Guide device to assist in performing arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint-a preliminary study

Arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) requires inserting an arthroscope and a working cannula into the joint cavity. Working cannula introduction and positioning require high levels of expertise.

A randomized controlled trial was performed on patients with closed lock of the TMJ who underwent arthroscopic lysis and lavage. A total of 15 subjects participated in this study, with 6 in the study group using the Locator-Positioner guide device (LOPO) and 9 in the control group using triangulation. The main outcomes included: (1) Number of attempts necessary for successful cannula insertion. (2) The time between arthroscope insertion and the appearance of the working cannula on the monitor, and (3) Overall surgery duration.

A successful cannula insertion took an average of 2.1 attempts in the study group compared with 3 attempts in the control group (p = 0.045). Study group arthroscope insertion to monitor appearance of cannula took 2.3 minutes, whereas control group took 4 minutes (p = 0.039). A total of 14 minutes was spent on surgery in the study group compared to 16.5 minutes in the control group (p = 0.009).

LOPO device improved both the insertion of the working cannula into the TMJ and its positioning relative to the arthroscope throughout surgery. It reduced insertion attempts and shortened the surgery duration.

the study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT06520917.