title: Can a Novel Surgical Approach to the Temporomandibular Joint Improve Access and Reduce Complications?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This clinical study investigated whether the vascular-guided multilayer preauricular approach (VMPA) to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) could improve access and decrease complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective evaluation consisted of a consecutive series of patients who underwent TMJ surgeries through the VMPA from January through December 2013. Patients with a history of TMJ surgery were excluded. Clinical data, including operating times, subjective complaints of incision scars, functional conditions of the auriculotemporal nerve and facial nerve, and other complications, were recorded and analyzed. All patients in this study were followed for at least 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients (606 joints) had successful TMJ surgeries through the VMPA. All incisions healed favorably with an uneventful recovery. No patient developed permanent weakness of the facial nerve or other severe complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VMPA can provide direct access and favorable visibility to the TMJ region and yield good esthetic and functional results. The VMPA can be considered the approach of choice for common TMJ surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Professor and Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: yangchi63@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Min-Jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Former Professor and Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Liu
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome