EDITORIAL  THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT 

Italian Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 2010 December;21(3 Suppl. 1):73-9

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Biomet/Lorenz total alloplastic temporomandibular joint prosthesis: our experience

Boffano P., Bosco G. F., Ramieri G., Berrone S.

Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Aim. Several surgical options have been used to relieve temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis: gap arthtroplasty, interpositional arthroplasty, resection of the ankylotic mass and reconstruction with autogenous graft, resection and partial or total TMJ alloplastic reconstruction. Nowadays, alloplastic total joint prostheses are a commonly used device in the treatment of TMJ ankylosis. The purpose of this study was to present and discuss our experience with a specific kind of TMJ prosthesis.
Methods. Fourteen Lorenz/Biomet Microfixation prostheses were placed in nine patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral alloplastic total TMJ replacement. Data collected from the patients’ records included age, gender, etiology, number of previous TMJ operations, treated TMJ, hospital stay, complications. Preoperative and follow-up assessment for TMJ pain, diet consistency, and maximal interincisal opening was performed.
Results. The most frequent causes of ankylosis were degenerative joint disease and TMJ trauma. Two patients presented temporary deficit of facial nerve, whereas just a patient had heterotopic bone formation after prosthesis placement. All patients presented a noticeable improvement in maximal interincisal opening, TMJ pain, and diet consistency at follow-up compared to preoperative situation.
Conclusion. This study demonstrates that the Biomet /Lorenz total joint prostheses provides a safe and effective management for ankylosis of the TMJ. However, further studies with more numerous study population and long-term follow-up data are necessary.