Trends in temporomandibular joint surgery.

We examined a large population of patients undergoing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery and provide a documentation of the average patient population, frequency of procedures, frequency of repeat procedures, and trends in open (arthrotomy) versus closed (arthroscopy) TMJ surgery. Data on 194 TMJ surgical procedures was extracted from line item claims information collected by Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia. The frequency of arthroscopy increased during the study, while the incidence of arthrotomies remained relatively low. Approximately half of the hospitals statewide did not perform either procedure. There was a low frequency (3%) of repeat procedures. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, since the advent of TMJ arthroscopy, it has become the preferred surgical technique for treatment of internal derangement. There is a low incidence of repeat procedures for both types of treatment. Analysis of insurance carrier computer records is a valid technique for evaluating trends in surgical care.