In a first, a 15-year-old girl was operated on for Temperomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in an army dental unit here, a defence spokesman said on April 19.

The patient was operated in an Army Dental Unit, under the leadership and guidance of Dr Kavita Makkar, the spokesman said. He said this was the first such case that has been operated in a peripheral centre.

The girl had fallen from the terrace six years back as a result her mouth opening started reducing slowly and finally it was only 3 mm which had affected her physical, mental and psychological health and her studies, the spokesman said quoting the doctors.

After examining her clinically and with radiographs, she was diagnosed with a case of Post Traumatic TMJ Ankylosis, he said. The spokesman said she was taken up for the release of ankylosis left side under general anaesthesia.

The mass was removed and coronoidectomy did to achieve a mouth opening of 35mm on the Operation Theatre Table. Temporalis Fascia and muscle were harvested and interposition to prevent a recurrence, he said.

He said her recovery was uneventful. She is on active Physiotherapy and follows up. Her mouth opening has improved to 38 mm and she is now happily preparing for her board exams. The spokesman said these types of cases are usually done only in tertiary care centres.