Does Tranexamic Acid Reduce the Need for Hypotensive Anesthesia Within Orthognathic Surgery? A Retrospective Study.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is utilized frequently in orthognathic surgery to limit blood loss and improve surgical field visualization. This antifibrinolytic has been proven effective with use of concomitant hypotensive anesthesia. Despite proven efficacy, there is a recent push to avoid perioperative hypotensive anesthesia due to risks of organ hypoperfusion, cardiac ischemia and postoperative nausea. Aims: The aim is to study the efficacy and safety of utilizing TXA without controlled hypotensive anesthesia. Methods: The authors identified two cohorts of subjects that underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery both with and without TXA administration and compared operative and perioperative variables. A retrospective analysis was completed evaluating intraoperative MAP measurements in subjects treated both with and without TXA using descriptive and bivariate analysis. Results and conclusion: Sixty-three subjects met inclusion criteria. The TXA cohort experienced 11.5% less time under hypotensive anesthesia when compared to the group that did not receive TXA. Additionally, surgical length was decreased by more than 28 min when subjects received TXA. No subjects required a blood transfusion or experienced any TXA-related complications. Given the recommendations to limit hypotensive anesthesia perioperatively, TXA is a useful adjunct in orthognathic surgery to limit controlled hypotensive anesthesia.

What Is Health Literacy Among Orthognathic Surgery Patients?

BACKGROUND: Health literacy of orthognathic surgery patients has not been thoroughly evaluated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate health literacy and identify risk factors associated with inadequate health literacy in orthognathic surgery patients. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: A cross-sectional study was implemented utilizing patients ages 14-80 years who presented for orthognathic surgery evaluation between September 2021 and December 2022. Subjects were excluded from the study if they did not complete the orthognathic surgery evaluation, were not between the ages of 14-80 years old, or did not complete the Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool (BRIEF) questionnaire during intake. Subjects who have not undergone orthognathic surgery but completed the initial evaluation for orthognathic surgery were included in the study. PREDICTOR VARIABLES: The predictor variables were a set of risk factors for inadequate health literacy: age, sex, primary language, race, estimated household income, and diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The main outcome variable was health literacy assessed using the BRIEF questionnaire. During intake, subjects completed the BRIEF questionnaire consisting of four questions scored on an ordinal scale of 1-5. Inadequate health literacy was defined as a BRIEF score ≤16. COVARIATES: Not applicable. ANALYSES: Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 150 patients presenting for orthognathic surgery, fifteen percent of patients had inadequate health literacy via the BRIEF test. The mean age of those with adequate health literacy was 27.9 years (standard deviation, ±12.5) compared to 18.5 years (standard deviation, ±5.7) for those with inadequate health literacy (P = <.001). After adjusting for sex, language, race, estimated household income, and diagnosis via multivariate analysis, increasing age was associated with decreased odds of inadequate health literacy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.81; confidence interval, 0.72-0.92; P = <.001). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: In the complex process of orthognathic surgery, it is essential to identify patients with inadequate health literacy that may require additional health literacy interventions. Ultimately, 15% of orthognathic surgery subjects had inadequate health literacy, and younger patients were the most susceptible as the odds of inadequate health literacy decreased with increasing age.

Does the Rigid External Distraction Device Alter Maxillary Pitch in Cleft Maxillary Distraction?

The rigid external distraction (RED) device is reported to have the ability to three-dimensionally reposition the maxilla. The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of RED to intentionally alter the maxillary pitch.Retrospective cohort study.Institutional practice.A retrospective chart review was completed over the past 12 years and a total of 50 patients met the inclusion criteria.Cephalometric changes and alteration in palatal plane angle.Cephalometric analysis of standardized landmarks was completed on calibrated, standardized lateral cephalograms. Pre-distraction and post-consolidation variables were compared via a two-tailed paired t-test.The mean age at surgery of 12.2 ± 3.2 years. Through distraction osteogenesis (DO), the maxilla was moved anteriorly with a mean distraction distance of 8.4 ± 4.8 mm. The mean change in the angles sella-nasion-A-point angle (SNA), sella-nasion-B-point angle (SNB), and A-point-nasion-B-point angle (ANB) were 10.2 ± 4.8, 0.9 ± 2.7, and 9.3 ± 4.1, respectively. The mean change in the palatal plane angle was -4.4 ± 3.7. The mean change in the vertical position of the anterior nasal spine (ANS) and posterior nasal spine (PNS) in relation to the Frankfort horizontal (FH) were -2.0 ± 4.1 mm and 1.7 ± 3.8 mm, respectively.This study documents short-term findings of RED in a large cleft lip and palate (CLP) population. Despite positioning of distraction eyelets superior to the theoretical center of resistance, a counterclockwise (CCW) rotation of the palatal plane occurred. This suggests that adjunctive methods of vector control should be considered if clockwise (CW) rotation of the palatal plane is intended with the RED device.

