A New Technique for Arthroscopic Discectomy of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc Perforation: A Technical Note.

Disc perforation represents the result of the degenerative process in joint structures that may lead to pain, joint noise, restricted mouth opening, osteoarthritis, and even dentofacial anomalies. Even though discectomy has proven benefits, with promising outcomes reported, it is mainly described using an open approach. While some arthroscopic techniques have been published, they are limited to managing perforation, edge widening, and inflammation treatment and do not describe complete disc removal. We describe a novel step-by-step arthroscopic discectomy technique utilizing two operative cannulas that completely remove nonfunctional cartilaginous tissue.

Arthroscopic Discectomy Technique: A Beneficial Approach for Managing Disk Perforations in the Temporomandibular Joint.

ABSTRACT: Disk perforation can result in degenerative changes within the joint structures. While discectomy has demonstrated enduring benefits, it has traditionally been described using an open approach, with the disadvantages inherent to this method. This study aims to present a series of patients who underwent arthroscopic discectomy technique and to report the outcomes. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint underwent arthroscopic arthroscopic discectomy technique. Surgical outcomes were assessed by changes in pain using a visual analog scale and the maximum incisal opening. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight joints from 106 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery were included. Discectomy was performed on 22 joints. Prior to surgery, patients reported an average visual analog scale pain score of 6.5, which decreased to an average of 0.5 at 6 months postsurgery (P<0.001). Before surgery, the average maximum incisal opening was 30 mm, which increased to 41 mm at 6 months postsurgery (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The described technique represents an excellent alternative for managing patients with disk perforations.

Modification to Yang's Arthroscopic Discopexy Technique for Temporomandibular Joint Disc Displacement: A Technical Note.

Disc displacement is a common disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that often results in progressive joint dysfunction, including clicking, arthralgia, functional limitations, osteoarthritis, and even condylar resorption. Several arthroscopic techniques have been proposed to treat anterior disc displacement. Yang's arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing technique, described in 2012, consist in a pair of sutures inserted through the junction of the disc and the retrodiscal tissue and tied underneath the cartilage of the external auditory canal. This technique is reported to be the most stable over time, but it has 2 main disadvantages, 1) it is one of the most challenging to perform, requiring a skill TMJ arthroscopic surgeon and 2) it needs a customized suture equipment. We designed a modification to Yang's technique using a common, cheap, available and disposable suture set.

Mandibular Reconstruction for Pediatric Patients.

: Mandibular reconstruction in pediatric patients is controversial. The scant pediatric experience and the infrequent occurrence of this type of pathology in children complicate therapeutic decisions. The literature contains different treatment protocols and describes the bone graft alternatives to be used. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective review of patients under the age of 15 who were subjected to resection and reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included in the study: 8 women and 10 men. The age on the date of diagnosis ranged from 2 years to 13 years and the average was 7 years. Five patients underwent resective surgery for a malign pathology, 7 for a benign pathology, 4 for aggressive lesions of odontogenic origin, and 1for the effects of a fracture that was complicated by osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, treating pediatric patients with tumor pathology requires an experience pediatric team to get good outcomes. Surgeons must consider that pediatric patients are in constant growth and development but that must not be an issue in resection and reconstruction decisions. Literature review shows that, as in adults, free flaps seem to be the criterion standard for big resections in mandibles defects, and are safe to use in pediatric patients.

Gow-Gates technique: a pilot study for extraction procedures with clinical evaluation and review.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different volumes of anesthetic solution for a premolar-molar extraction, and to determine the onset of complete mandibular conduction anesthesia via a Gow-Gates mandibular block. One operator performed 32 blocks with a 27-gauge needle on patients who required a dental extraction: 16 blocks using 1.8 mL of anesthetic solution, and 16 blocks using 3.6 mL of anesthetic solution. The parameters evaluated were frequency of successful anesthesia and onset of complete anesthesia. Significant differences (P < .005) were observed in the evaluation of volume: the 3.6 mL group yielded a higher success rate (82.5%) than the 1.8 mL group (17.5%). The onset of complete conduction anesthesia was achieved in 8 minutes by 56% of the subjects (9 of 16) with 3.6 mL and only one subject in 16 (6%) with 1.8 mL. A larger volume of anesthetic solution (3.6 mL) is required to achieve a higher success rate and a faster onset of action for a dental extraction without the use of reinforcement anesthesia. The volume of anesthetic solution is indirectly proportional to the onset of complete anesthesia. A premolar-molar extraction can be done, with 3.6 mL of anesthetic solution, in more than 50% of the patients 8 minutes after injection.

Reconstrucción del nervio alveolar inferior con aloinjerto de nervio acelular humano en resección mandibular / Reconstruction of the inferior alveolar nerve with human acellular nerve allograft in mandibular resection

La reconstrucción de nervios periféricos con aloinjertos nerviosos acelulares humanos en neurocirugía ha sido bastante estudiada estableciendo su predictibilidad y éxito en intervenciones principalmente en los nervios digitales de las manos. En cirugía maxilofacial existe una creciente investigación para poder restaurar el nervio alveolar inferior en cirugías de resección mandibular en donde la extirpación de esta estructura nerviosa es inevitable. El objetivo de esta publicación es mostrar un reporte de un caso en donde se realizó la reconstrucción del nervio alveolar inferior con aloinjerto de nervio acelular humano (Avance® Nerve Graft, Axogen) con microcirugía para poder proveer de sensibilidad a la región de la cara afectada en un paciente reconstruido con un injerto de fíbula microvascularizada posterior a una hemimandibulectomía por ameloblastoma plexiforme.

The reconstruction of peripheral nerves with allografts of human acellular nerves in neurosurgery is well studied, establishing its predictability and success in interventions mainly in the digital nerves of the hands. In maxillofacial surgery there is a growing investigation to be able to restore the inferior alveolar nerve in mandibular resection surgeries where the removal of this nervous structure is inevitable. The objective of this publication is to show a case report in which the reconstruction of the inferior alveolar nerve was performed with human acellular nerve allograft (Avance® Nerve Graft, Axogen) with microsurgery in order to provide sensitivity to the region of the affected face in a reconstructed patient with a microvascularized bone fibula graft after hemimandibulectomy due to plexiform ameloblastoma.