Maxillomandibular fusion (syngnathia) is a rare anomaly of craniofacial area, manifested as either fibrous (synechiae) or bony (synostosis) fusion of jaws or fusion of mandible to zygoma, tuberosity, hard palate and temporal bone. The first report of syngnathia was published in 1907 by Kettner, who described a bony-gingival adhesion of the upper and lower jaws associated with the cleft palate, microglossia, and anomalous extremity. Complete maxillo-mandibular fusion without involving other craniofacial parts is an exceptionally rare condition of which very scanty documents have been found. Problems associated with the airway and feeding are the very primary complications. Later on, tubing for anaesthesia management during surgery might cause certain challenges. Noticing that the development of craniofacial structures remains as an ongoing concern, follow ups after surgery seem to be of certain importance. Syndromes associated with syngnathia include oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome, popliteal pterygium syndrome, aglossia–adactylia syndrome, Van der Woude, cleft palate lateral alveolar synechiae syndrome,3 Nager syndrome, Horner syndrome, and Dobrow syndrome. In 2019, A. A. Olusanya proposed a classification of syngnathia based on the hard or soft tissue involved, accompanying syndromes (types) and the region involved (subtypes).
Keywords:- alveolar syndrome
- maxillofacial surgery
- maxillomandibular fusion