Lip biopsy for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome: beware of the punch

A pilot study was performed to examine the presence of nerve fibres in minor salivary gland tissue samples obtained by two procedures: punch and linear incisional techniques. The study was undertaken on a convenience sample of five cryopreserved corpses (mean age 74 ± 3.5 years; three males and two females). Biopsies were performed on the buccal side of the lower lip, between the mid-line and the corner of the mouth. Each corpse had one side of the lower lip biopsied by punch and the contralateral side using a linear incision. All punch samples (100%) displayed severed nerve fibres, whereas no nerve fibres (0%) could be identified in the samples obtained by means of the linear incision technique. While the linear incision approach permitted retrieval of at least five glands, punch biopsies did not provide enough material for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. Within the limitations of the study, our results strongly discourage the punch technique for minor salivary gland lip biopsy and provide information on the superiority of the linear incisional biopsy in terms of neural damage. These results may also promote the undertaking of clinical trials on patients in whom Sjögren's syndrome is suspected, comparing the morbidity associated with the linear incisional technique vs. minimally invasive biopsies.     

Correlation of antibiotic prophylaxis and difficulty of extraction with postoperative inflammatory complications in the lower third molar surgery

Our aim was to investigate the correlation among antibiotic prophylaxis, difficulty of extraction, and postoperative complications in the removal of lower 3rd molars. A total of 1222 such extractions in 890 patients between January 2010 and January 2012 were analysed retrospectively. The difficulty of extraction measured by Pederson's index, antibiotic prophylaxis with cefditoren, and postoperative complications were recorded. The difficulty of extraction was significantly associated with postoperative complications (p = 0.03). There were no significant associations between antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative complications in groups of equal difficulty (“easy” group (class I) p = 1.00; “moderate” group (class II) p = 1.00; and “difficult” group (class III) p = 0.65). There was a small but insignificant increase in the number of dry sockets and infections in class III cases. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of postoperative inflammatory complications is unnecessary for extraction of 3rd molars.     

Evaluation of Retro Mandibular Approach to Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Condylar Fractures: A Cross-sectional Study

Purpose

The present study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of mini retromandibular approach on accessibility, scarring and stability in open reduction and internal fixation of sub condylar fractures.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen patients underwent open reduction and rigid fixation of middle and low subcondylar fractures, with mini-retro mandibular approach.

Results

No signs of infection were observed in any patient postoperatively. Surgical scar was imperceptible and esthetically acceptable in all the cases. Out of 15 patients, only one patient had discrepancy in occlusion and after 2 months satisfactory centric occlusion was achieved. Salivary fistula (parotid fistula) was observed in 3 cases within 1 week postoperatively, which was treated spontaneously with the use of hypertonic saline. Transient facial nerve weakness was observed in 2 patients, in one patient it resolved in 4 weeks postoperatively and in second patient 3 months postoperatively. Mouth opening increased in all the patients with time. Average mouth opening at 1 week interval was 19.6 mm, at 2 months interval 28.2 mm, and after 6 months 38.33 mm suggesting that mouth opening gradually increased with time. At the end of 2 months postoperatively none of the patients had any restriction in lateral movements. At 2 months postoperatively 4 patients had deviation but none of the patients had any deviation 6 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

It is evident from the results of our study that open reduction and internal fixation using mini-retromandibular approach is good treatment option in management of mandibular condylar fractures.     

CT三维重建引导下经颌下入路精确穿刺卵圆孔外口射频热凝治疗三叉神经痛研究

目的：CT三维重建引导下经颌下入路的改良式穿刺卵圆孔行半月神经节射频温控热凝术治疗三叉神经痛.并对其操作方法及疗效进行分析.方法：对20例原发性三叉神经痛患者经颌下入路方式行半月神经节射频温控热凝术治疗.结果：术后疼痛即刻消失18例,2例经服用小剂量卡马西平3～7 d疼痛消失,术后1个月内有1例复发,有效率95％,1年后随访,无复发病例.结论：CT三维重建引导下,经颌下入路穿刺卵圆孔的方法具有有效性及可行性,避免了因颅底结构的特殊性及传统入路方式角度的局限性而使热凝探针无法到达卵圆孔内,致使手术失败.     

Double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap for oral perforated defect reconstruction

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of oral perforated defect reconstruction with a double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap through the modified lateral lip-submandibular approach.Materials and methodsFrom July 2010 to August 2013, eight patients with oral perforated defects secondary to oral cancer ablation involving the superior partial mandible or the posterior partial maxilla, with immediate reconstruction by double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flaps, were retrospectively enrolled into this study.ResultsAll double anterior flaps were musculocutaneous flaps. Seven double flaps resulted in good functional and aesthetic outcomes with complete flap survival. One patient required operative exploration in the postoperative period due to thrombosis in the external jugular vein. After the salvage, one of the double flaps in the intraoral region resulted in partial failure of the superficial skin of the flap. No functional impairment at the donor sites occurred in any of the cases.ConclusionThe double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap is a feasible and acceptable technique for reconstruction of an oral perforated defect involving the mandible or the maxilla through the modified lateral lip-submandibular approach. It presents a very acceptable aesthetic and functional result with the additional advantage of low morbidity at the donor site.