Disc preservation surgery for the treatment of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Interest in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc preservation surgery has decreased in recent years as the introduction of more conservative surgical procedures such as TMJ arthroscopy 1 Sanders B Arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint: Treatment of internal derangement with persistent closed lock. Oral Surg. 1986; 62: 361 Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (215) Google Scholar and arthrocentesis 2 Nitzan DW Dolwick MF Martinez GA Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis: A simplified treatment for severe, limited mouth opening. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1991; 49: 1163 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (375) Google Scholar has lessened the role of open surgical procedures. Although the literature supports disc repositioning as being a successful procedure, 3 McCarty WL Farrar WB Surgery for internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint. J Prosthet Dent. 1979; 42: 191 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (203) Google Scholar , 4 Mercuri LG Campbell RL Shamaskin RG Intra-articular meniscus dysfunction surgery. A preliminary report. Oral Surg. 1982; 54: 613 Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (44) Google Scholar , 5 Hall MB Meniscoplasty of the displaced temporomandibular joint meniscus without violating the inferior joint space. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1984; 42: 788 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (47) Google Scholar , 6 Hall MB Kim M-R Dolwick MF Partial thickness plication of the TMJ disc in 149 Joints. J Oral Maxillofac. 1989; 475: 140 Google Scholar , 7 Dolwick MF Sanders B TMJ Internal Derangement and Arthrosis Surgical Atlas. , CV Mosby, St Louis, MO1985 Google Scholar , 8 Walker RV Kalamchi S A surgical technique for management of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1987; 45: 299 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (42) Google Scholar , 9 Kerstens HCJ Tuinzing DB Van Der Kwast WAM Eminectomy and discoplasty for correction of the displaced temporomandibular joint disc. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1989; 47: 150 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar , 10 Elias AC Weber W Surgical resolution of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1990; 485: 147 Google Scholar , 11 Dolwick MF Nitzan DW TMJ disk surgery: 8-year follow-up evaluation. Fortschr Kiefer Gesichtschir. 1990; 35: 162 PubMed Google Scholar , 12 Dolwick MF Nitzan DW The role of disc-repositioning surgery for internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 1994; 6: 271 Google Scholar , 13 Bays RA Temporomandibular joint disc preservation. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 1996; 4: 33 PubMed Google Scholar there is a sense among surgeons that the procedure is less successful than reported. After disc repositioning, some patients have been observed to have a return of pain and limited opening, sometimes worse than before surgery. These observations have been discouraging.