Braz J Oral Sci. July/September 2002 - Vol. 1 - Number 2A long-term evaluation of arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint using holmium YAG laser Renato Mazzonetto1 Sandra de Cássia S. Sardinha2 Abstract: Daniel B. Spagnoli3
The aim of this in vivo study was report the long-term results of
arthroscopic laser surgery for treatment of TMJ internal drangements
1DDS, PhD - Assistant Professor, Departmentof Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,Piracicaba Dental School, University of
This report included 45 patients (42 women and 03 men) with an
average age of 36.7 years old (14 to 66 years). There were 69 joints
2MS, DDS – Resident of Oral Maxillofacial
involved. The criteria for inclusion were patients who had complained
Maxillofacial Surgery, Piracicaba Dental
of TMJ pain and dysfunction and had remained refractory to
School, University of Campinas – Unicamp
nonsurgical treatment for at least 3 months without resolution of the
problem. All patients filled out a questionnaire preoperatively and
3DDS, PhD - Clinical Assistant Professor,
postoperativelly for assessment of their signs and symptoms. The
Louisiana State University, Health Science
range of interincisal opening was measured preoperatively and at 1,
Center, and in private practice, Charlotte, NC.
7, 30, and 60 days after the surgery. The postoperative questionnaire,
radiographic evaluation, and the last measure of range of motion were
performed with one year or more after the surgical procedures. The
preoperatively and postoperativelly scores were compared and tested
for statistically significant differences by the paired t-test (P>0.05).
Forty-five patients (69 joints) have been followed postoperativelly
for an average of 28.6 months. Maximal interincisal opening improved
from a mean of 25.95mm to 35.91mm (+9.96mm) in seven days after
the surgery; to 39.86mm (+3.95mm) after thirty day and; to 40.92mm
(+1.06mm) after 60 days. The last measurement of maximal
interincisal opening made after one year or more showed a mean of
42.15mm. All postoperative VAS pain scores showed a statistical
significant improvement (p<0.05). The overall success rate for
arthroscopy arthroplasty with Holmium YAG laser was 93.3% (42
of 45 patients) in a mean follow-up of 28.6 months. No complications
Based on the results we can conclude that arthroscopic arthroplasty
with Holmium laser is a safe and effective tool for the treatment of
Key Words:
Temporomandibular Joint, Internal Derangements of the
Temporomandibular Joint, Arthroscopy, Holmium YAG Laser. Correspondence to: Renato Mazzonetto Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba – UNICAMP Av. Limeira, 901 – Vila Areião CEP: 13.141-900 – Piracicaba/SP/Brazil e-mail: mazzonettomz@fop.unicamp.br A long-term evaluation of arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint using holmium YAG laserIntroduction
YAG laser has been used. Like others kind of lasers, Holmium
With the development of arthroscopy and the direct
Laser has affinity for water, and this property allows to be
visualization of components of joint compartment, the
absorbed by aqueous tissue, which then converts its energy
prominent role of articular cartilage degeneration, clinically
to heat with subsequent ablation of tissue. Although not
known as osteoarthritis, in temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
being a “cold laser”, the technically Ho: YAG laser produced
signs and symptoms was increasingly appreciated1. New
almost no heat in the TMJ. The average intra-articular
studies show that osteoarthritis and synovitis are the major
increase in temperature recorded is 10o F. Because of
pathoses of TMJ that lead to joint dysfunction5.
Holmium’s ability to pass through water and its ability to
Patients usually respond to nonsurgical treatment but some
coagulate, it becomes an excellent laser for the surgeon in
are refractory. In such cases, surgical procedure is necessary,
and in this aspect arthroscopy has been effective2.
Although the long-term outcome of arthroscopic surgery
Many surgical procedures previously performed by
has been reported10,13,15,20, few are the studies in the literature
arthrotomy now may be performed by arthroscopy. Further,
using the Holmium Laser as a surgical tool to perform a
relatively conservative arthroscopic procedures may be
different number of arthroscopic procedures. In this paper,
sufficiently effective to eliminate the need for more complex
we report the long-term results of arthroscopic laser surgery
arthroscopic and surgical arthrotomy procedures, especially
for treatment of TMJ internal derangements.
when treating internal derangements. The major advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that it is a
Material and Methods
minimally invasive surgical procedure and results in less peri
articular tissue disruption and preservation of vascular and
This report includes 45 patients (42 women and 03 men) with
lymphatic drainage of the joint9. Other advantages include
an average age of 36.7 years old (14 to 66 years). There were
direct visualization of pathologic tissue; biopsy; removal of
adhesions; direct injection of steroid into inflamed synovial
The criteria for inclusion were patients who had complained
tissues; removal of osteoarthritic fibrillation tissue; and
of TMJ pain and dysfunction (Wilkes19 class II-III) (Table 1)
correlation of clinical findings with the actual joint
and had remained refractory to nonsurgical treatment (splint
therapy, nonsteroids inflammatory drugs, physical therapy,
Many procedures of operative arthroscopy have been
and others) for at least 3 months without resolution of the
reported in the literature. In spite of the significant variability
problem (Table 2). A probable etiology of the TMJ internal
in the arthroscopic technique used, the clinical results are
derangement was also investigated. Exclusion criteria
remarkably consistent. Success rates for TMJ arthroscopy,
included compromised present illness, and physical or mental
as determined by decreased pain and improved range of
handicap that would preclude the patient’s ability to answer
motion, have varied from 79% to 93% 4,11,14,15,16,17.
