Treatment of chronic mandibular dislocations using miniplates: follow-up of 8 cases and literature review

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. This study reports 8 cases using miniplates for chronic mandibular dislocations, evaluates the results and critically reviews the literature. The sample was obtained from the records of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital and comprises patients undergoing chronic mandibular dislocation treatment using 2.0 mm titanium miniplates between August 2002 and March 2004. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the maximal mouth opening, presence of pain and sounds, frequency of luxations, recurrence rate and presence of facial nerve paralysis. The mean maximal mouth opening preoperatively was 42.75 ± 11.53 mm and was 45.62 ± 8.52 mm postoperatively. There was no facial nerve paralysis. Miniplate fracture was observed in 2 cases and there was one recurrence. Treating chronic mandibular dislocation using miniplates was shown to be efficient in relation to postoperative maximal mouth opening, recurrence and articular function, however, the possibility of the miniplate fracturing must be considered.     

Tethering technique using bone screws and wire for chronic mandibular dislocation: a preliminary study of refractory cases

A retrospective study was performed to determine the efficacy of a tethering procedure developed to achieve a more rigid fixation and more reliable outcome in patients with refractory dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. The cases of eight patients with dementia and systemic diseases who underwent this technique were reviewed. In these eight patients, the condyles of 13 joints were ligated using wire between screws placed in the eminence and condylar head. Additional screw–wire ligations were applied to reinforce the restraint of movement in five of the 13 joints with suspected uncontrolled dislocation. The procedure was performed successfully, and the patients were followed-up for an average of 25 months. In one patient, dislocation recurred 1 year postoperatively due to wire breakage. The five joints in which a double set of screw–wire tethering was applied showed no recurrence or wire disturbance. This technique may, therefore, have short-term efficacy in cases that are refractory to standard procedures, although the material used for ligation should be investigated further. This approach can contribute to the quality of life of patients, particularly those with a short life-expectancy.     

Costochondral grafting for paediatric temporomandibular joint reconstruction: 10-year outcomes in 55 cases

Costochondral grafting (CCG) can be used for the reconstruction of ankylotic, hypoplastic, and resected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) defects. CCGs have previously been considered the gold standard in children due to their growth potential and autogenous origin, but the disadvantages are unpredictable growth and joint ankylosis. This was a retrospective study of all children who received CCGs for TMJ reconstruction from 1985 to 2004, to allow a 10-year follow-up. Fifty-five patients were included in this study, with 74 grafts being placed; their mean age was 7.9 ± 4.2 years. Infection-related ankylosis (18.2%) and craniofacial microsomia (16.4%) were the most common diagnoses. Overall, 58.2% of patients suffered one or more complications over the follow-up period, with ankylosis (32.7%) and overgrowth (16.4%) being most common. There was a significant correlation between those with infection-related ankylosis and subsequent complications (χ² = 8.8, df = 1, P < 0.005), while ankylotic patients in general exhibited greater overall complication rates (χ² = 9.0, df = 1, P < 0.005). Patients with congenital TMJ defects were more likely to be complication-free than those with acquired defects (χ² = 4.0, df = 1, P < 0.05). Caution is advised when placing CCGs in paediatric patients with ankylosed TMJs, especially those with infection-related ankylosis.     

Arthrocentesis followed by intra-articular autologous blood injection for the treatment of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation is an excessive forward movement of the condyle beyond the articular eminence with complete separation of the articular surfaces and fixation in that position. This study was conducted to assess autologous blood injection to the TMJ for the treatment of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation. Fifteen patients with bilateral chronic recurrent condylar dislocation were included in the study. Bilateral TMJ arthrocentesis was performed on each patient, followed by the injection of 2 ml of autologous blood into the superior joint compartment and 1 ml onto the outer surface of the joint capsule. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and physical examination to determine the maximal mouth opening, presence of pain and sounds, frequency of luxation, recurrence rate, and presence of facial nerve paralysis. Eighty percent of the subjects (12 patients) had a successful outcome with no further episodes of dislocation and required no further treatment at their 1-year follow-up, whereas three patients had recurrent dislocation as early as 2 weeks after treatment. Autologous blood injection is a safe, simple, and cost-effective treatment for chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation.     

