Hearing changes after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a prospective study

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) arthroscopy is considered an effective and safe minimally invasive surgical approach. While the long-term outcomes of arthroscopy tend to be positive and free of secondary effects, patients occasionally complain about their hearing following the treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate possible hearing changes associated with TMJ arthroscopy. Pure-tone audiograms were performed in patients two weeks before TMJ arthroscopy and repeated six weeks after intervention. A total of 15 patients (mean age of 41.73 ± 16.36) were enrolled; 25 TMJ arthroscopies were performed (five unilateral and ten bilateral). Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative audiograms in the frequencies 256 Hz (P = 0.011) and 8 kHz (P = 0.058, borderline). For the frequency 256 Hz the difference was favourable, but not superior to 5 dB. For the frequency 8 kHz, in three patients the TMJ arthroscopy resulted in a decrease of 10 dB. However, no clinical hearing changes or complaints were observed in the involved patients. No differences in audiograms between level 1 or 2 arthroscopy were observed. The study reinforces the safety of the TMJ arthroscopy level 1 and 2 with the reported protocol. The authors recommend larger studies to validate the results, specially for frequency 8 kHz.     

Upper airway compression after arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint

An unusual complication is presented following a temporomandibular arthroscopy carried out under general anaesthesia. Severe cervicofacial oedema occurred immediately after surgery which required prolonged endotracheal intubation. Retrospective analysis revealed a massive fluid escape in the surrounding tissues leading to laryngeal oedema.     

Arteriovenous fistula after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy successfully treated with embolization

Temporomandibular joint arthoscopy is a minimal invasive surgical procedure commonly used to effectively treat some internal derangement of the TMJ. However, this method is not free of complications. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a lesion that communicates the high flow arterial system and the low flow venous network. We describe a new case of preauricular traumatic AVF successfully treated with external carotid embolization, along with a review of the medical literature.     

The accuracy of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy

The results of preoperative investigation arthroscopy and surgical exploration were compared for 12 T.M. joints in 9 female patients. Arthroscopy was found to contribute to the diagnosis and correlate accurately to the other investigations. The degree of iatrogenic damage was low.     

Spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation: a rare case

Spontaneous herniation of temporomandibular joint into the external auditory canal through the foramen of Huschke is a very rare condition. We describe a case of spontaneous temporomandibular joint herniation in a 35-year-old male, who presented with otorrhea and aural fullness. The herniation was repaired using collagen mesh. A literature review of all the previous reported cases of spontaneous temporomandibular joint was done to study the presenting clinical features and the method of surgical repair.     

Comparison of two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy

The purpose of this study was to compare two physiotherapy programmes for rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. The medical files of 137 consecutive patients diagnosed with closed lock and treated by arthroscopic lysis and lavage were analyzed retrospectively. Sixty-eight patients were rehabilitated with gradually increasing range of motion self-exercises (gradual programme) and 69 patients were rehabilitated with immediate full range of motion self-exercises (immediate programme). The outcome variables were maximum mouth opening (MMO) and pain (on a visual analogue scale). The postoperative measurements taken at 1 month, 6 months, and last follow-up examination available (mean of 10 months postoperative) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The results showed significantly better MMO and pain outcomes for the immediate group than for the gradual group at the 1-month and 6-month postoperative evaluations. The results of the two groups were comparable at the last follow-up examination available. It is concluded that after arthroscopic treatment of closed lock of the TMJ, a physiotherapy programme consisting of immediate postoperative full range of motion mobilizations achieves better results (in terms of pain and mouth opening) than a physiotherapy programme consisting of gradual and controlled increases in range of motion.     

