Comparison of the Modified Concentric Cannula and Conventional Concentric Cannula for Single Puncture Arthrocentesis of the Temporomandibular Joint: An Experimental Cadaveric Study

AIM: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the modified concentric cannula and the conventional concentric cannula for single puncture arthrocentesis (SPA) in terms of irrigation efficiency, procedure duration, and clinician satisfaction. METHODS: The study was conducted on 18 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 9 fresh cadavers between June and July 2022. After determining the entry points, 1 mL 10-μM methylene blue solution was injected into the upper joint cavities. For each cadaver, SPA was randomly conducted using a conventional concentric cannula (Group C) on one side and a modified concentric cannula (Group M) on the other side. The primary outcome variables were irrigation efficiency, procedure duration, and clinician satisfaction. All efflux solutions were analyzed using a spectrophotometer to determine irrigation efficiency based on the amount of methylene blue solution removed from the upper joint cavities. RESULTS: Both cannulas effectively washed the TMJ. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the median absorbance and concentration values between the groups (p = 0.144, p = 0.144). Procedure duration was significantly lower in Group M (p = 0.001). The clinician satisfaction scores were significantly higher in Group M (p = 0.001) than in Group C. CONCLUSIONS: Both cannulas could be used in SPA. However, the modified concentric cannula provides easier procedures, less procedure duration, and higher clinician satisfaction in SPA procedures than conventional concentric cannulas.