Manipal: At Kasturba Hospital here, a life changing surgery of Total Temporomandibular Joint replacement on a distracted mandible (jaw joint) was successfully held. This is the first reported case of a successful surgery of this type in India.
At the press meet held at the Udupi Press Club on November 30, Dr Abhay Taranath Kamath, Prof and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.C.O.D.S Manipal, spoke of two cases of mandible surgeries:
Case 1: A 21-year-old man has got a reason to smile again, after his life was changed by a Total Temporomandibular Joint replacement on a distracted mandible. This surgery was performed on him at the Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.C.O.D.S, Manipal.
Aman (name changed) a 21-year-old man hailing from a small village in Karnataka, lived a shy life as he was unable to open his mouth since his birth, which had negatively impacted his personality and caused him to lead a secluded life. The disability meant that Aman was too self-conscious to walk the streets, meet new people or make new friends. It had also affected his ability to thrive.
This was then he visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.C.O.D.S, Manipal. Dr. Abhay T Kamath said that when he first visited the department, he came across as a very shy individual who was reluctant to talk or interact with anyone as he was unable to open his mouth. With the inability to chew his food properly and a significant obstructive sleep apnea, (obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder as it repeatedly causes the breathing to stop and start during sleep) his health had suffered and he appeared very frail and malnourished.
A treatment plan was formulated where it was decided that a total temporomandibular joint replacement would be performed on a distracted mandible, with the treatment plan being divided in two phases. In the first phase the patient would undergo ‘Distraction Osteogenesis’ for his small jaw and small chin, to overcome his sleep apnea and later on in the second phase, he would undergo a release of his joint fusion and simultaneous jaw replacement, which would give him a good mouth opening and good aesthetic.
The procedure of performing a total joint replacement on a distracted mandible in patients with TMJ ankylosis using biomet stock prosthesis is the first reported case in India.
Case 2: Ravi (name changed) aged 20 years, had undergone a Maxillofacial surgery for a tumor removal in his right lower jaw including the removal of the lower jaw, at the Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, M.C.O.D.S, Manipal, around 3 years ago. Since then, the patient has been disease free however; the psychological stigma of losing a portion of his face had taken a toll on the boy. He had stopped moving about in public therefore, the parents of the boy visited the Department of Oral and maxillofacial surgery, M.C.O.D.S Manipal, and after discussing matters with Dr. Abhay T Kamath, it was decided to replace the lower right jaw with a titanium made implant, specifically made for this case (Patient Matched Implant).
The procedure of performing patient matched implant using a biomet custom made joint is another first case to be reported in India.
The surgery in both the scenarios was performed by Dr. Abhay T Kamath, who has undergone extensive training in T.M.J replacements under Dr. David Psutka in Toronto, Canada.
He was assisted by a team comprised of Dr. Adarsh, Dr. Srikanth, Dr. Chitra, Dr. Sunil and Dr. Anand. The surgical procedures went smoothly with the patients achieving good dietary scores and mouth opening. Dr. Anitha Nileshwar, Professor and HOD, Department of Anesthesia, KMC Manipal and Dr. Manjunath, Professor of the Department of Anesthesia, KMC Manipal, provided the anesthesia cover for both the cases. The surgical outcome has made the patients more confident and bought back their smile. The surgery has not only transformed the faces of the patients but also changed their lives.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abhay T Kamath said, “We thank all those who provided financial assistance to Aman for his surgery.”
Dr. Keerthilatha M. Pai, Dean, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, said that the outcome of the surgery was remarkable and transformed not only the face and mouth but also the whole individual. “I am very proud of our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team M.C.O.D.S Manipal, headed by Dr. Abhay Taranath Kamath,” she said.
Dr. (Col.) M Dayananda, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, said, “We are proud to have advanced dental surgeries done at Kasturba Hospital, that too for the first time in the country. Congratulations to Dr. Abhay Kamath and his dedicated team and also to the Manipal college of Dental Sciences.”
Dr. Keethilatha M Pai and Anil Jacob, Marketing Senior Manager, Kasturba Hospital, were also present at the press meet.
