Autogenous Dermal-Fat Graft Reconstruction in Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis: Functional Outcomes, Pain Reduction, and Scar Satisfaction

Background: This study aims to evaluate the functional improvement, pain reduction, and esthetic outcomes including scar satisfaction and donor-site morbidity following autogenous dermal-fat graft reconstruction for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 12 adults with TMJ ankylosis treated surgically with autogenous dermal fat graft reconstruction. Outcomes measured included pre- and postoperative maximum mouth opening (MMO), pain intensity via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at postoperative day 2, week 1, and month 6, and scar-satisfaction scores. Changes in functional and esthetic outcomes over time and the correlation between preoperative mouth opening and postoperative pain were analyzed using appropriate parametric or non parametric tests and correlation analyses. Results: Mean MMO significantly improved from 8.17 ± 6.72 mm to 29.58 ± 5.68 mm (p = 0.002). Mean VAS pain scores declined steadily from 5.50 ± 1.88 at day 2 to 1.50 ± 1.73 at 6 months (p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was found between preoperative MMO and postoperative pain at all intervals (p < 0.001), indicating that more severe preoperative restriction is associated with higher postoperative pain. Esthetic satisfaction was high (patients: 2.08 ± 1.38; surgeons: 1.58 ± 1.00), and donor-site morbidity was minimal. No re-ankylosis occurred during the 36-month mean follow-up. Conclusions: Autogenous dermal fat grafting for TMJ ankylosis provided favorable functional recovery, esthetic outcomes, and manageable donor site morbidity. Analysis suggests that restricted preoperative mouth opening is associated with greater postoperative pain, supporting perioperative analgesia and physiotherapy for patients.