Rare jawbone fusion deformity surgery conducted at AIIMS Jmu

Jammu, July 23: In a significant development, a rare Jawbone Fusion Deformity of an elderly patient was successfully operated at Jammu AIIMS which is a first of its kind of surgery conducted in Jammu and Kashmir. The step will likely  prove to be a boon for such patients of J&K UT who can now  receive treatment in Jammu without moving to other States for this expensive treatment.The rare and technically demanding case of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, involving a 4-centimeter bony fusion between the mandibular condyle and the skull base, was successfully treated at the Department of Oral and maxillofacial Surgery Department, Director AIIMS, Dr Skakti Gupta, said.This is for the first time that such surgery has been conducted in J&K.  The 62-year old patient presented with an inability to open the mouth completely, resulting from a large, abnormal bone mass (approximate size 4 cm) fusing the lower jaw to the skull base—an extremely rare and debilitating form (Type IV Sawhney’s classification) of TMJ ankylosis.After thorough clinical and radiological evaluation, the surgical team proceeded with interpositional arthroplasty with buccal fat pad, where the fused bone was removed and a soft tissue graft placed to prevent recurrence. Post-surgical recovery has been smooth, and the patient is now able to open the mouth and eat soft foods, with ongoing physiotherapy to support long-term function, officials said. It was revealed that the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team carried out the surgery under the leadership of Dr. Amanjot Kaur and her team members, Dr. Nandkishor, Dr. Vishwajeet, and Dr. Rupinder, with careful dissection around critical structures, including the facial nerve, skull base, and maxillary artery.While speaking with Rising Kahsmir, she said, “The case was challenging due to the massive extent of the ankylosis and patient age”. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Gupta said, “This case reflects the caliber of clinical expertise and collaboration we are building at AIIMS Jammu. It is our mission to bring cutting-edge, patient-centric care to the region, and I commend the surgical, anesthesia, and support teams for their exemplary effort in managing such a rare and technically complex condition.”