The clinical efficacy of Holmium: YAG laser in arthroscopic lysis and lavage of the temporomandibular joint

A comparison with electric cautery

Abstract

We evaluated the usefulness of operative arthroscopy with a Holmium: YAG laser for the treatment of internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as compared with electric cautery. Thirty-four patients (43 joints) with deranged TMJ were treated with a Holmium: YAG laser and 55 (68 joints) were treated with electric cautery. After 9.5 months of follow-up, the surgical success rate with Holmium: YAG laser was 95.3%, which was similar to the success rate with electric cautery 9.7 months after operation. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the size of the postoperative interincisal opening or arthralgia. Almost all patients recovered more rapidly and returned more promptly to normal daily activities by using a Holmium: YAG laser as well as by electric cautery. We conclude that TMJ arthroscopic surgery with a Holmium: YAG laser is useful for the treatment of internal derangement of the TMJ.