in limited mouth opening and severe functional impairment. In order to stop re-ankylosis, surgical care is essential, and several interpositional materials have been tried. The therapy of TMJ ankylosis is compared in this research between dermal fat grafts and temporal fascia. Thirty patients with TMJ ankylosis in total were split into two groups at random. A temporal fascia graft was administered to Group A (n = 15), while a dermal fat transplant was administered to Group B (n = 15). The three main outcomes that were evaluated were the incidence of re-ankylosis, pain thresholds, and postoperative mouth opening. A Vernier caliper was used to measure the mouth openness, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to gauge discomfort. One, three, and six months after surgery were the follow-up times. According to the research, dermal fat grafts may be a better option for treating TMJ ankylosis than temporal fascia grafts since them result in improved postoperative mouth opening, less discomfort, and a decreased chance of re-ankylosis. Both materials work well, however, and the patient's specific circumstances may influence the graft selection.