SKAI News – First TMJ Arthroscopic Surgery Performed in Greece

On 22 March 2016, the SKAI Central News Bulletin reported an important medical milestone: the first arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) performed in Greece, carried out by Panagiotis Sennis, Director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the Athens Naval Hospital.

The innovative technique was successfully performed and represented a significant development in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Greece, as no comparable procedure had previously been carried out in either a public or private hospital in the country.

TMJ arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that allows the surgeon to access the inside of the joint using specialized endoscopic instruments and a high-resolution camera, without the need for conventional open surgery.

Some of the main indications include:

• Displacement or damage of the articular disc

• Intra-articular adhesions

• Inflammation, haemarthrosis or degenerative changes

• Limited mouth opening or chronic temporomandibular joint pain

TMJ arthroscopy offers several important benefits for patients, including:

• Minimal surgical trauma and blood loss

• Faster postoperative recovery

• Reduced risk of certain complications

• Quicker return to everyday activities

By introducing this technique in Greece, Panagiotis Sennis contributed to the wider use of arthroscopy in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders and to the development of minimally invasive oral and maxillofacial surgery in the country.

The procedure also received public attention through its presentation on the SKAI News Bulletin, highlighting both the significance of the surgery and the role of Greek military hospitals in adopting modern surgical techniques.

A few words about TMJ arthroscopy

TMJ arthroscopy is now an established minimally invasive technique used internationally for selected chronic temporomandibular joint disorders.

The procedure can help reduce symptoms such as:

• Pain while chewing or speaking

• Clicking or jaw locking

• Limited jaw movement

• Chronic inflammatory symptoms affecting the joint

TMJ arthroscopy is generally performed under general anaesthesia. Depending on the procedure and the patient’s clinical condition, discharge may be possible on the same day.

Conclusion

The arthroscopic TMJ procedure performed by Panagiotis Sennis, then Director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the Athens Naval Hospital, marked an important step in the introduction of minimally invasive TMJ surgery in Greece.

Its presentation on the SKAI Central News Bulletin brought wider attention to the development of modern oral and maxillofacial surgery and to the use of arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.