Irrigation fluid volume requirement for conventional arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint: a cadaver study.

Abstract Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis is considered an effective and minimally invasive procedure for certain conditions related to temporomandibular disorders. The ideal irrigation volume for arthrocentesis lavage has not yet been defined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different saline solution volumes in removing methylene blue from the TMJ space of fresh human cadavers. Nineteen cadavers were selected and 1 ml of 10 μM methylene blue solution was injected into the upper joint space unilaterally. Conventional arthrocentesis was then conducted by infusion of 300 ml of 0.9% saline solution, collecting a 1-ml sample from the drained quantity for every 25 ml injected. Finally, the samples were assayed by measuring photo absorbance of the methylene blue solution. There was a statistically significant difference between the irrigation volumes regarding the removal of methylene blue solution from the joint space (P