Evaluation of temporomandibular joint total replacement with alloplastic prosthesis: observational study of 27 patients

Extended total temporomandibular joint reconstruction prosthesis: A comprehensive analysis

Alloplastic total temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR) is the treatment of choice for end-stage temporomandibular joint diseases. Extended TMJR (eTMJR) is a modification of the standard alloplastic fossa-condyle joint that includes components extending further to the skull base or the mandible. The aim of this study is to review the use of the eTMJR prosthesis for the treatment of large craniomaxillofacial defects. Data mining was performed according to the PRISMA statement using online search in databases such as PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Dimensions, Semantic Scholar and Web of Science. A total of 19 case reports, 08 case series and 03 retrospective studies were identified. A total of 49 patients were presented in the case reports and case series, who were implanted with 56 eTMJR prostheses (07 bilateral and 42 unilateral procedures). The mean age of the patients was 36.02±16.54 years, the male to female patient ratio was 1:1.72 and the mean follow-up time was 23.74 ± 19.83 months. The eTMJR prosthesis was most frequently used to treat ameloblastoma and hemifacial microsomia. Analysis of the retrospective studies was performed in three domains: the baseline characteristic of patients, treatment outcomes in terms of functional variables and complications after eTMJR prostheses implantation. This study concluded that the implantion of the eTMJR prosthesis was uncommon, that appropriate class of eTMJR prosthesis was not reported, and that the width of the mandibular component (like the length) of eTMJR prosthesis has substantial variations.

Functioning of the Masticatory System in Patients with an Alloplastic Total Temporomandibular Joint Prostheses Compared with Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Most patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues are successfully treated with nonsurgical methods. However, when end-stage TMJ pathologies occur, invasive management can be required, such as a total TMJ replacement. This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to provide insight into the functioning of the masticatory system, pain, and patient satisfaction in patients treated with a total joint replacement (TJR).

METHODS

A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to determine the postoperative clinical results of an alloplastic TJR TMJ. Masticatory performance and also insight into maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF), active and passive maximum mouth opening (aMMO/pMMO), pain, and patient satisfaction were measured. Masticatory performance, MVBF, and aMMO of patients with a TJR TMJ were compared with healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Masticatory performance is equal between patients with a TJR TMJ and healthy individuals, but both MVBF and aMMO were significantly smaller in patients with a TJR TMJ. However, patients had almost no pain and were very satisfied with the TJR TMJ treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that most patients with an alloplastic TJR TMJ were able to function without pain, showed good masticatory performance, and were highly satisfied with their alloplastic TJR TMJ. However, MVBF and aMMO were lower than in healthy individuals.

Alloplastic Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction Following Recurrent Ameloblastoma Resection

ABSTRACT

Ameloblastomas are benign tumors that most commonly affecting the mandible. The current standard of treatment for ameloblastomas is resection followed by reconstruction that has historically been accomplished through the use of a microsurgical vascularized flaps taken from the iliac crest or fibula. Alloplastic reconstruction methods have gained popularity over recent years with success reported in the reconstruction of many pathologies, including ankylosis, condylar fracture, neoplasia involving extensive resection, severe inflammatory/degenerative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease, and congenital TMJ abnormalities. The authors present a patient who successfully underwent ameloblastoma resection and TMJ reconstruction with a custom TMJ Concepts alloplastic implant. The authors also present a review of the literature on alloplastic TMJ reconstruction following ameloblastoma resection. To our knowledge, this is the second report in the literature on the use of a TMJ Concepts implant after ameloblastoma resection.

Patient specific total temporomandibular joint reconstruction: A review of biomaterial, designs, fabrication and outcomes

Purpose

The aim of this article was to systematically review the available literature on patient specific total temporomandibular joint total joint replacement (PS-TMJR) implants for their biomaterial, designs, fabrication techniques and their outcomes.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, and science direct databases using the key words three-dimensional printing, 3D printing, CAD CAM, computer aided designing, computer aided manufacturing, additive technology, custom made implants, patient specific implants in combination with Temporomandibular joint, TMJ surgery.

Results

The search revealed 2760 articles, of which 374 were in English and discussed TMJ reconstruction. Further filtering shortlisted 74 articles that discussed PS-TMJR. Duplicates were removed and additional added from article references. 39 articles describing biomaterial, designing and fabrication of PS-TMJR implants and their outcomes were selected for analysis.

Conclusions

Although PS-TMJR implants allow a better anatomical fit, improved fixation, and safeguard various structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve, they vary in designs, material and fabrication techniques. However, PS-TMJR printed with SLM and EBM technologies have yet to be compared with the conventional ones in terms of mechanical strength, and clinical outcome. With emerging bioprinting technologies, even newer biomaterials should be considered for 3D printing of PS-TMJR devices designed to achieve harmony in function between the joint device, bone and masticatory muscles.

