OUTCOME OF ARTHROCENTESIS FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT WITH CLOSED LOCK AT 3 YEARS FOLLOW-UP

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intermediate term results of arthrocentesis for the management of temporomandibular joi nt closed lock. Study design. Twenty consecutive patients with closed locking of their temporomandibular joint were treated by arthrocentesi s. All patients rated their pain level on a visual analogue scale, and completed pain, jaw dysfunction, and daily activity questionnaires be fore, 6 months, and 3 years after the procedure. The patients' jaw ope ning was also scaled. Preoperative and postoperative differences of th e data were analyzed statistically. The success rate was also calculat ed according to our success criteria. Results. The success rate was 70 % at 6 months follow-up; it increased to 78.9% over the 3 years of fol low-up. All posttreatment scores showed significant improvements in ef ficacy. Conclusion. Arthrocentesis was considered as an effective mini mally invasive surgical treatment for temporomandibular joint closed l ock based when evaluated 3 years after the procedure.