Controversies in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Using Distraction Osteogenesis - A Systematic Review.

Background: The three commonly employed sequences of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis with dentofacial deformities include post-arthroplastic distraction osteogenesis (PAD), simultaneous arthroplastic distraction osteogenesis (SAD), and pre-arthroplastic distraction osteogenesis (PrAD).

Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to compare the effectiveness of various sequences of DO in the management of TMJ ankylosis with micrognathia/and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Data Sources: A comprehensive online and manual search of English language literature with no date restrictions was done on March 2020.

Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion criteria were case series and prospective and retrospective studies involving adult/paediatric human subjects with unilateral/bilateral TMJ ankylosis and micrognathia/OSAS treated with DO.

Study Appraisal And Synthesis Methods: Of 73 studies identified, only 10 were included in the qualitative synthesis. The outcomes assessed were as follows: maximum mouth opening (MMO), posterior airway space (PAS), polysomnography variables, reankylosis, mandibular length, and chin and mandible position.

Results: All the included studies showed high risk of bias. MMO and mandibular length increased, chin and mandibular position improved by the end of treatment in all the three sequences, and polysomnography variables and PAS significantly improved in PrAD compared to PAD and improved in SAD compared to baseline. Reankylosis was significantly less in PrAD.

Conclusion: More well-designed studies comparing the three sequences of DO should be carried out to arrive at a consensus.