Functional outcomes after using the glenoid fossa as a fixed anchorage for the temporomandibular joint discopexy in patients with disc displacement without reduction.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of the glenoid fossa as an anchorage for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc repositioning in patients with a disc displacement (DD) without reduction. A prospective case series study included patients with DD without reduction. According to the Wilkes staging system for the TMJ internal derangement, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and clinical examinations determine the stage of the DD. The discopexy treatment consists of combined endaural/preauricular incision on the tragus, and freeing the anteromedial displaced disc from its attachments. An intra bony hole was drilled 2 mm away from the postero-lateral lip of the glenoid fossa and perpendicular to it. The disc was securely fixed to the roof of the fossa via a Prolene 0 suture in a double-pass suture fashion. The functional assessment was based on the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and measurements of the maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO) after 1, 6, 12, and 18 months. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Thirteen of 25 joints were diagnosed with Wilkes stage III. The mean VAS score significantly decreased to 2.2 ± 1.0 and the MIO also significantly improved with a mean of 35.9 ± 3.5 mm after 18 months (P < 0.001). The rest of the cases (12 joints) were diagnosed with Wilkes stage IV, and the VAS score decreased to 1.6 ± 0.7. The MIO increased to 34.2 ± 3.3 mm at the end of the follow-up (P < 0.001). Within the limitations of the study, it seems that using the glenoid fossa as anchorage for the TMJ disc might have some clinical relevance and therefore might be taken into consideration whenever it is deemed appropriate.