Broken dental needle retrieval using a surgical navigation system: a case report and literature review.

This paper reports a case of fractured needle retrieval in the pterygomandibular space using the Medtronic surgical navigation system. Current literature on needle fracture and retrieval in the oral cavity was also reviewed. A literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, MDConsult, The Cochrane Library, and Google. A variety of keywords were used, including "needle fracture," "broken dental needle," "needle injuries in dentistry," "foreign body retrieval," and "dental needle retrieval." Articles published after 1980 were reviewed. Seventeen articles that involved broken dental needle retrieval were selected.

Quality of life assessment in patients after mandibular resection and free fibula flap reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess patients' quality of life (QOL) after mandibular resection and reconstruction with the free fibula flap (FFF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all patients who underwent segmental mandibular resection and FFF reconstruction at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, McGill University Health Center. The patients were contacted and asked to complete a QOL assessment at least 1 year after surgery. The patients' photographs were taken and evaluated for the esthetic outcomes after surgery by 2 dental health professionals using a visual analog scale and compared with the patients' self-evaluations. A descriptive analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent segmental mandibular resection and reconstruction with a FFF, and 11 completed the QOL questionnaire. Two patients were deceased at the start of the study, 1 refused to complete the QOL questionnaire, and 3 had developed disease recurrence and were not asked to complete the QOL questionnaire. Of the 11 patients who completed the QOL assessment, 8 rated their overall QOL as outstanding, very good, or good and 3 reported it to be fair. No significant correlation was found between the patients' self-reported esthetic evaluation and the third-party evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who underwent mandibular resection and FFF reconstruction reported satisfaction with their overall QOL. We did not find a correlation between the patients' perceived esthetic outcome and the dental healthcare professionals' assessment.

Evolving trends in the management of orbital floor fractures.

BACKGROUND: The management of orbital floor fractures is diverse and continues to evolve. The purpose of the current study was to provide an updated summary of the literature, with a focus on interspecialty differences, and contrast that with current treatment strategies of actively practicing plastic surgeons. METHODS: A survey was conducted of surgeons who currently manage orbital floor fractures. The results are summarized and compared with a 10-year literature review (2002-2012) of surgical approaches, indications and timing of surgery, and implant selection in various surgical disciplines. Inclusion criteria included studies in English language with 10 or more patients. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 56%, of which 86 surgeons were identified to currently manage orbit fractures. A third of participants reported they are less likely to operate on these fractures relative to earlier in their career. Six factors were found to have the greatest influence on surgeon's operative decision: enophthalmos, hypophthalmos, positive forced duction, defect size, motility restriction, and persistent diplopia. The most common preferred approach to the orbit is midlid/infraorbital (45%) followed by transconjunctival (31%) and subciliary (24%). Medpor and titanium are the most preferred implants (83%) compared with autologous bone (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary differences in the management of orbital fractures exist. The most significant trends are the growing popularity of alloplastic versus autogenous materials for orbital floor reconstruction and the fact that one-third of surgeons are more likely to opt for a nonoperative (conservative) approach compared with earlier in their careers.