Quality of life in treatment of mandibular fractures using closed reduction and maxillomandibular fixation in comparison with open reduction and internal fixation--a randomized prospective study.

Treatment of mandibular fractures by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is often assumed to be superior to treatment by close reduction and maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) because patients managed by ORIF seem to be rehabilitated earlier according to functional and social aspects. This assumption is often from surgeon's perspective, not taking into account patient's view point. This study highlights a comparative assessment between ORIF and MMF from the patients' perspective. Fifty six patients with mandibular fractures within the tooth bearing areas of the mandible were prospectively studied in a randomized controlled pattern for postoperative Quality of Life (QoL) after ORIF versus MMF. Both groups were analyzed preoperatively, at 1 day, 6 and 8 weeks regarding their QoL using the General Oral Health Assessment Index questionnaire (GOHAI). No significant statistical difference was found between the groups regarding overall QoL. Patients managed by MMF were more affected by psychosocial and physical domains whereas patients managed by ORIF were more affected by the pain domain. The results demonstrate that the treatment affects the psychosocial, physical and pain domain differentially. When both treatments are possible the patient's should be enlightened on the advantages and disadvantages of both treatment modalities to guide their choice of treatment.

Tooth loss among Nigerians treated in teaching hospitals: a national pilot study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the causes and patterns of tooth loss among Nigerian adults. BACKGROUND: Tooth loss continues to be a major problem in clinical dentistry and has received significant attention in everyday dental practice. In Nigeria there is a discernible lack of current data that would explain the reasons and patterns of tooth loss from its different geopolitical zones. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The reasons for tooth extractions during a period of 12 months were obtained from the hospital records of teaching and specialist hospitals in Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows (SPSS) version 9.0. RESULTS: A total of 4,204 teeth were extracted from 3,431 patients. Of these teeth 52.4 percent were lost due to dental caries while 30.2 percent were removed because of periodontal disease, 5.0 percent were missing as a result of trauma, and 3.9 percent were impacted and required extraction. The remaining 8.5 percent were extracted for a variety of reasons such as orthodontic treatment, overeruption, neoplasms, supernumerary teeth, attrition, a cystic lesion, and hypoplasia. Dental caries was the most common diagnosis given for tooth loss in the South-South (79 percent), South-East (68 percent), North-East (47 percent), North-West (69 percent), and North-Central (35 percent) zones followed by periodontal disease. In contrast, periodontal disease was the most common cause of tooth loss in the South-West zone (65 percent) and in the FCT (55 percent), followed by dental caries at 22 percent and 33 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although teeth were extracted based on a variety of diagnoses, dental caries was identified as the common reason cited for tooth loss in Nigeria and to a lesser extent periodontal disease. Also different reasons were given for tooth loss among the various geographical zones. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tooth loss among Nigerians was attributed largely to dental caries and secondarily to periodontal disease. Both conditions can be prevented if diagnosed early enough and treatment is instituted in a timely manner.

Ameloblastic carcinoma: a multicenter Nigerian study.

PURPOSE: To obtain a national profile on the prevalence and management of ameloblastic carcinoma in Nigerians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from the case files of patients with a histologic diagnosis of ameloblastic carcinoma from 4 tertiary referral centers in Nigeria from January 1980 to December 2008. RESULTS: Twenty patients were seen within the study period. There were 11 male and 9 female patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. Their ages ranged from 16 to 85 years (mean +/- SD, 41.63 +/- 19.8 years). The duration of the lesion before presentation was 6 months to 4 years. Twelve cases occurred in the posterior mandible alone, 1 case occurred in the anterior mandible alone, and 4 cases involved the anterior and posterior mandible. The posterior part of the maxilla was involved in 3 cases. A majority of the cases (17) occurred de novo, and 3 patients presented with carcinoma ex-ameloblastoma. Treatment included surgical resection with or without neck dissection. Eight patients declined treatment after diagnosis. Surgery was planned for 12 patients, but 2 patients died of intractable bleeding episodes before surgery. Mandibulectomies and maxillectomies were performed for 10 patients. Follow-up was carried out for 5 patients. Recurrence ranged from 6 to 96 months after the first surgery. Overall deaths recorded involved 6 patients. Three patients died within 3 years after the initial surgery and 1 patient died about 8 years after the initial surgery. One patient is still alive and well 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: Ameloblastic carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy. Most cases occur in the mandible and arise de novo. Early diagnosis and radical local excision remain the mainstay of treatment.