Is a deep subfascial approach better than the subfascial apporach to temporo-mandibular joint in terms of facial nerve injury and quality of life?

Publication date: August 2018

Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 46, Issue 8

Author(s): Sanjay Rastogi, Ashish Sharma, Nandani Kumari, Rupshikha Choudhury, Siddhi Tripathi, Ankit Kumar, Pranshu Chauhan, Kaustuv Kumar Das

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of the study was to compare the deep subfascial approach to subfascial approach in terms of facial nerve injury and quality of life.

Materials and methods

A randomized study was performed from August 2013 to March 2017 on 24 patients with unilateral TMJ ankylosis. The subjects were randomly allotted to either Group I (12, Deep Subfascial) or Group II (12, Subfascial). All patients were evaluated objectively for facial nerve injury post-operatively and subjectively for quality of life in the form of a questionnaire post-operatively for 6 months. The data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, mean standard deviation, Wilcoxon paired t test, Friedman's test, and Mann Whitney U test.

Results

The comparison of the difference between the groups for postoperative facial nerve function at various time intervals did not give any significant differences (p > 0.05). In terms of quality of life there was a significant difference at 1 month post-operatively (p < 0.05) amidst the two approaches, however, 6-month follow-up revealed that there is no significant difference between the two approaches (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The study reveals that both the approaches are safe in terms of facial nerve injury and quality of life long term.

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