The Effect of Locally Administered Pamidronate on Autogenous Bone Graft in Maxillofacial Reconstruction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although bone grafts are commonly used in reconstructive surgeries, they are sensitive to local perfusion and are thus prone to severe resorption. Biphosphonates can inactivate osteoclasts and can be used to control the undesirable bone resorption. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of administration of biphosphonates on bone resorption. METHODS: 20 patients with bony defects who were candidates for free autogenous grafts were randomized into "pamidronate" and "control" groups. Bone segments were soaked in either pamidronate solution or normal saline and were inserted into the area of the surgery. Bone densities were measured post-surgery and in 6-month follow-up. Data were obtained via Digora software and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean±SD bone density in pamidronate group changed from 93.4±14.6 to 93.6±17.5 (p<0.05); in the control group the density decreased from 89.7±13.2 to 78.9±11.4 (p<0.05). The mean difference of bone density in anterior areas of the jaws showed higher DXA in comparison to posterior regions (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Locally administered pamidronate affects reduction in bone resorption.

Subcutaneous forehead island flap for nasal reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of nasal skin after tumor resection is imperative for full patient rehabilitation; and use of similar skin is necessary to achieve best esthetic and functional results. METHODS: This clinical series study represent management of patients with large nasal defects (up to 4x7 cm) using subcutaneous pedicle island paramedian forehead flap, during a period of 2007-2009, 8 patients with large nasal defects were repaired with this flap, among them 5 patients were male and 3 patients were female with mean age of 53 years, all cases were reconstructed with island pedicle flap in a single stage. RESULTS: Good and satisfying results were achieved in all cases except for one case that was operated again for debulking of flap. CONCLUSION: Island paramedian forehead flap provides esthetic and functional results in a single stage reconstruction of defects with various sizes and locations. This variation of forehead flap is a good choice especially for those patients that have problems with cost or problem with multistage reconstruction of nasal defects.

CPR Training for Nurses: How often Is It Necessary?

BACKGROUND: The ability to respond quickly and effectively to a cardiac arrest situation rests on nurses being competent, prepared and up-to-date in the emergency life-saving procedure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed to determine the extent to which nurses acquire and retain CPR cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills following CPR training courses. METHODS: A quasi-experiment was used. CPR knowledge of 112 nurses was assessed via a questionnaire using valid multiple-choice questions. An observatory standard checklist was used and CPR performance on manikins was evaluated to assess psychomotor skills (before the course baseline, after the course, after 10 weeks and then 2 years after the 4 hours CPR training course). Scores were based on a scale of 1 to 20. RESULTS: A mean baseline score of 10.67 (SD=3.06), a mean score of 17.81 (SD=1.41) after the course, 15.26 (SD=3.17) 10 weeks after and 12.86 (SD=2.25), 2 years after the 4 hours CPR training course was noticed. Acquisition of knowledge and psychomotor skills of the nurses following a four-hour training program was significant. However, significant deterioration in both CPR knowledge and psychomotor skills was observed 2 years after the training program among 42 nurses. CONCLUSION: The study findings present strong evidence to support the critical role of repetitive periodic CPR training courses to ensure that nurses were competent, up to date and confident responders in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the jaws: clinicopathological features, radiographic evaluation and treatment analysis of 17 cases.

This article re-evaluates the various clinicopathological presentations and array of radiographic features displayed by aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of the jaws. In this retrospective clinical study, 17 cases of ABCs of the jaws surgically treated during an 11-year period from 1986-1997 are evaluated. The age and sex distribution, diagnostic characteristics, mode of treatment and long-term surgical results are presented and compared with the international literature. Investigation included serial clinical examinations, appropriate radiographic evaluation, CT scans and angiograms when indicated. All the patients had mandibular lesions and were managed by complete surgical curettage of the lesions. Ten were in males (58.8%) and seven (41.2%) in females. The mean age of occurrence was 21.05 years, ranging from 7 to 58 years. Clinical presentation in these patients ranged from an asymptomatic incidental radiographic finding to an expanding, rapidly progressive and destructive lesion resulting in a pathological fracture. Radiographic findings varied from unicystic radiolucencies or moth-eaten radiolucencies to extensive multilocular lesions causing bilateral expansion and destruction of the mandibular cortices. Twelve of the patients (70.5%) could recall a history of trauma. Needle aspiration with a 16 or 18 guage needle was positive, producing syringes full of blood in all but two of the cases (88.2%). Six cases (35.2%) were extremely vascular and had increased rapidly in size, and three required angiographic studies for preoperative diagnosis and differentiation from other vascular entities. Nine of the cases (52.9%) were found in the mandibular angle-ramus area. Four cases (23.5%) required extraoral surgical access for curettage while the remainder were treated intraorally. During the follow-up period, which ranged from 2-11 years, no recurrences have occurred. Restoration of facial symmetry and bone formation has been favourable in all patients, despite the fact that grafts were not used. This 11-year study shows that ABCs present with varied clinicopathological and radiographic features and thus may pose a diagnostic dilemma. As we have not noted any recurrences following surgical curettage of mandibular lesions, we feel that initial surgical resection or bone grafting is not necessary, provided that adequate access and complete curettage can be obtained.