COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT DISC RECONSTRUCTION - AN ANIMAL-MODEL

The optimum method of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction has not been defined despite numerous surgical treatments and several wel l controlled clinical trials. Animal models offer an experimental meth od allowing direct comparison of standardized surgical techniques. Adv anced osteoarthrosis was induced bilaterally in 12 mature merino sheep . Three months later unilateral surgical reconstruction was performed. Four sheep had discectomy alone, four discectomy with fresh TMJ disc grafts, and four discectomy with fresh auricular grafts. All three sur gical methods resulted in some reversal and repair of the osteoarthrit ic process, with the best result being from the auricular graft, next discectomy alone, next the disc graft, with the untreated osteoarthrit ic joint showing the most advanced pathosis. This study supports the r ole of surgical reconstruction in advanced degenerative disease of the temporomandibular joint, in particular, auricular graft reconstructio n.