[Study on the relationship between ER Rsa I gene polymorphism and children's dental fluorosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of ER Rsa I genotype in children who lived in the areas with or without high fluoride, and evaluate the relationship between ER Rsa I gene polymorphism and children's dental fluorosis. METHODS: Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in high fluoride areas and control areas in two counties of Henan Province were recruited. The Rsa I marker of ER gene was genotyped in 237 children composed of both dental fluorosis cases and controls by PCR-RFLP procedure. Urine fluoride was detected with fluoride ion selective electrode method. RESULTS: The frequency distribution of ER Rsa I genotype was rr 60.81% (45/74), Rr 27.02% (20/74), RR 12.16% (9/74) in children with fluorosis; rr 73.91% (51/69), Rr 20.29% (14/69), RR 5.80% (4/69) in children without fluorosis from high fluoride areas, and rr 63.83% (60/94), Rr 34.04% (32/94), RR 2.13% (2/94) in the children without fluorosis from control areas respectively. There were no significant differences in the three groups (P>0.05), but children carrying allele R of ER Rsa I had a significantly increased risk of dental fluorosis (OR=1.821, 95% CI: 1.013-3.274) compared to children carrying the allele r in endemic fluorosis areas. CONCLUSION: Although no significant difference was found in ER Rsa I genotype between cases and non-dental fluorosis in endemic fluorosis areas, children carrying R allele of ER Rsa I had a higher risk compared to children carrying r allele, and the further study is needed.

The square flap method for cleft palate repair.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new surgical technique for repair of cleft palate using the square flap method. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The procedure was performed from 1995 to 2004 in 21 males and 16 females with cleft palates of different types; the patients had a median age of 6.0 years and an average age of 9.4 years (range from 22 months to 23 years). In these patients, the square flap method, consisting of one rhombic flap and four triangular flaps, designed on the soft palate across the defect, was applied to the von Langenbeck procedure. After incisions, the flaps were rotated and advanced, and each flap was inserted into the opposite side and then sutured. The patients were followed from 6 months to 2 years, the velopharyngeal closure was examined by nasopharyngeal fiberscope and/ or x-ray radiography, and a clinical speech evaluation was performed. RESULTS: In all cases, no problem of flap viability was encountered and all healed well. The postoperative results were satisfactory without any complications such as dehiscence, perforation, palatal fistula, or functional disturbance. The velopharyngeal closure and clinical speech evaluation were satisfactory, and the effects of the operation were stable. CONCLUSIONS: The technique presented has been effective, with the advantages of palatal closure without tension, good muscular reconstruction, and sufficient lengthening of the soft palate.

[Fronto-temporal anatomy and its application for augmentation plasty].

OBJECTIVE: To decide the safe dissection plane and evaluate the multiple materials used for the fronto-temporal augmentation. METHODS: Clinical anatomical observation were made during the fronto-temporal operations. Forty-one patients were treated for the fronto-temporal augmentation with various granular or patched materials in different anatomical plane. RESULTS: Four relatively safe dissection planes were found in the fronto-temporal area: (1) subcutaneous or above superficial temporal fascia, (2) subgalea plane 1.5 cm above the zygomatic arch, (3) between the deep temporal fascia and the temporal muscle, and (4) beneath the temporal periosteum. With the follow-ups from 6 months to 1 year, the appearance after the fronto-temporal augmentation in each patient was satisfactory or improved, except for the fat granule group with partial absorption and the ePTFE or Medpor hypothesis group shown a stepped contouring at the margin in a few patients. CONCLUSION: Four dissection planes could be shown in the fronto-temporal region for the augmentation plasty with different advantages and disadvantages. The combination could be overcome the disadvantages to improve the results. Fat granule could be the best autograft for frontotemporal augmentation.