Is Orthognathic Correction with TMJ Preservation A Stable Treatment Option for Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term skeletal stability of orthognathic correction of dentofacial deformities secondary to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in individuals without total alloplastic joint reconstruction. Materials and Methods: The investigators designed and implemented a retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with JIA who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. To evaluate the long-term skeletal changes, the maxillary palatal plane to mandibular plane angle, anterior facial height, and posterior facial height measurements were evaluated through cephalograms. Results: Six patients met inclusion criteria. All subjects were female (mean 16.2 years). Four patients demonstrated < 1° of change of the palatal plane to mandibular plane angle, and all patients had < 2° of change. Three patients had < 1% change in the anterior to posterior facial height ratio. Three patients demonstrated relative posterior facial shortening compared to anterior facial height (< 4%). No patients developed postoperative anterior open-bite malocclusion. Conclusion: Orthognathic correction of the JIA DFD deformity with TMJ preservation is a viable modality to improve facial esthetics, occlusion, upper airway and speech swallowing and chewing mechanisms in select patients. The measured skeletal relapse did not affect the clinical outcome.

Is a Final Splint Necessary in Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery?

For bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, a splint is commonly used to achieve the final occlusion and is then maintained through initial skeletal healing. The purpose of this study is to document how often a final splint is used to achieve the planned intraoperative occlusion, and how often is the final splint retained after surgery to maintain the occlusion during the initial skeletal healing phase.The investigators developed a retrospective case series. The study variables were demographic and operative. The outcome variables were the use of a final splint to achieve the desired intraoperative occlusion; the frequency and clinical indication for maintaining the final splint during the 5-weeks of initial skeletal healing; and the occlusion achieved after initial healing (5 weeks) compared to that planned from model surgery. Descriptive statistics were reported.The study sample was composed of 41 consecutive subjects. The mean age at operation was 26.9 ±â€Š11.8 years and 51% of the subjects were male. Twenty-five subjects required segmental maxillary surgery. The final splint was used in 39% of subjects to achieve final occlusion and maintained postoperatively in only 10%. No subjects developed transverse relapse during the initial healing phase (5-weeks). All subjects with planned immediate mid-arch open-bites (n = 8) showed vertical improvement or closure during the initial healing when the splint was not maintained.The use of a final occlusal splint and then maintenance of the splint through initial skeletal healing is not required in the majority of bimaxillary orthognathic surgery cases to achieve the planned occlusion.

Challenges in the Successful Reconstruction of Cleft Lip and Palate: Managing the Nasomaxillary Deformity in Adolescence.

The surgical techniques and execution of primary cleft lip and palate repair are no longer the greatest challenge to achieving successful rehabilitation for those born with facial clefting (i.e., bilateral and unilateral cleft lip and palate). Despite a surgeon's best efforts, when cleft palate repair is carried out during infancy, by the mixed dentition, a majority will demonstrate nasomaxillary deficiency. The cleft team's commitment to a family under their care is to ensure that the newborn reaches adulthood reconstructed without need for special regard to their original birth malformation. Guiding principles are provided for the accurate diagnosis and reliable reconstruction of the bilateral and unilateral cleft lip and palate adolescent/adult who presents with nasomaxillary deficiency and any residual oronasal fistula, bony defects, cleft dental gap(s), nasal obstructions, and associated facial dysmorphology. Successful orthognathic surgery provides a stable foundation on which any remaining soft-tissue cleft lip or cleft nasal deformities can be accurately assessed and then reconstructed.

Short Face Dentofacial Deformities: Changes in Social Perceptions, Facial Esthetics, and Occlusion After Bimaxillary and Chin Orthognathic Correction.

