Quality of life in oncologic patients after maxillectomy operations: clinical case series on different rehabilitation protocols.

OBJECTIVE: The study's purpose was to compare the quality of life (QoL) in oncologic patients treated with different rehabilitation protocols following maxillary tumor resections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients were divided into three groups. Group A: 18 Patients with maxillary obturator prosthesis. Group B: 17 Patients with simultaneous autologous tissue reconstruction. Group C: 12 Patients with prosthesis on zygomatic implants. The post-operative QoL was compared using standard questionnaires, investigating items like pain, mood, social relations, and specific functions that could potentially compromise the post-operative QoL. A secondary analysis compared reconstructed vs. non-reconstructed patients. RESULTS: Most questionnaire items did not show significant differences among groups. Statistically significant outcomes were found in two parameters (social contact and sexuality), in which patients treated with zygomatic implants had the best satisfaction, and patients with obturator prostheses showed the lowest satisfaction. Patients belonging to the non-reconstructed group showed better moods than those in the reconstructed group, while taste problem complaints and pain were lower in the reconstructed group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the type of reconstruction procedure depends on the type of maxillectomy to be performed and on the general health situation of each patient, the impact of the rehabilitation protocol on the patients' QoL should be accounted for when planning the treatment.

Epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma in the elderly: A European multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The progressive aging of European population seems to determine a change in the epidemiology, incidence and etiology of maxillofacial fractures with an increase in the frequency of old patients sustaining craniofacial trauma. The objective of the present study was to assess the demographic variables, causes, and patterns of facial fractures in elderly population (with 70 years or more). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from all geriatric patients (70 years or more) with facial fractures between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, were collected. The following data were recorded for each patient: gender, age, voluptuary habits, comorbidities, etiology, site of facial fractures, synchronous body injuries, Facial Injury Severity Score (FISS). RESULTS: A total of 1334 patients (599 male and 735 female patients) were included in the study. Mean age was 79.3 years, and 66% of patients reported one or more comorbidities. The most frequent cause of injury was fall and zygomatic fractures were the most frequently observed injuries. Falls were associated with a low FISS value (P<.005). Concomitant injuries were observed in 27.3% of patients. Falls were associated with the absence of concomitant injuries. The ninth decade (P<.05) and a high FISS score (P<.005) were associated with concomitant body injuries too. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the role of falls in the epidemiology of facial trauma in the elderly, but also highlights the frequency of involvement of females, and the high frequency of zygomatic fractures.

Management of mandibular condylar fractures in patients with atrophic edentulous mandibles.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of condylar fractures in patients with atrophic edentulous mandibles is a peculiar field that has been little considered in the literature. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical variables as well as management and outcome of mandibular condylar fractures in edentulous patients with atrophic mandibles that were treated at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery. METHODS: The data of all patients with fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017. Only patients that were diagnosed with condylar fractures of the edentulous atrophic mandible were included. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study: 79% of patients reported one or more comorbidities. Thirty-four unilateral neck or subcondylar fractures, 9 bilateral neck or subcondylar condylar fractures, 7 unilateral head condylar fractures, and 2 bilateral head condylar fractures were diagnosed. No treatment was performed in 37 cases, whereas in 4 patients a closed treatment was decided, and 11 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Outcome was considered to be satisfying in 48 patients, with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The golden rule still remains that the diagnosis of a subcondylar or neck fracture in an edentulous patient should constitute an indication for open reduction and internal fixation. However, an appropriate choice of management options has to be individualized on a case by case basis, also depending on the patient consent.

