Bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis as sequel of bilateral fracture of the mandibular condyle and symphysis

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery 2014-03, Vol.18 (1), p.39-42
• Main Authors: Benaglia, Matheus B, Gaetti-Jardim, Ellen Cristina, Oliveira, Janayna G Paiva, Mendonça, Jose Carlos Garcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankylosis - diagnosis; Ankylosis - etiology; Ankylosis - surgery; Arthroplasty - methods; Dentistry; Fracture Fixation - methods; Humans; Male; Mandibular Condyle - injuries; Mandibular Condyle - surgery; Mandibular Fractures - complications; Mandibular Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Mandibular Fractures - surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Postoperative Complications - diagnosis; Postoperative Complications - surgery; Radiography, Panoramic; Reoperation; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - diagnosis; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - etiology; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-012-0384-z

Background Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is an extremely disabling affliction that causes problems in mastication, digestion, speech, appearance, and hygiene. The disease also has an impact on the psychological development of the patients. Case report A 49-year-old male patient came to our unit with complaint of restriction in his alimentation and of mouth opening. In the anamnesis, the patient reported that this limitation began 11 years ago, soon after a serious car accident that caused trauma on the face. In the clinical examination, the patient’s mouth opening was 1 mm, and there was satisfactory occlusion. He was diagnosed with bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis after an imaging examination. Discussion In order to confirm the post-traumatic etiology of the anquilose, we got the medical records from the hospital where the patient received the first treatment. The records, at that time, reported facial trauma with bilateral condylar fracture and comminuted symphyseal fracture which was reduced and fixed followed by maxillomandibular fixation that remained for 45 days. After collecting all the information needed for diagnosis, surgical treatment was proposed through arthroplasty. The patient was placed on immediate post-operative jaw physiotherapy, and 12 months after surgery, his mouth opening improved to 35 mm. Thus, in our case, ankylosis may have been developed as a sequel of the mandibular fractures.