Comparing anxiety levels and patient comfort during single- and double-puncture arthrocentesis

Objective: To compare the comfort and anxiety levels of patients undergoing two different temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis techniques. Methods: Fifty female patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 25 based on the treatment modality: Group 1, single-puncture Type-1 arthrocentesis (SPA); Group 2, conventional double-puncture arthrocentesis (DPA). Preoperative and postoperative anxiety was scored with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S (STAI-S) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed preoperatively during the application of local anesthesia and at needle insertion into the joint cavity, the 5th and 10th minute of the procedure, and end of the procedure. Results: STAI-S scores were lower postoperative than preoperative in both groups. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were highest during anesthesia and needle insertion (p < 0.005). Changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and STAI-S scores were statistically similar between the groups. Conclusion: DPA and SPA were tolerated similarly by the patients. © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.