Medical students' knowledge of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess medical students' knowledge of "medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws" (MRONJ). METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered to all the medical students in the last two years of school of medicine at the University of Eastern Piedmont between January 2019 and March 2019. The questionnaire contained a first section regarding demographic and personal data of the student and a second section regarding the knowledge on MRONJ. RESULTS: On the whole, 72 medical students agreed to participate to this study and filled in the questionnaire. As for indications for the use of bisphosphonates 45 students correctly answered "osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, multiple myeloma, or metastasis of some malignant tumors". Almost all students (71 out of 72) answered that a thorough examination of oral cavity and a dentist screening is needed and fundamental before starting bisphosphonate assumption. As for drugs responsible for MRONJ, only 12 students out of 72 correctly answered "bisphosphonates, denosumab, and antiangiogenic drugs". DISCUSSION: A better level of knowledge and awareness by medical doctors and young physicians may lead, in future, to minimize incidence of MRONJ as well as to a better resolution of ONJ cases. Theoretical and practical initiatives could be promoted to improve and consolidate the knowledge of future physicians about this important issue.

The surgical management of monostotic fibrous dysplasia of the inferior turbinate.

Fibrous dysplasia is a non-neoplastic, sporadic, slowly progressing disease of the bone in which normal bone is replaced by abnormally overgrowing lesions. There are three different types of fibrous dysplasia: monostotic (affecting a single bone), poliostotic (affecting multiple bones) and syndromic, when it is associated with other diseases (such as McCune Albright syndrome). Fibrous dysplasia affects cranio-facial bones in 10% of the cases. However, its occurrence in the inferior turbinate is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, only four cases of monostotic form have been reported so far. Hereafter we describe a case of monostotic FD of the inferior turbinate surgically treated with a trans-nasal endoscopic partial maxillectomy type II.

Comparative assessment of dexamethasone administration routes for the management of postoperative symptoms following third molar surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The surgical removal of third molars (3 Ms) is often associated with postoperative symptoms such as trismus, edema, and pain. The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative assessment of the effect of dexamethasone by different administration routes. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, prospective study was carried out including patients undergoing the surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular 3 Ms. Patients were grouped according to dexamethasone administration routes Group A (intravenous); Group B (intralesional); Group C (oral administration). After surgery, pain, edema, and trismus were recorded. Postoperative symptoms severity (PoSSE) questionnaires were administered too. RESULTS: 108 patients were allocated to group A, 101 to group B, and 106 to group C. Statistically significant differences (P < .05) with better results were observed as for edema, pain and the results of PoSSe questionnaires by groups A and B. CONCLUSION: A single intralesional administration of dexamethasone seems to be effective in decreasing postoperative pain, edema, and symptoms after third molar surgery.

Tuberculous neck lymphadenopathy: A diagnostic challenge.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem for the developing world and a rise in the number of cases has been noted in the western hemisphere too. TB can affect most organs in the head and neck region, such as the lymph nodes, larynx, middle ear, oral cavity and pharynx. In particular, as for cervical tuberculosis lymphadenopathy, a predominant involvement of the posterior triangle, supraclavicular, and internal jugular group of nodes bilaterally can be observed. As the early manifestation of Head and Neck TB is often similar to neoplasms, clinical consideration usually occurs only after an ineffective anti-inflammatory treatment, fine-needle aspiration, or biopsy/resection. In fact, this type of presentation often represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the clinician. Therefore, the aim of the present article is to present and discuss the management of a case of cervical tuberculosis lymphadenopathy.

Surgical approach to isolated bilateral orbital floor fractures.

Isolated bilateral orbital floor fractures are uncommon and are rarely described in the scientific literature. They are usually seen in association with naso-ethmoidal fractures, zygomatic fractures, or fractures of the middle third. We report our experience in the management of a patient presenting bilateral isolated orbital floor fracture. The difficulties in management of these fractures are due to the lack of an uninjured contralateral side for intraoperative comparison.

Efficacy and safety of maxillomandibular advancement in treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

To assess the effectiveness of maxillomandibular adavancement for treatment of adults with obstructive sleep apnoea, we report the results obtained after maxillomandibular advancement. A group of 16 patients were studied before surgery, at 6 months after surgery and at followup. The analysis included: upper airway endoscopy during Mueller's manoeuvre, lateral cephalometry, polysomnography and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The results of surgical treatment were divided into "surgical success" and "surgical cure". The former was defined as an AHI < 20 events/hour and a > 50% reduction in AHI after surgical procedure, while the latter was defined as an AHI < 5 events/hour after surgical procedure. At follow-up, all patients had AHI < 20 events/hour with a surgical success rate of 100%. The surgical cure rate was 37.5%, with 6 patients having an AHI < 5 events/hour. Surgical success and long term stability of outcomes confirm the efficacy and safety of MMA for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. However, a continuous follow-up of these patients is necessary to control their lifestyle and to detect possible relapse.