The purpose of this study was to document changes in social perceptions and facial esthetics, and document occlusion outcomes in a series of short face (SF) dentofacial deformity (DFD) subjects. The investigators hypothesized that subjects would achieve positive change in social perceptions and facial esthetics, and maintain a long-term corrected occlusion after undergoing bimaxillary and chin osteotomies.A retrospective cohort study was implemented. Photographic records and occlusion parameters were studied preoperatively and >2 years after surgery. The first outcome variable was social perceptions of SF subjects, judged by laypersons. The second outcome variable was facial esthetics, judged by professionals. The third outcome variable was occlusion maintained long-term.Fifteen subjects met inclusion criteria. Mean age at operation was 33 years. Consistent facial contour deformities at presentation included deficient maxillary dental show and downturned oral commissures. As a group, there was improvement (P < 0.05) in 11 of 12 social perceptions, judged by laypersons, all subjects achieved correction of the facial esthetic parameters studied by professionals, and all subjects maintained a favorable occlusion long-term.In SF DFD subjects, bimaxillary and chin surgery proved effective to improve social perceptions, to correct facial contour deformities, and in achieving a long-term corrected occlusion.

The Effect of Cleft Orthognathic and Nasal Reconstruction on Perceived Social Traits.

BACKGROUND: The investigators hypothesized that a layperson's social perceptions of an adolescent cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patient are more favorable after orthognathic surgery and definitive nasal reconstruction. METHODS: The investigators implemented a survey comparing layperson's perception of specific social traits before and >6 months after jaw and nasal reconstruction in CL/P adolescent subjects by viewing standardized facial photographs. The sample was composed of 10 consecutive subjects treated by 1 surgeon from birth through completion of their staged reconstruction. The outcome variable was changed in 6 perceived personality, 6 emotional expression traits, and 7 perceptions of likelihood of positive interpersonal experiences. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Five hundred respondents (raters) completed the survey. The respondents were 58% male with 53% age 25-34. After cleft reconstruction, study subjects were perceived to be significantly more dominant, trustworthy, friendly, intelligent, attractive, and less threatening (P < 0.05). They were also perceived as happier and less angry, surprised, sad, afraid, or disgusted than before surgery (P < 0.05). The subjects were also perceived to be more likely to have positive interpersonal experiences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We confirmed that laypeople consistently report positive changes in adolescent CL/P subject's perceived social traits after bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery followed by definitive nasal reconstruction.

Orthognathic Surgery Has a Significant Positive Effect on Perceived Personality Traits and Perceived Emotional Facial Expressions in Subjects With Primary Mandibular Deficiency.

This study tested the hypothesis that a layperson's social perceptions of a dentofacial deformity (DFD) patient with primary mandibular deficiency (PMD) are more positive after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.A survey was implemented comparing layperson's social perceptions of emotional expressions and personality traits before and >6 months after orthognathic surgery when viewing standardized facial photographs. The study sample comprised 20 patients selected randomly from a larger primary mandibular deficiency database, treated by 1 surgeon after orthognathic surgery. The outcome variable was change in 6 perceived emotional expressions and 6 personality traits studied. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed (P < .05).Five hundred respondents (raters) completed the survey. The respondents were 52% male with 44% aging from 25 to 34. After bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery, primary mandibular deficiency patients were perceived to be significantly more dominant, trustworthy, friendly, intelligent, attractive, and less threatening (P < .05). They were also perceived as happier and less angry, surprised, sad, afraid, or disgusted than before surgery (P < .05).Laypeople consistently report improved social traits in primary mandibular deficiency patient's perceived emotional expressions and perceived personality traits after bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery.

Reconstruction of residual cleft nasal deformities in adolescents: Effects on social perceptions.

PURPOSE: The investigators hypothesized that a layperson's social perceptions of a primarily repaired adolescent cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patient is more favorable after definitive nasal reconstruction with regard to perceived social traits. METHODS: The investigators implemented a survey comparing layperson's social perceptions of 6 personality traits, 6 emotional expression traits, and 7 perceptions of interpersonal experiences before and >6 months after definitive nasal reconstruction in CL/P adolescent subjects by viewing standardized facial photographs. The sample was composed of consecutive CL/P subjects treated by one surgeon using a consistent technique involving a rib cartilage caudal strut graft through an open approach. Five non-cleft adolescent subjects who underwent cosmetic rhinoplasty involving a septal cartilage caudal strut graft through an open approach were used as a comparison group. The outcome variable was change in 6 perceived personality, 6 emotional expression traits studied, and 7 perceptions of interpersonal experiences. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed (p-value <0.05). RESULTS: The sample was composed of 10 consecutive CL/P subjects and 5 non-cleft adolescent comparison subjects. 500 respondents (raters) completed the survey. The respondents were 54% male with 56% age 25 to 34. After definitive cleft nasal reconstruction, study subjects were perceived to be significantly more attractive (p = 0.04) and less threatening (p = 0.04). They were also perceived as less angry (p < 0.01), sad (p < 0.01), or disgusted (p < 0.01) than prior to surgery. The subjects were also perceived to be less likely to have negative interpersonal experiences (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We confirmed that laypeople consistently report positive changes in adolescent CL/P subject's perceived social traits after definitive cleft nasal reconstruction. Overall, the positive changes were largely comparable between the cleft and non-cleft groups.

