Reconstruction of oral mucosal defects with regenerative dermal matrix after T1-T2 squamocellular carcinoma resection.

OBJECTIVE: Resection of tumors of oral cavity usually causes short- or long-term sequelae such as chewing, speech and swallowing impairment. To preserve this function it is necessary to maintain the lining of the oral cavity, the mobility and sensitivity of the tongue. Reconstructive options for oral mucosal defects resulting from tumor resection included primary closure, mucosal and skin grafts, pedicle and microvascular free flaps, and dermal matrix. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study on patients undergoing reconstruction of intraoral defects, after removal of T1, T2 malignant tumors, by placement of bilayer dermal matrix. METHODS: From 2021 to 2022, 47 patients with oral mucosa defects after removal of squamous cell carcinoma were treated. All patients were affected by a T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma. For each patient, data were collected regarding the site of the disease, the initial staging, the size of the surgical defect, the complications and the outcome months after the operation. RESULTS: In all treated cases the surgical defect involved the mucosa of the cheek, the oral floor or the tongue with an average size of 5.45cm2. Patients who underwent this type of reconstruction benefited from excellent healing of intraoral wounds and good restoration of oral function 6 months after surgery. Out of the total number of patients, membrane attachment failure was reported in only two cases. CONCLUSION: As emerges from the data reported in our study, the dermal matrix represents a valid alternative in oncological reconstructive surgery for small/medium-sized intraoral mucosal defects because it allows re-epithelialization of the wound.

Reduction of Post-Surgical Facial Edema Following Bromelain and Coumarin Intake in Traumatology: A Prospective Study with 100 Patients.

Background: Bromelain and coumarins are recognized as safe and effective therapeutic agents, used by individuals to treat ailments such as postoperative edema, inflammation and other diseases. Bromelain has been proven to be well absorbed by the body after oral administration, and it has no major side effects even after prolonged use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bromelain and other nutraceuticals in reducing post-surgical swelling, pain and the need of anti-inflammatory drugs in maxillofacial post-traumatic surgery. Methods: This prospective open-label study was conducted on patients undergoing surgery for trauma of the maxillofacial area. One hundred patients were selected and divided into two groups: one group who underwent therapy with bromelain, Aesculus hippocastanum and Melilotus officinalis and a control group that was not given the drug in postoperative therapy. Results: Patients in the experimental group showed a reduction of edema in the first and second postoperative weeks, a faster complete reduction of facial edema and a lower reduction in maximum mouth opening and needed less anti-inflammatory therapy to control pain. Conclusions: These findings seem to provide evidence that Brovas® may be effective in improving postoperative edema outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment of facial fractures.

Changes in hospital admissions for facial fractures during and after COVID 19 pandemic: national multicentric epidemiological analysis on 2938 patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this multicenter study was to examine the differences in maxillo-facial fractures epidemiology across the various phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS: This is a retrospective study on patients who underwent surgery for facial bone fractures in 18 maxillo-facial surgery departments in Italy, spanning from June 23, 2019, to February 23, 2022. Based on the admission date, the data were classified into four chronological periods reflecting distinct periods of restrictions in Italy: pre-pandemic, first wave, partial restrictions, and post-pandemic. Epidemiological differences across the groups were analysed. RESULTS: The study included 2938 patients. A statistically significant difference in hospitalization causes was detected between the pre-pandemic and first wave groups (p = 0.005) and between the pre-pandemic and partial restriction groups (p = 0.002). The differences between the pre- and post-pandemic groups were instead not significant (p = 0.106). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the number of patients of African origin was significantly higher during the first wave and the post-pandemic period. No statistically significant differences were found across the periods concerning gender, age, fracture type, treatment approach, and hospital stay duration CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in fracture epidemiology, influenced by the restrictive measures enforced by the government in Italy. Upon the pandemic's conclusion, the fracture epidemiology returned to the patterns observed in the pre-pandemic period.

