Complications of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy using two-portal coblation technologies: A prospective study of 475 procedures

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a case report and literature review

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy is a commonly performed procedure for the management of various TMJ disorders. While generally considered safe, it can occasionally lead to unexpected complications. This article presents a notable case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo following TMJ arthroscopy, a rare but significant occurrence that warrants attention in clinical practice. By detailing this case, the aim is to highlight the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies associated with these uncommon complications associated with TMJ arthroscopy.

Intra-Articular Physiological Saline in Temporomandibular Disorders May Be a Treatment, Not a Placebo: A Hypothesis, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Background: Intra-articular injections reduce pain in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders who are unresponsive to conservative treatment. Hyaluronic acid, blood products, and medications provide rapid relief when administered this way, although their mechanisms of action remain unclear. In control groups, which are intended to be untreated, 0.9% NaCl is typically delivered. The hypothesis that "normal saline injections in TMJ cavities produce a therapeutic effect" is proposed, with an exploration of its potential verification, alongside a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on intra-TMJ 0.9% NaCl. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on patients with TMJ internal derangement, arthritis, or degeneration were selected under PRISMA 2020 and assessed with RoB2. Results: Seven RCTs with 359 patients were included. Weekly follow-ups revealed a decrease in articular pain by 23.72% (SE: 0.84%; 95% CI: 24.38-21.06%; p < 0.01), and monthly follow-ups indicated a decrease of 34.01% (SE: 1.09%; 95% CI: 36.16-31.86%; p < 0.01) compared to the baseline values. These findings were grounded in low-risk-of-bias evidence on 267 patients in five RCTs and 222 patients in four RCTs, respectively. Conclusions: The hypothesis warrants further testing to determine whether, in addition to the known biological activity of typical injectables, the mechanical action also contributes to pain relief.

Complications of temporomandibular joint arthroscopy. A critical appraisal of the literature

To search for the best available scientific evidence in relation to the reported overall and selective complication rates for arthroscopic surgery in patients presenting with internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A comprehensive electronic search was conducted without data or language restrictions up to August 2023. Inclusion criteria were the following: study in humans, randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), cohort studies and series of clinical cases. The proposed PICOS question was: "In clinical trials and retrospective clinical series of patients treated by arthroscopy, which were the overall and selective complication rates?" Exclusion criteria were animal studies, review papers, technical reports, and in vitro studies. The Cochrane Collaboration Tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies in terms of their quality. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) classification was used to determine the level of evidence of the selected studies. A total of 498 studies were identified. Of these, 16 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative assessment. Temporary 5th nerve deficit, ranging from 0.15% to 2.38%, was reported to occur in most larger series, comprising 7394 operated joints. Temporary 7th nerve paresis was reported to occur in 0.21%-0.7% in the largest series, comprising 6866 operated joints. Partial hearing loss was reported in 6 studies, ranging from 0.21% to 2.2% in 5845 operated joints. Edema of surrounding soft tissues, including parapharyngeal, soft palate and/or preauricular edema was reported in 8 studies, with complication rates ranging from 2% to 17.9% in 2274 operated joints. Laceration of the EAC was reported in 8 studies involving 2665 operated joints, with complication rates ranging from 0.3% to 6%. A total of 872 complicated events among 11,304 operated joints were reported, accounting for an overall complication rate of 7.71%. Complications from arthroscopic procedures have been inconsistently reported, but there are a small number of retrospective studies with well-reported complications rates. As overall complication rate accounts for less than 8% of the cases, arthroscopy seems to be a highly safe procedure for the treatment of internal derangement (ID) of the TMJ. Due to the absence of studies with high evidence, information for patients about complications should be based on clinical series of cases.

An exchange technique in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy to insert a larger operative cannula to facilitate advanced procedures

The paper describes a modification of the surgical technique for temporomandibular joint arthroscopy, using an exchange guide to replace the 2.2 mm cannula with one of 2.9 mm to better facilitate osteoplasty of the medial wall. The procedure is a simple and safe manoeuvre that reduces complications such as fluid extravasation into soft tissues, damage to the articular eminence, and bleeding into the superior joint space. Every oral and maxillofacial surgeon could benefit from this novel method, which reduces the chances of failure when exchanging the working cannulas, the potential morbidity of re-entry, and the duration of surgery.