Dental anaesthesia for children – effects of a computer-controlled delivery system on pain and heart rate: a randomised clinical trial

Local anaesthesia in dentistry is usually given by conventional injection through a syringe. In this randomised, single-blind, split-mouth clinical study we evaluated the perception of pain and changes in heart rate in children being given dental local anaesthesia using a computer-controlled device compared with that given using a traditional syringe. Participants were in good general health with no contraindications to local anaesthetics. One half of each maxilla was anaesthetised using each technique, the order having been randomly selected according to a computer-generated sequence. The hypothesis was that the controlled anaesthetic flow rate results in virtually imperceptible injections. The outcomes were the perception of pain and the heart rate. Seventy-six children aged from 5–12 years old participated in this study. The mean (SD) pain score of the conventional injection was 5.51 (2.46) and the mean (SD) heart rate was 2.72 (6.76), which were significantly higher than those of the computerised delivery system, which were 4.74 (2.8) and 0.34 (7.3) (p = 0.04). More patients anaesthetised with the traditional syringe technique required a second injection (n = 21). These results suggest that dental anaesthesia given to children with a computer-controlled delivery system reduced pain better than that given with a conventional syringe.     

Effectiveness of irrigation with chlorhexidine after removal of mandibular third molars: a randomised controlled trial

To evaluate the effect of postoperative irrigation with chlorhexidine on inflammatory complications after the extraction of lower third molars under local anaesthesia, we recruited 100 patients to participate in a controlled, single-blind, randomised clinical trial. They were assigned to one of two groups: the intervention group (postoperative irrigation of the surgical site with chlorhexidine for seven days) or the control group (postoperative chlorhexidine mouth rinse for seven days). The primary outcome variables were pain, swelling, trismus, infection, and alveolar osteitis. The secondary outcome variables were wound dehiscence and food impaction. A total of 95 participants completed the study (47 in the irrigation group and 48 in the rinse group). In the irrigation group, alveolar osteitis and facial swelling had reduced significantly at seven days postoperatively (both p < 0.01). Pain scores had also reduced significantly at seven days (p < 0.01), but not at 48 hours, and patients had lower levels of food impaction (p < 0.01) and less severe symptoms (p = 0.02). Routine irrigation with chlorhexidine after the extraction of third molars helps to reduce pain and lowers the incidence of alveolar osteitis.     

Iatrogenic trigeminal post-traumatic neuropathy: a retrospective two-year cohort study

With the growing demand for dental work, trigeminal nerve injuries are increasingly common. This retrospective cohort study examined 53 cases of iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury seen at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals of Leuven between 2013 and 2014 (0.6% among 8845 new patient visits). Patient records were screened for post-traumatic trigeminal nerve neuropathy caused by nerve injury incurred during implant surgery, endodontic treatment, local anaesthesia, tooth extraction, or specifically third molar removal. The patients ranged in age from 15 to 80 years (mean age 42.1 years) and 68% were female. The referral delay ranged from 1 day to 6.5 years (average 10 months). The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) was most frequently injured (28 cases), followed by the lingual nerve (LN) (21 cases). Most nerve injuries were caused during third molar removal (24 cases), followed by implant placement (nine cases) and local anaesthesia injuries (nine cases). Pain symptoms were experienced by 54% of patients suffering IAN injury, compared to 10% of patients with LN injury. Persistent neurosensory disturbances were identified in 60% of patients. While prevention remains the key issue, timely referral seems to be a critical factor for the successful treatment of post-traumatic neuropathy.     

Complications and outcome after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck

We retrospectively studied 136 patients who had free flap reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck at a single centre (2008–2015) to evaluate complications, assess factors associated with them, and analyse their impact on outcome. Preoperative and perioperative data, and surgical and medical complications were recorded, and the impact of the complications on duration of hospital stay and survival were assessed. A total of 86 (63%) patients had complications. Compared with those who did not, they had a higher rate of alcohol abuse (21/86, compared with 5/50, p = 0.039), longer operations (median (IQR) 565 (458–653 compared with 479 (418–556) minutes, p < 0.001), and greater intraoperative loss of blood (725 (400–1150) compared with 525 (300–800) ml, p = 0.042). Complications were more common in patients who had fibular flaps and T4 disease (22/86 compared with 4/50, p = 0.010; 47/80 compared with 16/47, p = 0.015, respectively). Those who had complications also stayed in hospital longer (median (IQR) 9 (7–12) compared with 15 (10–21) days, p < 0.001). Cumulative mortality was higher in patients with late complications (those that occurred after the fourth postoperative day) (61% compared with 36%, p = 0.004). In conclusion, complications in more than half the patients were related to alcohol abuse, a more complicated intraoperative course, and fibular flaps. Complications were associated with a longer hospital stay, and survival was higher in those who did not have late complications than in those who did.     