Murakami et al.14 in 1995 compared the efficacy of nonsurgicaltherapy, arthrocentesis, and arthroscopy in 108 patients with
Table 1 – Preoperative Symptoms (69 joints, 45 patients)
TMJ internal derangements and closed-lock. The nonsurgicaltherapy group had a success rate of 55.6%, the arthrocentesis
SYMPTOMS
group had a success rate of 70%, and the arthroscopy groupwho underwent lysis and lavage had a success rate of 91%.
Because statistical comparison of the arthrocentesis group
and arthroscopy group did not indicate any significant
differences, the authors concluded that both therapies are
effective modality in treating patients with acute limitationof mandibular opening refractory to medical management.
Hori et al.4 in 1999 studied the efficacy of a combined
treatment using hydraulic lavage, arthroscopy surgery andrehabilitative therapy in the releasing of severe adhesionsaround the eminence and the synovial portion of the TMJ.
The diagnosis of class II-III of internal derangement was
The results demonstrated na improvement in condylar head
determined by a patient evaluation and imaging modalities.
movement in adhesions concentrated in the posterior and/
The patient evaluation consisted of a pre visit questionnaire
or the anterior synovial portion of the upper TMJ
for assessment of their signs and symptoms, history of
present illness, clinical examination, and clinical differential
The first laser used in TMJ arthroscopy was the neodymium-
diagnosis. The imaging modalities included panoramic
yttrium-garnet laser (Nd: YAG) but most recently Holmium:
radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A long-term evaluation of arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint using holmium YAG laserTable 2 – Previous Treatment (45 patients)
lavage associated with release of adhesions and posteriorcauterization with Holmium YAGLaser, followed by injection
TYPE OF TREATMENT Table 3- Diagnostic Before Operation (69 joints). DIAGNOSTIC
SynovitisOsteoarthritis/Degenerative Joint Disease
Articular Disc Disorder/Dislocation (Reduction)
* All findings were confirmed during arthroscopic surgery
Patient evaluation was not blinded. The same surgeon (DBS)performed preoperative evaluation and the arthroscopicsurgery in all patients.
In presence of osteoarthritis, debridement with motorized
All patients filled out a self-assessment questionnaire
shaver and vaporization with Holmium YAG Laser in order to
preoperatively and postoperativelly. The questionnaire
remove the fibrillated or degenerated fibrocartilage was
consisted of a visual analogue scale (VAS), with one item on
level of pain most of time, one item about the effect of pain
In presence of synovitis, the redundant synovial tissue was
on normal diet, and one item about the effect of pain on daily
living. One final question about their perception of tolerability
In presence of hypermobility, the arthroscopic technique of
of the surgery was also applied. The ROM was measured
choice was posterior cauterization or sclerosis of the
preoperatively, and seven, thirty, sixty days, and 18 months
retrodiscal tissue with Holmium YAG Laser9.
or more postoperativelly. The postoperative questionnaire
In cases of small disc perforations, laser discoplasty and
and radiographic evaluation were performed 18 months or
disc mobilizations were performed8,15.
more after the surgical procedures. The preoperatively and
In all patients after the indicated procedure, a completely
postoperativelly scores were compared and tested for
and thoroughly irrigation of the joint with saline solution to
statistically significant differences by the paired t-test
be free of any loose debris was performed, and 1cc of
(P>0.05). Postoperative radiographic evaluation was done
betametazone, 1cc of bupivacaine with epinephrine 1:200.000
and 1cc of sodium hyaluronate were placed in the superiorjoint space. Both cannulas were removed and a suture of 5-
0 nylon was placed in each cannula site. A stabilization
All the arthroscopic surgeries were procedures made under
occlusal appliance (splint) was placed in the mouth in all
general anesthesia with nasoendotracheal intubation, using
patients at the end of the surgery.
the same type of instruments. A double portal arthroscopictechnique using a TMJ 2.3mm Set (Stryker Corp., Kalamazoo,
MI, USA) was used for all cases. The landmarks for
Forty-five patients (69 joints) have been followed
arthroscopic surgery including the Holmlund & Hellsing line3,
postoperativelly for an average of 28.6 months. In general,
the 10-2 point and the 25-10 point were drawn in the face.
