CJA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a scholarly reply
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by COONAN, T. J.
Right arrow Articles by MACINNIS, E. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by COONAN, T. J.
Right arrow Articles by MACINNIS, E. L.

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 32, 158-160, Copyright © 1985 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Ankylosis of the Temporo-Mandibular Joint after Temporal Craniotomy: A Cause of Difficult Intubation

T. J. COONAN MDCM FRCP(C)1, C. E. HOPE MB CHB FFARCS FRCP(c)1, W. J. HOWES MD FRCS(C)1, R. O. HOLNESS BSC MBBS FRCS(C)1, and E. L. MACINNIS DDS FRCD(C)1

1 Departments of Anaesthesia, Neurosurgery and Oral Surgery, Dalhousie University

Address correspondence to: Dr. T.J. Coonan, Department of Anaesthesia, Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9.

It is not generally appreciated that surgery in the region of the temporal fossa commonly produces, within a few weeks, a contracture of the temporalis muscle with "pseudo" ankylosis of the jaw. This usually, but not always, resolves within six months. The aetiological possibilities include, singly or in combination:

1. Postincisional scar formation within the muscle.

2. A Volkman's contracture due to devascularization of the muscle.

3. Organization of haematoma.

It is recommended that active and passive jaw exercises be started early after surgery in the temporal fossa and that such postcraniectomy patients be carefully assessed for jaw ankylosis prior to undertaking anaesthesia.

Key Words: INTUBATION, ENDOTRACHEAL: difficult • SURGERY: craniotomy • COMPLICATIONS: joint ankylosis






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1985 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.