Autogenous costochondral grafts in temporo-mandibular joint arthroplasty. A survey of 66 arthroplasties in 60 patients.

A clinical study of 60 patients who underwent 66 costochondral arthroplasties during the period 1969-1984 is presented. In nearly half of the cases ankylosis was the main indication for operation, followed by dysplasia, tumours and osteomyelitis. The results showed that all cases in which the rib was decorticated to fit into the mandible as an inlay healed well. The mean time of IMF was 3.5 weeks. In the majority of the patients (67%) the postoperative function of the mandible was considered to be good or excellent, and nearly all patients were pain free. There were no postoperative chest infections and only one case of pneumothorax. Motor and sensory disturbances in the lower lip were each diagnosed in ten per cent of the patients.