Abstract: Introduction: TMJ ankylosis is one of the problem at OGH and a challenge both to the Anesthesiologist and the surgeon.
Aim: To study the etiology, occurrence in relation to age, sex, side and severity & choice of management of Temporomandibular joint Ankylosis and their outcome.
Methodology: This is a study of the cases, which numbered about 15 cases, has been operated in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Osmania General Hospital between 2011 to 2015 and 2017 to 2018 in association with department of Radiology and department of Oral Medicine . The Epidemiology, Causes and Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis and Outcome are studied in all patients. All these patients had clinical and radiological evidence of bony ankylosis with minimal inter incisor distance pre-operatively.
Results: In the present study, the age of presentation in this study was between 10 and 35 years with commonest age being second decade. In this study TMJ Ankylosis was common in females. (female: male=2:1). Childhood trauma was the major cause. Unilateral involvement was more common (5:1) and frequently on left side. Most of the patients presented to the hospital when the mouth opening dropped below 0.5 cm. All the patients were intubated successfully with awake blind nasal intubation. All the patients were routinely extubated when patient was stable. In this study Acrylic ball interpositional arthroplasty in adults was the procedure of choice with no major complications. Average mouth opening achieved in this study was 36mm. Early postoperative physiotherapy with molar bite blocks & active chewing exercises and follow-up is mandatory to prevent recurrence. No recurrence was noticed in this study group.
Conclusion: The primary objective of adequate mouth opening which is long lasting is achieved in this series.
