TMJ arthrocentesis
Reviewed by Stuart Clark

This is a paper from Brazil where they attempted to clarify the volume required for an arthrocentesis to the temporomandibular joint. Nineteen cadavers had methylene blue injected into the upper joint space. Conventional arthrocentesis was then conducted with 300ml of normal saline collecting a 1ml sample every 25ml. They showed by measuring the dye absorbance in a spectrophotometer, 25ml normal saline solution seems to be sufficient for joint lavage with a conventional two-needle arthrocentesis. Whilst this is a relatively simple assessment it does help to answer how much is actually required to irrigate the TMJ.

Irrigation fluid volume requirement for conventional arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint: a cadaver study.
Palma LF, Rocha PR, Chaddad Neto FEA, et al.
INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC SURG
2020;49(11):1459-63.