Objectives: To introduce the surgical techniques and evaluate the effect of alloplastic total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement aided by digital templates in giant condylar osteoma.
Methods: Three patients with giant condylar osteoma were enrolled in this study. The maximal mouth opening was 1.9 cm on average. All the patients were underwent the computed tomography scan (slice thickness 1 mm) and the data were imported to Proplan 1.3 software for 3-dimensional bony segmentation and reconstruction. Osteotomy line and digital template according the 3-dimensional measurement were designed. All the joints were replaced with Biomet standard prosthesis under general anesthesia.
Results: All the operations were successfully performed. The follow-up period was from 6 to 18 months (average, 12 months). Pain relief of the joint and mouth-opening improvement were significant in 3 patients. No infection or loosening the prostheses was occurred. The occlusal relationship kept stable in all patients.
Conclusions: Total TMJ replacement with standard prosthesis is a good strategy for TMJ reconstruction after giant condylar osteoma excision. The joint pain and the mouth-opening limitation resulted from giant condylar osteoma were markedly improved. Long-term effect remains to be evaluated based on a long-term follow-up.