Orthognathic Surgery Has a Significant Positive Effect on Perceived Personality Traits and Perceived Emotional Facial Expressions in Subjects with Primary Maxillary Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Crowdsourcing is increasingly being used in medical research to obtain the opinion of laypeople. The investigators hypothesized that a layperson's perception of a primary maxillary deficiency (PMD) dentofacial deformity (DFD) patient is more favorable after orthognathic surgery with regard to perceived personality traits and emotional facial expressions. METHODS: The investigators implemented a survey, distributed through Amazon.com's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform, to compare 6 perceived personality traits and 6 perceived emotional traits before and >6 months after orthognathic surgery in subjects through standardized facial photographs. The sample was composed of 20 subjects randomly selected from a PMD DFD database, treated by 1 surgeon all having undergone bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery. The outcome variable was change in each of 6 perceived personality and 6 emotional expression traits studied. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Five hundred respondents (raters) completed the survey. A majority of respondent raters were male (59%) and White (71%), ranging in age between 25 and 34 years (52%). After bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery, PMD subjects as a group were perceived to be significantly more dominant, more trustworthy, more friendly, more intelligent, more attractive, and less threatening. They were also perceived as happier and less angry, less surprised, less sad, less afraid, and less disgusted than before surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that laypeople consistently report positive changes in a PMD DFD subject's perceived personality traits and perceived emotional expressions after bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery.

Redo orthognathic surgery: a report of 10 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare a cohort of patients who had a developmental dentofacial deformity (DFD) and then underwent redo orthognathic surgery (OGS) to a similar cohort who underwent primary OGS. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in operative time, blood replacement, perioperative airway risks, length of hospital stay, or complication rates. STUDY DESIGN: We implemented a retrospective study of patients with a DFD initially treated with orthodontics and jaw osteotomies and later with redo OGS. The predictor variables were demographic, anatomic, and operative. The primary outcome variables were hospital course and complications. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. RESULTS: Ten patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at redo OGS was 31 (range 20-47 years). The operating time was 3:36 ± 47 minutes for redo OGS compared with 2:59 ± 32 minutes for a similar cohort's primary OGS (P < .05). All redo patients had favorable outcomes with reference to the occurrence of lingual nerve injury, "bad" split, infection, and need for reoperation. Of the 10 patients, 9 achieved and maintained optimal long-term occlusion for all parameters studied. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent redo OGS required a longer operating time, but the remainder of the hospital course and occurrence of major complications were similar to those documented for individuals undergoing primary orthognathic surgery.

Orthognathic Surgery Has a Significant Positive Effect on Perceived Personality Traits and Perceived Emotional Expressions in Long Face Patients.

PURPOSE: Crowdsourcing is increasingly being used in medical research to obtain the opinion and perception of laypeople. We hypothesized that a layperson's perception of a patient with long face dentofacial deformity is more favorable after orthognathic surgery than before surgery regarding perceived personality traits and emotional facial expressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented a survey, distributed through Amazon.com's Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform, to compare 6 perceived personality traits and 6 perceived emotional traits before and after (>6 months) orthognathic surgery in patients through standardized photographs (3 facial views). The sample was composed of 20 patients randomly selected from our long face dentofacial deformity database, treated by 1 surgeon, all having undergone bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery. The outcome variable was change in each of the 12 perceived personality and emotional traits studied. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 500 respondents (raters) completed the survey in less than 10 hours. The respondents were mostly men (60%), aged 25 to 34 years (57%), white (71%), and college graduates (53%) with an annual income between $20,000 and $50,000 (48%). After jaw reconstruction and completion of orthodontic treatment, long face patients as a group were perceived to be significantly more trustworthy, more friendly, more intelligent, more attractive, and more dominant and also perceived as happier and less angry, sad, afraid, or disgusted than they were before surgery (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that laypersons consistently report positive changes in a long face patient's perceived personality traits and perceived emotional expressions after bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery.

