Introduction and objective:

To describe the clinical presentation and surgical management of an infrequent complication in ontological surgery such as the involvement of the themporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Case:

We describe a case of a 47-year-old patient who underwent canaloplasty and left stapedectomy in 2017 and two prosthesis replacements in 2018 in the same ear. She underwent canaloplasty in the right ear and subsequently underwent a exploratory tympanotomy at the end of 2018. At the beginning of 2019, she was referred to our hospital for suspected malignant external otitis. He presented poorly managed right otorrhea, occasional otalgia and clicks that had not remitted after topical and oral antibiotic treatment and analgesia. Otomicroscopy revealed secretions as well as dehiscence in the floor and anterior wall of the right external auditory canal (EAC). A computed tomography scan of the temporal bone had previously been performed, which confirmed the anterior EAC bone defect and communication with the temporomanbibular joint, as well as air bubbles suggestive of infection up to the parapharyngeal space. The study was completed with a gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy, consistent with the infection in that area, and a nuclear magnetic resonance to assess in more detail the involvement of the soft tissues, particularly that related to the TMJ. After admission for broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment, surgical repair of the EAC defect was necessary for optimal treatment. The surgery consisted of canaloplasty using a pedicled flap and cartilage graft and tragal perichondrium and intermaxillary cerclage for TMJ stabilization that was maintained for two weeks.

Results:

In our case, two months after surgery the symptoms had disappeared. Only discomfort in the TMJ remains, compatible with dysfunction and that improves with the use of a Michigan splint. Otoscopy shows a completely epithelialized EAC and an intact eardrum.

Conclusions:

Fistulization of EAC-TMJ is an infrequent complication of surgery. otology by canaloplasty. Surgical treatment by autologous cartilage repair and intermaxillary fixation is an effective treatment in short and long term.

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