Temporomandibular Joint Meniscopexy with Mini-Screw Anchors

Background. Anterior disc displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a relatively common finding, and generally, the treatment option for these patients involves surgery, which can include multiple procedures such as arthrocentesis, eminectomy, vertical subsigmoid osteotomy, or meniscopexy. Objective. The purpose of this study is to clinically evaluate the effectiveness of mini-screws as anchors for meniscopexy in recurrent TMJ dislocations. Methodology. This was a retrospective, descriptive, non-experimental study that included 20 patients with anterior TMJ disc displacement without reduction. All patients were subjected to meniscopexy with mini-screws as anchors in combination with eminectomy. Results. The mean age of the participants was 26 years (ranged from 18 to 33 years), and only 3 patients were females. Postoperative hospital admission period ranged from 1 to 4 days. Mean postoperative pain scale was of 2.3 (ranged from 1 to 5). Postoperative complications were noticed in 6 (30%) patients. Ten days postoperatively, mouth opening ranged from 8 to 23 mm, and TMJ clicks were noticed in 8 (40%) patients. None of participants had recurrence of anterior TMJ disc displacement 1 year of follow up. Conclusion. Mini-screws as anchors for meniscopexy in patients with recurrent anterior TMJ disc displacement without reduction are safe and effective technique.