there were no disparities between the clinical findings, MRI
Local anesthetic with Xylocaine with epinephrine was placed
and arthroscopy findings. Regarding the probable etiology
into the skin at these points and then the superior joint space
for TMJ internal derangements 71.1% had positive history
was insufflated using an 18-gauge catheter with normal
for microtrauma (grinding, clenching, jaw posturing, nail
saline. Following insufflation and a small skin incision at the
biting, and gun chewing), 26.6% had history of macrotrauma,
10-2 point with a number 15 blade, a sharp trocar and cannula
and 8.8% of unknown causes (Table 4).
were introduced into the superior joint space. The arthroscope
Maximal interincisal opening improved from a mean of
was then placed for joint inspection.
25.95mm to 35.91mm (+9.96mm) in seven days after the
The surgical procedures were performed according to five
surgery; to 39.86mm (+3.95mm) after thirty days; to 40.92mm
(5) diagnostic categories, alone or associated (Table 3).
(+1.06mm) after 60 days. The last measurement of maximal
In presence of closed lock and disc dislocation with reduction
interincisal opening made after one year or more showed a
(painful clicking), the surgical technique used were lysis and
A long-term evaluation of arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint using holmium YAG laserTable 4 – Probably Etiology (45 patients)
A success categorization of a particular subject was basedprimarily on whether the subject showed statistically
significant improvement in both range of interincisal opening
and pain scores. Given these criteria, the overall success
rate for arthroscopy arthroplasty with Holmium YAG laserwas 93.3 % (42 of 45 patients) in a mean follow-up of 28.6
months. Two patients classified in a success group showed
a significant improvement in pain scores. They showed no
pain most of the time and a slight pain, less than beforesurgery occasionally. Their range of interincisal opening
showed an improvement after surgery. In failure patients,
two still remain in pain and one, even not showing no pain,
his range of interincisal opening didn’t improved with thetreatment. Table 5 – Range of Interincisal Opening Discussion In our study, all patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery
Pre Operation 7 days 30 days 60 days 1 year
with Holmium YAG laser had a preoperative diagnosis ofpain secondary to stage II-III of internal derangement
(Wilkes19) who had not responded to conventional
nonsurgical treatment (splint therapy, nonsteroidal
inflammatory drugs, physical therapy). Our indication forarthroscopy was the same as those found in the
The probable etiologic factors described in the literature1,2,9
such as trauma to face (macrotrauma) and joint overloading
(microtrauma) were also found in our study as major factorscontributing to TMJ internal derangement.
All postoperative VAS pain scores showed a statistical
According to the literature, the most common arthroscopic
significant improvement (p<0.05). Pain and dysfunction
procedure was lysis and lavage. However, lateral capsular
scores were reduced significantly (Table 6).
release, posterior cauterization, debridement, abrasionarthroplasty, suturing, or laser techniques were alsodescribed12,18. The techniques performed in our study were
Table 6 – Comparison of baseline and postoperative
used according to the surgical findings. In presence of closed
measurements in 45 patients
lock and disc dislocation with reduction (painful clicking),the surgical technique used was lysis and lavage associatedwith release of adhesions and posterior cauterization with
Variable Preoperative Postoperative
Holmium YAG Laser, followed by injection of steroids. In
presence of osteoarthritis, debridement with motorized shaver
and vaporization with Holmium Laser in order to remove the
fibrillated or degenerated fibrocartilage was performed. Inpresence of synovitis, the redundant synovial tissue was
removed with Holmium YAG laser. In presence of
Means followed by different character were significantly
hypermobility, the arthroscopic technique of choice wasposterior cauterization or sclerosis of the retrodiscal tissue
with Holmium YAG Laser. In cases of small disc perforations,laser discoplasty and disc mobilizations were performed. All
The postoperative radiographs did not show any progressive
techniques were well described for arthroscopic surgery in
changes such as condylar resorption or mandibular fossa
degeneration at one year or more after surgery.
Holmium YAG laser vastly improves the ability to remove
The final question asked from each patient, regardless they
and sculpt diseased tissues when compared to mechanical
would have this surgery again, if needed, 45 patients (100%)
instrumentation9. Operating time is reduced owing to the
small size of the delivered tip and the ability to manipulate
A long-term evaluation of arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint using holmium YAG laser
the fiberoptic handpiece, which allowed easy access to all
high. The rate of recovering is excellent. Holmium YAG laser
recesses of the TMJ. No cher or debris exist because there is
a safe and effective tool for the treatment of TMJ internal
only minimal tissue damage. Clinical studies have
demonstrated that the Holmium YAG laser is a safe andeffective modality for the delivery of energy in the TMJ8. References
When the laser surgery has been employed the benefits
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