Effect of partial immobilization on reconstruction of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint with an autogenous costochondral graft: an experimental study in sheep

The purpose of this study was to show the effect of partial immobilization of a costochondral graft reconstruction of an ankylosed temporomandibular j oint (TMJ) in five adult sheep, Ankylosis was induced in all right TMJs. At three months, a graft was inserted and partially immobilized, Three months after the second operation, four sheep were killed by an overdose with pen tothal, One sheep was killed at one month because of infection. Functionall y, the body weight, which decreases with ankylosis, did not recover after i nsertion of the graft and the range of jaw movements got worse. Histologica lly, the grafts were well attached to the mandibular rami in three of four joints. In one joint, the graft showed signs of resorption and a foreign bo dy reaction. We conclude that, if the reconstructed joint is partially immo bilized, then there will be a degree of reankylosis. There was also a high failure rate. (C) 2001 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Su rgeons.