Condylar disk plication for temporomandibular joint internal derangement treatment: surgical technique and results.

OBJECTIVE To report six cases submitted to the TMJ condylar disk plication technique. STUDY DESIGN All patients presented a limitation of mandibular movements, severe pain and failure of previous clinical treatment. A definitive diagnosis of irreducible anterior disk displacement was made by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Clinical evaluation consisted of the following: measurement of maximal mouth opening, movement to the left and right and protusion; presence of deviation during mouth opening; clicking during mouth opening or closing; presence of pain and personal satisfaction following surgery. RESULTS While all patients had preoperative pain, only one had severe pain; in the others, the pain was less intense at the end of the period of follow-up. Stomatognatic function was improved and has been maintained since the conclusion of this study. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the follow-up of these patients, the proposed technique proved to be effective for disk stabilization, leading to a decrease in pain and an improvement in mandibular movements.