A cadaveric study of the potential damage in arthroscopic examination of the temporomandibular joints.

An arthroscopic study on 22 temporomandibular joints in 13 cadavers was undertaken. Dissections were carried out to correlate the arthroscopic with macroscopic findings in the joints. Iatrogenic damage to the temporomandibular joints and their surrounding tissues was also examined. Correlation between arthroscopy and macro findings was 91.0%. There was no damage to the facial nerve and superficial temporal vessels. Iatrogenic damage to the temporomandibular joint included scuffing of the articular surfaces of the glenoid fossa and articular eminence (31.8%), scuffing of the condylar articular surface (9%), one disc perforation (4.5%) and one perforation of the medial capsule (4.5%). Prevention of iatrogenic injuries is discussed.