Ankylosis is one of the challenging disorders of the TMJ especially in children. Trauma, infection, and systemic diseases are the most common causes, factors common to occur in children in Upper Egypt. Unfortunately, TMJ ankylosis responds only to surgical intervention.
The aim of this study was to evaluate a conservative surgical approach.
Materials and Methods: In this study inclusion criteria were set and 11 children suffering from ankylosis enrolled for the most conservative gap arthroplasty without interpositioning material and with postoperative physiotherapy protocol. The patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically for 24 months postoperatively regarding mouth opening and recurrence.
Results: trauma was the main etiologic factor and bony ankylosis accounted for 81%, the mean gain in mouth opening was 29mm with no reported recurrence.
Conclusion: using conservative gap arthroplasty in children is a success option within the justified inclusion criteria.