Role of cone-beam computed tomography in diagnosis and management of nasopalatine duct cyst.

Nasopalatine duct cysts (NPDCs) are the most common nonodontogenic cyst of the jaw, with a reported prevalence of between 1% and 11.6% of all jaw cysts.1 It is believed to arise from epithelial remnants of the nasopalatine duct, the communication between the nasal cavity and anterior maxilla in the developing fetus. For huge NPDCs, total excision is difficult, and there is an increase in the possibility of postoperative complications including submucosal hematoma, wound dehiscence, wound infection, injury to tooth roots, injury to nasopalatine neurovascular bundles, paresthesia of the anterior palate, facial swelling, and oronasal fistula formation. This article discusses a case with a large NPDC, which was managed surgically without any complication. Radiological findings emphasizing the importance of cone-beam computed tomography in diagnosis and optimized treatment planning of NPDCs are discussed.

Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap--still a workhorse for maxillofacial reconstruction in developing countries.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the utility of the pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap for head, face, and neck (HFN) reconstruction in the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital records of 496 patients in whom the PMMC flap was used (saving the deltopectoral flap) for reconstruction of HFN defects from January 1991 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. All the patients were followed up for a minimum period of 6 months, and the utility of the PMMC flap was evaluated for HFN reconstruction. RESULTS: Of the 496 patients, complications developed in 84 patients. The complications included complete flap failure in 12, partial skin paddle loss in 24, wound infection in 12, peripheral wound dehiscence in 16, plate exposure in 12, and donor site morbidity such as infection and a decrease in function in 8. CONCLUSIONS: The PMMC flap or its modification was used in 496 cases of reconstruction after resection surgery for malignancy of the HFN region with minimal morbidity and 1 death. This technique is a useful alternative in places with a high incidence of HFN malignancies and microsurgical free tissue transfer is not possible or as a salvage procedure in selected large, full-thickness, oral cavity lesions. In our 19-year experience, the final functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory with this sturdy flap.

Ipsilateral keratoconus associated with long-standing primary hydatid cyst of the orbit.

Hydatid cyst is a cyclozoonotic infection of the larvae form of a platyhelminthes Echinococcus granulosus. The majority of hydatid cysts appear in the liver (65%) and lungs (25%). Kidneys and brain are other less common sites for this disease. Only 1% to 2% cases are seen in the maxillofacial region. These commonly appear as cystic lesions located in the mandible, maxillary sinus, orbit, infratemporal fossa, pterygopalatine fossa, parapharyngeal space, tongue, and parotid and submandibular salivary gland. Hydatid cysts of the orbit are rare and account for 1% of all hydatid cysts. The article presents hydatid cyst of the orbit in a 10-year-old child. Clinical features, investigations, surgical approaches, and adjuvant medical management have been emphasized. We believe that the lateral orbital route allows excellent exposure and safe removal of an intraorbital hydatid cyst located posteriorly, superiorly, and laterally without damaging the surrounding important orbital structures. Upper blepharoplasty incision results in good cosmetic outcome.

Horizontal flip pedicled genioplasty for correction of asymmetric chin in adult unilateral temperomandibular joint ankylosis.

It has been the desire and a great challenge to clinicians treating maxillofacial deformities to bring about symmetry in asymmetric faces. As one understands, it is very difficult to reproduce nature, that is, the normal side out of abnormal side, and it is easier to manage bilateral symmetrical deformities. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, when it occurs in early childhood, will have devastating effects on the future growth and development of the jaws and teeth with obvious facial deformity including the chin, which worsens with advancing age and the time elapsed between the onset of ankylosis and the treatment instituted. We have been treating these chin deformities in adult unilateral TMJ ankylosis cases for over more than a decade with horizontal flip pedicled genioplasty, which has a mathematical basis of turning a scalene triangle to an isosceles triangle and thereby achieving symmetry. Fixation of the genial segment in an overriding position not only adds to the length of mandible but also overcomes the obstructive sleep apnea many times associated with TMJ ankylosis. We have successfully treated 15 patients using horizontal flip pedicled genioplasty during last 14 years. This instantaneous corrective and unique technique requiring minimal patient compliance is put forward with refinements developed during a period of years.

Assessment of the adequacy of closed reduction in fractures of the zygomatic arch using "C"-arm image intensifier.

Major problems in closed reduction of isolated, minimally displaced, and depressed zygomatic arch fractures are blind nature of the technique, reliability on digital palpation, reduction click, and step deformity between fragments. The purpose of this study was to objectively confirm the adequacy of closed reduction intraoperatively and the usefulness of the "C"-arm image intensifier. A total of 12 patients with 1- to 8-day-old unilateral isolated and depressed zygomatic arch fracture underwent closed reduction under "C"-arm image intensifier. Of these patients, 9 were men and 3 were women, with age ranging from 18 to 32 years. Intraoperative prereduction and postreduction images were obtained using the "C"-arm image intensifier. Criteria for adequate reduction were the following: intrafragmentary gap less than 0.5 mm, no overriding of fragments, no depression of fragments, and no step deformity. After being clinically satisfied about the reduction, images on "C"-arm showed no intrafragmentary gap. In 3 patients, there were residual overriding and minimal rotation around the anteroposterior axis of the posterior fragment. In 1 patient, rotation and step deformity remained. In this patient, additional stabilization was provided. The "C"-arm image intensifier shows some poorly reduced or unstable isolated depressed zygomatic arch fractures that remain unidentified even after careful palpation. Thus, it plays a recognizable role to avoid the trouble of second intervention.

