Treatment of the Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis with a Customized Prosthesis in a Single Stage: The Use of 3D Cutting Guides and Virtual Surgical Planning

Background Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a debilitating condition and disabling as a result of craniomandibular fusion, which can result in trismus, pain and a poor quality of life. Current management includes interposition arthroplasty, gap arthroplasty, and reconstruction. Traditionally, the joints are reconstructed with pre-made prostheses (in stock), or the procedure is performed in two steps; with a computerized tomography scan, its design is observed between the respective and reconstructive procedures. Study Design A technical note about the customization management of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint. Objective and Methods Describe a modification of technique using 3D surgical cutting and positioning guides digitally created to help determine the position and dimensions of the osteotomies as an auxiliary tool in the management of TMJ ankylosis, enabling the installation of personalized prostheses in a single stage. Conclusion This technique has the advantage of allowing the installation of customized TMJ prostheses in a single stage, allowing greater predictability, less surgical time and less morbidity, in addition to being relatively simple and can be easily picked up by young surgeons.