A Case of Upper Airway Edema after Arthroscopic Temporomandibular Joint Surgery

Abstract

  A 27-year-old female complained of pain upon opening her mouth, and the surgical arthroscope and arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was scheduled. Under general anesthesia, nasotracheal intubation was performed. The surgery consisted of examination and the release of adhesions of both TMJ with lactated Ringer's solution. Just after the surgery, we noticed edema in her cheeks, submandibular regions, and neck due to fluid extravasation as a complication of TMJ pumping. Endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation were performed for 3 hours after surgery until the fluid was absorbed. We should be aware of this complication in arthroscope or arthrocentesis because it can cause severe airway obstruction.