[Meniscal surgical fixation using arthrotomy: impact on the movement of the temporomandibular joint].

The treatment of severe internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint includes, among a number of techniques, the procedure of open surgery to reposition the disc. The American Academy of Orofacial and maxillofacial surgery has established a guidelines to prescribe the best surgical technique as well as criteria to evaluate the post-surgery results. However, little has been done to measure the effects of the procedure on the amplitude of movement of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinematics of the TMJ using axiographic registration of the mandibular movements. Twenty-one patients were examined 6 months after surgery. In this group of patients there was a total representation of 35 joints that had received the surgical procedure. The analysis of the results demonstrated the following: - a reduction in the disc condylar range of movement, - an increase of angulation in the tracing of the disccondyle complete translation, - a change in the shape of the condylar paths. The surgical repositionning of the TMJ disc is not a good means to restore the normal range of movement and function of the articulation However, it is a valuable technique when the patient suffers a sever handicap that has not been alleviated by non invasive methods.