Eminectomy and plication of the posterior disc attachment following arthrotomy for temporomandibular joint internal derangement

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the success of a single surgical procedure (eminectomy and meniscal plication) in patients with internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint. Patients: A retrospective survey of 119 joints (92 patients), that had undergone eminectomy + /- meniscal plication for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint, over a 10 year period, was undertaken. Methods: The same surgeon undertook all surgery and clinical evaluation. Assessment of joint pain, noise/click, and mobility were assessed pre- and post-operatively. Clinical assessment at 24 months postoperatively and patient evaluation (average 59 months postoperatively) formed the basis for the results. Results: Clinical assessment and patient evaluation revealed an improvement in pain (65%), noise (63%) and mobility (71%). The outcome of surgery as assessed by the patients and clinicians showed that both have similar expectations and evaluations of the results of temporomandibular joint surgery, which were reasonably good. Arthrography, which was used as a diagnostic technique prior to surgery, was shown to be unreliable with relatively low sensitivity and specificity. (C) 2004 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.