Use of vascularised cartilage as an additional interposition in temporomandibular XXXX surgery: Rationale, advantages and potential benefits.

@entity1 @entity2133 @entity3947 @entity86 @entity158 @entity1348
CONTEXT: Surgery for the release of @entity1348 ( @entity1348 ) @entity3947 is a commonly performed procedure. Various interposition materials have been tried with varying success rates. However, none of these procedures attempt to recreate the architecture of the joint as the glenoid surface is usually left raw. AIMS: We aimed to use a vascularised cartilage flap and to line the raw surface of the bone to recreate the articular surface of the joint. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: There is a rich blood supply in the region of the helical root, based on branches from the Superficial Temporal Artery (STA), which enables the harvest of vascularised cartilage from the helical root for use in the @entity1348 . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases, one adult and the other a @entity1 , of unilateral @entity3947 were operated upon using this additional technique. The adult @entity1 had a bony segment excised along with a vascularised cartilage flap for lining the glenoid. The @entity1 was managed with an interposition graft of costochondral cartilage following the release of the @entity3947 , in addition to the vascularised cartilage flap for lining the glenoid. RESULTS: The @entity86 was good in both the cases with significant reduction in @entity158 . However, the long-term results of this procedure are yet to be ascertained. CONCLUSIONS: The vascularised cartilage flap as an additional interposition material in @entity1348 surgery enables early and @entity2133 with good short-term results. The potential applicability of this flap in various pathologies of the @entity1348 is enormous.
