Trigeminocardiac Reflex During Temporomandibular Joint Surgery: A Systematic Review and Update for the Surgeons.

PURPOSE: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is being increasingly performed globally with considerable success leading to improved quality of life for patients affected with disabling temporomandibular disorders. One of the most unusual phenomena noted during maxillofacial surgery due to stimulation of the trigeminal nerves is the Trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR), which causes sudden bradycardia and hypotension causing alarm and distress to the surgical and anesthetic team. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify the frequency and discuss the pathophysiology of the TCR especially during TMJ surgery. METHODS: The authors performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane databases between 1946 and 2023 to identify studies that reported on the development of TCR during TMJ surgery. Non-English publications and those with inadequate details were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-six papers reporting on the development of the TCR during oral and maxillofacial procedures were noted. Six papers reported specifically on TCR during TMJ surgery. A total of 25 subjects developed TCR during TMJ surgery. The mean age of the subjects was 31 (standard deviation 17.16) years. Twenty-three subjects (92%) developed bradycardia while 2 subjects (8%) developed asystole. All subjects recovered. The most common stimulant noted in these papers leading to TCR was manipulation and distraction of the TMJ. CONCLUSION: Although TCR is uncommon, it can occur during TMJ surgery, and it behooves the surgeon and anesthesia team to be aware of the potential for TCR to ensure adequate and timely treatment.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic have an effect on oral cancer staging? A single-centre retrospective observational study.

Introduction This study aims to assess if the COVID-19 pandemic impacted upon oral cancer staging in a single centre in the UK.Materials and methods Data were collected from the head and neck cancer database of a teaching hospital in London. Oral cancer diagnosis and staging in the peak period of the pandemic (March 2020-2021) were assessed against the one-year period (March 2019-2020) before the pandemic.Results In total, 25 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed in the pre-COVID-19 group compared to 26 in the COVID-19 cohort. Referrals from dentists accounted for 30% of cases of confirmed oral cancer in the COVID-19 class in comparison to 48% the year prior. Higher rates of overall TNM (tumour, lymph node, metastasis) staging at level 4a and above were observed in the COVID-19 cohort at 68% in comparison to 48% the year before.Conclusion Marginal non-statistically significant differences were noted of worsening stages of oral cancer presentations in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in this unit. Long-term studies on the outcomes of those diagnosed with oral cancer during the pandemic at a regional and national level will facilitate greater analysis on the impact the pandemic had on this cohort.

Head and neck cancer presentations in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction It is not uncommon to note patients with painful orofacial lesions presenting via the emergency department to the on-call team. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a surge in these attendances, prompting a review of our emergency database.Methods The maxillofacial emergency database was retrospectively reviewed in the period between March 2020 and October 2021 (19 months). Data including relevant variables were collected in a standard spreadsheet database and analysed by two clinicians.Results Between March 2020 and October 2021, 34 patients attended with oral ulceration and non-odontogenic neck swellings, out of which nine patients had subsequent diagnosis of oral/oropharyngeal cancer (mean age: 64.2 years). All patients were grouped as stage IV cancers and only one patient was deemed suitable for ablative surgery, which is the primary mode of treatment in oral cancers. Three patients were deemed to have progressive/recurrent disease despite active treatment and two patients unfortunately passed away due to the disease.Conclusion The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer diagnoses and management suffered significantly. We present our experience dealing with this vulnerable cohort in the emergency department and their subsequent journey.

Cycling-Related Injuries During COVID-19 Lockdown: A North London Experience.

Objectives: There has been a notable surge in cycling injuries during the COVID-19(SARS-CoV-2 virus) pandemic. Cycling in general increased during lockdown as a leisure & fitness activity along with reduction in the use of public transport for commuting. We investigated the bicycle-related maxillofacial injuries & associations presenting through our emergency department(ED) which covers more than 1.6 million of London population. Study Design/Methods: A retrospective observational study was undertaken in the Barnet General Hospital ("hub") which receives all maxillofacial referrals from 6 "spoke" hospitals & other urgent primary/community care practices in North London area between 16 March 2020 & 16 July 2020. All data corresponding to cycling injuries during the lockdown period was analyzed with the aid of trauma database/trust-wide electronic patient records. Results: Twenty-two patients (6.7%) with cycling-related injuries out of a total of 322 patients who attended during the 4 months study period with maxillofacial emergencies were identified. Average age of patient cohort was 35.4 years, mainly consisting of adult males (77%). Seven patients had minor head injury and 1 patient suffered traumatic brain injury. About 59% patients did not wear a protective helmet & 3 patients had heavy alcohol/recreational drug intoxication during the accidents. Four patients needed inpatient admission and treatment under general anesthesia. Conclusions: Based on our humble study, we advocate the need for robust road & personal safety measures with mandatory government legislations, policing of drug intoxication & encouragement of physical & mental health improvement measures during these unprecedented times & beyond.

Triaging algorithm for head & neck oncology follow-up patients in COVID-19 climate.

The current climate is one of uncertainty and immeasurable tragedy for people afflicted by the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. As professionals, we have a duty of care towards all patients especially the vulnerable and those suffering with life-threatening illnesses such as oral cancer. We present a safe & objective triaging method for afflicted with this disease in the prevailing morbid situation.

Transoral Marsupialization of a Large Dermoid Cyst.

True dermoid cysts are rare congenital entities with a predilection for periorbital, floor-of-mouth, and submental areas in the head and neck region. They are usually asymptomatic unless they substantially enlarge, causing pain or difficulty in swallowing, breathing, speech, or vision, depending on their location. Conventionally, complete excision is the treatment of choice. The authors describe a transoral approach to marsupialize a large dermoid cyst, with a successful outcome and minimal complications. Using this technique, it is hoped that surgeons can minimize the risk of damaging vital structures, shorten operating time, and provide an esthetically better result with a comparable outcome.

Tapia's Syndrome.

More than 100,000 general anesthetic procedures are conducted in United Kingdom every year for dental interventions, according to large survey of the National Health Services. 1 The risk of mortality has reduced considerably in the past few decades because of the use of safe and effective techniques. However, adverse effects still exist and are dependent on patient, environmental, and operator factors. We present an uncommon complication of intubation that merits due awareness.

Impact of Modernising Medical Careers on basic surgical training and experience of oral and maxillofacial higher surgical trainees.

Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) is a programme for change that aims to improve the quality of patients' care through improvement in postgraduate medical education and training. Its introduction had far reaching affects and many shortcoming due to its failure to take into account the craft specialties. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the impact of MMC on oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMFS) training. An online questionnaire was distributed to OMFS trainees, and data were gathered about current position, year of training, duration and specialties worked during basic surgical training, stage of completion of examinations and courses, and overall satisfaction with training. Comparisons were made between those who had been trained before and after MMC was introduced. Ninety-five trainees (68%) responded. Of these 66 (69%) had basic surgical training before the introduction of MMC and 29 (31%) afterwards. MMC shortened overall time spent on basic surgical training of OMFS trainees by half, to only 1 year. There were similarities between the two groups in terms of the range of specialties experienced. MMC also resulted in more trainees starting higher surgical training without their Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons. There was greater satisfaction with BST for the pre-MMC group than the post-MMC group. It is hoped that the recent changes to training that were implemented after this study will address some of the shortcomings that we have identified.