Outcomes of office-based temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a 5-year retrospective study

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical approach for intra-articular TMJ diseases. Office-based arthroscopy using the smallest TMJ scope allows for good visualization, as well as the ability to lavage the joint in an office setting. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an office-based TMJ arthroscopic technique. A retrospective evaluation of 363 patients with a TMJ disorder was performed. These patients underwent office-based arthroscopy using the OnPoint 1.2 mm Scope System (Biomet Microfixation, Jacksonville, FL, USA) in Florida, USA, from July 2007. The following outcomes of the procedure were assessed: improvement in painless range of mandibular motion, pain on loading, and functional jaw pain; these were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) over an average follow-up period of 263.81 ± 142.1 days. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. Statistically significant improvements in TMJ pain and function, and other variables (P = 0.001) were shown following TMJ arthroscopic lysis and lavage. Office-based arthroscopy using the OnPoint System was demonstrated to be a safe and efficient procedure for the treatment of patients with TMJ disorders as the first level of the algorithm of care.     

Holmium:YAG laser arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint.

A new pulsed midinfrared laser has become available for use in arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This article reviews holmium:YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser physics, its tissue effects, and reports initial experience with its use in TMJ arthroscopy. Because the Ho:YAG laser can precisely and rapidly resect cartilaginous tissues with only moderate necrosis, can function in a saline environment, and can be transmitted through conventional optical fibers, it has the potential of becoming a useful and adaptable system for TMJ arthroscopic surgery.     

化脓性颞下颌关节炎的内镜诊断和治疗

目的：探讨化脓性颞下颌关节炎内镜诊断和治疗的临床应用价值。方法：收集我院因化脓性颞下颌关节炎而行关节镜治疗的7例患者,对其临床表现、影像学特点、内镜下表现和治疗方法进行总结分析。结果：化脓性颞下颌关节炎的主要临床症状为关节区疼痛和开口困难;5例患者行磁共振成像,4例显示关节腔积液;2例患者行CT扫描,均显示关节周围间隙蜂窝织炎;7例患者均行内镜检查,2例急性期患者表现为滑膜肿胀和充血,5例慢性期患者主要表现为广泛黏连、软骨破坏和骨质缺损,3例患者关节盘穿孔,2例被诊断为纤维性强直。化脓性颞下颌关节炎内镜治疗方法主要为灌洗、黏连松解和关节面清理术。平均随访期57.4个月,术后无复发。结论：内镜被证实是诊治化脓性颞下颌关节炎的一种有效方法,尤其适用于慢性期患者。     

Navigation in surgical arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint

Surgical navigation is a technique that has evolved greatly in recent years. It allows surgeons to navigate through the surgical field in real time, and helps to locate anatomical structures or lesions and to place devices in complex anatomical regions with relatively high accuracy. In this article, we describe the application of surgical navigation in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy using an optical surgical navigator for a more precise diagnosis and to accurately place instruments in the desired position, especially in lateral pterygoid myotomy. We believe this technique will extend our understanding of the TMJ anatomy and will improve functional results in TMJ arthroscopy.     

Predictive factors in temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a prospective cohort short-term outcome study

Improving the outcomes of surgical treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is beneficial from a patient and health-economy perspective. Optimizing conditions for a successful result can be reached using validated, strict diagnostic criteria and by identifying patient-specific factors predicting the outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate possible predictive factors in TMJ arthroscopy. A prospective cohort study including 93 patients undergoing arthroscopy was conducted. The outcome was graded as successful (53%, n = 49), good (25%, n = 23), intermediate (20%, n = 19), or deteriorated (2%, n = 2) using a predefined set of objective and subjective outcome measures. The outcome was correlated with preoperative and perioperative variables and the diagnosis. Preoperative bilateral masticatory muscle tenderness on palpation was the only variable significantly correlated with a negative outcome in the adjusted regression analysis (odds ratio (OR) 2.56, P = 0.048). Low age (OR 1.03, P = 0.05) and bilateral joint surgery/operated side (OR 0.24, P = 0.05) were found to correlate with an unsuccessful outcome in the unadjusted analysis. Eighty-nine percent of the patients with osteoarthritis benefited from arthroscopy, while corresponding figures were 80% for disc displacement without reduction and 64% for chronic inflammatory arthritis. Preoperative bilateral masticatory tenderness might be a useful predictive factor suggesting the consideration of revised non-invasive therapy before surgery.