Influence of age on the findings and outcome of arthroscopic treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction. A study based on 162 cases

Conclusiones: El tratamiento mediante artroscopia de la disfunción temporomandibular en fases avanzadas de la enfermedad produce una mejoría clínica tanto en pacientes mayores como menores de 45 años de edad. Los pacientes mayores de 45 años presentan cambios patológi cos intraarticulares correspondientes tanto a sinovitis como a condromalacia en fases más avanzadas. Por el contrario, estos pacientes mayores no muestran un incidencia superior de otros signos de degeneración articular como presencia de adherencias o perforación discal.ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse whether the findings and clinical improvement after arthroscopic surgical treatment were different according to the age of the patients affected by temporomandibular dysfunction. Material and methods: A retrospective review was performed on the data corresponding to patients treated arthroscopically over a 7-year period in two hospitals using the same protocol. Only patients with a diagnosis of chronic closed lock (stage IV and V, according to Wilkes-Bronstein classification) were considered. The study involved the analysis of two different patient groups: a) Group A under 45 years of age at diagnosis, b) Group B over 45 years of age at diagnosis. During the diagnostic phase of the temporomandibular dysfunction arthroscopy protocol, the parameters “ synovitis ” and “ chondromalacia ” were collected for the evaluation of the synovial membrane and joint surface, respec...
Source: Revista Espanola de Cirugia Oral y Maxilofacial - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research