Orthognathic surgery in "older" adults with Hemi-Mandibular Elongation: Long-term occlusion outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe a consecutive series of subjects with HME who underwent orthognathic correction after 26 years of age. The investigators hypothesized that for this group of HME subjects, bimaxillary orthognathic correction would result in a favorable initial and long-term occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was implemented. The sample included a consecutive series of HME subjects >26 years of age undergoing bimaxillary osteotomies. The outcome variables were the achievement and maintenance of a corrected occlusion after surgery. We compared the occlusion at intervals before surgery (T1), 5 weeks postoperatively (T2), >2 years after surgery (T3). Descriptive and bivariate statistics were calculated. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 13 subjects met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 36 years. All subjects underwent maxillary advancement. All subjects underwent mandibular surgery with 92% receiving advancement. Sixty-nine percent of subjects had a maxillary occlusal cant. In 12 of 13 subjects, a favorable occlusion was maintained long-term (T3) after surgery. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in HME subjects >26 years of age results in a favorable initial occlusion which is maintained long-term. These findings are similar to that previously reported in HME subjects <26 years of age.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Practice Patterns Among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to assess the current clinical practices by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) in the United States regarding diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented a cross-sectional survey of academic OMSs in the United States via an electronic survey. The survey included respondent demographic data, patient volumes, diagnostic methods, and management practices for children with JIA and TMJ involvement. The results of the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The study respondents were composed of 52 surgeons. Most respondents were men (n = 43, 87.8%), were aged 51 to 60 years (n = 20, 39.2%), were in full-time academics (n = 42, 84%), had more than 20 years of experience (n = 26, 50%), and were seeing 1 to 5 patients with JIA per month (n = 21, 46.7%). Most patients were aged 11 to 15 years (n = 22, 61.1%) and were managed with 1 to 2 systemic medications (n = 30, 81.1%). All OMSs reported evaluating TMJ involvement by reviewing patient history, clinical examination, and imaging. The most commonly used imaging modality was panoramic radiographs (n = 24, 63.2%) and magnetic resonance imaging (n = 22, 57.9%). OMSs decided to inject intra-articular medication based on history and symptoms (n = 36, 94.7%). Once in remission, patients were followed up at yearly (n = 12, 36.4%) or 6-month (n = 10, 30.3%) intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that, in general, there is consensus among US OMSs regarding diagnosis of TMJ involvement in children with JIA. There is less concordance among the respondents regarding treatment. Currently, management of TMJ involvement in children with JIA is mostly based on expert opinions and retrospective studies. This study further highlights the need for randomized clinical trials and multi-institution collaboration to allow for evidence-based diagnosis and treatment.

Arthroscopy of the Temporomandibular Joint in Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

PURPOSE: The early diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) before joint destruction and growth disturbances could allow for interceptive treatment. The purpose of this article is to report early TMJ arthroscopic findings in patients with JIA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a case series of 3 patients with JIA treated at the Emory University Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from July 2011 through December 2012. Patients were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis of JIA, did not respond to anti-rheumatologic medication, and had TMJ pain or limited mouth opening. All patients underwent TMJ arthroscopy with an injection of triamcinolone hexacetonide. Demographics, medical history, magnetic resonance imaging findings, arthroscopic findings, and postoperative course were reported. RESULTS: Three female patients (mean age, 12.5 yr; 5 joints) underwent arthroscopy. Arthroscopic findings consisted of mild to moderate synovitis and grade 2 to 4 chondromalacia with or without fibrosis. Postoperatively, all patients had improvement in pain and mouth opening. CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation between duration of JIA activity in the TMJ and severity of arthroscopic findings. Arthroscopic lysis and lavage combined with triamcinolone hexacetonide injection resulted in improvement in pain and range of motion.

For treatment of odontogenic keratocysts, is enucleation, when compared to decompression, a less complex management protocol?

