Morphine Versus Nalbuphine as Intra-Articular Medications Following Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at comparing the therapeutic effect of nalbuphine in comparison to morphine after Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis in patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four female patients diagnosed with ADDwoR. Patients were treated with TMJ arthrocentesis then randomly divided into parallel groups. Group (A) received an intra-articular injection of 2 mL 10 mg morphine and group (B) received an intraarticular injection of 2 mL 10 mg nalbuphine. Each patient was assessed in terms of maximum mouth opening (MMO), lateral excursions and pain according to visual analogue scale (VAS). Follow-up was made at the intervals of 1 week 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: A vast improvement was attained in both groups in all assessment variables with a significant value at the end of the follow-up period in comparison to the preoperative assessment values. Yet there was an insignificant difference between both groups regarding the assessment criteria. However insignificant yet the scales tip slightly towards nalbuphine group. CONCLUSION: Nalbuphine is a highly potent and effective analgesic to be administered post TMJ arthrocentesis in patients with closed lock and highly comparable to that of morphine.