Temporomandibular joint ankylosis : an Indian experience

Seventy-five condylectomy and coronoidectomy specimens of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in 61 patients were studied. Fourteen patients had bilateral ankylosis, six of whom had fibrous ankylosis on one side. There were two types of ankyloses: intra-articular and juxta-articular. Intra-articular ankylosis was seen only in reankylosis or in postinfective cases. Sixty-six cases were posttraumatic juxta-articular ankylosis. A rudimentary temporomandibular joint with an atrophic condylar articular surface was found in all juxta-articular ankyloses. The size of new bone in the specimens varied from 0.5 to 3 cm. Fusion of the extra-articular bone mass with tympanic plate was also observed. Contracture of temporalis muscle was noted in all the cases, which made excision of the coronoid processes mandatory in all the arthroplasties. Arthroplasty early in childhood did not hamper growth; instead, facial remodeling was enhanced.