Comparative evaluation of temporal fascia and dermal fat graft in the management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a debilitating condition usually afflicting children and young adults, causing long-term functional, aesthetic, and severe psychological impacts on the lives of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative outcomes after using one of the most commonly employed inter-positional graft, i.e., temporalis fascia, and a recently introduced ‘more suitable’ graft, i.e., dermal fat. METHODS: A prospective study in which 20 patients of TMJ ankylosis were randomly assigned into two groups of 10 patients each. Temporalis fascia was used as an inter-positional graft in one group, while dermal fat graft was used in the other group. Post-surgical clinical parameters were evaluated, including interincisal mouth-opening and pain. RESULTS: Interincisal mouth opening at six months was greater in group A (32.1 ± 12.93) as compared to group B (33.8 ± 4.89), but statistically, it was not significant (P = 0.478). The mean pain score in group A was 4.60 ± 1.17, 1.50 ± 0.70, 0.20 ± 0.42 on day 1, 7, and 15, respectively. The mean pain score in group B was 4.10 ± 0.99, 1.30 ± 0.48, 0.20 ± 0.42 on day 1, 7, and 15, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both the graft materials work well in terms of maximum interincisal opening. For more clarification, a larger sample size with a longer duration of follow-up is needed to validate the study.