Frequency of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury During Third Molar Extraction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of inferior alveolar nerve injury during third molar extraction and the associated factors. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan, from July to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: A total of 163 patients with third molar surgery were included. Patients were followed up after one week, one month, and three months of duration. The frequency of inferior alveolar nerve injury was determined as well as its relationship with other surgical variables like age, gender, type of impaction, buccal flap retraction, bone cutting, tooth splitting, and duration of surgery via Chi-square test. RESULTS: The frequency of inferior alveolar nerve injury was found to be 1.2% (n = 02). None of the surgical variables had a statistically significant association with it (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of nerve injury of the inferior alveolar nerve during extraction of the third molar was 1.2%. Proper treatment planning, using advanced radiography, experienced surgeon, and proper technique can help in lowering nerve injury risk. KEY WORDS: Inferior alveolar nerve injuries, Molar, Tooth extraction, Paraesthesia.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach as a novel technique for pediatric populations: Results from a single surgeon.

Background: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is increasingly being adopted worldwide because of its many advantages. However, there are few reports on the effectiveness and safety of TOETVA in children. In this study, we report the results of the application of TOETVA on 27 pediatric patients in Vietnam. To the best of our knowledge, this is also the largest sample size of the TOETVA technique performed by a single surgeon on pediatric patients worldwide. Patients and methods: From June 2020 to February 2022, we performed TOETVA on 27 pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old). The outcomes of the procedure were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Our study was conducted on 27 pediatric patients, of whom 24 were female (88.9%). The mean age was 16.3 ± 2 (range 10-18). Fifteen patients had benign thyroid nodules with a mean nodule size of 31.6 ± 7.1 (range 20-50mm), and 12 patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma with a mean nodule size of 10.2 ± 5.6 (range 4-19mm). All 27 patients underwent successful TOETVA without any conversion to open surgery. The 15 patients with benign thyroid nodules had lobectomies with a mean operative time of 83.3 ± 10.5 (range 60-105 minutes). Among the 12 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer, ten had a lobectomy, isthmusectomy, and central neck dissection, with a mean operative time of 89.8 ± 5.7 (range 80-100 minutes). The other two underwent total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection with a mean operative time of 132.5 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 4.7 ± 0.9 (range 3-7 days). No patient had permanent complications, such as hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, or mental nerve injury. The rates of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and mental nerve injury were 3.7% and 11.1% respectively. Conclusions: TOETVA may be a feasible and safe surgical method for children with thyroid disease. However, we recommend that only high-volume thyroid surgeons with experience in TOETVA should perform TOETVA on the pediatric population.

The ambulatory transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach is safe and economical for patients with thyroid nodules.

Background: Ambulatory thyroid surgery has been increasingly performed in recent years. However, the feasibility of the ambulatory transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the safety, economy, and mental health outcomes of ambulatory TOETVA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent TOETVA between March 2019 and August 2022. The procedure was performed by a skilled surgical team from the Department of Thyroid Surgery of the affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University. Patients were enrolled in the ambulatory (n=166) and conventional (n=290) groups, based on their chosen procedure. We analyzed patients' clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) scores, and hospitalization costs. Results: Of 456 patients, 166 underwent ambulatory TOETVA and 290 underwent conventional TOETVA. No significant differences were found in clinical and surgical characteristics between the groups, including sex (P=0.363), age (P=0.077), body mass index (P=0.351), presence of internal diseases (P=0.613), presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (P=0.429), pathology (P=0.362), maximum tumor diameter (P=0.520), scope of surgery (P=0.850), or operative time (P=0.351). There were no significant differences in maximum tumor diameter (P=0.349), extrathyroidal tissue invasion (P=0.516), number of retrieved central lymph nodes (P=0.069), or metastatic central lymph nodes (P=0.897) between the groups. No significant differences were found in complications, including transient hypoparathyroidism (P=0.438), transient vocal cord palsy (P=0.876), transient mental nerve injury (P=0.749), permanent mental nerve injury (P=0.926), and other complications (P=1.000). Ambulatory patients had shorter hospital stays (P<0.001) and reduced hospitalization costs (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in HAM-A scores between the groups (P=0.056). Conclusions: Ambulatory TOETVA is a safe, feasible, and cost-effective procedure for selected patients. This procedure resulted in shorter hospital stays, decreased medical costs, and did not increase patient anxiety. To ensure patient safety, surgical teams must inform patients of the indications, when to seek help, and how to receive the fastest medical attention.

