Arthroscopic lysis and lavage for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for various intra-articular disorders, especially internal derangement (ID) of the TMJ.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized arthroscopic procedure for the treatment of two stages of ID; early/intermediate stage and intermediate/late stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 78 patients (99 joints) treated by arthroscopic lysis and lavage in the authors' department during a 5-year period. Patients were diagnosed preoperatively as suffering from ID of the TMJ. The results were stratified according to the stage of ID. Three outcome variables were used to assess efficacy of treatment: Maximal interincisal opening (MIO), level of pain on a visual analog scale (VAS), and frequency of intermittent locking episodes. In addition, complications were reported.

RESULTS: Mean MIO of the group of patients with intermediate/late stage ID increased from 27 ± 4.7 mm preoperatively to 38 ± 5.4 mm postoperatively (P < 0.0001). For the group of patients with early/intermediate stage ID, mean MIO did not change significantly after arthroscopy (39.1 ± 6.2 mm compared to 41.4 ± 5 mm, P = 0.06), however, subjective evaluation of pain on a VAS decreased from 7.2 ± 1.2 preoperatively to 3.4 ± 2.2 postoperatively (P < 0.0001), and 80% of the patients (25 of 31) denied experiencing intermittent locking episodes after treatment (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic lysis and lavage is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of both mild and advanced stages of ID.