Complications and loss of free flaps after reconstructions for oral cancer

The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the incidence of complications and loss of flaps after primary reconstructions for oral cancer in 191 patients at our hospital over the five years 2005–2010. The patients’ clinical and personal details, characteristics of the tumours, types of microvascular flap, complications, and outcomes were recorded. The soft tissue flaps used most often were the fasciocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) (n = 86, 45%) and the anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTFF) (n = 48, 25%) while the most commonly used osseous flap was the deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) (n = 25, 13%). There were postoperative complications that required intervention in a quarter of the patients, most often in the age group 41–50 years (p = 0.018). Older age was not associated with the development of complications. The overall survival of all free flaps was 181/191 (95%), and the only significant individual predictor of loss of a flap was reconstruction with a DCIA (p = 0.016), five of the 25 of which were lost. We conclude therefore that DCIA free flaps are associated with an increased risk of failure; the method of osseous reconstruction for maxillofacial reconstruction should be selected carefully; and carefully chosen older patients do not seem to be at increased risk of morbidity.     

Anaesthetic efficacy of 4% articaine compared with 2% mepivacaine: a randomized,double-blind,crossover clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 4% articaine (Ar4) compared to 2% mepivacaine (Me2), both in combination with 1:100,000 epinephrine, in a unique soft tissue model. This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. The anaesthetic was applied to the lower lip using a computerized local delivery system. The following were evaluated: blood flow, thermal sensation, pressure and proprioception, extent of anaesthesia, gradual elimination, and the final duration of the effect of the anaesthesia. Seventy-two volunteers completed all parts of the study. Significant differences, which indicated better effectiveness of Me2 compared to Ar4, were observed in the following tests: reduction in blood flow (larger in the Me2 group); anaesthetized area at 30 min (larger in the Me2 group); pressure tests; temperature tests after 20 min; fine and discriminatory proprioception tests after 20 min. The volunteers’ perception of anaesthesia at 30, 40, 50, and 60 min was superior for Me2 at all recorded time points. The duration of anaesthesia was also superior for Me2. The overall performance of Me2 was superior to Ar4, implying that Me2 provides a more effective anaesthesia in terms of depth, extent, and duration.     

Bleeding during and after dental extractions in patients with liver cirrhosis

Little is known about the prevention and management of acquired coagulopathies, such as those affecting cirrhotic patients. The objective of this analytic retrospective observational study was to evaluate patients on the liver transplant waiting list according to the following outcomes: (1) presence of unusual intraoperative bleeding (>10 min after routine haemostatic procedures); and (2) presence of postoperative haemorrhagic complications. The outcomes were analysed according to clinical and laboratory variables. A total of 190 visits were performed for extraction of 333 teeth (ranging from 1 to 9 teeth per visit), with platelet count ranging from 16,000 to 216,000 and international normalized ratio (INR) below 3. Twelve cases (6.31%) had unusual intraoperative bleeding and 12 had postoperative haemorrhagic complications. All the events were controlled by local measures. Intraoperative bleeding was associated with low count of platelets (P = 0.026). However, this counting could explain only 16% (adjusted R² = 0.16) of the cases of bleeding (P = 0.44), meaning that platelet function changes might be involved. Our results show that cirrhotic patients presenting platelet count above 16,000 and INR below 3 need no previous blood transfusion, with local measures being enough to manage haemorrhagic events.     

Role of a two-step suture in the prevention of postoperative transoral salivary fistulas during reconstruction of the oral cavity

Transoral salivary fistulas are one of the most serious postoperative complications after operations for oral cancer, and we propose a new, two-step suture method to avoid them. From January 2005 to September 2017, 240 patients were recruited at the Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital and divided into experimental (n = 89) or control (n = 151) groups. The experimental group was treated by a two-step suture technique, while the control group had conventional sutures. Statistical differences were assessed using the chi squared and t tests, as appropriate. Only two patients developed transoral salivary fistulas in the experimental group, while in the control group there were 14 (9%). The incidence of fistulas in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p = 0.035). Regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the groups and the incidence of salivary fistulas (p = 0.032). The two-step suture technique is safe, effective, and easy to learn, and could reduce the incidence of postoperative salivary fistulas.     

