Resumo

FIGUEIREDO, Leonardo Morais godoy et al. Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint treated with interpositional arthroplasty and a costochondral graft: a case report. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.2, pp. 47-52. ISSN 1808-5210.

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) refers to the fusion of the capsule of the disc-condyle complex with the joint surface of the temporal bone, which restricts the movement of the joints. Ankylosis of the TMJ is multifactorial and may be related to acute infectious processes in the joint region, exposure to trauma, tumors and radiation therapy. Ankylosis produces functional changes in those affected, such as limitation of the ability to chew, difficulty in speaking, limited oral hygiene, respiratory problems, and difficulty with the normal eruption of the lower molars. diagnosis is made by correlating the clinical features with the results of imaging. The surgical treatment of ankylosis of the TMJ consists in removing the ankylotic mass, reconstructing the joint and restoring the patient's functions that have been impaired as a result of the pathological condition. This article reports a case of ankylosis of the TMJ treated by an interpositional arthroplasty and a costochondral graft in a pediatric patient. We conclude that interposicional arthroplasty with reconstruction using a costochondral graft, represents a good option in the treatment of patients with ankylosis of the TMJ, which is in a phase of growth, because it is a reconstruction using an autogenous graft and autogenous interposition material, thereby preventing rejection, in addition to its morphological advantages.

Palavras-chave : Ankylosis; Temporomandibular Joint; Arthroplasty.