Snoring in cleft patients with velopharyngoplasty.

Some patients with cleft lip/palate or isolated cleft palate seem to develop snoring as one possible symptom of an obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome after velopharyngoplasty (VPP). The aim of this paper was to determine whether there was a difference in the posterior airway space (PAS) between patients with a VPP who snored and those who did not. Four standard parameters were measured in lateral cephalograms of 20 patients with cleft lip/palate and isolated cleft palate, without diagnosis of further syndromes (e.g. Pierre Robin sequence), having undergone VPP, to examine the dimensions of the PAS. Data were set in correlation to the symptom of snoring, and compared with those of 40 patients without cleft undergoing orthodontic treatment and with 20 patients with cleft lip/palate or isolated cleft palate but not VPP. Metric parameters were significantly different after VPP in patients with clefting and snoring compared to the group of cleft patients without snoring. All patients with clefts exhibited at least in one dimension a constriction when compared to patients without clefting. In conclusion, cleft lip/palate and isolated cleft palate patients tend to have constrictions of the PAS. VPP may induce snoring and further narrowing. Recall and analysis for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome should be mandatory.

Patients' knowledge and expectations regarding dental implants: assessment by questionnaire.

Today, modern implant dentistry appeals to a wide population, but the decision for and the success of implants depend on the knowledge and expectations of patients. The aim of this study was, with the help of a questionnaire, to evaluate the level of patient knowledge before a professional consultation was performed, and hence to be better prepared in the interests of patient awareness. Fifty-eight percent of 315 patients questioned thought that implants require the same care as natural teeth, 61% expected an additional payment of 2000 Euro or less, 80% held the function of an implant-supported overdenture as very important and 54% attached great importance to the aesthetics. The expectations that patients have for an implant-supported set are high in contrast to their willingness to make additional payments. There are still misconceptions regarding costs, and these must be resolved individually in practice.

Reasons for patients' discontent and litigation.

INTRODUCTION: Discontent and litigation among patients is a problem which increasingly preoccupies the medical profession. AIM: We aim to analyse the origin of discontent and litigation and to help avoiding these claims. MATERIAL: One hundred and seventy-eight medical expert opinions were evaluated, all made following examination of the complainant. METHODS: Depending on the results of the clinical examination and the study of the files it was determined whether there was either a case of malpractice or insufficient informed consent, or no fault at all in a legal sense. In addition the patient and the surgeon were questioned as to their point of view regarding the procedure and their communication and relationship before and after treatment. RESULTS: Frequent complaints were pain (either during treatment or afterwards), major swelling or bleeding, disturbances of trigeminal or facial nerve function, poor scar formation, loss of teeth or fixtures, faulty occlusion and discrepancies between the expected and the actual result of treatment. In 26 cases actual faults made during medical treatment were discovered. In 49 further cases, poor explanation of the proposed procedure was the reason for complaint. In the majority of remaining cases, neither faulty treatment nor insufficient information given to the patient lead to the complaint but the patient's expectations were unrealistically high. CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of lawsuits originate from misunderstandings, and not treatment errors: The surgeons often concentrate on the legal requirements of informed consent and neglect to explain the practical consequences of the operation; the patients in turn tend not to ask about possible complications.

Stability of bone grafting and placement of implants in the severely atrophic maxilla.

A severely atrophic maxilla can be restored by bone grafts to allow the insertion of implants. We present 30 consecutive patients treated with autogenous inlay and onlay bone grafts from the iliac crest to the floor of the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest. A total of 200 implants were inserted 4-6 months after bone grafting. A mean vertical increase in bone thickness of 14mm was achieved. After a mean bone loss of 1.3mm during the first year after bone grafting only minimal resorption was observed during the second and third year. Seven implants failed to integrate and a further four implants were lost during follow-up.

[Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity: a case report and review]. / Primär malignes Melanom der Mundhöhle: Kasuistiken und Ubersicht.

The oral cavity is a rare location for the development of primary malignant melanoma. Two cases of malignant melanoma of the superior alveolar process are described. The necessity of an early recognition and of clarification concerning the differential diagnosis of oral pigmentation as well as the treatment are discussed, together with a review of the literature.

Analysis of patients with a cleft of the soft palate with special consideration to the problem of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

The evaluation of therapy concepts for children suffering from cleft palate is an enormous challenge in modern oral and maxillofacial surgery and related disciplines. In the present retrospective survey 1300 patients having clefts, including the soft palate, were studied with special regard to speech improvement operations. Nine hundred fifty four patients had a cleft lip, alveolus and palate and 346 patients only isolated cleft palate. In 25.6% of the patients it was necessary to perform a secondary velopharyngoplasty for speech improvement after soft palate closure. Age of the subjects at the time of operation, primary or secondary soft palate closure, and the type of clefting were not significant factors for performing subsequent velopharyngoplasty. However, significant differences with respect to the need for a secondary velopharyngoplasty after soft palate closure were found when comparing the surgical experience of the surgeons.

