A BALLOON PUMPING TECHNIQUE FOR TREATMENT OF INTERNAL DERANGEMENT OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT

Purpose: This article reports on the use of a silicone or latex balloo n to ablate adhesions associated with internal derangement of the temp oromandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods: Wedge pressure cathe ters or Swan-Ganz catheters were used. The balloon was inflated with a ir and also moved forward and backward. Results: TMJ arthroscopic ball oon pumping therapy was performed on 11 joints in 11 cases of persiste nt closed locking, Ablation could be completed with only a balloon in seven joints, Maximal interincisal distances were increased in all cas es, The increases ranged from a minimum of 3 mm to a maximum of 23 mm. TMJ pain was not recognized in any case in which 5 months or more had passed since surgery, TMJ noise (clicking) after surgery were recogni zed in six cases and was dependent on time after surgery. Conclusions: We are convinced that TMJ balloon pumping therapy is a useful and eas y noninvasive method of ablation.