Aim:The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of partial eminectomy with meniscorhaphy in surgical treatment of meniscal displacement of temporomandibular joint.
Patients and methods: A sample of 6 patients(5females and1male)with unilateral anterior meniscal displacement who did not respond to previous conservative treatment were included in this prospective study.For all patients, partial eminectomy(removal of the posterior slop of the articular eminence),disc repositioning and meniscorhaphy(disc plication)to the lateral aspect of the capsule was performed. Clinical evaluation of mandibular movement, tenderness and joint sounds and patient subjective evaluation of pain and chewing ability were evaluated before surgery,6months and one year after surgery.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated one year after surgery.
Results:Maximum interincisal opening and protrusive movements significantly increased from preoperative measurements to six months postoperatively, then significantly increased after 12months compared to six months. Frequencies of deviation of midline during mouth opening, TMJ tenderness, joint sounds significantly increased from preoperative measurements to six months postoperatively, and from preoperative measurements to12months postoperatively. Frequencies of pain intensity,and pain effect on life significantly decreased,and chewing ability significantly increased from preoperative measurements to six and12months postoperatively. However, there was no significant difference in these parameters between6and12months was observed. Frequency and percentage of normal disc position and morphology significantly increased after12months post-operatively compared to preoperative measurements.
Conclusion:Within the limits of this short-term prospective study,partial eminectomy with meniscorhaphy is considered an effective surgical treatment of meniscal displacement as it improves clinical outcomes, MRI findings and patient-based outcomes after 12 months of surgery.