Is Low-Level Laser Therapy Effective on Sensorineural Recovery After Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy? Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: When performing a sagittal osteotomy of the mandibular ramus, one must consider the risk of long-term postsurgical sensory abnormalities from lesions to the inferior alveolar nerve. One treatment for these changes is low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT on sensorineural recovery after split ramus osteotomy of the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded, split-mouth design trial included patients who underwent advanced surgery of the mandible and then received LLLT on 1 side of the mandible (experimental) and a random placebo (control) treatment on the opposite site. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 was treated during the short postoperative period (within 30 days) and group 2 was treated for persistent sensory abnormalities during the late postoperative period (6 months to 1 yr). Each patient received 5 LLLT and control sessions with intervals of 3 to 4 weeks between sessions. The experimental side in each patient received LLLT in the extraoral area (mandibular ramus and entire length of the inferior alveolar nerve to the mental region) and the intraoral area (mental foramen region). The control side received simultaneous placebo treatments. The sensorineural response was analyzed before the onset of treatment and after each LLLT and control session using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test. RESULTS: Twenty adult patients (mean age, 35.6 years; 70.0% women) showed improvement in the experimental and control sides during the follow-up period. However, the experimental side in groups 1 and 2 exhibited a marked improvement in sensorineural recovery over the course of the sessions, and group 1 had the best results. CONCLUSION: LLLT was effective in the recovery from sensorineural disorders after orthognathic surgery during the short postoperative period, particularly in the fifth session.

Apresentação clínica atípica de Carcinoma Espinocelular em lábio inferior / Atypical clinical presentation of squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lip

O carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) é a neoplasia maligna que mais acomete a cavidade bucal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar um caso com apresentação clínica atípica de CEC em lábio inferior num paciente HIV positivo. Paciente do gênero masculino, leucoderma, 59 anos, portador do vírus HIV, apresentava queixa de ardência no lábio inferior. Na história pregressa, relatou ter sido submetido à biópsia incisional do lábio inferior com o diagnóstico de displasia epitelial leve. Ao exame físico intrabucal apresentava o lábio inferior com um quadro compatível de queilite actínica. Na sua região central do lábio, ele se queixava de formigamento e dor do tipo "fisgada". Após duas semanas de acompanhamento, o paciente relatou piora na dor. Foi feita uma biópsia incisional da região afetada. O exame anatomopatológico foi compatível com CEC. O paciente foi encaminhado para a equipe de cirurgia de cabeça e pescoço e foi feita uma vermelhenectomia do lábio inferior. Após quatro meses, o paciente revelou ausência de sintomas e aspecto clínico normal. Pacientes HIV positivos podem apresentar maior predisposição às neoplasias malignas, diante do seu quadro de imunossupressão. O presente caso enfatiza a atenção ao exame de boca de pacientes portadores do HIV, bem como valoriza a queixa do paciente, a qual já revelava alterações sensoriais da região afetada. Vale ressaltar que os aspectos clínicos de um CEC geralmente são de uma úlcera assintomática, tendo o presente caso uma apresentação clínica atípica.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm that most affects the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to present a case with a clinical presentation of SCC on the lower lip in an HIV positive patient. A 59-year-old male patient, leucoderma, with HIV virus, complained of burning sensation in the lower lip. In the previous history, he reported having undergone an incisional biopsy of the lower lip with the diagnosis of mild epithelial dysplasia. On intra-oral physical examination, he presented her lower lip with a compatible picture of actinic cheilitis. In his central area of the lip, he complained of tingling and "hooked" pain. After two weeks of follow-up, the patient reported worsening in pain. An incisional biopsy of the affected region was performed. The anatomopathological examination was compatible with SCC. The patient was referred to the head and neck surgery team and a lower lip vermelhenectomy was performed. After four months, the patient showed no symptoms and a normal clinical appearance. HIV positive patients may be more prone to malignant neoplasms, given their immunosuppression. The present case emphasizes the attention to the oral examination of patients with the HIV, as well as values the patient's complaint, which already revealed sensory changes in the affected region. It is worth mentioning that the clinical aspects of a SCC are usually asymptomatic ulcers, with the present case having an atypical clinical presentation.