Artificial intelligence in positioning between mandibular third molar and inferior alveolar nerve on panoramic radiography.

Determining the exact positional relationship between mandibular third molar (M3) and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is important for surgical extractions. Panoramic radiography is the most common dental imaging test. The purposes of this study were to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to determine two positional relationships (true contact and bucco-lingual position) between M3 and IAN when they were overlapped in panoramic radiographs and compare its performance with that of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) specialists. A total of 571 panoramic images of M3 from 394 patients was used for this study. Among the images, 202 were classified as true contact, 246 as intimate, 61 as IAN buccal position, and 62 as IAN lingual position. A deep convolutional neural network model with ResNet-50 architecture was trained for each task. We randomly split the dataset into 75% for training and validation and 25% for testing. Model performance was superior in bucco-lingual position determination (accuracy 0.76, precision 0.83, recall 0.67, and F1 score 0.73) to true contact position determination (accuracy 0.63, precision 0.62, recall 0.63, and F1 score 0.61). AI exhibited much higher accuracy in both position determinations compared to OMFS specialists. In determining true contact position, OMFS specialists demonstrated an accuracy of 52.68% to 69.64%, while the AI showed an accuracy of 72.32%. In determining bucco-lingual position, OMFS specialists showed an accuracy of 32.26% to 48.39%, and the AI showed an accuracy of 80.65%. Moreover, Cohen's kappa exhibited a substantial level of agreement for the AI (0.61) and poor agreements for OMFS specialists in bucco-lingual position determination. Determining the position relationship between M3 and IAN is possible using AI, especially in bucco-lingual positioning. The model could be used to support clinicians in the decision-making process for M3 treatment.

The Assessment of Neurosensory Disturbance Following Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy With Subjective and Three-Dimensional Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Inferior alveolar neurosensory disturbance (IAND) is the most common complication of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). The aim of the present study was to evaluate IAND with subjective tests postoperatively and assess the relationship between three-dimensional measurements of the mandibular canal (MC) and IAND. METHODS: Eighteen patients (Mean age: 24.05 ±â€Š5.85 years) treated with BSSO were retrieved from the archive. Subjective tests (light touch, tactile sensitivity, 2-point discrimination, brush-stroke directional discrimination, sharp/blunt discrimination, dental vitality, questionnaire) and three-dimensional measurements related to MC and fixation screws were done postoperatively (on average 20.43 ±â€Š8.76 months after surgery). Statistical significance was set at P  < 0.05. RESULTS: Subjective test results were found compatible with each other except brush-stroke directional discrimination test. According to the questionnaire, IAND was apparent in all patients immediately after surgery, and recovery after 1 to 2 years was statistically significant ( P  < 0.05). Preoperative ramus width, medial and lateral cancellous bone lengths, the decrease in MC length, and the presence of screw in MC were not related to IAND ( P  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of IAND following BSSO, and the subjective tests are efficient to evaluate the disturbance. Spontaneous recovery of the nerve occurs during the follow-up periods. Instead of preoperative measurements of bone thickness, MC length, and the position of fixation screws, the surgical procedure seems to be more important in IAND occurrence.

Factors affecting root migration after coronectomy of the mandibular third molar.

