Unlocking the Jaw - Improving Quality of Life in Bilateral Fibrous Ankylosis of the Mandibular Condyle with Dual Surgical Approach : A Case Report

Membuka Kunci Rahang - Meningkatkan Kualitas Hidup pada Ankylosis Fibrosa Bilateral Kondil Mandibula dengan Pendekatan Bedah Ganda: Laporan Kasus

  • Marini Sundari Program Studi Departemen Bedah Mulut dan Maksilofasial, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Padjadjaran – Bandung – Indonesia
  • Eka Marwansyah Oli`i Program Studi Departemen Bedah Mulut dan Maksilofasial, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Padjadjaran – Bandung – Indonesia
  • Endang Sjamsudin Program Studi Departemen Bedah Mulut dan Maksilofasial, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Padjadjaran – Bandung – Indonesia
Keywords: Condylectomy, Coronoidectomy, Fibrous Ankylosis, Mandibular Condyle

Abstract

Fibrous ankylosis of the mandibular condyles restricts jaw movement due to fibrous tissue adhesions in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to impaired oral function. Surgical management, especially condylectomy and coronoidectomy procedures, remains the most effective method of improving jaw function. A 12-year-old girl with a history of facial trauma and previous surgical intervention who developed progressive limitation in mouth opening over last three years. Clinical examination showed complete inability to open the mouth. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) confirmed bilateral fibrous ankylosis of the mandible. The patient underwent bilateral preauricular surgical approaches, with excision of fibrous adhesions, bilateral condylectomies, and unilateral coronoidectomy. Mersilene mesh was placed bilaterally. Intensive physiotherapy was initiated after the surgery. At six months follow-up, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in jaw mobility. Fibrous ankylosis of the mandibular condyles can severely limit jaw function, especially in growing children. Surgical management successfully released the ankylosis and restored mandibular movement. Placement of Mersilene mesh helped prevent re-ankylosis, while early and intensive physiotherapy played a crucial role in maintaining postoperative mouth opening. Comprehensive surgical management combined with intensive postoperative rehabilitation is essential for effective treatment in patients with bilateral fibrous ankylosis of the mandibular condyles

References

Mehta, D. M., Anand, V., Jacobina, J. J., Asokan, G. S., Balaji, N., & Aswini, S. (2015). Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A case report and review. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 8(SE-02), 533–536.
Hupp, J. R., Ellis, E., & Tucker, M. R. (2019). Contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Singh, M., Agarwal, N., Chansoria, H., Chansoria, S., & Gupta, S. G. (2022). Management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in children with their surgical risk and benefits. Journal of Oral Medicine and Surgery, 6(March), 623–630.
Garoma, G., Dejene, D., & Uma, G. (2022). Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: Aetiology, pattern and treatment. Journal of Dental Health, Oral Disorders & Therapy, 13(2), 33–37.
Yadav, R., Verma, U., & Tiwari, R. (2021). Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A tertiary center-based epidemiological study. National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery, 10(1), 3–7.
Xia, L., An, J., He, Y., Xiao, E., Chen, S., Yan, Y., et al. (2019). Association between the clinical features of and types of temporomandibular joint ankylosis based on a modified classification system. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46519-8
Priyadarsani, E. (2020). TMJ ankylosis: A review. International Journal of Scientific Research, 14(4), 9111–9114.
Parrino, D., Val, M., Lovato, A., Filippis, C. de, & Nardini, L. G. (2022). Pediatric temporomandibular joint ankylosis and arthritis: Forgotten complications of acute otitis media. American Journal of Otolaryngology, 43(5).
Dhabale, G. S., & Bhowate, R. R. (2022). Cone-beam computed tomography for temporomandibular joint imaging. Cureus, 14(11), 1–8.
Haggerty, C. J., & Laughlin, R. M. (2015). Atlas of operative oral and maxillofacial surgery (1st ed.). New Delhi.
Kademani, D., & Tiwana, P. S. (2016). Atlas of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Elsevier.
Bahal, M., Saggar, V., Singh, M., Kaur, S., Dhingra, C., & Kaur, V. (2023). Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A case report and review. International Journal of Pharmacy and Bio-Medical Science, 3(2), 80–83.
Setyawan, A., Montessory, M., Baehaqi, R., Rizqiawan, A., Mulyawan, I., & Rahman, M. Z. (2023). Surgical management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis with mersilene mesh interpositional arthroplasty: A case series study. Journal of Surgical Case Studies, 8(831), 34–37.
F, Z., Y, Z., X, X., W, J., S, J., & S, J. (2021). Interpositional arthroplasty of post-traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A modified method. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 49.
Saini, R. S., Ibrahim, M., Khader, M. A., Kanji, M. A., Mosaddad, S. A., & Heboyan, A. (2024). The role of physiotherapy interventions in the management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Head & Face Medicine, 20(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-024-00416-2
Patil, T., Kalsi, H. S., Kolte, D., Kharkar, V., Shinde, A., & Aaglawe, K. (2022). Functional restoration of TMJ ankylosis using temporalis muscle flap with post-operative physiotherapy. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(June), 2944–2951.
Published
2026-03-15
Section
Article