Photobiomodulation Therapy for Managing Motor and Sensory Dysfunctions Following Temporomandibular Joint Surgery: A Case Report

Introduction: Surgical procedures involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are frequently associated with nerve injuries and subsequent dysfunctions. Considering that traumatic peripheral nerve injuries may resolve slowly and their prognosis is generally unpredictable, the current study aimed to report a clinical case in which both motor (affecting the temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve) and sensory dysfunctions (affecting the auriculotemporal nerve of the trigeminal nerve) following TMJ surgery were effectively treated by using photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Case Report: PBMT sessions, involving a total of 30 facial points, were administered twice a week for 10 weeks. The following parameters were utilized: wavelength of 808 nm, energy density of 75 J/cm2, power output of 100 mW, total energy of 3 J, and duration of 30 seconds per point. A considerable improvement in both facial asymmetry and muscle function was achieved within 5 weeks, along with a total restoration of cutaneous sensitivity. By the 10th week of PBMT, the facial movement dysfunction was completely resolved. Conclusion: According to the current case, PMBT seems to be an effective intervention to manage motor and sensory nerve dysfunctions following TMJ surgery.

External Jugular Thrombosis: A Previously Unreported Complication of Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy

Temporomandibular joint intra-articular disorders are commonly managed using arthroscopic-assisted procedures. Arthroscopic procedures are minimally invasive, generally successful, and report a low frequency of complications. Vascular complications are particularly uncommon. This case report summarizes the diagnosis and management of jugular vein thrombosis following temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

Assessment of postoperative pain in patients undergoing temporomandibular joint arthroscopy with infiltration of dexamethasone disodium phosphate in different concentrations. A randomized controlled trial

The main aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular, sub-synovial steroid injections (IASSSI) with different doses during temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy. Using a single-blind, randomized clinical trial, the investigators enrolled a sample of subjects who underwent TMJ arthroscopy with vs. without IASSSI for treating TMJ disorder (TMD). The predictor variable was the treatment group classified as no treatment (A - without IASSSI) or active treatments (IASSSI (B) with 2 mg or (C) 4-mg dexamethasone). Study medications were randomly assigned. Only subjects were blinded to treatment assignment. The main outcome variables included the following: 1) pain assessed up to postoperative day 30 with the McGill Pain Questionnaire and visual analog scale (VAS); 2) maximum mouth opening (MMO); and 3) analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug consumption. Other variables were demographic (age, sex) or pathologic (disease manifestations and classifications). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.5, one-tailed test of hypothesis. The sample comprised 36 patients (n = 12 per study group). In the active group with 4 mg corticosteroids, pain reduction measured by VAS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.18; p = 0.013) and McGill scale scores (OR = 0.15; p = 0.048) was significantly higher than in the control group. The McGill scale scores significantly decreased in both IASSSI groups, compared to the control group, at the final follow-up (all p < 0.012), and IASSSI was significantly associated with reduced analgesic consumption at postoperative days 7 and 14 (p = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference regarding MMO among the three groups. Within the limitations of the study, it seems that intra-articular, sub-synovial steroid injections (IASSSI) with 4 mg dexamethasone should be preferred whenever appropriate when pain relief is the priority of the procedure. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBec)- 28yb2g.

Complications of arthroscopic lysis and lavage in internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint - A single institutional experience with review of literature

PURPOSE

To evaluate the complications of arthroscopic lysis and lavage with joint sweep (ALL) procedure in the management of disc derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

METHODS

Patients with internal derangement of the TMJ who were treated by ALL in a tertiary institution from July 2018 to December 2021 were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

The study included 39 patients (males, n = 14; females, n = 25) and 50 joints. The complications observed in the study were classified into intra and post operative complications. Post operative complications such as pain (16%), swelling (6%), reduced mouth opening (22%) and neurological complications were the most commonly observed ones. Rare complications such as ipsilateral palatal swelling (6%), parapharyngeal swelling (4%), and post operative malocclusion (2%) were also observed.

CONCLUSION

Although the complications of ALL are entirely unavoidable, their incidence can be reduced by strict adherence to standard techniques. Three-dimensional awareness and orientation of the dangerous angles and depth around the TMJ region is mandatory to reduce the complications.

Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopic Surgical Techniques: Electrocoagulation and Myotomy Indications

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgical arthroscopy has become a usual operation to treat different pathologies such as internal derangements and degenerative joint diseases and osteoarthritis. Although many instruments such as palpators, forceps, scissors, scrapers, scalpels, and motorized terminals are needed to perform different arthroscopic surgical procedures, it is of paramount importance to have devices that allow the surgeon to cut and coagulate tissues safely. Coblation (cold ablation) is a process that using a radiofrequency electrical energy passing through saline solution and produces plasma that can be applied precisely to tissues to break molecular bonds within cells. This surgical technique has become the best surgical option to perform different arthroscopic surgical techniques. Coblation of synovitis areas, lysis of adhesions, disc mobilization techniques with the anterior release (capsulotomy or myotomy), and posterior coagulation of the retro discal tissues are the most common procedures performed. Disc perforations, bone chondromalacia, synovial chondromatosis (SC), and joint hypermobility can also be treated using coblation technologies.

Intraoperative complications in temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: A retrospective observational analysis of 899 arthroscopies

This study aims to describe intraoperative complications in temporomandibular joint arthroscopy in patients with Wilkes stage II, III y IV. An analytic observational retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were patients who had no improvement with conservative treatment diagnosed as Wilkes II stage to Wilkes stage IV, and no previous TMJ surgery. Exclusion criteria were disc perforation observed by arthroscopy. Data collected from 458 patients (899 arthroscopies). Of this population, 772 (85.8%) arthroscopies correspond to women, and 127 men (14.1%). Of the sample evaluated, 368 (40.9%) were arthroscopic without discopexy, and 531 (59%) were arthroscopic with discopexy using resorbable pins. In total, 330 complications (36.7%) were found, of which 293 (32.5%) were implicated with iatrogenic damage to the anatomy, and 36 (4%) were associated with some instrument failure. Of this total number of complications, 191 (51.9%) of 386 corresponded to the arthroscopy without discopexy group and 138 (25.9%) of 531 corresponded to the arthroscopy with discopexy group. These study data suggest that the main complications were irrigation fluid extravasation (p = 0.000), and intra-articular bleeding (p = 0.001) followed by pin problems (p = 0.001) in cases of arthroscopies with discopexy. Within the limitations of the study it seems that the learning curve has an important influence on the occurrence of complications. At the beginning of the learning curve, complications are more related to anatomy. Afterwards, the rate of complications decreases but they are more related to the instruments used in advanced techniques. Therefore, proper training and a wide learning curve can reduce the risk of complications and if any occur, more timely management could be given.

[Clinical example of complex diagnostic and treatment of patient with temporomandibular joint internal derangements with arthroscopic surgery]

OBJECTIVE

Improvement and evaluation of effectiveness of the arthroscopic surgery based on individual anatomical sizes in the treatment of patients with the temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The article presents the results of complex treatment of patient with TMJ internal derangements and osteoarthritis using arthroscopic surgery. In the pre- and postoperative period, the patient was examined clinically, as well as by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the preoperative period, the individual sizes of anatomical structures and their localization were determined according to MRI data. That made it possible to carry out surgical intervention with minimal risk. During the operation, fibrous adhesions inside the joint were eliminated with a cold plasma coblator, the disc was mechanically moved to its normal position. At the end of the operation, blood plasma and hyaluronic acid were injected into the joint.

RESULTS

As a result of the treatment, an increase in mouth opening by 80% of the initial state, disappearance of crepitus sounds, and complete relief of pain syndrome were documented. According to objective examination methods (MRI, CT), the elimination of internal disorders, restructuring and regeneration of intra-articular elements were recorded.

CONCLUSION

No complications were revealed during the surgery. Arthroscopic TMJ surgery performed according to the described protocol is an effective and safe procedure that allows quickly restore the mobility of intra-articular elements, eliminate pain and improve the patient's quality of life.

Hearing changes after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a prospective study

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) arthroscopy is considered an effective and safe minimally invasive surgical approach. While the long-term outcomes of arthroscopy tend to be positive and free of secondary effects, patients occasionally complain about their hearing following the treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate possible hearing changes associated with TMJ arthroscopy. Pure-tone audiograms were performed in patients two weeks before TMJ arthroscopy and repeated six weeks after intervention. A total of 15 patients (mean age of 41.73±16.36) were enrolled; 25 TMJ arthroscopies were performed (five unilateral and ten bilateral). Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative audiograms in the frequencies 256Hz (P=0.011) and 8kHz (P=0.058, borderline). For the frequency 256Hz the difference was favourable, but not superior to 5dB. For the frequency 8kHz, in three patients the TMJ arthroscopy resulted in a decrease of 10dB. However, no clinical hearing changes or complaints were observed in the involved patients. No differences in audiograms between level 1 or 2 arthroscopy were observed. The study reinforces the safety of the TMJ arthroscopy level 1 and 2 with the reported protocol. The authors recommend larger studies to validate the results, specially for frequency 8kHz.

