Preauricular Approach Research Articles

Juxta-articular tumoral calcinosis associated with the temporomandibular joint: a case report and concise review

BackgroundTumoral calcinosis is an uncommon clinicopathological condition which is characterized by the formation of calcium salt deposition in intra-articular or peri-articular soft tissues. It usually presents as a focal growth of hard tissue, either solitary or multiple, beneath the skin and connective tissue. Diagnostic techniques mainly include clinical and radiographic evaluation. The most commonly involved locations include the hip, elbow, shoulder and knee. Involvement of the head and neck regions are far less common. There have been 5 case reports of temporomandibular joint involvement in the literature so far.Case presentationWe present a case report which describes the diagnosis and management of a 59 year old female patient with chronic right temporomandibular joint pain and localized bony hard swelling over the right pre-auricular region. Patient retained normal range of motion and mouth opening. Computed tomography taken showed a radio-opaque juxta-articular ovoid mass over the right pre-auricular region in close proximity but not fused to the mandibular condyle. Surgical excision was performed for this swelling via a pre-auricular approach under general anaesthesia. Histological examination performed confirmed the diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis. Pain at the right temporomandibular joint was resolved after the surgery. Serum calcium and phosphate levels were normal in this patient.ConclusionSurgical excision is the primary treatment modality for tumoral calcinosis. Tumoral calcinosis may be associated with elevated serum calcium and phosphate levels. In patients with elevated serum electrolytes, it is important to consider the overall systemic health in management of this condition. Management of serum electrolytes levels plays a role in reducing recurrence rates. This case report and review aims to discuss the diagnosis, treatment and overall systemic management of this rare condition.

Endoscopically assisted fixation of the custom-made total temporomandibular joint prosthesis in TMJ Yang’s system through a modified preauricular approach

This article describes the experience with the endoscopically assisted fixation of the customized total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis in TMJ Yang’s system only through a modified preauricular approach. Twenty patients (23 joints) treated with the custom-made total TMJ prosthesis were retrospectively recruited. An endoscopically assisted technique was used through a modified preauricular approach to fix the mandibular component for all these patients. These reconstructions were evaluated by surgical records, clinical examinations, and radiographic observations. All patients had successful fixation of the prosthesis. No patient had permanent weakness of the facial nerve and malocclusion or any other severe complications. The mean operative time was 111 min per joint (range, 85–133 min). The average surgical bleeding was 195 ml per side. The mean follow-up period was 16.2 months (range, 5–32 months). The mean scores were 8.3 for surgical satisfaction and 9.2 for scar healing evaluation. All patients experienced positive clinical outcomes, with a mean 75.2% reduction in pain and 53.7% increase in mouth opening with significant differences (P<0.05). The endoscopically assisted TMJ reconstruction with the customized prosthesis in TMJ Yang’s system through the modified preauricular approach could produce good aesthetic and functional results.

The Nuances of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Surgery: Tips and Tricks.

A plethora of surgical options have been described in the literature for the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, but one cannot subscribe to a modality that is infallible in regard to recurrence. The incidence of recurrence is attributed to poor surgical technique and poor patient compliance. This article proposes incorporation of subtle modifications into the surgical techniques that could prove to be helpful in the management and prevention of reankylosis. Twenty-one patients with TMJ ankylosis with an age range of 10-29 years (mean age 19 years) were operated, of whom six (28.5%) were bilateral and 15 unilateral (71.5%), and 14 (66.6%) had a history of previous surgery for ankylosis. The preoperative and intraoperative mean inter-incisal opening (MIO) was 4.4 mm and 43.2 mm, respectively. All patients fared well at the late postoperative evaluation at 24 months with a mean MIO of 36.9 mm. The subtle modifications address various aspects such as the adequacy of the preauricular approach, the use of a wide flame-shaped bur, the obliquity of the arthroplastic osteotomy, burnishing the residual ramal stump devoid of irrigation, temporalis muscle release and coronoidectomy, aggressive intermittent intraoperative jaw physiotherapy, mandatory use of a vacuum drain and rigorous postoperative jaw physiotherapy.

Lowering Lateral Canthoplasty and Orbital Rim Shaving: An Ignored but Necessary Procedure for Maximizing the Effect of Reduction Malarplasty in Asians.