ABSTRACT: Nerve injury especially inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is the one of the complications that occur when the mandibular third molar (M3) is extracted and in case of high risk patients, coronectomy might be an alternative to tooth extraction. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze root migration and its influencing factors at 6 months after coronectomy in both 2- and 3-dimensions using periapical view and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We analyzed 33 cases of root remnant after coronectomy and measured the amount of migration in CBCT. The following factors that could possibly affect root migration were also analyzed: age, gender, number of M3 roots, shape of M3s, Pell, and Gregory classification, mesiodistal (MD) angulation, buccolingual (BL) angulation, contact point with the second molar, root curvature, and complete removal of the coronal portion. Migration of greater than 2 mm was found in 64% of the roots in the 2-dimensional (2D) analysis, and the average root migration was 4.11 mm in the 3-dimensional (3D) analysis. The factors affecting migration were the root morphology, complete removal of the coronal portion, impaction depth, and MD angulation in the 2D analysis, and MD and BL angulation in the 3D analysis. Ensuring sufficient space for root migration especially considering angulation, depth and complete removal of the coronal portion might be important factors after coronectomy of the M3. Root remnant after coronectomy of M3 may migrate in young patients who has sufficient empty coronal space and this may reduce the nerve damage by the separation of IAN and M3.

Safety and surgical outcomes of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach for papillary thyroid cancer: A two-centre study.

OBJECTIVE: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been increasingly used to treat patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with improved cosmetic outcomes. This study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of TOETVA in patients with PTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included TOETVA patients from Yantai Yuhuangding and Xiamen Zhongshan Hospitals. Among the 297 patients studied, 84 had benign nodules (28.3%), 208 had PTC (70.0%), and five had follicular thyroid cancer (1.7%). RESULTS: The incidence of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1.3%, while that of transient hypoparathyroidism was 1.0%. Mental nerve paraesthesia was observed in 241 cases (81.1%), while permanent mental nerve paraesthesia was noted in seven cases (2.4%). Abnormal motor function of the lower lip and chin was observed in 12 cases (4.0%). Ten of the 208 patients with PTC (4.8%) underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) and bilateral central neck dissection (CND). A mean 6.6 ± 4.1 and 10.9 ± 4.0 lymph nodes were removed in the unilateral and bilateral surgeries, respectively, with a metastasis rate of 49.0%; a mean 2.7 ± 2.3 and 3.2 ± 2.6 lymph nodes were metastatic, respectively. The parathyroid gland was inadvertently removed in 6.6% and auto-transplanted in 10.6% of patients with unilateral PTC. The non-stimulated thyroglobulin level in the TT and bilateral CND patients was below 1 ng/mL at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: TOETVA is safe in well-selected patients with unilateral PTC. However, its safety remains unclear in patients treated with TT and bilateral CND.

Anatomic Variations From 120 Mental Nerve Dissections: Lessons for Transoral Thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a promising technique for eliminating a neck incision. A new risk of TOETVA is the potential for injury to the mental nerves during placement of three oral endoscopic ports. A better understanding of the variations in mental nerve anatomy is needed to inform safer TOETVA technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 120 dissections of mental nerve branches exiting the mental foramen in 60 human cadavers. Anatomic distances and relationships of the foramen to the midline were evaluated. Mental nerve branching patterns were studied and compared with previously reported classification systems to determine surgical safe zones free of nerve branches. RESULTS: The mean midline-to-mental foramen distance was 29.2 ± 3.3 mm, with high variability across individuals (18.8-36.8 mm). There were differences in this distance between the left and right foramina (29.8 ± 3.2 versus 28.8 ± 3.3 mm, P = 0.03). All mental nerve branches exiting the mental foramen distributed medially. The branching patterns were classified into eight distinct categories, three of which are previously undescribed. One of these novel patterns, occurring in 9.2% of cases, had a dense and wide clustering of branches traveling toward the midline. CONCLUSIONS: The location of the mental foramen and mental nerve branching patterns demonstrate high variability. To avoid mental nerve injury in TOETVA, we identify a safe zone for lateral port placement lateral to the plane of the mental foramen. Placement and extension of the middle port incision should proceed with caution, as clustering of mental nerve branches in this area can frequently be present.

Relação da exodontia de terceiros molares e a ocorrência de parestesia do nervo alveolar inferior: uma revisão narrativa / Relationship of third molar extraction and occurrence of lower alveolar nerve paresthesia: a narrative review

Terceiros molares inferiores podem apresentar uma estreita relação com o nervo alveolar inferior, aumentando as chances de lesão durante o ato cirúrgico. Objetivo: descrever a relação entre a exodontia de terceiros molares e a ocorrência da parestesia do nervo alveolar inferior. Revisão de literatura: cirurgia para exodontia de dentes terceiros molares é o procedimento mais frequentemente realizado entre as cirurgias bucais e, como todo tipo de cirurgia, possui riscos e acidentes e/ou complicações que podem acometer os pacientes tal como a parestesia. Esta é uma condição que altera a sensibilidade de determinada área e pode ocorrer em consequência de traumas diretos ao nervo ou pela compressão deste, devido a hematoma e edema, levando a desconforto e incômodo. Considerações finais: é importante o profissional cirurgião-dentista atentar para o planejamento correto, criterioso e fazer uso de exames complementares, a fim de precaver possíveis complicações durante o ato cirúrgico. Caso a parestesia aconteça, podem ser utilizados tratamentos medicamentosos, a laser ou cirúrgicos, com resultados em longo prazo positivos e reversão do caso.(AU)

Lower third molars may present a close relation with the inferior alveolar nerve increasing the chances of injury during the surgical act. In view of this, this literature review aims to describe the relationship between the extraction of molars third and the occurrence of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia. Paresthesia is a condition that alters the sensitivity of a certain area and can occur as a result of direct trauma to the nerve or compression of the nerve due to hematoma and edema. It leads to discomfort and discomfort, and it is important for the professional to attend to the correct, judicious planning and to make use of complementary exams. If paraesthesia occurs, medical, laser or surgical treatments are used, with positive long- -term results and reversal of the case. (AU)

Consequences of Trocar Dynamics on Mental Nerve in Transoral Thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Mental nerve (MN) injuries are reported during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach. Effect of trocar insertion and position on MN are examined in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten millimeter incision was made at the center of the lower lip oral vestibule. Two 5 mm lateral incisions of the lower lip oral vestibule were made at the junction between the incisor and the canine. These 2 lateral incisions were high, just below the edge of lower lip. Nine pigs (18 MN) were randomly divided into 3 groups and MN dissection was performed. The angle between the lateral ports and median line were changed between 15 and 45 degrees among 3 groups and effect on MN was examined. RESULTS: During dissection when insertion and other ports are in neutral position visual inspection of MNs did not reveal any compression bilaterally. The distance between MN and the ports was 18.2±2.1 mm (16.3 to 21.2 mm). In group I and group II, MNs have no compression by the lateral trocars. In group III (45 degrees), left MNs were all compressed. Two MNs (66.7%) were compressed on the right side. The MN was compressed at its ramification. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present experimental study, endorse the suggested medial and lateral vestibular incisions for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach. However, during dynamic modification of the lateral port position/angle, MN compression was observed when the angle was >45 degrees.

Human cadaveric model for studying the preservation of mental nerve during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Mental nerve (MN) injury can be caused by transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA). The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the location and distribution pattern of MN structures in relation to oral vestibular incisions. METHODS: Ten cadaver specimens were included, yielding a total of 20 MNs. The difference between standard 10-mm TOETVA median incision and modified incision (i.e. lower and perpendicular) was compared. RESULTS: All 20 MNs were successfully dissected and presented as bifid (100%), lateral toward medial direction. The branches of MNs were equally distributed into both right and left sides. Standard lateral 5-mm vestibular incisions did not determine any division of MN branches. Two left MNs (25%) and one right MN (12.5%) were injured by standard median vestibular incision. Using a more inferiorly positioned and a vertical median incision, the integrity of MN branches was preserved. CONCLUSIONS: Standard lateral 5-mm vestibular incisions are safe for determining MN integrity. The 10-mm median vestibular incision divided the medial ramifications of MN at a rate of 12-25%. These may result in MN ipsilateral or bilateral paralysis. Hence, it is recommended to locate the median incision more inferiorly or vertically.

The clinical application of mental nerve dissection in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via an oral vestibular approach.

