Total reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint with cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyle, meniscus, and fossa in the adult goat

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 267 - 272
• Main Authors: Bifano, C A, Hubbard, G, Ehler, W J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1995
• Subjects: Animals; Ankylosis - etiology; Bone Resorption - etiology; Cartilage, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Cartilage, Articular - pathology; Cartilage, Articular - transplantation; Case-Control Studies; Cryopreservation; Dentistry; Disease Models, Animal; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Goats; Graft Survival; Mandibular Condyle - diagnostic imaging; Mandibular Condyle - pathology; Mandibular Condyle - transplantation; Mandibular Diseases - etiology; Mastication; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Range of Motion, Articular; Temporal Bone - diagnostic imaging; Temporal Bone - pathology; Temporal Bone - transplantation; Temporomandibular Joint - diagnostic imaging; Temporomandibular Joint - pathology; Temporomandibular Joint - physiology; Temporomandibular Joint - surgery; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - etiology; Tissue Survival; Transplantation, Homologous
• ISSN: 1079-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/S1079-2104(05)80381-6

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of total temporomandibular joint reconstruction with the use of cryogenically preserved allograft mandibular condyle, disk, and fossa in the adult goat. This study consisted of an experimental group of 10 adult goats that underwent total resection of their temporomandibular joints. These animals were immediately reconstructed with cryogenically preserved mandibular condyles, disks, and fossa. These allograft were harvested from 10 donor animals matched to the recipient animal with respect to age, sex, and head dimensions. These grafts were harvested and stored at -185 degrees C for several months before implantation. At 2 years after surgery, the animals were killed. They were evaluated, clinically, radiographically, and histologically. Fifty percent of the eight surviving animals had a normal clinically functional joint with an intact superior joint space and viable articular surfaces. The authors conclude that this temporomandibular joint reconstruction technique is feasible in the adult goat model and is deserving of further research.