Maini Sangeeta, Osborne J E, Fadl H M S, Spyridakou C, Ogunyemi L, Hill P
Department of Otolaryngology, Glan Clywd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, North Wales, UK.
Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2002 Feb;27(1):57-60. doi: 10.1046/j.0307-7772.2001.00528.x.
We report a prospective, controlled trial to assess temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction following the use of a Boyle-Davis mouth gag during tonsillectomy. TMJ function was evaluated in patients undergoing tonsillectomy and a control group undergoing nasal surgery preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. The main outcome measures were symptoms and signs of TMJ dysfunction and interincisal distance. A mean reduction of 0.89 mm in interincisal distance (P < 0.01) was noted postoperatively in the tonsillectomy patients. There was no statistically significant reduction of interincisal distance in patients undergoing nasal surgery. There was a statistically significant reduction in interincisal distance in the post-tonsillectomy patients, caused by fibrous healing of the tonsillar bed or fibrous ankylosis of the TMJ.