Although reduction malarplasty is a well-accepted procedure for Asians with prominent cheek bones, some patients are not fully satisfied with the outcomes and request further surgery. This is because much attention on the contouring procedure has focused on the position of the zygomatic body and arch. As a result, periorbital appearance including the axis of the lateral canthal angle and the protrusion of the inferolateral orbital rim are often overlooked or ignored. The authors introduce a new surgical technique for maximizing the effect of reduction malarplasty that allows for both the lowering of the lateral canthal angle and reduction of the orbital rim in selected Asian patients. In this retrospective study, the medical records of 41 patients who underwent lowering lateral canthoplasty in conjunction with reduction malarplasty were reviewed. Of those, orbital rim reduction was combined in 21 patients. In addition to the intraoral and preauricular approach for standard reduction malarplasty using an L-shaped osteotomy, lower eyelid and continuous canthotomy incisions were made. And then the protruding inferolateral orbital rim was shaved off, followed by inferolateral repositioning of the lateral canthus. Outcome measurements included a square millimeter of the cheek area surface using a software program (image J: IJ 1.46r) in 17 patients. A statistically significant difference can be observed between preoperative and postoperative measurements of the area. Average decreases of measurements were 4761.59mm2 (18.5%) from 23,639mm2 preoperatively to 18,878mm2 postoperatively (P < 0.05, paired t test). The up-slanting lower eyelid margin was lowered, and the protruding zygomatic body with inferolateral part of the orbital rim was reduced by the procedure in all cases. Cosmetic outcomes were encouraging and satisfying to most patients. Four complications occurred: asymmetry in two patients (4.9%) and lid malposition in two patients (4.9%). Conjunctival edema was noted in half of the patients but resolved within 1month. The simultaneous lowering lateral canthoplasty and reduction malarplasty offer Asian patients desiring a slim and soft image a novel surgical option. The procedures proved to be a reliable and consistent technique that provided satisfactory results in carefully selected patients. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A modified preauricular and transmandibular approach for surgical management of osteosarcoma of the mandibular condyle within the masticator space and infratemporal fossa: a case report

BackgroundOsteosarcomas of the head and neck region are rare entities that comprise < 10% of all osteosarcomas. Multimodality treatment of patients with osteosarcoma is well-established for osteosarcoma in long bones, and the benefits of chemotherapy in long bones are clearly known. However, there is no consensus regarding the effects of chemotherapy in cases of head and neck osteosarcoma. The prognostic factor for head and neck osteosarcoma is complete tumor resection with negative margin, which is a radical surgery. However, a clear margin may be difficult to achieve in the head and neck region.Case presentationWe present a case of a 69-year-old Japanese woman who developed osteosarcoma of the condyle within the masticator space and infratemporal fossa, which was treated with radical surgery using a modified preauricular and transmandibular approach. Although we recommended adjuvant treatment after surgery, the patient refused this treatment. There was no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis through 30 months of follow-up.ConclusionsOur modified preauricular and transmandibular approach allowed access to the masticator space and infratemporal fossa, thereby increasing complete resection of the tumor and resulting in minimal functional and cosmetic deficits.

Transmasseteric antero-parotid approach through modified preauricular lazy ‘S’ incision for management of mandible condylar fractures: a prospective study

To report the surgical details and results of our technique of Transmasseteric antero-parotid approach (TMAP) through modified preauricular lazy ‘S’ incision for management of mandibular condylar fractures. This was an observational analysis of 65 patients where 25 patients were treated with conventional preauricular approach, 25 patients with closed reduction and 15 patients with a mean age of 29.4 years with condylar fractures were treated by TMAP technique between September 2016 to June 2018. Aim of the study was to evaluate the proficiency of TMAP approach for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of condylar fracture. The only complication which was noticed was sialocele formation and managed by drainage. TMAP is versatile since it avoids facial nerve damage as it involves identification and preservation of facial nerve and has less chances of post-operative complications related to facial nerve injury. The accessibility achieved by this approach is fair enough to facilitate anatomic reduction and fixation of condyle.

Endoscopic-Assisted Zygomatic Arch Fracture Repair With a Preauricular Approach.

