Tissue and Clinical Characterisation of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases

"Arthroscopic lysis and lavage: performed under general anaesthesia. Before initiation of arthroscopy synovial fluid was sampled with a push-and-pull method. The TMJ was investigated with an arthroscope during irrigation with sterile saline solution. Adhesions were addressed with a coblator. Synovial tissue biopsies were taken from the posterior attachment of the disc.~Discectomy without replacement: performed under general anaesthesia. Before initiation of surgery, synovial fluid was sampled as above described. During surgery synovial tissue biopsies were taken as described above."