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Chapter 7204in movement can be applied in humans, inclusion of a surgically-difficult vascularized periosteal flap might not be necessary, urging the need for trial in humans with strict limitations on laterotrusion during the first six post-operative weeks. A first limitation we encountered in this study were the difficulties with concern to the reattachment of the LPM. While these were mainly due to the anatomical differences of the sheep’s TMJ compared to its human counterpart, these could be facilitated by providing muscle relaxant medication during surgery, when performing the condylectomy. A second solution could be to alter the design of the condylar component, by adding an extension at the level of the neck with a lattice structure. This can help reduce the distance between the scaffold and the tendon, allowing for an easier fixation. A second significant limitation we encountered during our research, was the impossibility to limit immediate post-operative laterotrusive movement, as previously discussed. While in human patients, besides prohibiting laterotrusive movements for purpose of rehabilitation, a liquid to soft diet is indicated for at least three weeks’ time in the post-operative phase. In the present study a similar dietary program could not be implemented considering the particular ruminant digestive anatomy and physiology that cannot sustain longer periods of lack of roughage due to risk of dysbacteriosis.(53) This limited the duration of dietary restrictions to only one week after implantation. Lastly the exact typology of the enthesis reconstruction (i.e., fibrous and fibrocartilaginous) could not be determined by means of radiological imaging. In order to gain a more complete insight into this matter, further histological analysis will be conducted.ConclusionThe study shows great promise for improvements upon the current approach to TMJR in terms of replacing the joint itself and reconstruction Nikolas de Meurechy NW.indd 204 05-06-2024 10:14