Demographical and clinical aspects of sports-related maxillofacial and skull base fractures in hospitalized patients.

As many as 30% of all maxillofacial fractures (MFFs) and skull base fractures (SBFs) are reported to be sports-related. Participation in sporting activities has grown worldwide and the number of cases of sports-related injuries has also increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the data of 3596 patients hospitalized by MFF or SBF over a 6-year period; 147 (4%) of these cases were sports-related (mean age 29.7±12.8 years). The highest incidence was found in patients aged 20-29 years (35%), and the fractures resulted mostly from ball sports (74%), especially soccer (59%) and handball (8%). The injuries involved different areas, with a significant prevalence of the midface complex (67%) compared with the mandible region (29%) and the skull base (4%). The commonest diagnoses associated with MFF and SBF were brain concussion (19%), laceration of the skin and soft tissue (16%), and dental injury (8%). Surgery was required for 88% of midface fractures. In cases of mandible fractures 52% were supplied with osteosynthesis. This study identified the significant number of severe sports-related injuries that occur each year, suggesting that changes of rules and safety standards are needed for the prevention of such injuries.

[Perineural application of glycerol and phenol-glycerol. Histomorphologic-morphometric study]. / Die perineurale Leitungsblockade mit Glycerin und Phenol-Glycerin. Eine histomorphologisch-morphometrische Studie.

In a long-term study the effect of glycerol and phenol-glycerol on rats mandibular nerve was analysed. The substances were applicated perineurally. Nerves treated with glycerol did not show any severe pathological changes. Only the number of desintegrations of myelin seemed to be more pronounced. This, however, was a transitary effect. On the contrary, nerves treated with phenol-glycerol showed the familiar picture of degeneration and regeneration. According to our results it can be stated that the perineural application of glycerol has no toxic and destructive effect on the nerve. Therefore, the perineural glycerol blocking will not cause severe side-effects and the method can be recommended in the therapy of chronic facial pain.

Facial trauma in children and adolescents.

Most studies on facial trauma in the pediatric age group focus on special subgroups. This investigation encompasses all traumatic facial injuries, minor and major, of children and adolescents. Epidemiological data of the type and pattern of injury of trauma patients less than 19 years of age, treated during a 3-year-period in a large metropolitan trauma centre were reevaluated. Of the 1385 patients, 68% had soft tissue injuries, 24% had dental trauma, and 8% fractures of facial bones. More than 90% suffered from minimal or minor trauma. The leading cause of injury was a fall, predominantly at the toddler stage. In adolescents an adult mechanism of trauma prevailed: over 60% of injuries were sequelae of an assault or altercation. The male sex predominated through all age groups and for all types of injuries. The bulk of soft tissue injuries are located within a small falling zone, extending from the nose to the mental area. There was a rising incidence of fractures of facial bones towards older age groups, mandibular fractures being the most common. Condylar fractures, with their potential impact on further growth of the mandible, are seen frequently in children and adolescents, making up 80% of the fractures of the lower jaw.

[Rehabilitation following laryngectomy from the viewpoint of the affected patients]. / Die Rehabilitation nach Laryngektomie aus der Sicht der Betroffenen.

This study is based on a questionaire sent to members of the German laryngectomee association. The analyses of the answers provide important positive and negative information concerning the rehabilitation: Generally the patient was reintegrated into the family without incident. 59.2% learned oesophageal voice, but 28% acquired no effective substitute voice. 39% of patients and 51% of their relatives did not become acquainted with first-aid for neck-breathers (mouth to neck resuscitation). 19.5% resumed their former work. During the preoperative course, 36% of the patients waited 3 to 6 months from the beginning of their complaints to the first medical consultation. In 51% of the cases the interval from first complaints to the surgical treatment was more than three months. These results demonstrate shortcomings in rehabilitation which require attention.

Conscious midazolam sedation in third molar surgery--aspects of post-operative patient evaluation.

This study was conducted on 426 patients undergoing third molar surgery to evaluate their opinion on surgery and the follow-up period concerning postoperative behaviour, pain, and complaints. Two groups were formed as patients had to choose between local anaesthesia only or additional conscious sedation by means of intravenous midazolam (0.1 mg/kg). Women and younger patients preferred conscious sedation. Surgery was described as significantly less distressing by the sedated group. No difference in the evaluation of the follow-up period between both groups existed. Patients of the midazolam group took more analgesics, tended to stay longer in bed and reported on protracted cooling. Non-sedated persons older than 30 years complained about a slower decrease in postoperative pain. According to these findings, sensitive, cautious patients tend to prefer conscious sedation which is reflected in their behaviour. No relationship between the evaluation of surgery itself and the follow-up period could be found.

[The late results in conservatively treated fractures of the mandibular condylar process]. / Spätergebnisse konservativ behandelter Frakturen des Unterkiefergelenkfortsatzes.

The results of conservative treatment of 128 patients, who suffered an isolated fracture of the mandibular condylar process at least 5 years ago and their dependence upon localisation and dislocation of the fracture are demonstrated. The advantages and disadvantages of conservative and operative therapy are discussed.

[Thermographic quantification of sensory and sympathetic nerve lesions in mandibular fractures--a prognostic criterium?]. / Thermografische Quantifizierung sensibler und sympathischer Nervläsionen bei Unterkieferfrakturen--ein Prognosekriterium?

As a rule, damage to segmental afferent nerves by trauma is accompanied with local impairment of sympathic functions. Standardized quantification of subjective items concerning the deficit of sensibility is quite problematical. Investigation by electrophysiological means yield not more than qualitative issues. In contrast, changes of sympathetic status and reaction of dependent dermatomas are quantitatively measurable by thermography. -26 patients with unilateral mandibular fractures complained of different posttraumatic or postoperative sensible impairment of the third branch of the trigeminal nerve. In the course of onto 3 years area and quality of the concerned neural defect were correlated to skin temperature that was measured by contact thermography and compared to the opposite reference region.- In all cases the early posttraumatic period showed a difference in temperature of the corresponding skin areas (delta T = 0.43 +/- 0.24 C). In 20 of 26 cases a relation between the changes of temperature concerning time and area and the sensible improvement could be seen. There was an individual time-lag between these developments. Side-comparing thermography was able to forecast improvement in 17 of 26 cases. Thus, the issued device provides statements about the amount and the course of posttraumatic loss of sensibility.

[Methods of pain therapy in mouth, jaw and facial surgery]. / Methoden der Schmerztherapie in der Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie.

Pain therapy in the oral and maxillofacial region is still a problem. Before starting therapy, the genesis of pain has to be carefully clarified. The article presents the most important syndromes, aspects concerning diagnosis and differential diagnosis as well as therapeutic schemata.

[Complications following piercing in the oral and facial region]. / Komplikationen nach Piercing im Mund und im Gesicht.

The increasing distribution and social acceptance of body piercing induced us to investigate the nature and rate of complications brought about by this fashionable injury of the unscathed body. All dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and clinics within the region of the association of dentists of Bremen were asked to register all patients presenting between June and October 1998 in whom piercings of the head and neck area were visible. Response was good; 699 piercings in 273 persons were recorded and some exemplary photographs made. Some 47 persons showed local complications which ranged from keloid formation and temporary infections to cartilage necrosis and disturbances in sensibility. General diseases were described as well, mainly allergies and hepatitis. In accordance with the seriousness of the complication the medical treatment required varied. Nine persons had to be treated in hospital. In 14 cases patients suffered permanent damage. Piercings cause severe complications and considerable expense to the public health service.

[Priorities and treatment principles in maxillofacial trauma]. / Prioriteiten en behandelingsprincipes bij maxillo-faciale traumata.

The outline of therapeutic priorities in case of maxillo-facial traumatism may be divided in three different stages according to the need of acute urgent, urgent and necessary intervention. Acute urgent therapy is called for when the bleeding of the arteria carotis externa or the maxillary artery cannot be quenched or when the superior airways are obstructed by the soft tissues of the tongue or the floor of the mouth. A description of the therapeutic attitude in such cases is given. Urgent therapy should be given within 8 hours after the accident and mostly consists in the immobilisation of bony injuries and definite care of soft tissue lacerations. Necessary therapy includes the final surgical treatment such as osteosynthesis by titanium mini-plates. More specific problems like frontobasal fractures and fractures of the orbital floor are described separately.

[Mandibular fractures. An epidemiological study of a 10-year cohort]. / Unterkieferfrakturen. Eine epidemiologische Studie anhand eines 10-jährigen Kollektivs.

From 01-01-1981 to 12-31-1990 512 patients with isolated mandibular fractures, 161 patients with combined midfacial-/mandibular fractures and 15 patients with combined frontobasal-/midfacial-/mandibular fractures were treated. During that period the number of isolated mandibular fractures doubled, whereas the frequency of combined mandibular fractures was nearly constant. The male/female ratio was 3.1 to 1. The more severe the combined mandibular fractures had been, the less female patients were concerned. Most of the patients were between 16 and 30 years old followed by 31 to 45 year old patients. The main reason for isolated mandibular fractures had been assaults, followed by falls and road traffic accidents, whereas most of the combined mandibular fractures were caused by road traffic accidents. The numbers of single and double fractures of the mandible were nearly equal. Certain and uncertain signs of fractures are mostly unreliable, so that an X-ray is needed. A combined conservative and surgical treatment shows the best results and guarantees the reintegration of the patient in the every-day life as early as possible.

[Follow-up studies of 3-dimensional osteoplastic reconstruction of the extremely atrophied maxilla combined with implants]. / Verlaufskontrollen der dreidimensionalen osteoplastischen Rekonstruktion des extrem atrophierten Oberkiefers in Kombination mit Implantaten.

In the severely resorbed maxilla, a 10-year success rate of only 49-74% of implants in combination with autogenous bone grafts has been reported. We developed a modified technique of antral inlay grafting and lateral and vertical onlay grafting of the severely resorbed maxilla for inserting implants to retain dentures. The clinical and radiologic results are presented. In 21 patients with severely resorbed edentulous maxillae, a total of 20 bilateral and one unilateral antral inlay graftings and lateral and vertical onlay graftings were performed after a prosthodontic setup. We opened the maxillary sinus by removing a bony window from the anterolateral wall and, after elevation of the sinus lining, grafted the sinus floor with corticocancellous iliac crest bone grafts. The maxilla was also augmented in the lateral and vertical direction. The bone grafts were fixed by osteosynthesis. After a median of 5 months, a total of 134 implants (Brånemark) were placed and later loaded by prosthodontic rehabilitation. Computed tomography (CT) scans were taken before the grafting procedure, immediately after grafting, after 4 months, and every year thereafter. A total of 94.8% of the implants were successful at the time of the abutment operation. After loading, two additional failures were seen in an average follow-up period of 2.5 years. Most patients were provided with implant-borne dentures. CT scans showed an average initial gain of vertical bone height of 3.7-17.7 mm. One year after grafting, a loss of 1.3 mm or 7% occurred. In the following 2 years, no major atrophy was observed. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between sex, bone height before augmentation, augmented bone height, and resorption of the grafted bone. We observed undisturbed healing and obtained large vertical bone heights, a high success rate, minimal resorption, and fully satisfactory prosthodontic rehabilitation; we can thus recommend our modified technique of reconstruction of the severely resorbed maxilla for routine use.

[Clinical manifestations of CHARGE association in the area of the mouth, jaw and face]. / Klinische Manifestationen der CHARGE-Assoziation im Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtsbereich.

Clinical experience of 11 patients with CHARGE association is reviewed. The study comprised six girls and five boys. All presented with congenital heart disease. Eight had bilateral choanal atresia. Coloboma affecting either one or both eyes was detected in nine children. Nine patients suffered abnormal pinnae or deafness. In addition to major abnormalities, further anomalies of the orofacial region and the upper airways occurred in all patients. All children exhibited velopharyngeal incoordination and swallowing problems often resulting in recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Three patients had cleft lip and palate. Both micrognathia and high-arched palate were present in two patients. Facial palsy was observed in six patients. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach with active coordination and cooperation between the appropriate specialties. The anatomical repair of bilateral choanal atresia should be performed as early as possible. In our experience, the transpalatal approach is far more satisfactory than the transnasal. It gives the surgeon the opportunity of direct access and anatomical repair. After the child has grown stronger, a long-term management is desirable including developmental and feeding training.

[Differential indications for the surgical management of fractures of the mandibular condyle]. / Differentiaal-indicatie voor operatieve verzorging van collum mandibulae-fracturen.

The frequency and importance of collum mandibulae fractures is indicated, especially in connection with the sequels of conservative-functional therapy, and the different classifications and types of fractures are described. The non-surgical approach is evaluated as a treatment. Its inconvenient and sometimes unsatisfactory results necessitate the surgical treatment of certain types of collum mandibulae fractures. Absolute en relative indications for osteosynthetic treatment of condylar fractures are noted, the proposed surgical technique is discussed. The importance of a universal preauricular incision continued in an incision for parotidectomy and resulting in a standard incision or a combined preauricular-submandibular incision, is pointed out. Surgical technique for intra and extra capsular collum fractures is illustrated. Our preference goes to functional stable osteosynthesis using titanium mini-plates and the often obligatory dissection of the facial nerve. The so called "condylar shave" or remodelling condylotomy in analogy with the DAUTREY-operation is a therapeutic contingency in case of bilateral collum mandibulae fractures with unilateral low condylar fracture where classical mini-plate osteosynthesis is done, and intracapsular multi-fractured condylar head on the other side where the condylar shave or rubble clearing is performed The attitude towards children is discussed. The result of this surgical technique is illustrated through the follow-up of 73 surgical treatments of collum fractures in 59 patients. We conclude that surgical osteosynthetic treatment of collum mandibulae fractures with a strict indication in case of dislocated and luxated fractures should be included in the therapeutic range of modern maxillo-facial traumatology.