Ruptured proximal pontine artery aneurysm and association with cerebellopontine angle cistern arterial venous malformation fed by the same artery: A surgical challenge.

Background: The coexistence of hyper-inflow aneurysms and cerebellopontine angle cistern (CPAc) arterial venous malformations (AVMs) have been rarely reported and most commonly associated with high risk of bleeding. Case Descriptions: We present two cases of CPAc AVMs admitted for acute subarachnoid hemorrhage from rupture of a parent right pontine artery aneurysm. Admission history, neurology at presentation, pre/post-operative imaging, approach selection, and results are thoroughly reviewed and presented. The acute origin angle of the vessel from the basilar artery made both malformations unsuitable for endovascular treatment. The surgical strategy was differently tailored in the two patients, respectively, using a Le Fort I/transclival and a Kawase approach. The aneurysm was clipped in the first case, and the AVM was excised in the second one, as required by the anatomical context. Aneurysm exclusion and AVM size reduction were obtained in the first case, while complete AVM removal and later aneurysm disappearance were obtained in the second one. A high-flow cerebrospinal fluid leak in the first case was successfully treated by an endoscopic approach. Both patients experienced a satisfactory neurological outcome in the follow-up. Conclusion: Pontine artery aneurysms, especially when associated with CPAc AVMs, represent a surgical challenge, due to their rarity and anatomical peculiarity, which typically requires complex operative approaches. Multimodal preoperative imaging, appropriate timing, and accurate target selection, together with versatile strategies, are the keys to a successful treatment.

Prelamination of the Forearm Flap for Soft Palate Reconstruction: A Case Report.

Microsurgical reconstruction is nowadays the treatment of choice of several head and neck deformities that otherwise could be repaired with limited or unsatisfactory results. The forearm free flap has its own goals expecially the possibility to reconstruct small and extremely specialized anatomical structures such as the soft palate. The abuse of drugs like cocaine, generally taken by sniffing, can produce vascular impairment in nasal and oral tissues producing, as long as the abuse is kept, necrosis of facial anatomical structures and increase of the empty space in the depth of the face or nose. The consequences are generally represented by palatal fistulas or defect, leak of food or drink from the nose, and rhinolalia. Prelamination of the flap before microvascular transfer ensures not only preparation ofadequate tissue volume to resurface the defect but also optimization of the venous outflow. This two times approach, consisting first in preparation and then elevation/transfer of the flap, gives the chances to ensure viability of the flap itself and organize the surgical strategy several times to reduce forthcoming complications. The authors believe that this technical modification could be used for many other chronic defects in the head and neck region but could also be extended, with experience, to bigger defects. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-03870-7.

Partial Parotidectomy under Local Anaesthesia without Regional Block Assisted by Electromyographic Facial Nerve Monitoring - A Case Report.

The Rationale: This study describes a partial parotidectomy (PP) under local anaesthesia (LA) without regional block (LAwRB) assisted by electromyographic monitoring of the facial nerve, to consolidate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of these procedures without general anaesthesia (GA). Patient Concerns: An 82-year-old with a lump in the left parotid gland suspected for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) needed a histological examination to start chemotherapy. Diagnosis and Treatments: Because of multiple comorbidities, the authors performed a PP under LAwRB electromyographically guided by the NIM Vital (Medtronic)™. Outcomes: The procedure was quick and did not require conversion to GA. The histopathological examination confirmed the NHL. No haematoma, sialocoele, earlobe numbness and transient or permanent facial palsy were observed. Take-Away Lessons: The electrophysiologic monitoring of the facial nerve improves the efficacy, safety and feasibility of parotid surgery under LA, avoiding adverse effects of GA, need of regional block and reducing hospital stay.

