A balloon pumping technique for treatment of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
OBJECTIVE
This article reports on the use of a silicone or latex balloon to ablate adhesions associated with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).


METHODS
Wedge pressure catheters or Swan-Ganz catheters were used. The balloon was inflated with air and also moved forward and backward.


RESULTS
TMJ arthroscopic balloon pumping therapy was performed on 11 joints in 11 cases of persistent closed locking. Ablation could be completed with only a balloon in seven joints. Maximal interincisal distances were increased in all cases. The increases ranged from a minimum of 3 mm to a maximum of 23 mm. TMJ pain was not recognized in any case in which 5 months or more had passed since surgery. TMJ noise (clicking) after surgery were recognized in six cases and was dependent on time after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
We are convinced that TMJ balloon pumping therapy is a useful and easy noninvasive method of ablation.
Sasaki
K
K
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kameda General Hospital, Kamogawa City, Japan.
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D020679:Arthroscopes; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000295:instrumentation; D017128:Embolectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000628:therapy