1985 Volume 31 Issue 10 Pages 2444-2449
An ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in early childhood may lead to growth disturbance of the mandible. As generally described in many case reports, unilateral ankylosis caused asymmetrical facial appearance and other serious disabilities. The main etiologic factors of ankylosis are trauma and inflammation. Forceps delivery was assumed to be in our two cases, the cause of ankylosis. In young patients, opinion is divided as to the ideal age at which initial surgical opening of the joint should be performed. Recently, the operation for ankylosis is commonly performed as soon as possible. In our cases, after conservative therapy using modified FKO splint, operative relief of the ankylosis was done at the age of 13 years (case 1) and 14 years (case 2).
In the first case, 3 years and 4 months passed after the operation. One year and 4 months passed in the second case. They have sufficient mouth opening. No relapse occured in either patient.
