BILATERAL EMINECTOMY FOR RECURRENT TMJ DISLOCATION IN THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED PATIENT UNDER NEUROLEPTIC DRUG THERAPY – A CASE REPORT

*K. Bala Vikhram and M. R. Muthusekar

ABSTRACT

Treatment of Chronic or Recurrent dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is always a point of much discussion with modalities varying from the Conservative to the Aggressive Surgical. The Bilateral Eminectomy has been proposed as a treatment option with high success rate. Recurrent dislocations are seen commonly in the Mentally Challenged patient especially one on neuroleptic drug therapy, however there is no significant literature addressing the same. The authors present the successful outcome of a Bilateral Eminectomy performed on a mentally challenged 23 year old male on Neuroleptic drug therapy with a history of recurrent dislocations. The patient underwent surgical treatment and at up to 6 months follow up reported no episode of dislocation.

Keywords: Recurrent TMJ Dislocation, Bilateral Eminectomy, Mentally Challenged patient, Neuroleptic drug therapy.