Influence of discoplasty and discectomy of the temporomandibular joint on elimination of pain and restricted mouth opening
Abstract
The retrospective study was based on 36 open joint surgeries done in 33 consecutive patients with anterior disc dislocation without reduction with severe signs and symptoms and unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment lasting at least 6 months. The patients underwent either discoplasty or discectomy followed by auricular cartilage graft implantation and were evaluated for amount of interincisal mouth opening, severity of pain on VAS scores preoperatively and as well as 12 months postsurgically.
Applying the 1984 Criteria for classification of postoperative results, 12 months after surgery, 24 patients displayed good results, 6 patients were evaluated with acceptable results, and in 3 cases we observed bad results. Our findings show that both discoplasty and discectomy are effective methods for surgical treatment of patients suffering from severe temporomandibular pain and limited mouth opening.