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

ABSTRACT

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.