Objective: To evaluate long-term effect of arthroscopic surgery on recurrent mandibular dislocation.
Methods: 30 patients with 34 involved temporomandibular joints (TMJs) (26 unilateral, 4 bilateral) were treated by arthroscopic subsynovial sclerotherapy with or without a discal traction suture. Of them, four patients with 4 TMJs were undergone repeat arthroscopic operations. In total, 38 operations were performed in 34 TMJs. After arthroscopic lysis, lavage, and manipulation, the subsynovial sclerotherapy was performed with 5% sodium morrhuate and was located at retrodiscal lamina. Suturings were taken simultaneously in 19 cases, others (n = 19) were not sutured. The total amount of 5% sodium morrhuate was from 0.4 to 1.2 ml, and the numbers of injection points were from 2 to 5, and the subsynovial depth of injection was not more than 5 mm. The follow-up was from 1 mon to 8 years.
Results: The total success rate was 97% (33/34). There were 21 patients with 22 involved TMJs whose follow-ups were more than 2 years. The mean follow-up was 4 years (2-8 years). The long-term success rate was 95% (21/22). There were no serious complications.
Conclusion: The long-term effectiveness of arthroscopic sclerotherapy and suturing on recurrent mandibular dislocation is stable.