Luiz Felipe Palma1,2, Gabriela de Godoy Froes3, Alyne Pereira3, Ricardo Yudi Tateno4, Luana Campos4, Luís Otávio Carvalho de Moraes5. 1. Discipline of Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. luizfelipep@hotmail.com. 2. MSc Dentistry Program, Ibirapuera University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. luizfelipep@hotmail.com. 3. School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 4. Department of Post-Graduation in Implantology, School of Dentistry, University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 5. Discipline of Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical success of conventional TMJ arthrocentesis in cadavers, using the tragal-lateral canthus line as an anatomical reference for the puncture points. METHODS: Ten formalin-treated and 8 fresh cadavers were submitted to the arthrocentesis. A point located 10 mm anteriorly and 2 mm inferiorly to the beginning of the tragal-lateral canthus line (A) and another point 20 mm anteriorly and 10 mm inferiorly (B) were demarked on the cadavers' skin. Following, 1 mL of methylene blue solution was injected through the needle at point A, and then another needle was placed at point B. Saline solution was injected through the first needle, identifying a free flow of bluish solution. RESULTS: Concerning the formalin-treated cadavers, TMJ arthrocentesis was not successfully performed in any case (0%). In the fresh cadavers, the procedure was properly conducted bilaterally in only one case (12.5%) and unilaterally in 3 cases (37.5%), 2 on the left side (25.0%) and one on the right (12.5%). CONCLUSION: The traditional points related to the tragal-lateral canthus line seemed not to be accurate references for the insertion of the needles in conventional TMJ arthrocentesis when 1 mL of solution is used initially and the maximum mouth opening is not achieved.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical success of conventional TMJ arthrocentesis in cadavers, using the tragal-lateral canthus line as an anatomical reference for the puncture points. METHODS: Ten formalin-treated and 8 fresh cadavers were submitted to the arthrocentesis. A point located 10 mm anteriorly and 2 mm inferiorly to the beginning of the tragal-lateral canthus line (A) and another point 20 mm anteriorly and 10 mm inferiorly (B) were demarked on the cadavers' skin. Following, 1 mL of methylene blue solution was injected through the needle at point A, and then another needle was placed at point B. Saline solution was injected through the first needle, identifying a free flow of bluish solution. RESULTS: Concerning the formalin-treated cadavers, TMJ arthrocentesis was not successfully performed in any case (0%). In the fresh cadavers, the procedure was properly conducted bilaterally in only one case (12.5%) and unilaterally in 3 cases (37.5%), 2 on the left side (25.0%) and one on the right (12.5%). CONCLUSION: The traditional points related to the tragal-lateral canthus line seemed not to be accurate references for the insertion of the needles in conventional TMJ arthrocentesis when 1 mL of solution is used initially and the maximum mouth opening is not achieved.