Root of Helix Inter Tragus Notch Incision (RHITNI) for open temporomandibular joint surgery: A five-year retrospective cohort study on safety and complications.

Calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition in the temporomandibular joint associated with temporomandibular joint surgery: Case report.

Postoperative Physiotherapy After Open Temporomandibular Joint Surgery: A 3-Step Program

To compare facial nerve function and perioperative outcomes among antegrade, retrograde, and extracapsular parotidectomy approaches in benign and malignant tumors. Retrospective review. Tertiary academic center. Adults undergoing parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation between 2018 and 2023 were included. Demographic, surgical, and outcome variables were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable regression. A total of 740 tumors were analyzed (353 benign, 387 malignant). Antegrade dissection was performed in 288 cases (194 malignant), retrograde in 334 (167 malignant), and extracapsular in 118 (26 malignant). Transient and permanent facial weakness occurred in 20% and 5% of cases. After adjustment, extracapsular dissection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.7, P = .0058) significantly reduced transient weakness compared with antegrade dissection. Retrograde dissection (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-1.1, P = .11) demonstrated a trend toward lower rates of transient weakness relative to antegrade dissection. In malignant tumors, outcomes were similar across approaches. Extracapsular dissection was rarely used in malignant disease and reserved for selected cases. Antegrade dissection had longer operative times in benign and malignant tumors (P < .001). Perioperative complication rates, unplanned visits, recurrence, re-operations, ED visits, and readmissions were low and not significantly different across techniques. In benign parotidectomy, extracapsular dissection significantly reduced transient facial weakness, while retrograde dissection demonstrated a trend toward reduced transient weakness compared with antegrade. In malignant disease, outcomes were similar across approaches. Selective application of extracapsular and retrograde techniques may optimize facial nerve outcomes and operative efficiency.

Complications of temporomandibular joint surgery

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo characterize practice patterns and outcomes in the management of low‐ and intermediate‐grade salivary gland carcinoma prior to the existence of treatment guidelines.MethodsAnalysis of a registry of patients who underwent parotid and submandibular gland resections for low‐and intermediate‐grade carcinomas between 2010 and 2019.ResultsOf all 786 patients included in the study, 726 (92%) had preoperative imaging and 653 (83%) had preoperative biopsy. Of the 729 patients with parotid gland cancer, the majority underwent superficial (n = 384, 53%) or total (n = 254, 35%) parotidectomy. In patients with facial nerve preservation, total parotidectomy was associated with a significant increase in transient facial weakness (72/177 (41%) vs. 82/311 (26%), RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50–0.84, p < 0.05) and permanent facial nerve weakness (23/176 (13%) vs. 16/301 (5%), RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22–0.75, p < 0.05) compared to superficial parotidectomy. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was delivered to 285 (36%) patients. The proportion of patients receiving adjuvant RT declined significantly over the time period from 2015 to 2019 compared to 2010 to 2014 at 162/504 (32%) and 123/282 (44%), respectively (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.61–0.89, p < 0.05). When comparing the time periods from 2015 to 2019 and 2010 to 2014, there was no significant difference in local control rates (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26–1.04, p = 0.06) or regional control rates (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.26–2.13, p = 0.58).ConclusionsManagement of low‐ and intermediate‐grade salivary cancer from 2010 to 2019 was variable, which is expected given the rarity and heterogeneity of the disease and the lack of treatment guidelines prior to 2021. Most patients with parotid malignancies underwent superficial or total parotidectomy. The extent of parotidectomy had an impact on facial nerve function outcomes. Delivery of adjuvant radiation trended down with time. The data presented here will support dissemination of the guidelines and provide data that could inform future trials.Level of Evidence2b.

Partial Resorption of the Zygomatic Arch: A Complication of Open Temporomandibular Joint Surgery

Background/Objectives: Subcondylar mandibular fractures represent a challenging subset of maxillofacial trauma due to their proximity to the temporomandibular joint and the facial nerve. The retromandibular approach can be performed through either an anteroparotid or a transparotid route, but comparative clinical data remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes, complication profiles, and operative parameters associated with the retromandibular anteroparotid versus transparotid approach for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of subcondylar fractures. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 consecutive patients treated for subcondylar mandibular fractures at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Umberto I General Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, between 2018 and 2025. All patients underwent ORIF via a retromandibular approach (anteroparotid or transparotid) with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Demographic data, trauma etiology, fracture morphology (classified as simple or complex), associated fractures, surgical approach, fixation details, operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were collected. Facial nerve function was clinically assessed and graded using the House–Brackmann scale. Associations between fracture type, surgical approach, number of plates, and complications were evaluated using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, while operative time was compared using one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests (p < 0.05). Results: The cohort had a mean age of 41.9 years and was predominantly male (67.5%). The anteroparotid route was used in 54 patients (67.5%) and the transparotid route in 26 (32.5%). Overall, 10 patients (12.5%) developed postoperative complications, including transient facial nerve weakness, malocclusion, visible scarring, and sialocele. All cases of sialocele occurred in the transparotid subgroup, whereas no salivary complications were observed after the anteroparotid approach. No permanent facial nerve deficits, temporomandibular joint ankylosis, or long-term facial asymmetry were recorded at 6 months. No significant association was found between surgical approach and overall complication rate, but complex fracture patterns were significantly associated with increased operative time. Conclusions: The retromandibular approach is a safe and effective option for ORIF of subcondylar mandibular fractures. Both anteroparotid and transparotid routes provided reliable exposure and stable fixation with low complication rates. The anteroparotid route appears to minimize parotid-related complications, such as sialocele, while maintaining comparable functional outcomes. These findings support the retromandibular anteroparotid approach as a valuable alternative in the surgical management of subcondylar fractures.