Computer-assisted surgery for replacement of the temporomandibular joint with customized prostheses: can we validate the results?

PURPOSE

Replacing the temporomandibular joint poses an important challenge to maxillofacial surgeons, and for certain disorders, it represents the treatment's gold standard. Computer-assisted surgery (comprising preoperative virtual planning, virtual intraoperative navigation and 3D printing) is a useful tool for this type of surgery. However, we do not know if and how much the final position of the prosthesis differs, in absolute values, from what was planned virtually in the preoperative phase. We propose a comparative result validation system for temporomandibular joint replacement METHODS: In the present study, we propose a comparative validation system using overlapping images, between the model obtained with preoperative virtual planning and the postoperative result.

RESULTS

The mean difference for all screws of the glenoid prosthesis was 2.08 mm (range, 1.20-3.03) and for all screws of the condylar prosthesis it was 2.33 mm (range, 1.16-3.56). Mean overall difference between both prostheses in all patients was 2.21 mm (range, 1.16-3.56).

CONCLUSIONS

The validation system proposed by overlapping pre- and postoperative images in temporomandibular joint replacement allowed us to establish differences in absolute values between the virtual preoperative model and the actual postoperative result expressed in millimeters.

Vascularized scapula and latissimus dorsi flap for CAD/CAM assisted reconstruction of mandibular defects including the mandibular condyle: technical report and clinical results

Background

Reconstruction of mandibular continuity and function after tumor resection is challenging, particularly in cases including the mandibular condyle. Various approaches for reconstruction after disarticulation resection have been reported. However, the scapula flap has received little attention as a treatment option in these cases.

Patients and methods

Three cases of computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) assisted reconstruction after disarticulation resection using a vascularized scapula and latissimus dorsi flap are reported. All cases required reconstruction of the mandibular ramus and condyle in combination with the reconstruction of large and complex soft tissue defects.

Results

The surgical procedure was deemed successful in all cases. The scapula flap could be placed as preoperatively planned and patients regained their preoperative occlusion pattern and satisfying mouth opening-ranges. The large soft tissue defects could reliably be reconstructed using a latissimus dorsi flap.

Conclusions

The scapula and latissimus dorsi flap can be considered a suitable option for the reconstruction of mandibular disarticulation resection defects in combination with large soft tissue defects.

Total temporomandibular joint replacement prostheses: a systematic review and bias-adjusted meta-analysis

The aim of the present study was to determine which prosthesis has resulted in the best outcomes after total temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR). A comprehensive electronic search was undertaken in September 2015. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies that described one of the three current TMJR systems and that had pre- and postoperative data on at least two of the following TMJR indications: pain, diet, function, and maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO). Sixteen papers were included in the systematic review, reporting 10 retrospective studies and six prospective studies (no randomized controlled or case-controlled trials). A total 312 patients with 505 TMJ Concepts prostheses, 728 patients with 1048 Biomet prostheses, and 125 patients with 196 Nexus prostheses were included in the analysis. There was no real difference between the various TMJR systems in terms of pain or diet scores. Function scores improved with the TMJ Concepts, but this was the only prosthesis for which data were available. Biomet prostheses appeared to have a greater increase in MIO mean gain compared to TMJ Concepts and Nexus prostheses; however this was heavily biased by one study. Without this study, there was no real difference in MIO. It is concluded that the prostheses are similar, but most data are available for the TMJ Concepts prosthesis, with results being favourable.

[Progress of temporomandibular joint prosthesis]

The anatomically and functionally complex nature of the temporomandibularjoint (TMJ) makes its reconstruction one of the most challenging tasks faced by surgeons who operate in the head and neck. TMJ prosthesis is one of the important techniques in the reconstruction of TMJ. The main indications for TMJ prosthesis include ankylosis, fractures of condylar that can't be fixed, trauma or tumor, end-stage TMJ disturbance, and TMJ dysplasia caused by Hallermann-Streiff syndrome. TMJ replacement aims to enhance the function of TMJ, alleviate pain, and prevent serious complications. TMJ prosthesis is advantageous in oral and maxillofacial surgery because it can imitate normal anatomic morphology and adhere to the host. Moreover, the use of other materials is no longer necessary and functional training can be started postoperatively at once, among others. Prosthetic materials have leading and promoting functions in the development of joint prosthesis. Good design, fit shape, and fixation are the necessary conditions for prosthesis to serve its function. Investigation of joint biomechanics is also necessary. With the rapid developments in material science, joint biomechanics, and other related subjects, TMJ prosthesis has been significantly improved in terms of its materials, design, fit shape, and fixation techniques. In addition, the development of TMJ prosthesis would expand its applications. This review intends to provide an overview about the progress and clinical application of TMJ prosthesis.