Temporomandibular joint capsule suspension for neocondyle stability in free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle.

[OBJECTIVES] This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle-disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery.

[RESULTS] Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (=0.13, =0.65, and =0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (=0.57, =0.13, =0.48, and =0.87, respectively).

[CONCLUSION] The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.