Tempero-Mandibular Joint Ankylosis in Children: Management in ABUTH, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: An analysis of 45 cases of Tempero-mandibular joint ankylosis in Nigerian children seen and managed over a ten- year period is presented.
Patients and Method: The clinical presentation and management of 45 children with ankylosis of the mandible over a ten- year period (1991 – 2000) were retrospectively reviewed. The data were analysed for age, gender, pattern of ankylosis, etiology, clinical features, management and complications.
Results: There were 45 patients aged 3-14 years, with a mean age of 6.9yrs ±2.8. The age group most affected was the 5-9yrs group (64.4%) Table1. More males (36.8%) than females (3.8%) were affected in the age group 10 – 14yrs. Cancrum oris constituted the highest etiological factor for ankylosis followed by trauma. More girls than boys suffered ankylosis from cancrum oris, while more boys than girls had ankylosis from trauma.
Complications of surgical treatment were re-ankylosis and reduced interincisal opening.
Conclusion: Early detection and management of infection from cancrum oris as well as prevention of trauma is suggested to reduce the incidence of the condition.


Keywords: Temporo-mamdibular joint ankylosis, cancrum-oris, facial deformity

African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 3 (1) 2006: pp. 19-23