The Impact of Professional Oral Hygiene in Orthognathic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Oral hygiene represents a fundamental element with regard to outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Both basic hygiene that the patient must perform daily at home and obviously professional hygiene aimed at preventing any complications in the surgical field. METHODS: Patients undergoing orthognathic surgery in our Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Ancona, in a total number of 137 in the period studied (2016-2021), were divided into 2 groups: period 1, (2016-2018) and period 2 (2019-2021). The division into 2 groups derives from the establishment of a professional oral hygiene protocol established starting from January 2019 and put into practice by dental hygienists. The protocol consists of preoperative counseling and above all very precise instructions in the postoperative so as to optimize the oral hygiene process, assist in the best possible wound healing and reduce possible postoperative complications. Anamnestic, cephalometric data, measurements of the distances between certain landmarks for the evaluation of facial edema, patient-referred pain, accurate intraoral and extraoral physical examination both pre and postoperative, and complications were collected for each patient. CONCLUSIONS: The main goal of the study authors set is to evaluate the effective impact of professional oral hygiene in the pre and postoperative management of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, taking into account parameters, such as facial edema and pain, and using evaluation scales, making a comparison with the data reported in the 3 years before and after the establishment of the protocol applied by the authors.

Potential dual synergy between electrochemotherapy and sequence of immunotherapies in metastatic melanoma: A case report.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the natural history of advanced melanoma. Despite this, a notable proportion of patients immediately relapse or develop resistance during immunotherapy, especially with the appearance of superficial metastases and consequently with a dramatic impact on clinical outcomes. Local treatment by electrochemotherapy (ECT), parallel to regional control with palliative aim, seems to release neoantigens potentially determining a significant systemic anticancer immune reactivation. The present study reported a case of a patient with metastatic melanoma receiving Pembrolizumab, electrochemotherapy and then Ipilimumab for in-transit and finally locoregional lymph nodes and distant bone metastases with experience of clinic-radiological remission. Specifically, the present patient progressed during adjuvant treatment with in-transit metastases on the scalp; he underwent two cycle of ECT obtaining partial and then unexpected and very fast nearly complete response with the Ipilimumab treatment. Concomitantly, he developed grade 4 endocrine adverse events (hypophysitis and diabetes mellitus type I) as immune-related toxicities. At 12 months from ECT the patient is in ECOG Performance Status 0 and he has resumed a regular social life. In our experience, ECT in two administrations increased and accelerated the response of Ipilimumab. The present confirmed its promising contribution in inducing a powerful immune response in order to overcome primary or acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-programmed death antigen-1 drugs.

New Tunneled Buccal Fat Pad Flap for Palatal Reconstruction.

In the palatal defects due to surgical resection, flap selection is very important for a correct reconstruction. Different methods have been suggested over the time, however the pedicled buccal fat pad is a simple, effective, reliable flap for reconstruction after palate tumor resection. The aim of the present study is to introduce a new surgical technique for palate reconstruction with pedicled buccal fat pad flap exposing the advantages. The Authors performed this procedure in 17 patients in order to treat medium-sized oncologic surgical defect of palate region in the period between 2016 and 2019. Complete wound healing after only 4 weeks without complication after 12 months follow-up was observed. This is the first cases series described with this new technique.

Palatal reconstruction with tunnellized Bichat fat pad flap after tumor resection.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of palate defects following tumor ablative surgery can be a challenging problem. Different methods have been suggested over the time for the reconstruction of postoperative palatal defects. Since the first report of the Bichat fat pad flap in1977, it has become one of the most used flaps for the reconstruction of palate after tumor excision. We report our results using the tunnellized Bichat fat pad (BFP) flap for 23 cases of palate reconstruction after minor salivary glands tumor excision. METHODS: The authors performed a tunnellized Bichat fat pad flap for primary reconstruction of small- medium-sized surgical defects of the palate in 23 patients suffering from minor salivary glands palatal tumors in the period between 2016 and 2019. Each case was reviewed for primary pathologic findings, wound healing, postoperative complications. RESULTS: All 23 tunnellized BFP procedures showed excellent recovery and uneventful follow-up. With this technique after 12 months follow-up complete wound healing after only 4 weeks without complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The tunnellized BFP flap is useful, easy, and uncomplicated new alternative method for primary reconstruction of small to medium-sized palatal surgical defects, that can be performed with a very low morbidity. Submucosal tunnel for the pedicle passage introduced by the Authors adds some advantages in final outcomes with less discomfort for the patients, proving to be a technique able to adds itself to surgical reconstructive technique available today.

