Navigation in surgical arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint.

Surgical navigation is a technique that has evolved greatly in recent years. It allows surgeons to navigate through the surgical field in real time, and helps to locate anatomical structures or lesions and to place devices in complex anatomical regions with relatively high accuracy. In this article, we describe the application of surgical navigation in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy using an optical surgical navigator for a more precise diagnosis and to accurately place instruments in the desired position, especially in lateral pterygoid myotomy. We believe this technique will extend our understanding of the TMJ anatomy and will improve functional results in TMJ arthroscopy.