In the submitted paper the authors describe indications for and their 6-year experience and results with arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint. The resuts are essentially comparable with data in the literature. By the described methods patients with internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint and restricted opening of the mouth were treated as well as patients with preauricular pain and sound phenomena. All patients were before the operation treated conservatively for 3 – 6 months without success. It may be stated that arthroscopy is a satisfactory diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the treatment of internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint. It is an excellent possibility for extending the range of therapeutic methods. As compared with surgery on the open joint arthroscipically a change of the disk position is not achieved but evident improvement of objective and subjective complaints is attained. Arthroscopy makes it possible to delay the need of arthrotomy associated with many possible complications and with a comparable therapeutic effect.

        Key words: arthroscopy – temporomandibular joint – internal disorders of the temporoman- dibular joint