Clinical outcome of using a piezoelectric device in comparison with conventional surgical drills in surgical management of the temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate clinical outcome of using piezoelectric device versus conventional surgical drills in surgery of TMJ ankylosis.
Patients and methods: A prospective study included 18 joints in 10 patients suffered from bony ankylosis of the TMJ who were surgically managed by gap arthroplasty at oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department Minia University Dental Hospital (MUDH) and Dar Al Shifa hospital of Egyptian Ministry of health. Postoperative outcomes of TMJ surgery were investigated and compared based on the following parameters: Postoperative mouth interincisal opening, intraoperative bleeding, length of the operation time, surgical site infection, surgical site swelling and postoperative pain.
Results: statistical analysis of reported data revealed that; in general there were statistical significant in increase in mouth opening for all patients. There were no significant changes between both groups in bleeding and surgical site infection score, however there were statistical significant increase in operative time and decrease the postoperative edema and pain score in piezoelectric device group.
Conclusion: piezoelectric bone removal for the release of ankylosis of the TMJ reduced postoperative complications its main disadvantage is the increase in operating time. The piezosurgery allows surgeons to achieve better outcomes compared to a conventional surgery and its possible alternative due to the clinical benefits demonstrated.