The superior eyelid crease approach with retroseptal dissection: A modified access to the superomedial intraconal space. Treatment of a cavernous hemangioma: Case report and literature review.

The orbit can be affected by primary intraconal lesions as well as cavernous hemangiomas. This article illustrates for the first time the retroseptal dissection (RD) route combined to the superior eyelid crease approach (SECA) to treat a symptomatic hemangioma inside the superomedial intraconal space. It also reviews the main studies about the argument. A 42-year-old woman affected by a mild painful proptosis and some accommodation difficulties in her right eye. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed a soft intraconal mass in the superomedial quadrant of the right orbit. The lesion was removed performing a SECA with RD through an incision inside a natural eyelid crease. Disappearance of pain with an improvement of accommodation was reported immediately. During the whole follow-up, the visual acuity, field examinations, and ocular motility did not reveal any impairment. Our approach represents a valid, quick, not technically demanding and mini-invasive method to access the superomedial intraconal space. Finally, it gives excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Addition of the tumour-stroma ratio to the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system improves survival prediction for patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: One of the objectives of current research is to customise the treatment of cancer patients. The achievement of this objective requires stratification of patients based on the most significant prognostic factors. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic value of the tumour-stroma ratio (TSR), defined as the proportion of tumour cells relative to surrounding stroma, in patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), and to develop a prognostic nomogram based on the most significant clinicopathological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinicopathological data of 211 patients treated at 'Ospedali Riuniti' General Hospital (Ancona, Italy) for OTSCC were collected. One hundred and thirty-nine patients were restaged according to the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. Evaluation of the TSR was performed on haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, and correlation with survival outcomes was evaluated. In addition, with the aim of integrating the independent value of the TSR with the 8th edition AJCC staging system, a prognostic nomogram for OTSCC has been developed. OTSCC with a low TSR (i.e. a high proportion of stroma and a low proportion of tumour cells) was shown to have negative prognostic value in terms of disease-specific survival, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.883 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.033-3.432 (P = 0.039), and overall survival (HR = 1.747, 95% CI 0.967-3.154; P = 0.044), independently of other histological and clinical parameters. For the cohort of 139 patients restaged according to the 8th edition AJCC staging system, variables correlating with a poor prognosis were: the TSR, perineural invasion, and sex. The nomogram built on these parameters showed good predictive capacity, outperforming the 8th edition AJCC staging system in stratifying disease-specific survival in OTSCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Including the TSR in the predictive model could improve risk stratification of OTSCC patients and aid in making treatment decisions.

p53-Family Proteins in Odontogenic Cysts: An Immunohistochemical Study.

The present study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of p53, p63, and p73 in different types of odontogenic cysts (OC), a group of common intraosseous jaw lesions, to provide a better understanding of p53-family functions in odontogenic lesions. We carried out immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate the expression of p53, p63, and p73 in 60 samples of OC, including dentigerous cysts, radicular cysts, orthokeratinized OC, and odontogenic keratocysts (OKC). The epithelial expression of p53-family members was evaluated both in the basal-parabasal and in the superficial layers, measuring the percentage of positive cells and the value of expression intensity. The expression of p53-family members showed a significant difference between the "OKC" and "non-OKC" groups. In particular, p53 positivity in the basal-parabasal layers, as well as p63 positivity in the superficial layers, were more common in OKC (P<0.0001; P=0.0237). p73 expression in the superficial layers was significantly more expressed in the "non-OKC" group (P<0.0001). No significant differences of staining intensity scores were reported between the groups. The Spearman test showed a positive correlation between p53 and p73 expression at the basal-parabasal level in all cysts (r=0.6626; P<0.0001). These results showed a significantly different expression of p53-family members in OC groups, in particular between the "OKC" and "non-OKC" groups, suggesting the existence of a p53-family pathway in the epithelial lining of OC.

