Temporomandibular joint disc repositioning with arthroscopy: part III – detailed introduction of the technique

Abstract

Disc displacement is one of the most common conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In our previous publications we described the basic technical elements of the anterior disc repositioning surgery with arthroscopy and the success rates immediately after surgery. However, the surgical procedure is very complicated and difficult to study, and the technique has not been introduced in details in the previous papers. The present article presents the detailed introduction of the arthroscopic surgery to demonstrate the safe and successful performance of this procedure. It describes preparation for the surgery, the instruments and materials used, the puncture procedure with the choice of the puncture points, the technique of anterior release of the disc, stepwise disc suturing, and discusses some key points to avoid potential pitfalls and mistakes during the surgery. All steps of the technique are comprehensively illustrated by original photographs and diagrams and the intervention results are supported by magnetic resonance imaging scans. Since 2015, the arthroscopic procedure of this type has been performed by the study authors in 760 joints with a short-term success rate of up to 99.08%.

Keywords

• temporomandibular joint
• disc displacement
• disc reposition
• orthopedic procedures/ methods
• arthroscopy