Because of numerous negative sequelae with open techniques, endoscopic techniques are beginning to be widely used for maxillofacial fractures. Many endoscopic approaches for this area have been described according to several dissection plans and incisions. The aim of the present study was to report a new surgical incision and dissection method for zygomatic arch fracture that aims at reducing the complication rate of previously defined techniques. The authors operated on 8 patients with a new endoscopic-assisted surgical technique. This study focused on evaluating the complication rate and surgical comfort of these patients. Of the 8 patients, the plate was palpable in the zygomatic arch in one. No complications occurred due to this technique during the 1-year follow-up. Symmetrical facial contour and inconspicuous scars were obtained in all patients. Average operative time was 3 hours; hospitalization time was 1.6 days. This study demonstrates that an endoscopic-assisted surgical approach with a preauricular mini-incision can be safely performed in isolated multifragment zygomatic arch fractures. Using individually designed plates improved our results. This technique is easy to apply, its cosmetic results are good, and its complication rate is low.

A Modified Pre-Auricular Approach in the Treatment of Orbital Zygomatic Maxillary Complex Fractures.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of a modified pre-aricular approach in the treatment of orbital zygomatic maxillary complex fractures. This was a retrospective study of clinical data from 108 adults who were diagnosed with orbital zygomatic maxillary complex fractures and undergo open reduction and internal fixation through a modified pre-auricular approach. Exophthalmometry and limitation of extraocular muscle movement were determined using a Hertel exophthalmometer or synoptophore examination respectively. Primary complications were recorded, and postoperative facial nerve injury was tested by electrophysiologic analysis. All patients received satisfied functional and cosmetic results at least 6 moths postoperatively. There were 2 cases (1.85%) involving complete or incomplete facial nerve injury confirmed by electrophysiologic analysis. The incidence of other postoperative complications including a hematoma rate of 1.85% patients and permanent hypesthesia or paresthesia in 2.78% of patients, and no cases of clinically significant temporal hollowing, alopecia, infection, or unacceptable scars encountered during a mean follow-up period of 2 years. A modified pre-auricular approach with dissection deep to the temporalis fascia offers a safe and reliable surgical technique for accessing the malar arch in orbital zygomatic maxillary complex fractures.

The Influence of Dissection Range of the Facial Nerve on Transient Postoperative Facial Palsy in Mandibular Condyle Fractures

This study examined the relation between dissection range of facial nerve branches and transient postoperative facial palsy caused by nerve traction for open treatment of mandibular condyle fractures using a preauricular approach. This retrospective study included 58 patients who underwent rigid fixation of condylar head and upper neck fractures. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on dissection range of the frontal and zygomatic branches. For group 1 (n=22), the dissection range was extended anteriorly and posteriorly from the condylar borders through the retroparotid approach. The transparotid approach was used in groups 2 (n=19) and 3 (n=17) in which nerve dissection was limited to the condylar borders and was extended only anteriorly, respectively. Using multivariate correlation and multiple regression analyses, differences in duration of nerve traction and angle difference by traction from the natural course of the nerve were analyzed according to dissection range, and the recovery period for facial palsy was evaluated. The duration of nerve traction for group 2 was 77.53minutes, which was longer than that for groups 1 (66.00minutes) and 3 (65.41minutes). The angle differences by traction were 62.42° and 58.00° for the frontal and zygomatic branches in group 2, respectively, which were considerably greater than those in groups 1 (23.32° and 20.14°) and 3 (37.24° and 28.88°). In consequence, group 2 showed the longest recovery, requiring 64.47days for the frontal branch and 51.63days for the zygomatic branch. The angle difference by traction had a greater influence on the recovery period than duration of nerve traction. Duration of nerve traction and angle difference by traction were quantitatively dependent on the dissection range of facial nerve branches and were related to the recovery period for transient facial palsy.

Reconstruction of the mandibular condyle using the microvascular lateral femoral condyle flap

The lateral femoral condyle (LFC) flap is a new flap first reported in 2015 for the treatment of osteomyelitis in hand surgery. This paper introduces a technique of osteochondral LFC flap harvest for mandibular condyle reconstruction and reports on the use of this flap in temporomandibular joint reconstruction. For condyle resection, a pre-auricular approach saving the temporal artery and vein is performed. A step osteotomy technique is used for condyle resection. LFC harvesting starts with dissection of the popliteal artery and vein. The superior genicular artery and vein are identified and followed along their periosteal branches. An osteochondral flap according to the condyle defect is harvested from the anterior pole of the knee. The flap is banded according to the defect and fixed to the mandibular neck with three miniscrews. Follow-up computed tomography scans should be performed at 1 week, 6 months, and 1year after surgery. The case of a 58-year-old female patient with osteomyelitis of the left mandibular condyle after multiple preoperative therapies is reported. The LFC flap technique was used for left condyle reconstruction, resulting in good functional and morphological outcomes at the 6-month postoperative follow-up. In conclusion, the osteochondral LFC flap is a new and promising technique for mandibular condyle reconstruction for special indications.

Facial nerve injury in temporomandibular joint approaches

Facial paralysis can be a devastating consequence resulting from blunt and penetrating trauma to the head and neck, as well as surgical injury, either accidental or due to involvement by tumor. In addition, the etiology can be attributed to a variety of other causes, ranging from infectious to metabolic, and is frequently idiopathic in nature. The incidence of facial nerve injury during temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgeries varies among surgeons. There are many factors that could contribute to the injury of the temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve. These nerves lie in a confluence of superficial fascia, temporalis fascia, and periosteum and may be injured by any dissection technique that attempts to violate the integrity of these regions. Excessive or heavy-handed retraction causes compression and/or stretching of nerve fibers resulting in neuropraxia. The facial nerve then enters the parotid gland, where the main trunk branches into the upper and lower divisions at the pes anserinus. The nerve further divides into five main branches: the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical. The temporal branch lies within the superficial muscular aponeurotic system at the level of the zygomatic arch. In this paper, we evaluate the facial nerve function based on the House–Brackmann grading index after the preauricular approach for the treatment of condylar fractures, pathologies, and TMJ ankylosis cases. The nerve functional regeneration postfacial nerve injury has been evaluated and reported in this retrospective study.

Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study

Objective: To compare between the conventional and modified preauricular incision approaches to the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis among Yemeni patients in Sana’a city, Yemen.&#x0D; Methods: This comparative clinical study recruited ten patients (7 males and 3 females; age range: 6–35 years) with true fully or partially bony or fibrous TMJ ankylosis. These patients were admitted to and followed up in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Science and Technology Hospital in Sana’a in the period from May 2013 to February 2016. Five patients with condylar capsule ankylosis were subjected to the conventional preauricular approach, while the other five cases with ankylosis that extends beyond the condylar capsule and reaches the zygomatic arch were subjected to the modified preauricular approach. Both approaches were evaluated and compared for the time required, intra- and post-operative complications and aesthetic results.&#x0D; Results: The mean times required to carry out the operations were 4.45 and 3.20 hours for conventional and modified preauricular approaches, respectively.Facial nerve injury was present in two patients undergoing the conventional preauricular approach, but this reversed to normal after four to five months. Patient of both groups experienced no facial paralysis or post-operative auriculotemporal syndrome. Intra-operative bleeding was mild to moderate among the patients of both approaches, and none of the patients required blood transfusion intra- or post-operatively. Major blood vessels were injured in three cases undergoing the conventional preauricular approach. All patients subjected to both approaches showed satisfactory aesthetic end results.&#x0D; Conclusions: Conventional and modified preauricular approaches provide excellent accessibility and visibility to the surgical field during the management of TMJ ankylosis among Yemeni patients, with the latter being slightly superior. In addition, the modified preauricular approach is associated with fewer complications, absence of facial nerve injury and reduced surgical time compared to the conventional approach.

Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study

Objective: To compare between the conventional and modified preauricular incision approaches to the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis among Yemeni patients in Sana’a city, Yemen.&#x0D; Methods: This comparative clinical study recruited ten patients (7 males and 3 females; age range: 6–35 years) with true fully or partially bony or fibrous TMJ ankylosis. These patients were admitted to and followed up in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Science and Technology Hospital in Sana’a in the period from May 2013 to February 2016. Five patients with condylar capsule ankylosis were subjected to the conventional preauricular approach, while the other five cases with ankylosis that extends beyond the condylar capsule and reaches the zygomatic arch were subjected to the modified preauricular approach. Both approaches were evaluated and compared for the time required, intra- and post-operative complications and aesthetic results.&#x0D; Results: The mean times required to carry out the operations were 4.45 and 3.20 hours for conventional and modified preauricular approaches, respectively.Facial nerve injury was present in two patients undergoing the conventional preauricular approach, but this reversed to normal after four to five months. Patient of both groups experienced no facial paralysis or post-operative auriculotemporal syndrome. Intra-operative bleeding was mild to moderate among the patients of both approaches, and none of the patients required blood transfusion intra- or post-operatively. Major blood vessels were injured in three cases undergoing the conventional preauricular approach. All patients subjected to both approaches showed satisfactory aesthetic end results.&#x0D; Conclusions: Conventional and modified preauricular approaches provide excellent accessibility and visibility to the surgical field during the management of TMJ ankylosis among Yemeni patients, with the latter being slightly superior. In addition, the modified preauricular approach is associated with fewer complications, absence of facial nerve injury and reduced surgical time compared to the conventional approach.

Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study

Conventional versus Modified Preauricular Incision Approaches to the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in Sana’a City, Yemen: A Comparative Clinical Study

Does the surgical approach for treating mandibular condylar fractures affect the rate of seventh cranial nerve injuries? A systematic review and meta-analysis based on a new classification for surgical approaches

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the rate of facial nerve injury (FNI) when performing (ORIF) of mandibular condylar fractures by different surgical approaches. Materials and methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed that included several databases with specific keywords, a reference search, and a manual search for suitable articles. The inclusion criteria were all clinical trials, with the aim of assessing the rate of facial nerve injuries when (ORIF) of mandibular condylar fractures was performed using different surgical approaches. The main outcome variable was transient facial nerve injury (TFNI) and permanent facial nerve injury (PFNI) according to the fracture levels, namely: condylar head fractures (CHFs), condylar neck fractures (CNFs), and condylar base fractures (CBFs). For studies where there was no delineation between CNFs and CBFs, the fractures were defined as CNFs/CBFs. The dependent variables were the surgical approaches. ResultsA total of 3873 patients enrolled in 96 studies were included in this analysis. TFNI rates reported in the literature were as follows: A) For the transoral approach: a) for strictly intraoral 0.72% (1.3 in CNFs and 0% for CBFs); b) for the transbuccal trocar instrumentation 2.7% (4.2% in CNFs and 0% for CBFs); and c) for endoscopically assisted ORIF 4.2% (5% in CNFs, and 4% in CBFs). B) For low submandibular approach 15.3% (26.1% for CNFs, 11.8% for CBFs, and 13.7% for CNFs/CBFs). C) For the high submandibular/angular subparotid approach with masseter transection 0% in CBFs. D) For the high submandibular/angular transmassetric anteroparotid approach 0% (CNFs and CBFs). E) For the transparotid retromandibular approach a) with nerve facial preparation 14.4% (23.9% in CNFs, 11.8% in CBFs and 13.7% for CNFs/CBFs); b) without facial nerve preparation 19% (24.3% for CNFs and 10.5% for CBFs). F) For retromandibular transmassetric anteroparotid approach 3.4% in CNFs/CBFs. G) For retromandibular transmassetric anteroparotid approach with preauricular extension 2.3% for CNFs/CBFs. H) For preauricular approach a) deep subfascial dissection plane 0% in CHFs b) for subfascial approach using traditional preauricular incision 10% (8.5% in CHFs and 11.5% in CNFs). I) For retroauricular approach 3% for CHFs. PFNI rates reported in the literature were as follows: A) for low submandibular approach 2.2%, B) for retromandibular transparotid approach 1.4%; C) for preauricular approach 0.33%; D) for high submandibular approach 0.3%; E) for deep retroparotid approach 1.5%. ConclusionAccording to published data for CHFs, a retroauricular approach or deep subfascial preauricular approach was the safest to protect the facial nerve. For CNFs, a transmassetric anteroparotid approach with retromandibular and preauricular extension was the safest approach to decrease risk of FNI. For CBFs, high submandibular incisions with either transmassetric anteroparotid approach with retromandibular or transmassetric subparotid approach, followed by intraoral (with or without endoscopic/transbuccal trocar) were the safest approaches with respect to decreased risk of FNI.

Surgical excision of osteochondroma on mandibular condyle via preauricular approach with zygomatic arch osteotomy

BackgroundOsteochondroma is a benign tumor that tends to develop in mandibular condyle and coronoid process in the craniofacial region. If tumor mass has grown from condyle into the infratemporal space with zygomatic arch obstructing the access, there are risks associated with surgical exposure and local resection of these masses.Case presentationThis study reports on a case of osteochondroma on mandibular condylar head where we treated with surgical excision via preauricular approach with 3D analysis. After the local resection, there were no surgical and post-operative complications until 8-month follow-up period.ConclusionsIn local excision of osteochondroma, our method is a minimally invasive method. It is a good example of osteochondroma treatment.

Advantages of a Beveled Osteotomy on the Zygomatic Arch During Reduction Malarplasty

During a conventional reduction malarplasty procedure, a dual approach including intraoral incisions and preauricular incisions is made to reduce both the zygomatic body and arch. As the preauricular approach is performed to cut the zygomatic arch, there are several remarkable advantages that can be achieved by simply beveling the osteotomy anteriorly on the zygomatic arch. This has the benefits of enhancing bone union by the increase in cross-sectional area for bone contact, decreasing palpability on the osteotomy site, placing the osteotomy more posteriorly, preventing depression in the anterior malar region, and reducing the need for metal fixtures.

Gillies temporal incision: an alternate approach to superficial temporal artery biopsy

The main complications of a biopsy of the superficial temporal artery using a standard preauricular approach include scars on the face, weakness of the temporal branch of the facial nerve, and the possible harvest of a disease-free segment of artery. We describe a modification of the Gillies temporal approach, which when placed at the junction of the frontal and parietal branch can be easily modified to harvest either branch. It avoids scarring to the face as it is hidden within the hairline. The incision placed with specific measurements and palpation is easily reproducible. In patients with giant cell arteritis, arterial wall thickening, and narrowing of the lumen, reduced blood flow makes it harder to identify the artery with a Doppler scan. A procedure based on measurements and palpation is therefore likely to yield better results.

Clinical and MRI Evaluation of Orthodontic Mini-Screws for Disc Repositioning in Internal Derangement of TMJ: A Prospective Study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of orthodontic mini-screws as a modified suture anchor for disc repositioning in cases of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint. A prospective evaluation of ten patients was undertaken for a period of 6months using this modified approach from Jan 2014 to Jun 2016. Symptomatic patients with clinical and MRI features suggestive of internal derangement of TMJ and willing to undergo surgical repositioning of articular disc to alleviate symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction were taken up for the study. Post-operatively, functional outcomes were assessed in terms of reduction in pain, joint movement and absence of joint noise and clicking sounds. Post-operative MRI was used to assess the disc position and morphological changes in the disc and arthritic changes in the condyle. All patients underwent a surgical repositioning of the anteriorly displaced disc by the modified orthodontic suture anchor. Patients were post-surgically followed up at intervals of 1, 3 and 6months. Immediate complications in terms of pain, restriction of functional motion and transient facial nerve palsy were noted. Late complications include temporal nerve palsy in one case. All patients experienced significant improvement with good functional outcomes and stable repositioning of disc was noticed at the end of 6months. The modified disc repositioning using an orthodontic screw via a mini preauricular approach provided a good functional outcome in all patients as assessed over a period of 6months. However, the long-term functional sequel of the procedure and changes in the articular disc needs to be assessed.

Surgical management of ankyloses of the temporomandibular joint by a piezoelectric device

IntroductionPiezosurgery is commonly used in different field of craniomaxillofacial surgery; since its introduction it has become one of the widely adopted technique for performing osteotomies in orthognathic surgery, distraction osteogenesis and dentoalveolar surgery. Little has been written regarding ultrasonic system for temporomandibular joint surgery (TMJ). In this prospective study we describe the use of piezoelectric device for ankylosis of the TMJ. Materials and methodsWe enrolled in this study 19 patients, 10 males and 9 females, mean (SD) age 24.6 (7.6) years, affected by unilateral ankylosis of TMJ who were surgically managed between January 2009 and December 2014 by interpositional arthroplasty with temporomyofascial muscle flap. We adopted in all cases a preauricular approach with temporal extension. The ankylotic block was removed with piezoelectric device in 9 patients and using traditional rotary bur in 10 cases. We investigated and compared the following parameters as surgical outcomes: intraoperative bleeding, duration of operation, incidence of infection, postoperative swelling and hematoma, mouth opening, nerve impairment and rate of recurrence. ResultsWe noticed a substantial reduction in bleeding with the piezoelectric bone cutter when compared to traditional mechanical surgery (103 ml versus 117 ml; p < 0.05); however, we did not report any severe bleeding from the pterygoid plexus or maxillary artery. Operating time was longer in the piezo group (101 min versus 88 min; p < 0.05). There was a lower incidence of postoperative hematoma and swelling following piezoosteotomy. However, regarding postoperative nerve impairment and infection we did not observe any differences between the two groups. At one year follow-up mean (SD) mouth opening was 34 (4.3) mm. We did not report recurrence of the disease. ConclusionPiezoelectric bone removal for the release of ankylosis of the TMJ is associated with minimal bleeding and few postoperative complications. We believe that piezosurgery allows surgeons to achieve better results compared to a traditional surgery. It is a possible alternative due to the clinical benefits demonstrated.