Intraoral extra-mucosal fixation of fractures in the atrophic edentulous mandible.

Atrophy of the mandible leads to a decrease in the bone mass, making it more vulnerable to fractures. A direct relationship has been demonstrated between the height of the bone in the area of the fracture and the incidence of postoperative complications of bone healing. Basic principles of fracture management in both edentulous and non edentulous patients are open reduction and internal fixation with osteosynthesis of the fracture to achieve restoration in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Several authors have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the transoral and extraoral approaches. Between January 2007 and June 2011, 13 patients affected by bilateral fractures of atrophic mandibles were treated by extra-mucosal intraoral stabilization with satisfactory results. This approach reduces the risks of damage of the marginalis mandibulae nerve with low operation time, while avoiding unsightly scars.

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy in reconstructive surgery.

In 1997, supported by experimental work, Argenta published a clinical report describing a variety of complicated wounds whose treatment responded successfully to negative pressure dressings using a vacuum-assisted closure system (VAC) (Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX). This system has been successfully used in the fields of orthopaedics and traumatology, general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and gynaecology/obstetrics for a large variety of complicated wounds located in several regions, particularly in the torso and extremities. To the best of our knowledge, the use of the VAC therapy in treating free flaps surgical wounds has not been discussed in the literature. Since 2009 at the Novara Major Hospital, we have been using the VAC therapy in selected cases for difficult and complicated wounds of the maxillofacial region. The purpose of this study is to describe and discuss three cases undergoing VAC therapy followed by loco-regional flaps in the management of exposed bone after fibular free flap. The advantages and disadvantages of VAC therapy in treating complicated wounds have been reported by several studies; compared with conventional wet-to-dry dressings, this system eliminates interstitial oedema, exudates and debrides while increasing blood perfusion leading to a more rapid promotion of wound healing with less bacterial loading. Although surgical debridement, wet-to-dry dressing changes and antibiotic treatment are the mainstay in managing maxillofacial wounds, VAC therapy can be used to obtain primary closure or to prepare the wound bed until definitive reconstruction is carried out. In our opinion, the VAC technique is an innovative therapy, and at our institution represents the standard of care for the majority of complicated wounds.

[The Caldwell-Luc procedure in the management of maxillary sinusitis. Long-term results]. / L'intervento di Caldwell-Luc nel trattamento delle sinusiti mascellari. Risultati a lungo termine.

BACKGROUND: The surgical technique proposed by Caldwell and Luc more than a century ago has been applied in over a million cases to treat maxillary sinusitis. A critical re-evaluation of the method has been in progress for several years, in the light of the results that can be achieved with endoscopic functional surgery. METHODS: In a retrospective study, operations performed according to the Caldwell-Luc technique on 40 patients, mean age 45 years, between 1992 and 1996, were evaluated critically to determine the efficacy of this approach in treating maxillary sinusitis, with particular emphasis on the incidence of immediate or delayed complications. Initially, clinical and radiological data concerning each patient where considered with particular reference to the subjective and objective symptomatology, preoperative radiological diagnosis and etiology of the sinusitis. RESULTS: Having completed the analysis of the documentation available, some of the patients were recalled and subjected to an in-depth instrumental diagnosis through traditional and CT radiography. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that, in consideration of the marked incidence of complications, the Caldwell-Luc procedure may be defined as a non-obligatory therapeutic option even in chronic maxillary sinusitis. The use of this surgical procedure is rational in cases of antral tumour, trauma, very serious mycotic or septic factors, or when a surgical approach to the pterigo-maxillary fossa is necessary. In all other cases, the preferred treatment must now be endoscopy.