The word 'ankylosis' is derived from ancient Greek, meaning 'a rigid joint', in this case associated to an impediment for progressive mouth opening, as a consequence of a fibrous, bony, or mixed tissue junction between the mandibular condyle and the mandibular fossa. This condition may occur as a sequel of mandible and face trauma, infectious diseases, or as a manifestation of chronic diseases leading to joint damage. This limitation in mouth opening may lead to poor oral hygiene, dental cavities, dental and facial deformities, and obstructive sleep apnea. Surgical therapy is mandatory in such cases, and there are many procedures described in the literature. Our objective is to show our surgical experience in 5 selected patients who were operated in our institution on the basis of the current surgical protocols.

The word 'ankylosis' is derived from ancient Greek, meaning 'a rigid joint', in this case associated to an impediment for progressive mouth opening, as a consequence of a fibrous, bony, or mixed tissue junction between the mandibular condyle and the mandibular fossa. This condition may occur as a sequel of mandible and face trauma, infectious diseases, or as a manifestation of chronic diseases leading to joint damage. This limitation in mouth opening may lead to poor oral hygiene, dental cavities, dental and facial deformities, and obstructive sleep apnea. Surgical therapy is mandatory in such cases, and there are many procedures described in the literature. Our objective is to show our surgical experience in 5 selected patients who were operated in our institution on the basis of the current surgical protocols.

Introducction: mandible reconstruction, an important area within heat and neck surgery, is atopic with constant innovation with plenty of debate and scientific contributions that allow physicians to have adequate therapy for extensive tumors that may leave aesthetic and functional sequels.Clinical cases. The cases that underwent a large surgical resection and required a microsurgical fibula free flap for a mandible tumor were reviewed between January 2004 to August 2008; by the Head, Neck and Maxillofacial Surgery department at the National Pediatric Health Institute. Four cases were taken part in the study period; with same quantity of cases for males and females. With ages between 2 and 17 years, and an average of 11.2 years. The four cases were from the inner states of Peru (Piura, Tumbes, Cajamarca and Junín). We present mandible resections as long as 15 cm for one side. A...

Introducction: mandible reconstruction, an important area within heat and neck surgery, is atopic with constant innovation with plenty of debate and scientific contributions that allow physicians to have adequate therapy for extensive tumors that may leave aesthetic and functional sequels.Clinical cases. The cases that underwent a large surgical resection and required a microsurgical fibula free flap for a mandible tumor were reviewed between January 2004 to August 2008; by the Head, Neck and Maxillofacial Surgery department at the National Pediatric Health Institute. Four cases were taken part in the study period; with same quantity of cases for males and females. With ages between 2 and 17 years, and an average of 11.2 years. The four cases were from the inner states of Peru (Piura, Tumbes, Cajamarca and Junín). We present mandible resections as long as 15 cm for one side. A...