Use of a microvascular coupler device for end-to-side venous anastomosis in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction

The aim of this study was to compare the use of a microvascular coupler device (MCD) for end-to-side venous anastomosis (ETS group) and phleboplasties combined with MCD for end-to-end venous anastomosis (ETE group) in free tissue transfer for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, with regard to the anastomosis time and occurrence of postoperative vascular crisis. The ETS group included 22 patients and the ETE group included 40 patients. Patient demographic data, anastomotic time, coupler size, microvascular complications, and flap survival rates were collected and analyzed. In the ETS group, the most suitable donor vessel size was greater than 2 mm, varying from 2 mm to 4 mm. The average anastomosis time was 3.35 ± 0.89 min in the ETS group and 7.80 ± 2.93 min in the ETE group; the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in complications or outcomes between the two groups. The ETS venous anastomosis with MCD technique is a better choice for anastomosis when the donor vessel size is greater than 2 mm. In those cases with mismatched veins, ETS venous anastomosis with MCD could significantly reduce the anastomosis time compared to ETE venous anastomosis with MCD after phleboplasties.     

Age of patient at the extraction of the third molar

The purpose of this study was to assess the age of patients at the time of extraction of third molars. Our data included all routine and surgical extractions of third molars (n = 8199 teeth) performed by general and specialist dentists of the public oral health services of the city of Helsinki over the period 2013–2014. Measurements included patient’s age, gender, the identified third molar, the type of anaesthesia, the method of extraction, and the diagnosis at extraction. Patients’ ages ranged from 10 to 99 years. We found significant differences between younger and older age groups: third molar extractions occurred more often for women than for men below the age of 30 years (P < 0.001) and vice versa for patients older than 30. Extractions were more prevalent for the upper jaw (P < 0.001), and surgical extractions were more common than routine extractions (P < 0.001) below the age of 40 years, but the corresponding prevalences reversed after the age of 40 years. Diagnoses at extraction differed between younger and older patients. We conclude that the treatment pattern of third molars at public health services varies greatly over a lifetime, and that a greater variety exists than had been reported previously from oral and maxillofacial units.     

Retroseptal transconjunctival approach for fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex: a retrospective study

We designed a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of retroseptal transconjunctival approaches in the management of fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC). The patients were from a single institution, and had had three-point fixation of fractures of the ZMC between 2008 and 2016. A total of 77 patients (56 men and 21 women with a mean (range) age of 28 (18–54) years), were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 51) had had reduction and fixation of the infraorbital rim using a retroseptal transconjunctival approach. In group II (n = 26) the same approach had been used with lateral canthotomy and inferior canthlolysis for both the infraorbital rim and the zygomaticofrontal region. We analysed the association of both approaches with the outcomes of reduction, fixation, and complications. Suboptimal results were found in 13 patients in group I and one in group II (p = 0.017). There were also three patients with trichiasis and two with entropion in group I, and one each of both complications in group II. There was only one patient with a malopposed lateral canthus in group II. All 26 patients in group II had no perceptible scar along the extended line of incision. The risk of a suboptimal outcome was reduced by 20% (relative risk = 0.8) in group II. The retroseptal transconjunctival approach with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis is safe, aesthetic, and effective in the management of fractures of the ZMC.     

Incidence and treatment of complications in patients who had third molars or other teeth extracted

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of complications after extraction of third molars (M3) or other teeth, and to describe their management. We made a retrospective cohort study of patients having M3 or other teeth extracted, and recorded complications up to two years’ follow-up. A total of 142 complications developed after 2355 procedures (6%) – 7% after extraction of M3 compared with 5% after extractions of other teeth (p = 0.024). The three most common complications were wound infection (2%), pain without apparent cause (<1%), and oroantral communication (<1%). Patients who had M3 extracted were at increased risk of complications compared with those who had other teeth extracted (Odds ratio (OR) 1.5, p = 0.024), particularly for infection (OR 5.9, p < 0.001) and hypoaesthesia (OR 8.4, p = 0.027). Half of all patients with a complication were treated with antibiotics orally. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was 0.6% as a result of suboptimal management of antithrombotic drugs in extractions of teeth other than M3. Finally, optimal treatment of the complications was compared with the available evidence. Prevention and treatment of these complications could reduce the incidence, particularly of bleeding.     

