Postoperative Sequelae Following Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third-Molar Extraction Using the Complete Closure Versus the Sutureless Techniques.

Background: Wound closure techniques affect the severity of inflammatory complications that ensue following surgical extraction of the impacted mandibular third molar (M3). The choice of the technique remains a topic for discussion because reports regarding their associated sequelae are split. This study therefore compares the pain, swelling and trismus in the complete closure and the sutureless/non-closure techniques. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomised clinical study carried out at the Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery department of a tertiary hospital. A total of 74 participants requiring impacted mandibular M3 extractions were randomised into a complete closure group and a sutureless technique group. They were subjected to the procedure under similar technique and conditions and followed up for a week to assess their experiences of pain, swelling and trismus. Variables were recorded and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, version 25.0. The critical level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The sutureless group had statistically significantly higher postoperative pain on days 1, 3, 4 and 5 (P < 0.05) and lesser severity of trismus on day 7 (P < 0.05) than the complete closure group. There was no significant difference in swelling. Conclusion: Compared with the complete closure group, the sutureless group had similar severity of swelling, less trismus but had higher pain severity in the week following M3 surgery.

Clinico-pathological analysis of osteomyelitis in cancrum ois (Noma) patients seen in Noma children hospital, Northwest Nigeria

Background: Cancrum oris is a rapid and devastating infectious disease of the orofacial region, which can be life threatening in its fulminant stage. Infection of bone (osteomyelitis) is a possible sequelae of Noma (cancrum oris) and is more likely due to late presentation especially in our environment. A literature search revealed scanty research describing osteomyelitis in Noma patients. Objective: To analyze the clinico­pathology of osteomyelitis in Noma patients diagnosed and treated at Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto.Methods: The design was a 2-year retrospective study of records of Thirty­two patients who had sequestrectomy secondary to osteomyelitis in Noma (Cancrum oris). Age, gender, jaws affected and side of involvement were analyzed Results: The age ranged from 2­11 years with mean ±standard deviation 5.47 ± 2.68 years was recorded. Osteomyelitis in Noma patients was found among 17 (53.10%) males compared to 15 (46.90%) females. In 20 (62. 50%) of the cases, anterior maxillary involvement was observed and the remaining 12 (37. 50%) was found at the mandibular posterior region and it is more common on the left side. Result of histopathology showed both acute and chronic inflammatory cells. Necrosis and bone hyperactivity was observed in most of the slides. Conclusion: Osteomyelitis is a common complication of Noma and its treatment is of paramount importance for adequate management of Noma patients.

Aggressive periodontitis in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

AIM: These case series were aimed at highlighting late presentations of aggressive periodontitis (AP) in a teaching hospital as well as proffering possible reasons for such presentations which would serve as part of the solution to prevent such presentations in the future. BACKGROUND: Aggressive periodontitis is a severe form of destructive periodontitis traditionally believed to present around puberty. However, many cases seen in a teaching hospital presented much later for yet-to-be explained reasons. CASE DESCRIPTION: Seven patients referred to the specialist periodontal clinic of a Nigerian teaching hospital presented with clinical features consistent with AP. Most of the patients were over twenty and some over thirty years of age. CONCLUSION: Aggressive periodontitis patients seen in our center were often outside the traditional age brackets. The range of treatment options available to the patients were under-utilized due to serious financial constraints. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Aggressive periodontitis comes with serious psychological challenges and severe morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and effective management hold the key to success It is important to investigate why many of the cases seen in our center presented that late. Could be due to ignorance and poverty or could be due to failure of dentists recognize these cases and consequent misdiagnosis? Further studies are needed to answer these questions.