SINGLE-CHANNEL THIN-FIBER AND ND-YAG LASER TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT ARTHROSCOPE - DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY CLINICAL FINDINGS

This study evaluated the development and preliminary results of a sing le-channel thin-fiber and Nd:YAG laser temporomandibular joint arthros cope. No articular damage from the arthroscopic procedure and laser ly sis was observed in any of the joints when the arthrotomy was performe d. All three disk perforations found by the arthroscope were confirmed at the time of the arthrotomy, and in these joints the tip of the art hroscope could be advanced into the inferior joint. The nine joints, w here only arthroscopic laser lysis was performed, were followed up and the results were satisfactory.