Operation with a single-channel thin-fibre arthroscope in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.
We evaluated the use of operation by single-puncture arthroscopy in 55 patients (62 joints) with locked temporomandibular joints (TMJ). We used a single-channel thin-fibre arthroscope (M & M Co., Tokyo, Japan) and a holuminium yttrium aluminium garnet (Ho:YAG) laser (Lumenis Co., Tokyo, Japan). The preoperative mean (SD) maximum interincisal measurement (distance between the edge of the lower and upper incisor) was 26.0 (4.9) mm, and it was increased by 15.0mm 12 weeks after operation. The preoperative mean (SD) visual analogue score (VAS) was 6.3(2.0), and after 12 weeks it had been reduced to 1.6 (1.1). There were no other complaints. Single-puncture arthroscopy with the Ho:YAG laser is simple and useful. There were no other complications, and the results obtained were satisfactory.
Yoshida
H
H
First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka Dental University, 1-5-17, Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-0008 Japan. hiro-y@cc.osaka-dent.ac.jp
Fukumura
Y
Y
Tojyo
I
I
Yamaguchi
A
A
Tsuji
K
K
Sako
J
J
Yamada
K
K
Morita
S
S
D020679:Arthroscopes; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation