An 11-year multicentric surgical experience on pediatric orbital floor trapdoor fracture: A World Oral Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project.

INTRODUCTION: Trapdoor fractures of the orbital floor occur almost exclusively in the paediatric population. Despite being widely discussed in the literature, their management remains controversial. The objective of this retrospective study was to analyse the surgical experiences on paediatric trapdoor fractures in the maxillofacial centres participating in the WORMAT project. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 centres collected data for patients aged ≤16 years operated between January 2011 and December 2022. The demographic, cause and type of fracture, timing from injury to surgery, surgical approach, type of floor repair and outcomes were recorded. Diplopia, surgical wound infection, hardware loosening and dysesthesia in the infraorbital nerve area were recorded at follow-up. RESULTS: 43 patients were included: 25 children (0-12 y) and 18 adolescents (13-16 y) (mean age, 11.1 years). Surgical treatment was performed within 24 h in 51 % of the patients, within 24-72 h in 33 %, and beyond 72 h in the remaining. The orbital floor was repaired with a resorbable implant/membrane in 63 % of the patients, open reduction without an implant in 30 %, a titanium mesh implant in 3 adolescent patients. At follow-up (mean 16.3 months), 14 patients had residual diplopia in the upper fields, only two of these resolved within 6 months. DISCUSSION: A tendency toward an increased incidence of postoperative diplopia with longer intervals between trauma and surgery was observed. This study showed different choices regarding the material placed on the floor, with a preference for open reduction without implants in children, compared to the use of resorbable implants or membranes in adolescents.

Policy of fourteen maxillofacial divisions towards titanium plates removal after internal fixation of paediatric maxillofacial fractures: A World Oral Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this 11-year retrospective multicentric study is to evaluate the policy of 14 maxillofacial surgery divisions in terms of titanium plate removal from paediatric patients who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to treat maxillofacial fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients ≤ 16 years undergoing surgical treatment for fractures of middle and lower third of the face between January 2011 and December 2022, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months, were included. Age (group A: ≤ 6 years, B: 7-12 years, C: 13-16 years), sex, fracture location and type, surgical approach, number, and location of positioned and removed plates, timing and indications for removal were recorded. RESULTS: 191/383 (50 %) patients (median age, 10 years; M:F ratio 2.1:1) underwent removal of 319/708 (45 %) plates. Maxillary dentoalveolar process (91 %), angle/ramus (63 %) and mandibular body (61 %) had a significantly higher removal rate than other fracture sites (p < 0.001). A significant decreasing trend in removal with increasing age was observed, from 83 % in Group A to 24 % in Group C (p < 0.001). On the total of positioned plates, 11 % were removed for symptomatic reasons (5 % infections, 6 % discomfort/pain) and 34 % for other reasons (28 % scheduled removal). DISCUSSION: This multicentric study showed that plate removal was not performed routinely in the paediatric population. The incidence and causes of symptomatic plates removal were consistent with the literature, while the plate removal rate from asymptomatic patients was lower. A correlation was found between increasing age and a reduction in the frequency of plate removal procedures.

Potential Alternative Therapeutic Modalities for Management Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes malignancies of the lip and oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. It is among the most common malignancy worldwide, affecting nearly 1 million people annually. The traditional treatment options for HNSCC include surgery, radiotherapy, and conventional chemotherapy. However, these treatment options have their specific sequelae, which produce high rates of recurrence and severe treatment-related disabilities. Recent technological advancements have led to tremendous progress in understanding tumor biology, and hence the emergence of several alternative therapeutic modalities for managing cancers (including HNSCC). These treatment options are stem cell targeted therapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. Therefore, this review article aims to provide an overview of these alternative treatments of HNSCC.

Establishment of an intravenous conscious sedation service at a University Dental Clinic in Tanzania.