BACKGROUND: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach is the natural orifice surgery to avoid surgical scars. However, mental nerve injury is a characteristic complication. Herein, we report the development of a novel method to dissect the mental nerve proactively during surgery to minimize the morbidity from mental nerve injury. METHODS: In this study, a total of 105 patients from June 2016 to February 2018 were categorized as the mental nerve dissection group (MND) or not mental nerve dissection group (NMND). We analyzed the demographics, operative data, hospital stay, pathologic results, and postoperative complications between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with respect to age, gender, tumor size, extent of surgery, the amount of bleeding, or postoperative hospitalization between groups. The specimen removal time was shorter in the MND group. The average operation time in both groups was similar, but the operation time for a hemithyroidectomy with CND in the MND group was shorter than in the NMND group. The VAS pain scores and complication rates that included transient hypocalcemia, seroma, subcutaneous emphysema, transient, and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy did not differ significantly between groups. In terms of mental nerve injury, the morbidity rate in the MND group was lower than in the NMND group. CONCLUSIONS: The modified endoscopic thyroidectomy involving dissection of the mental nerve via the oral vestibular approach is safe and feasible. It is beneficial to protect the mental nerve and for specimen removal which is worth clinical promotion.

How to Avoid and Manage Mental Nerve Injury in Transoral Thyroidectomy.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA) represents an innovative and scarless technique for thyroid surgery. The procedure is conducted via a three-port technique at the oral vestibule using a 10mm port for the 30° endoscope and two additional 5mm ports for the dissecting and coagulating instruments. Patients meeting the following criteria can be considered as candidates for TOETVA: (a) an ultrasonographically (US) estimated thyroid diameter =10cm; (b) US-estimated gland volume =45mL; (c) nodule size =50mm; (d) presence of a benign tumor, such as a thyroid cyst or a single- or multinodular goiter; (e) Bethesda 3 and/or 4 categories, and (f) papillary microcar-cinoma without the evidence of metastasis. Beyond the classic complications of thyroid surgery, namely cervical hematoma, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism, novel consequences can occur as mental nerve (MN) injury. In this paper, leading experts in the field report on their current clinical experience with the TOETVA approach for thyroid gland surgery, with emphasis given to tips and tricks to avoid and manage MN injury.

Intranasal self-administration of local anesthetic (ropivacaine) for sphenopalatine ganglion block, for treatment of second trigeminal branch neuralgia secondary to maxillary sinus curettage: A case report. / Autoadministración intranasal de anestésico local (ropivacaína) para bloqueo del ganglio esfenopalatino, para tratamiento de neuralgia de la segunda rama del trigémino secundaria a curetaje del seno maxilar: informe de un caso.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe and often underestimated facial pain that affects quality of life. Pharmacological treatment is insufficient for pain control in 30% of cases and, although intervention techniques may be effective, there is a possibility of relapse and associated complications. The second division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) runs through the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), which is anatomically accessible to blocking due to its superficial location in the nasal cavity. We report a clinical case of a patient with uncontrolled V2 TN that was put on ambulatory self-administered SPG block with nasal swabs soaked in 0.75% ropivacaine. In the follow-up visits, we confirmed that this adjuvant treatment provided a significant pain relief over 24hours with a decrease in the number of exacerbations.

CBCT study on the relationship between lingula and antilingula position in a Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to assess the anatomical relationship between the lingula and the antilingula by measuring the projection of lingula on the lateral side of the ramus on CBCT. METHODS: This study collected CBCT images of 204 mandibular halves in 102 Chinese patients without any damage. We projected the lingula to the lateral side of the mandibular ramus and examined the distance and position relationship between the projection point and the antilingula using three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) created by image software. RESULTS: In 204 sides the antilingula appeared in 92 cases, 52 on right and 40 on left. The antilingula was used as a fixed point, in four cases the lingula projection in the anterior superior part, 38 cases in the posterior superior part, 45 cases in the posterior inferior part and zero case in the anterior inferior part. Scatter plots diagrammatic representation in four quadrants centered on the antilingula showed that 79% cases (73/92) lied in a 90° fan shape ranged in 5-10 mm radius in the posterior superior and inferior quadrant. CONCLUSION: The lingula mainly located in the posterior superior and inferior part from the antilingula in a 90° fan shape ranged in 5-10 mm radius. The osteotomy incision should be avoided in this area.