ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effects of autotransplantatio n of costochondral graft in the defects in temporomandibular joint. Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits aged 3 months were div ided into 4 groups: the animals in group A received autotransplantation of 4 mm costochondral graft and in group B received that of 1 mm after excision of the disk, condyle and upper part of the ramus. The rabbits in group C received the same excision operation without graft transplantation as surgical controls and those in group D were used as healthy controls. Samples of temporomandibula r joint were obtained and examined by X-ray cephalometry and histopathology. Results: Cephalometric measurements revealed that height of the mandibles on left side was significantly shorter than that on right sid e in group B and C(P