Abstract
The healing process and morphologic changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after complete diskectomy in rabbits were investigated histologically and histochemically.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. Immediately after diskectomy, the cartilage on the articular surface of the TMJ disappeared, and the subchondoral bone was exposed.
2. In 4 weeks postoperatively, proliferation of cartilage cells was observed in the adjacent cartilagious tissue along with the exposed subchondoral bone lesion, while in the deep layer of cartilage, there was a finding of disturbed endochondral ossification.
3. In 6 and 8 weeks after diskectomy, there was no evidence of cartilagious repairing in the exposed subchondoral bone. The articular surface was depressed, and covered with a fibrous connective tissue presumably originated from mesenchymal cells. As a result, the outline of the articular surface became smoother in 8 weeks postoperatively than in the earlier period.
4. In the long term observation on 24 weeks survived rabbits after diskectomy, cartilage formation was found in the retrodistal region, and a degenerative change in the osseous-cartilagious components was observed.
5. In the condition after diskectomy, morphologic changes and healing process of the TMJ took place with reconstruction of the mandibular head and the manibular fossa, resulting in a functional remodeling.
