In a remarkable medical achievement, a surgical team from the Government Dental College (GDC) in Raipur has transformed the life of a young man through a complex, multi-stage facial reconstruction. The procedure successfully treated a severe jaw condition that had plagued the patient since early childhood, using an innovative and highly affordable approach.
A Lifelong Struggle with a Fused Jaw
The patient, now 24, first developed Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) ankylosis on his left side after suffering an ear infection at just two years old. This rare condition caused his lower jaw joint to fuse directly with the base of his skull. Over the years, this fusion progressively restricted his ability to open his mouth, severely impacting basic functions like eating and speaking.
He initially sought help at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at GDC Raipur when he was 12. However, at that time, the patient and his family decided to postpone surgical intervention. He returned to the hospital twelve years later, at age 24, when his jaw movement had become nearly impossible.
A Three-Phase Surgical Masterplan
Led by Dr. Biju Pappachan, the surgical team devised a meticulous three-phase plan to restore both function and facial aesthetics. The first stage involved a procedure called distraction osteogenesis. The surgeons used a locally manufactured, monoplanar Indian distractor to gradually lengthen and enlarge the jaw bone, creating the necessary space for correction.
"We achieved multi-plane mandibular growth with this simpler device through precise surgical planning," explained Dr. Pappachan. Six months later, the team moved to the second phase: they removed the distractor and performed a joint release. This crucial step allowed the patient to open his mouth freely for the first time in over two decades.
The final touch came when the patient was 25. Surgeons performed an extended genioplasty, using a bone graft taken from his iliac crest (hip bone), to rebuild the chin's structure and bring balance and symmetry to his facial profile.
The Game-Changer: Cost-Effective Indigenous Innovation
A standout aspect of this case is the cost-effective technology employed. The team used a local Indian-made distractor priced at approximately Rs 7,500 (Rs 5,000 for the device and Rs 2,500 for screws). This presents a monumental affordable alternative to imported multi-planar devices, which can cost between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 6 lakh.
"Many centres perform joint releases, but this comprehensive management—correcting facial deformity, releasing the joint, and performing bone grafting for symmetry—requires extensive planning," Dr. Pappachan emphasized. The innovative technique has already been presented at an international conference in Hong Kong and is awaiting publication in global medical journals.
The successful surgical team included Dr. Shahid, Dr. Sourabh, Dr. Lalthangmawia, Dr. Shivam, and Dr. Sharda. Their work underscores how strategic planning and indigenous medical devices can make advanced, life-changing surgeries accessible without exorbitant costs, setting a new benchmark in public healthcare.
