AN EXCHANGE TECHNIQUE IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) ARTHROSCOPY TO INSERT A LARGER OPERATIVE CANNULA TO FACILITATE ADVANCED PROCEDURES

The paper describes a modification of the surgical technique for the temporomandibular joint arthroscopy, using an exchange guide for the replacement of the 2.2 mm cannula by one of 2.9 mm to be able to perform an osteoplasty of the medial wall. The procedure is a simple and safe maneouvre that reduces complications like fluid extravasation into soft tissues, damage to the articular eminence and bleeding into the superior joint space. Every oral and maxillofacial surgeon could benefit from the novel method, reducing the chances of failure when exchanging the working cannulas, the potential morbidity of reentry and the surgery duration.