Follow up of mandibular costochondral grafts after release of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joints

The records of 55 patients with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (25 unilateral and 30 bilateral); were selected at random. In these patients, the resected condyles had been replaced with costochondral grafts and the patients were followed clinically and radiographically for 7-10 years. Of the 85 grafts, we found take and good remodeling in 50 (59%), reankylosis in 8 (9%), resorption of the graft in 21 (25%) and overgrowth of the graft in 3 (4%). Mouth opening was satisfactory (more than 25 mm) in 32 of the 55 patients (58%), unsatisfactory (between 5 and 25 mm) in 10 (18%), and the operation was a failure in 13 (24%).