Surgical complications related to temporomandibular joint arthroscopy: a prospective analysis of 39 single-portal versus 43 double-portal procedures

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure proposed for diverse TMJ intra-articular disorders. A prospective study was designed with the aim of investigating intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications for single and double-portal TMJ arthroscopy. All interventions were performed by one surgeon with the same surgical protocol. A total of 55 patients were enrolled, resulting in 82 TMJ arthroscopies (28 unilateral and 27 bilateral). A total of 39 single portal (47.57%) and 43 double-portal (52.43%) arthroscopies were performed. No severe and irreversible complications were observed. Most complications were resolved after 4 weeks. Double-portal was associated with more complications (n=23) compared with single-portal TMJ arthroscopy (n=14), with a statistically significant difference found between single and double-portal TMJ arthroscopy in two intraoperative complications: intra-articular bleeding (P=0.044) and oedema of the preauricular area (P=0.042). This study confirms the safety of TMJ arthroscopy for single and double-portal procedures, with the authors suggesting a multicentre study, in an effort to minimize any possible bias.

Single portal arthroscopic temporomandibular joint discopexy: Technique and results

The aim of the present study is to assess the outcomes of monoportal arthroscopic disc repositioning (discopexy) for disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint. A retrospective, single-institutional clinical study included patients with temporomandibular joint internal derangements diagnosed and treated by monoportal discopexy. Each patient was diagnosed as having anterior disk displacement with or without reduction. The arthroscopy treatment consists of one portal approach fixing the disc with a 3/0 nylon to the tragus cartilage without anterior liberation. Arthroscopy surgery was carried out with a 1.9-mm 0° arthroscope and only one simple cannula. We use a needle to pierce of the disc through the skin and retrieve the suture inside the joint using a blind method through the arthroscopic cannula. The evaluated variables included the maximum interincisal opening, the presence of clicking and pain score. A total of 19 patients, 21 joints, were included in the present study. Of the 21 joints, 16 were classified as disc displacement with reduction and 5 without. Visual analogue scale (VAS) values (0-10) decreased from 5.5 to 1.26 (p < 0.0001) 1 year after surgery. At the first review, all patients had a VAS of at least 4 points less than before the surgery, four patients showed a VAS of 0, and nine patients near to 1. Mouth opening increased from 36.6 (±8.09) mm to 39.37 (±4.35) mm, and no significant limitations in the mouth opening range were seen (p < 0.12) 1 year after surgery. Clicking disappeared in all patients and remained stable after 12 months of follow-up. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a correct or improved position of the disc in all but one patient. A minimally invasive single portal arthroscopic discopexy is an effective technique to improve function and pain reduction in patients with anterior disk displacement with or without reduction.

Complications of Diagnostic TMJ Arthroscopy: An Institutional Study

Introduction

The prevalence of using arthroscopy for the diagnosis of the TMJ disorders is increasing due to its superiority to conventional methods of imaging. Although considered to be safe, complications do occur.

Patients and Method

A single operator single-institution retrospective study consisting of 50 patients taken up for diagnostic arthroscopy was analysed for complications.

Results

Lacerations of external acoustic meatus was found in 03 patients (6%); immediate partial hearing loss was seen in 01 patient (2%); transient facial nerve palsy was found in 05 patients (10%); sensory disturbances over the distribution of auriculotemporal nerve was evident in 01 patient (2%); haemorrhage as visualised by excessive bleeding through trocar skin puncture wound was seen in 05 patients (5%). Post-operative pain more than the pre-operative pain on assessment by visual analogue scale was noted in 05 patients (10%) on the immediate post-operative day. Reduction in spontaneous mouth opening was noted in 15 patients (30%).

Conclusion

Though the complication rate was found to be higher than most of the other studies, they were minor which resolved without any intervention. The cases with complications were clustered at the beginning of the series which suggests the steep learning curve and the importance of surgeons' experience and skill involved in this procedure.