32 Parotidectomy in children and young adults: a review of 10 cases

Background:Preservation of the functional integrity of the facial nerve (FN) is a critical measure of success in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery. In spite of the development of a myriad of surgical approaches to the TMJ, FN remains at risk. The deep subfascial approach provides an additional layer of protection (the deep layer of the temporalis fascia and the superficial temporal fat pad) to the temporal and zygomatic branches of the FN and thus, is the safest method to avoid FN injury.Objectives:To assess FN injury following TMJ surgery using deep subfascial approach and measuring it on House and Brackman facial nerve grading system (HBFNGS).Materials and Methods:Twenty TMJs in 18 patients were operated for TMJ ankylosis, using “the deep subfascial approach.” FN function was assessed postoperatively at 24 h, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months using HBFNGS. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16.0.Results:Of 20 surgical sites 3 sites showed Grade III (moderate) FN injury and 17 sites showed Grade II (mild) FN injury at 24 h. The condition improved with time with full recovery of FN at all surgical sites at 6 months.Conclusion:The deep subfascial approach has a distinct advantage over the conventional approaches when dissecting the temporal region and is the safest method to avoid injury to FN.

Clinical and electromyographic assessment of facial nerve function after temporomandibular joint surgery

The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of superficial parotidectomy (SP) and partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP) in treating benign parotid tumors. Individuals who had undergone SP or PSP between 2005 and 2008 were enrolled, the medical records were reviewed, and a questionnaire was created and mailed to the patients. For the statistical analysis, χ2 and non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the variables. In total, 320 patients were included in the present study. Within the PSP group, immediate facial nerve weakness occurred in six patients (7.6%), and Frey’s syndrome occurred in five (6.3%). Despite this, facial nerve function recovered fully during the follow-up, and recurrence was not identified. Within the SP group, Frey’s syndrome occurred in 38 patients (15.8%), immediate facial nerve weakness in 55 patients (22.8%) and permanent facial nerve dysfunction in two patients (0.8%). However, no recurrence was evident. In total, 216 (67.5%) patients returned the questionnaire. Those with PSP demonstrated improved scores in the domains of appearance, facial contours, facial nerve function and Frey’s syndrome. Compared with SP, PSP not only decreased the incidence of Frey’s syndrome and transient facial nerve weakness, but also improved quality of life outcomes and guaranteed a low recurrence rate.

Prospective Study of Facial Nerve Function After Surgical Procedures for the Treatment of Temporomandibular Pathology

The aim of this retrospective case-control study is to evaluate the incidence of facial nerve injury associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroplasty using the endaural approach for the treatment of TMJ pathology. The sample consisted of 36 consecutive patients who underwent TMJ arthroplasty. A total of 39 approaches were performed through an endaural incision. Patients undergoing total joint replacement and/or with preexisting facial nerve dysfunction were excluded from the study. Five patients were lost to follow-up and were excluded from the study. Facial nerve function of all patients was clinically evaluated by resident physicians preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up appointments. Facial nerve injury was determined to have occurred if the patient was unable to raise the eyebrow or wrinkle the forehead (temporalis branch), completely close the eyelids (zygomatic branch), or frown (marginal mandibular branch). Twenty-one of the 36 patients or 22 of the 39 approaches showed signs of facial nerve dysfunction following TMJ arthroplasty. This included 12 of the 21 patients who had undergone previous TMJ surgery. The most common facial nerve branch injured was the temporal branch, which was dysfunctional in all patients either as the only branch injured or in combination with other branches. By the 18th postoperative month, normal function had returned in 19 of the 22 TMJ approaches. Three of the 22 TMJ approaches resulted in persistent signs of facial nerve weakness 6 months after the surgery. This epidemiological study revealed a low incidence of permanent facial nerve dysfunction. A high incidence of temporary facial nerve dysfunction was seen with TMJ arthroplasty using the endaural approach. Current literature reveals that the incidence of facial nerve injury associated with open TMJ surgery ranges from 12.5 to 32%. The temporal branch of the facial nerve was most commonly affected, followed by 4 of the 22 approaches with temporary zygomatic branch weakness. Having undergone previous TMJ surgery did not increase the incidence of facial nerve injury using the endaural approach. This information is important for patients and surgeons in the postoperative period, as a majority of patients will experience recovery of nerve function.

Does encountering the facial nerve during surgical management of mandibular condylar process fractures increase the risk of facial nerve weakness? A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Thirty-day perioperative outcomes in resection of cervical lymphatic malformations