Functional Outcomes of Gap and Interposition Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis

Purpose Recurrence is a major concern in management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. In this study functional outcomes of gap arthroplasty (group I) and temporalis myofascial interposition arthroplasty (group II) are compared. Materials and Methods Preoperative, intraoperative, and follow-up data were noted from our departmental database. Outcome variables were postoperative mouth opening, open bite, recurrence, and facial nerve dysfunction. The χ2 test, Fisher test, t test, 2-sample Wilcoxon rank sum test, and logistic regression analysis were used. Results Group I comprised 207 patients, and group II comprised 55 patients. The mean age was 12.9 years (SD, 7.0 years). There were 220 nonrecurrent and 42 recurrent cases. The mean follow-up period was 3.78 years (SD, 3.0 years). In first time–operated cases, the recurrence rate was 14.7% in group I and 4.8% in group II. In recurrent cases, the recurrence rate was 34.5% and 30.8%, respectively. The differences were statistically insignificant. Conclusions In first-time operated temporomandibular joint ankylosis cases, both treatments are satisfactory in preventing recurrence, but the recurrence rate increases with previous recurrences.