Reconstruction of intraoral defects after resection of cancer with two types of submental artery perforator flaps

The submental island flap is a common choice for reconstruction of intraoral defects. To obtain a thinner, more pliable flap and get a better oncological result, the submental artery perforator flap has been proposed, and to assess its feasibility for closure of defects after resection of cancers of the oral cavity we studied 20 patients, each of whom was treated in this way. All the flaps were classified into those with septocutaneous perforators (n = 16) and those with musculocutaneous perforators (n = 4), and the main veins that drained the flaps were two submental veins (n = 17). There were two patterns of venous drainage: in pattern 1 (n = 9) the external jugular vein provided the primary venous drainage, and in pattern 2, the submental veins drained mainly into the facial vein, the common facial vein, and the internal jugular (n = 10). In one patient the submental veins bypassed the facial vein to drain into the internal jugular. Eighteen of the 20 patients had no postoperative complications. The remaining two developed mild venous congestion of the flaps, which was resolved with conservative management and no skin loss. No local or regional recurrence was detected after a mean (range) follow-up of 21 (4-35) months. This is a simple, reliable flap that can be used for the reconstruction of intraoral defects after resections for cancer, but its oncological outcome still requires proof in long-term, large-scale, clinical trials.     

Precise osteotomies for mandibular distraction in infants with Robin sequence using virtual surgical planning

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) has become the first-line operation in many centers for the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in infants with (Pierre) Robin sequence (RS) not relieved by non-surgical approaches. Preoperative virtual surgical planning (VSP) may improve precision and decrease complications for this operation. This article reports a retrospective study of RS infants who underwent MDO for OSA using preoperative VSP and three-dimensionally printed cutting guides performed by one surgeon. Seventeen subjects who had MDO at a mean age of 87 ± 96 days were included. Maxillofacial computed tomography scans were obtained 15 ± 7 days prior to MDO. Osteotomy designs included linear (n = 4, 23.5%), inverted-L (n = 11, 64.7%), and multi-angular (n = 2, 11.8%). Cutting guides were used successfully and osteotomies were created as planned in all cases. Devices were removed 67 ± 15.6 days after placement. Bone formation in the distraction gap was seen in all cases at device removal. All patients had successful airway outcomes. There were no major and four minor complications during the follow-up period of 458 ± 267 days. In conclusion, MDO is a successful procedure for the management of OSA associated with RS in infants, and VSP facilitates its precise design and execution.     

Morphological study of the changes after sagittal split ramus osteotomy in patients with facial asymmetry: measurements of 3-dimensional modelling

The effects of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological differences among unaffected subjects on the one hand, and patients with facial asymmetry before and after BSSRO on the other. Ten Chinese patients (preoperative and postoperative groups, mean (SD) age 25 (5) years) diagnosed with facial asymmetry and 10 unaffected subjects (control group, mean (SD) age 27 (5) years) were recruited prospectively. The 3-dimensional morphological measurements made on 3-dimensional models in each group were assessed by analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) and Student’s t test, and probabilities of <0.05 were accepted as significant. The horizontal condylar angle (HCA), coronal condylar angle (CCA), sagittal ramus angle (SRA), medial joint space (MJS), lateral joint space (LJS), and superior joint space (SJS) differed significantly between the preoperative and control groups (HCA: p = 0.000, CCA: p = 0.000, SRA(left/undeviated side): p = 0.002, MJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, MJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.007, LJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.000). The SRA, MJS, LJS, and SJS differed significantly between the preoperative and postoperative groups (SRA(left/undeviated side): p = 0.012, MJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.002, LJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.021, SJS(left/undeviated side): p = 0.000, SJS(right/deviated side): p = 0.001), And the SRA, MJS, and LJS in the preoperative group differed significantly between the deviated and undeviated side (SRA: p = 0.006; MJS: p = 0.003; LJS: p = 0.011). However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative and control groups between the deviated and undeviated sides. BSSRO improved the asymmetrical morphology of the TMJ and alleviated the symptoms.     

Thirty years of submental intubation: a review

Submental intubation has been used as an alternative to conventional intubation in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery since its introduction by Francisco Hernández Altemir in 1986. A review of submental intubation was performed using data from all case reports, case-series, and prospective and retrospective studies published between 1986 and 2016. The indications, variations in incision length, incision sites, types of endotracheal tube used, methods of exteriorization, and complications were recorded and analyzed. A total of 70 articles reporting 1021 patients were included. The main indication was maxillofacial trauma (86.9%, n = 887), followed by orthognathic surgery (5.8%, n = 59), skull base surgery (2.8%, n = 29), and rhinoplasty and rhytidectomy (1.5%, n = 15). The complication rate was relatively low: 91.0% of patients (n = 929) were complication-free. The most common complication was infection, occurring in 3.5% (n = 36) of the total number of patients, followed by scarring (1.2%, n = 12) and formation of an orocutaneous or salivary fistula (1.1%, n = 11). In summary, submental intubation is a good alternative airway with minimal complications.