American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system 7th edition versus 8th edition: any improvement for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging criteria and lymph node ratio (LNR) to identify patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCCT) with a poor prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-three cases of SCCT were analyzed retrospectively. Tumor staging was revised according to the 7th and 8th editions of the AJCC criteria. Depth of invasion (DOI), extranodal extension (ENE), and LNR were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five cases were reclassified: 17 patients received an upstage in the staging score, and in 8 cases in the same stage group, pT or pN was changed. In the pT-upstaged group, 7 patients experienced recurrence, and 8 died. In the pN-upstaged group, 9 patients developed recurrence, and 10 died. The number of disease recurrence or death was higher in the groups of patients who received an upstage in pN and in the staging score (P < .05). The pN-upstaged group showed worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P < .05). LNR was higher in patients with recurrence, and among these, LNR was lower in patients with ENE (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 8th edition of the AJCC criteria allows for better stratification of patients with SCCT. The implementation of ENE and LNR to pN classification seems to identify patients with worse DFS and OS.

Combined supra-transorbital keyhole approach for treatment of delayed intraorbital encephalocele: A minimally invasive approach for an unusual complication of decompressive craniectomy.

BACKGROUND: Intraorbital encephalocele is a rare entity characterized by the herniation of cerebral tissue inside the orbital cavity through a defect of the orbital roof. In patients who have experienced head trauma, intraorbital encephalocele is usually secondary to orbital roof fracture. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe here a case of a patient who presented an intraorbital encephalocele 2 years after severe traumatic brain injury, treated by decompressive craniectomy and subsequent autologous cranioplasty, without any evidence of orbital roof fracture. The encephalocele removal and the subsequent orbital roof reconstruction were performed by using a modification of the supraorbital keyhole approach, in which we combine an orbital osteotomy with a supraorbital minicraniotomy to facilitate view and access to both the anterior cranial fossa and orbital compartment and to preserve the already osseointegrated autologous cranioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The peculiarities of this case are the orbital encephalocele without an orbital roof traumatic fracture, and the combined minimally invasive approach used to fix both the encephalocele and the orbital roof defect. Delayed intraorbital encephalocele is probably a complication related to an unintentional opening of the orbit during decompressive craniectomy through which the brain herniated following the restoration of physiological intracranial pressure gradients after the bone flap repositioning. The reconstruction of the orbital roof was performed by using a combined supra-transorbital minimally invasive approach aiming at achieving adequate surgical exposure while preserving the autologous cranioplasty, already osteointegrated. To the best of our knowledge, this approach has not been previously used to address intraorbital encephalocele.

A new operative open-wings technique to correct the frontoforehead unit in metopic synostosis.

The technology adoption and creation of a multidisciplinary team have helped to overcome the complexity associated. Craniofacial surgery has thus emerged from the valuable contributions of neurosurgery, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, eyes, nose, and throat as well as head and neck surgery. A patient with trigonocephaly may present a prominent "keel" forehead, accompanied by recession of the lateral orbit rims, hypotelorism, and constriction of the anterior frontal fossa when the metopic suture fuses before 6 months of age. In a period between 2007 and 2011, in the Salesi Children's Hospital, were treated for nonsyndromic variety of metopic synostosis 11 infants; their ages ranged from 6 months to 9 months, and 7 were males and 4 females. The most important aims of our new surgical technique are the achievement of symmetry as well as normal proportion and reconstruction of the frontoforehead unit but remaining in a very conservative treatment. The morphology and position of the supraorbital ridge-lateral orbital rim region are key elements of upper facial esthetics. This new "open-wings" technique for the reconfiguration of the bilateral emisupraorbital bar requires a midline incomplete osteotomy that involves only the internal cortex of the frontonasal region. Hence, both lateral orbital walls are bent inwardly and tilting forward, as in computed tomographic scan planning, with a greenstick fracture pivoting on the preserved medial frontonasal region. This open-wings conservative technique allows the avoidance of the most important complication that may result in the traditional way such as dead space in the anterior cranial fossa, infections, and blood loss but with an achievement of satisfactory craniofacial form and aesthetic result.

