Effectiveness of disk repositioning and suturing comparing open-joint versus arthroscopic techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective. The aim of this study was to present a systematic review of the effectiveness of discopexy in managing internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Study Design. We searched MEDLINE through PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and grey literature accessed through Google Scholar, Openthesis, and hand-searching from inception to July 2020. The search strategy yielded 363 potentially relevant studies. After screening titles and abstracts, 41 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results. There was an overall decrease in visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of 4.59 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.037.16; P < .001) during the follow-up time and an overall increase of 10 mm (95% CI, 6.93-13.01; P < .001) in mouth opening after TMJ surgeries with discopexy. Conclusions. The available evidence showed an overall decrease in VAS pain score and an improvement in mouth opening after TMJ surgeries with discopexy. Changes in maximal interincisal opening were greater after arthroscopic disk repositioning compared to open-joint procedure.