PURPOSE: To determine whether the clinical management of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) is more complex in patients who undergo enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy than in patients who undergo decompression with or without residual cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of patients presenting for the evaluation and management of OKCs. The predictor variable was treatment group, classified as decompression with or without residual cystectomy versus enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy (Carnoy solution, cryotherapy, or peripheral ostectomy). The outcome variables were measurements of complexity of management, including total number of procedures, venue of procedure (operating room vs office), type of anesthesia, hospital admissions, and total number of follow-up visits. Data analyses were performed using univariate and bivariate statistics and a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 45 patients (66 OKC lesions) with a mean age of 43.3 years. Of the 66 OKCs treated, 34 (51.5%) were treated with decompression with or without residual cystectomy and 32 (48.5%) were treated with enucleation with or without adjunctive therapy. Larger lesions and lesions with radiographic evidence of cortical perforation were treated more often with decompression with or without residual cystectomy. Based on the multiple linear regression model, patients who underwent enucleation with or without adjuvant therapy compared with those who underwent decompression with or without residual cystectomy had on average 1) 1.1 fewer total procedures (P < .01), 2) 0.8 fewer total office procedures (P < .01), 3) 0.6 fewer local anesthesia procedures (P < .01), and 4) 4.8 fewer postoperative visits (P < .01). There was no difference in the number of general anesthesia procedures, office sedation procedures, or hospital admissions. CONCLUSION: Given comparable recurrence rates, the increased complexity of managing OKCs with decompression with or without residual cystectomy might not be warranted. Enucleation with or without adjunctive therapy could be the more efficient treatment option.

How well do we manage the odontogenic keratocyst?

PURPOSE: To answer the clinical question: Among patients treated for odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), what is the overall 5-year disease-free rate and what factors are associated with disease recurrence? MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigators implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of patients presenting for the evaluation and management of previously untreated OKCs. The predictor variables were grouped into demographic, medical, radiographic, and operative categories. The primary outcome variable was time to lesion recurrence. Data analyses were performed using univariate and bivariate or multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 31 patients (31 OKCs) with a mean age of 41.0 years. Of the 31 OKCs treated, 19 (61.3%) were treated with decompression with or without residual cystectomy and 12 (38.7%) were treated with enucleation with or without adjunctive therapy. There were 8 recurrences in 8 patients, with a median time to recurrence of 17.8 months (interquartile range, 13.4 to 26.4 months). The 5-year disease-free estimate was 51.2% (95% confidence interval, 37.2%-65.2%). Multiloculated lesions were 33.6 times more likely to recur than unilocular lesions. CONCLUSION: This may be the first study looking at disease recurrence after treatment of OKCs using appropriate statistical analyses for a time-dependent outcome (disease recurrence). The risk for recurrent disease is higher in this report than in many other studies and raises the issue that other reports may have underestimated the risk for recurrent disease owing to inappropriate statistical methods for assessing time-dependent outcomes.

Most patients with asymptomatic, disease-free third molars elect extraction over retention as their preferred treatment.

PURPOSE: To answer the clinical question, "Among patients presenting for evaluation of their third molars (M3s), do those who choose M3 extraction, compared with those who choose M3 retention, differ in important demographic, clinical, anatomic, or radiographic ways?" MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigators implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of patients presenting for M3 evaluation. The primary predictor variable was the clinician's assessment of M3 status categorized as asymptomatic, disease free (Sx-/D-); asymptomatic, disease present (Sx-/D+); symptomatic, disease free (Sx+/D-); and symptomatic, disease present (Sx+/D+). The secondary predictor variable was treatment recommendation grouped as extraction, retention, or patient choice. The primary outcome variable was the subject's treatment decision: extract or retain M3s. Data analyses were performed using bivariate and multiple regression methods. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 249 subjects (855 M3s) with a mean age of 27.3 ± 10.4 (median = 25.0) years. Of the 855 M3s evaluated, 37.3% were Sx-/D-, 0.6% were Sx+/D-, 51.1% were Sx-/D+, and 11.0% were Sx+/D+. The treatment recommendations were retention (6.5%), extraction (55.7%), or patient choice (37.8%). Subjects chose M3 extraction 82.1% of the time. In the adjusted multiple logistic regression model, increasing age, presence of Sx-/D- M3s, and a treatment recommendation of M3 retention were factors statistically (P < .05) associated with subject treatment choice of M3 retention. CONCLUSION: When offered the choice of retention or extraction, most patients (60%) with asymptomatic, disease-free M3s elected for extraction. When M3 symptoms or disease were present, more than 95% of patients chose extraction as the preferred treatment.