Effects of postoperative radiotherapy for temporomandibular joint ankylosis after gap arthroplasty: An animal study using sheep

Abstract

<h4>Purpose</h4>The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of postoperative irradiation on reducing heterotopic bone formation after gap arthroplasty release of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Five sheep underwent induction of right temporomandibular joint ankylosis. After 3 months, the ankylosis was released by gap arthroplasty. At 24 hours after the release, they received a single radiation dose of 10 Gy. All sheep were sacrificed at 3 months after gap arthroplasty release. The body weight, jaw opening amount, and radiographs were measured at key intervals, with histologic assessment after death. The findings were compared with those in a control group treated with gap arthroplasty without irradiation.<h4>Results</h4>The clinical measurements, radiographs, and histologic findings all revealed less evidence of reankylosis in the irradiated sheep.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The results of the present study have shown that a single radiation dose at 24 hours after gap arthroplasty for temporomandibular joint ankylosis inhibits heterotopic ossification.