Piezosurgery as a further technical adjunct in minimally invasive supraorbital keyhole approach and lateral orbitotomy.

OBJECTIVE: One of the problems in neurosurgery is how to perform rapid and effective craniotomies that minimize the risk of injury to underlying eloquent structures. The traditional high-powered pneumatic tools and saws are efficient in terms of speed and penetration, but they can provoke bone necrosis and sometimes damage neurovascular structures. As an alternative, we evaluated the piezoelectric bone scalpel (piezosurgery), a device that potentially allows thinner and more precise bone cutting without lesioning neighboring delicate structures, even in the case of accidental contact. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2011, 20 patients (8 men and 12 women), 19 to 72 years of age (mean: 49.3 years) were treated using piezosurgery. Surgery was performed for the removal of anterior cranial fossa meningiomas, orbital tumors, and sinonasal lesions with intracranial extension. RESULTS: The time required to perform craniotomy using piezosurgery is a few minutes longer than with traditional drills. No damage was observed using the piezoelectric device. Follow-up clinical and neuroradiologic evaluation showed a faster and better ossification of the bone flap with good esthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Piezosurgery is a new promising technique for selective bone cutting with soft tissue preservation. This instrument seems suitable to perform precise thin osteotomies while limiting damage to the bone itself and to the underlying delicate structures even in the case of unintentional contact. These advantages make the piezoelectric bone scalpel a particularly attractive instrument in neurosurgery.

Piezosurgery for osteotomies in orbital surgery: Our experience and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Piezoelectric bone surgery, simply known as Piezosurgery(®), is a new promising technique for bone cutting based on ultrasonic microvibrations that allows to perform precise and thin osteotomies with soft tissue sparing. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 45-years-old woman presenting with progressive left ocular pain, diplopia on the lateral left gaze, and visible exophthalmos was admitted to our department. CT scan and MRI images documented a left supero-lateral orbital lesion. A left lateral orbitotomy using the piezoelectric scalpel was performed. The tumour (lacrimal gland lymphoma) was completely removed with no injuries to the orbital structures and with a perfect realignment of the bone stumps. DISCUSSION: High powered pneumatic osteotome are commonly used to perform craniotomies. Large bone cutting groove and high temperatures developing at the contact site could produce an uneasy bone healing. The use of a piezoelectric scalpel allows to realize precise and thin osteotomies, facilitating craniotomy's borders ossification and avoiding injuries to non-osseous structures. CONCLUSION: Widely used in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Piezosurgery(®) can also be useful in neurosurgical approaches in order to obtain a faster bone flap re-ossification, a better aesthetic result, and a lower risks of dural layer and soft tissue damage.

The retromandibular transparotid approach: our clinical experience.

INTRODUCTION: Mandibular condylar fractures are very common. There is general agreement that an intracapsular fracture requires conservative treatment, but the treatment of extra-capsular fractures is controversial. Extraoral approaches have different advantages and disadvantages. The possibility of damage to the facial nerve is always present but, in our experience, always recovers in a short time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2008 to June 2009, we admitted 25 patients with mandibular condylar fractures to our department. Nineteen patients received a retromandibular transparotid approach to identify and stabilize the condylar fracture site. None of them developed infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A 2 cm incision extending in the retromandibular hollow is the first step. Initial dissection in a forward and upward in the direction of the SMAS layer is mandatory to gain good mobility of the soft tissue flaps. Blunt dissection through the parotid gland is performed between the marginal and buccal branches of the facial nerve. Periosteal elevation of all the lateral surface of the mandible provides good exposure of the bony surfaces and mobilization of the soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this approach is a safe and time sparing alternative to the intraoral endoscopic approach.