Does arthroscopy cause more complications than arthrocentesis in patients with internal temporomandibular joint disorders? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to compare, through a systematic review with a meta-analysis, the relative risks of arthroscopy and arthrocentesis in the temporomandibular joint. MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Web of Science, SCOPUS were the researched databases, as well as grey literature and manual searches. The search results showed 656 studies, but only five met the eligibility criteria. The evaluation included 194 joints (104 patients): 101 were arthroscopy and 93 arthrocentesis. Complications were observed in four patients undergoing arthroscopy (two with temporary facial paralysis and two with prolonged cervical oedema) and in three patients undergoing arthrocentesis (two with severe bradycardia and one with prolonged cervical oedema). The meta-analysis demonstrated a relative risk of 0.99 for complications after arthroscopy compared with arthrocentesis, but the results showed no statistical differences. In conclusion, this systematic review suggests that there is no increased risk of complications with arthroscopy than arthrocentesis. When complications were present, they were temporary.

Non-invasive joint decompression: An important factor in the regeneration of the bone marrow and disc recapture in temporomandibular arthropathies.

BACKGROUND: This article aims to demonstrate the importance of the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) decompression in the treatment of degenerative processes and disc displacements, reporting two clinical cases treated with orthopedic and decompressive correction of TMJ. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies reported in this article show patients with muscle and joint pain who were evaluated pre and post-treatment through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Irradiation) to follow-up bone marrow regeneration and TMJ disc placement. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), measurement equipment and IO (Intraoral Orthotic) were used to evaluate and treat the patients. A critical review of literature has also been conducted to confront clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Marrow bone regeneration and disc placement were observed in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of measurement equipment associated with TENS to find the correct rest position of the Jaw an the use of IO to decompress the TMJ was an effective way to promote bone marrow regeneration and disc placement, consequently improving function and quality of life.

Evaluation of the plasmatic level of mepivacaine in different anatomical regions.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the serum level of the local anesthetic mepivacaine 3% without vasoconstrictor in patients who underwent procedures performed in the anterior and posterior maxilla, through a method of possible extraction to quantify it in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a hybrid study consisting of 18 patients (7 females and 11 males) classified as ASA I, adults and with normal body mass index, submitted to procedures in the anterior region (group I) and posterior region of the maxilla (group II). For 40 minutes, five 6 ml blood samples were collected every 10 minutes after infiltrative injection in each region of the maxilla. Serum levels of the drug were obtained through HPLC. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the procedure. RESULTS: When compared to the general average of the concentrations of each group, significant values (p <0.05) with greater absorption were observed for the anterior region of the maxilla (group I). There was no significant difference when comparing blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) values. CONCLUSIONS: The concentrations found are safe for infiltrative anesthesia in the analyzed patients, there was a higher plasma level of the local anesthetic in the anterior region of the maxilla and there was no change in HR and BP in relation to the anesthetized area.