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%).