Autogenous auricular cartilage implantation following discectomy in the primate temporomandibular joint.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histologic changes in primate temporomandibular joints (TMJ) treated with autogenous auricular cartilage grafts following total discectomy. Four Macaca fascicularis monkeys underwent bilateral TMJ disc removal and high condylar shaves. One TMJ in each monkey was treated by grafting autogenous auricular cartilage to the glenoid fossa; the contralateral joint served as a control. Monkeys were killed at 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Viable auricular cartilage was found in all grafted joints. There was a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue surrounding the cartilage grafts, with some grafts being directly fused to the glenoid fossa. One joint showed significant fibrous connective tissue adhesions between the condylar surface and the inferior portion of the graft. Degenerative changes in the grafted joint appeared grossly to be less severe than in the control joints. The cartilaginous tissues appeared to be a suitable autogenous tissue graft, maintaining its viability and functioning as an interpositioning material between the condyle and fossa.