Nonvascularized bone grafting for mandibular reconstruction: myth or reality?

This retrospective study analyzes the long-term results and complications of mandibular reconstruction with nonvascularized bone grafts (NVBGs) and suggests refinements. A total of 166 patients underwent mandibular ablation and primary reconstruction between June 1990 and August 2009, of which 101 were NVBGs, 27 were vascularized bone grafts, and 38 were with functional plate reconstruction. Eighty-seven of 101 patients undergoing NVBG, having all records and followed up for a minimum of 12 months, were included in this study. The analysis criteria included site of defect, surgical approach, method of graft fixation, bony continuity and stability, presence or absence of infection, aesthetic and functional prosthetic rehabilitation, donor-site morbidity, and clinical and radiological changes in the reconstructed area.The overall success with NVBGs in our study was 77 (88.5%) of 87. We used ilium in 68 cases (78.16%), fibula in 16 cases (18.39%), and rib in 3 cases (3.44%). Ten cases (11.5%) showed complete failure due to infection (7 cases) and resorption (3 cases).Nonvascularized bone grafts could be used judiciously for reconstruction of selective mandibular resection defects where there is not much of soft tissue loss, or where 2-layer watertight closure can be achieved intraorally and extraorally. Where only a single-layer intraoral closure is anticipated, either additional soft tissue should be brought submucosally or there should not be extraoral-intraoral communication even during surgery. Also precise patient selection, surgical planning, and execution with meticulous nursing care are keys to success.

Transmylohyoid/Submental intubation: review, analysis, and refinements.

Successful outcome in any surgery is dependent on unobstructed access. Management of patients with polytrauma of the face or those undergoing multiple/complex facial osteotomies has always been a challenge, not only to maxillofacial surgeons but also to the anesthetists, as both specialists fight for the same anatomic territory. Hernandez in 1986 published the first article on the submental route for endotracheal intubation. He developed this technique to avoid tracheotomy particularly in maxillofacial trauma where short-term maxillomandibular fixation was required.Since our first report in 1992, we have successfully avoided tracheostomy in 400 patients, by using this technique of transmylohyoid intubation. Experience of 20 years is put forward with critical analysis of problems and complications along with certain suggestions and refinements.

Is post-operative antibiotic therapy justified for surgical removal of mandibular third molar? A comparative study.

Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar (SRIMTM) is the most common procedure performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the literature, many complications associated with lower third molar removal are described such as pain, swelling, trismus, infection, inflammation, and nerve damage. Antibiotics are routinely used either pre-operatively or post-operatively to reduce the chances of surgical site infection (SSI). However routine use of antibiotics for SRIMTM is still controversial. For antibiotics to be effective in reducing post-operative infective complications, the time of administration is very important. Adequate serum concentration of antibiotic must be achieved prior to the procedure. In a developing country like India, antibiotics are routinely prescribed post-operatively. The current study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of post-operative prophylactic antibiotic in SRIMTM.

Efficacy of single dose azithromycin as prophylactic antibiotic in surgical removal of mandibular third molars: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of single dose Azithromycin as prophylactic antibiotic in surgical removal of mandibular third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out as an open clinical trial on fifty (23 males & 27 females) patients chosen from the ones referred to our Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department for surgical removal of mandibular third molar (SRMTM). Pre-surgical evaluation of pain, swelling, lymphadenopathy, fever and purulent discharge from the surgical site were made. All patients were administered oral Azithromycin 500mg, 1 hour prior to the procedure. The patients were followed up clinically for a minimum period of 10 days post operatively. Evaluation for pyrexia, purulent discharge from surgical site, persistent pain &/or swelling & lymphadenopathy was done on 1st, 3rd, 7th and 10th postoperative day to determine SSI (surgical site infection). All patients received same set of post-operative medications (Tab. Diclofenac sodium (50mg) TID, Tab. Ranitidine 150 mg BID for 5 days) and set of instructions. RESULTS: Surgical site infection was seen in only one patient (2%) out of the total fifty patients included in the study when oral Azithromycin was administered one hour prior to surgical removal of mandibular third molar. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that, giving antibiotics pre-operatively 1 hour before the SRMTM is beneficial to reduce/avoid SSI. The surgeon must consider all potential factors that may contribute to the post-operative complication and decide whether the benefits of antibiotic therapy outweigh its risks.

Mucormycosis of mandible with unfavorable outcome.

Mucormycosis is a fulminant fungal infection that occurs most often in diabetic and immunocompromised individuals. Our patient, with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and multiple systemic disorders, developed postextraction mucormycosis of mandible, an extremely rare complication. An initial clinical and radiographic diagnosis of mandibular osteomyelitis was made and the lesion was treated medically and surgically with curettage and saucerisation. The specimen was sent for histopathological evaluation, which showed necrotic area containing broad aseptate fungal hyphae with right angle branching consistent with mucormycosis. The patient succumbed to multipleorgan failure secondary to septicemia. The disease is usually fatal with a poor survival rate; there is still paucity of literature on the definitive management of this disease involving the mandible. This paper emphasizes the need for correction of underlying immunodeficiency and early diagnosis with aggressive multimodality treatment approach to offer the best chance of survival.