Friday, October 31, 2008
14709

The Composite Costochondral-Iliac Crest Bone Graft: A Novel Technique for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Reconstruction

Patrick Cole, MD, Marcus Crawford, MD, Larry H. Hollier, Jr, MD, and Terry Taylor, DDS, MS.

The mandible and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are critical to the functional integrity of the face.  As a hinge for powerful mandibular structures, the TMJ allows for proper mastication, speech production, and facial expression. However, in severe cases of ankylosis, congenital disease, neoplasia or post-traumatic dysfunction, the TMJ may become significantly dysmorphic and nonfunctional.1, 2  In order to restore a proper environment for oral development, mastication, proper occlusion, and speech, early correction is necessary.  Though the use of costochondral grafts for mandible and TMJ reconstruction is well-established particularly in children due to its growth potential, disadvantages include the relatively poor quality of bone, and suboptimal structural integrity.3  The inferior osteoinductive capacity and poor rigidity of this graft may contribute to screw loosening, hardware failure, and compromised graft integrity sometimes seen clinically.  Prompted by a need for improved bone quality of the reconstructed region, we created a composite mandibular graft consisting of both costochodral and iliac graft material.  In our experience, TMJ reconstructions utilizing this combination in conjunction with plate fixation improves structural stability and produces superior a clinical outcome.