title: A pilot study of the use of eminectomy in the treatment of closed lock.
abstract: There are many treatments described for closed lock of the temporomandibular joint. Eminectomy has been described in the treatment of recurrent dislocation of the jaw. The use of a 'true' eminectomy alone, as the treatment of closed lock has not been previously described. Eighteen patients, three male and 15 female, with a mean age of 28 years, underwent 22 eminectomy procedures. The mean follow-up period was 7 months, assessment was both subjective, using a retrospective Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and objective with measurement of the Inter Incisal Distance (IID). Overall the subjective improvement in symptoms was high with a score of 85.5 on a 100 mm VAS. The mean improvement in Inter Incisal Distance, was 17.9 mm a statistically significant result using a paired t test (p < 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Facial Surgery, Sunderland District General Hospital.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Stassen
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014716:Vertical Dimension