Background: With advances in safety measures for anesthesia, conscious sedation has gained popularity in the field of dentistry and has become essential in dental practice worldwide. However, in Tanzania, intravenous (IV) sedation is rarely practiced in the dental field. Therefore, we report the establishment of sustainable IV conscious sedation in dental practices and subsequently train local OMS residents in Tanzania. Methods: In 2019, intravenous conscious sedation was initiated at the University Dental Clinic of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS), Tanzania. During the preparatory phase of the program, local oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) were given a series of lecture notes that concentrated on different aspects of IV conscious sedation in dentistry. During the on-site training phase, an oral surgeon from the United States joined the OMSs for case selection, IV-conscious sedation procedures, and patient follow-up. Patients were recruited from existing patient records at the MUHAS Dental Clinic. Results: The first conscious IV sedation program in dentistry was successfully launched at the University Dental Clinic in Tanzania. The local team of OMSs was trained on the safe administration of sedative agents (midazolam or ketamine) to perform various minor surgical procedures in a dental office. Nine patients with different ages, body masses, and medical conditions benefited from the training. No complications were associated with IV conscious sedation in the dental office. Conclusion: This was the first successful "hands-on" training on IV conscious sedation provided to OMSs in Tanzania. It laid the foundation for the sustainable care of patients with special needs requiring oral health-related care in the country.

Health-related quality of life in patients with noma (cancrum oris): Case series.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Cancrum oris (noma) is a destructive disease of orofacial tissues and adjacent structures that progress rapidly, causing functional and cosmetic problems to the patient and ultimately affecting their health-related quality of life. This case series focuses on the impact of the cancrum oris on the health-related quality of life of patients which has been underreported in literature. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present 3 cases (1 pediatric and 2 adult patients) of cancrum oris. One adult male succumbed to the disease while the remaining two are undergoing treatment. We used the modified versions of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and the University of Washington-Quality of Life (UWQoL) questionnaire for pediatric and adult patients respectively. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The sequela of cancrum oris affects negatively the quality of life of the patients even after definitive management. Despite this, there is no validated questionnaire to assess the quality of life. The modified versions of the ECOHIS and the UWQoL questionnaires that were used in this case report can be used effectively to assess the HRQoL of the patients. CONCLUSION: Cancrum oris is a neglected disease that affects negatively the health-related quality of life of patients who suffer from it, despite medical intervention.

A meta-analysis on the presentation of Unicystic Ameloblastoma in the jaws and the consequences for their treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This meta-analysis provides reliable data on the prevalence of unicystic ameloblastomas (UA's) among solid/multicystic ameloblastomas (SMA's), as well the ratio of their presence in the maxilla and mandible and in the tooth-bearing area versus the posterior regions of the mandible, including the third molar region and ascending ramus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guideline using the strategy ((unicystic ameloblastoma) OR (((ameloblastoma) OR (solid ameloblastoma)) OR (multicystic ameloblastoma))) NOT ((((systematic review) OR (literature review)) OR (case report)) OR (Immunohistochemical)). DISCUSSION: The study included 3856 SMA's and 1537 UA's, which amounted to 28.5% UA's. Of the 380 cases of UA from twelve articles that mentioned the involved jaws, 355 were in the mandible and 25 in the maxilla. The preponderance for the mandible is much higher than reports from previous studies of smaller series. Only five articles mentioned the location within the mandible. The vast majority was in the posterior area. CONCLUSION: The consequences for treatment were discussed, with an emphasis on the approach to unicystic lesions in the posterior part of the mandible for which a protocol is suggested.

Oral and maxillofacial surgical services amid COVID-19 pandemic: perspective from Tanzania.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a global pandemic that affects individuals from all walks of life. Considering that the virus can be passed on directly from person to person through respiratory droplets, contact, fomites, and saliva, the oral and maxillofacial surgeons are exposed to COVID-19 in their daily clinical duties. This is because of the nature of their work, which entails working within a short distance from patients' oral cavity and upper airway. As such, there is a need for having locally tailored standard guidelines for managing patients with oral and maxillofacial conditions during the COVID 19 pandemic in Tanzania.

Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia associated with McCune-Albright syndrome: challenges in diagnosis and treatment: case reports.

BACKGROUND: McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare multisystem disorder that classically was defined by the triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, café-au-lait skin pigmentation, and precocious puberty. It is a condition that has a gradual onset, slow growth rate and remain painless throughout. The clinical phenotype of MAS is highly variable and no definite treatment is available. CASE PRESENTATION: This article describes two cases, a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, both with MAS comprising deforming craniofacial FD. Challenges related to diagnosis and management included late reporting with big lesions, involvement of multiple craniofacial bones, mutilating surgeries and ultimately high degree of morbidity. CONCLUSION: Delayed diagnosis and management of MAS results in devastating physical disabilities and severe morbidity after treatment.