1997 Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 554-561
Purpose: The purpose of this study was made to evaluate the results of arthroscopic surgery (lavege and lysis) of the upper compartment of the TMJ utilizing Holmium: YAG laser irradiation, which was a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Material and Methodes: arthroscopic lysis and lavege operation for internal derangement with persistent closed lock or painful intermittent closed-lock of the temporomandibular joint was performed in 32 patients, 37 joints. We utilized Holmium yittrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser irradiation passed through a quartz fiber (Versa Pulse Select 22TM, COHERENT) and motorized power instrumentation (Microdebrider-Small Joint Microelectric Arthroplasty SystemTM, STRYKER) and under irrigation system in order to remove adhesion, lateral ligament release and arthroplasty. The circuit of physiologic saline flow combined with our irrigation system was very efficient and exerted lavage effect.
Results: In all cases, maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) exceeded 40mm, protrusive and lateral movement exceeded 10mm, post-operatively. According to the criteria of American Society of Oral and Maxillof acial Surgery, the surgical success rate was 96.9%, Masticatory function was good in all cases, no surgical complication or post-operative severe discomfort was encountered.
Conclusion: We evaluated safety, effective procedure and mimimum invasive surgical in temporomandibular joint arthroscopic surgery utilizing Holmium: YAG laser irradiation.
