PRESERVING THE POSTERIOR SUPERIOR SYNOVIAL RECESS DURING ALLOGRAFT TMJ DISKAL CONDYLAR TRANSPLANTATION IN THE ADULT GOAT

Objective. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that sp aring the posterior superior synovial recess during the resection of t emporomandibular joint condyle and disk would maintain a critical mass of synovium necessary to predictably achieve a successful allograft j oint reconstruction. Study design. A group of 15 adult goats underwent unilateral resection of their temporomandibular condyle and meniscus. The fossa and posterior superior synovial recess were left intact. Th ey were immediately reconstructed with cryogenically preserved allogra ft mandibular condyles and temporomandibular joint disk harvested from 15 adult donor goats. The animals were evaluated clinically and radio graphically at 6 and 12 months and histologically at 12 months. Result s. Of the 15 animals, 13 met all the criteria to be declared a success and retained the posterior superior synovial recess. Conclusion. Imme diate joint reconstruction using cryogenically preserved mandibular co ndyles and temporomandibular joint disk can have a high rate of succes s if the native posterior superior synovial recess remains intact.