The need for TMJ surgery involving prior items (53224, 53226, 53227, 53230) with tissue flaps, cartilage grafts, or allografts arises when a patient has extremely severe TMJ pathology—such as extensive damage or loss—requiring advanced reconstruction under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital, potentially with microsurgery, to rebuild the joint using additional tissues or implants. This is indicated for the most complex TMJ cases, critical where joint restoration affects maxillofacial function.
Specific scenarios include:
For example, a patient post-TMJ tumour might need this with a cartilage graft for function, with microsurgery for precision. In aged care, an elderly patient could benefit for mobility, given frailty. By combining techniques, this service restores function, relieves pain, and rebuilds the joint, making it a comprehensive maxillofacial procedure.
Rebuilds complex TMJ, restores function, and relieves severe pain.
Recovery of 8-12 weeks with swelling, therapy, and graft healing; hospital stay required.
