PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of unilateral discectomy with an abdominal dermis-fat graft of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on the contralateral side. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients who underwent unilateral TMJ discectomy and dermis-fat grafting for severe internal derangement in 2009 and 2010 were included. Clinical parameters, such as maximum mouth opening and lateral movements of the mandible, were recorded preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was conducted to determine the duration of the operated and unoperated TMJs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All 14 patients showed improvement in the mandibular mobility and function. However, postsurgical disc displacement without reduction was observed on the unoperated TMJ in 1 patient. Another patient complained of crepitus on the operated TMJ. Primary occlusal contact on the operated side of occlusion was observed in 2 other patients. Maximum mouth opening and measured lateral movements had increased in all patients at 1 year after the operation.
PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of unilateral discectomy with an abdominal dermis-fat graft of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on the contralateral side. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients who underwent unilateral TMJ discectomy and dermis-fat grafting for severe internal derangement in 2009 and 2010 were included. Clinical parameters, such as maximum mouth opening and lateral movements of the mandible, were recorded preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was conducted to determine the duration of the operated and unoperated TMJs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: All 14 patients showed improvement in the mandibular mobility and function. However, postsurgical disc displacement without reduction was observed on the unoperated TMJ in 1 patient. Another patient complained of crepitus on the operated TMJ. Primary occlusal contact on the operated side of occlusion was observed in 2 other patients. Maximum mouth opening and measured lateral movements had increased in all patients at 1 year after the operation.