Does Piezosurgery Decrease Patient Morbidity in Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion Compared With Saw and Burrs?

PURPOSE: The present study compared the postoperative pain, edema, patient satisfaction, and operating time with the use of piezosurgery, a reciprocal microsaw, and conventional burrs in the surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE) technique for the correction of transversal maxillary deficiency. The results of the present study may help clinicians minimize the postoperative complaints of patients after SARPE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present randomized single-blind study included patients who had undergone SARPE with piezosurgery, a reciprocating microsaw, or conventional burrs. To determine the facial norms and postoperative facial edema, 4 anatomic distances were measured on the patients' face using the modified flexible ruler method. The mean facial edema score was determined to evaluate and compare the overall edema among the groups. Two separate visual analog scales were used to assess patients' postoperative pain and intraoperative satisfaction. The duration of the osteotomies was recorded. Intragroup data were statistically analyzed via a t test, and intergroup data were analyzed via a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman's correlation was used to evaluate the relationships among the variables. RESULTS: For the 80 patients, edema (second day: piezosurgery, 0.53 ± 0.34; microsaw, 0.61 ± 0.30; burrs, 0.94 ± 0.33; P < .001) and pain (piezosurgery, 2.3 ± 0.3; microsaw, 3.6 ± 0.4; burrs, 3.9 ± 0.6; P < .001) were greater for conventional burrs and microsaws, with statistically significant differences. Patient satisfaction (piezosurgery, 8.3 ± 0.3; microsaw, 5.5 ± 0.5; burrs, 5.1 ± 0.9; P < .001) was greater with piezosurgery. However, in the piezosurgery group, the duration of osteotomies was 50% greater (piezosurgery, 16.10 ± 3.30; microsaw, 11.05 ± 2.09; burrs, 11.2 ± 2.14; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study have shown that piezosurgery is an effective method for minimizing facial edema and patient morbidity and increasing patient satisfaction during SARPE. Moreover, the use of conventional burrs and microsaws prolonged the duration of facial edema.

The effect of mandibular setback or two-jaws surgery on pharyngeal airway among different genders.

Cephalometric studies show significant gender differences in the size of the pharyngeal airway space. This study aimed to investigate and compare morphologic changes after mandibular setback or two-jaws surgery on the pharyngeal airway in men and women using computed tomography (CT). The sample included 34 women and 13 men diagnosed with Class III skeletal deformities, who had been treated by mandibular setback or bimaxillary surgery (maxillary advancement and mandibular setback). Anteroposterior, lateral and cross-sectional area dimensions of the airway, at the level of soft palate and base of tongue, were measured pre- and postoperatively on CT images. In the mandibular setback group, the anteroposterior and cross-sectional area of the pharyngeal airway at the level of the soft palate and base of tongue were significantly reduced for men or women (P<.05). In the two-jaws surgery group, only midsagittal anteroposterior dimensions at the same levels were significantly decreased for men or women (P<.05). The difference between any values measured between men and women who received bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy setback surgery or two-jaws surgery for the treatment of class III anteroposterior discrepancy were not statistically significant (P>.05). This study suggests that oropharyngeal airway measurements, important for airway patency, do not demonstrate sex dimorphism.

Haemangiopericytoma of the hard palate.

Haemangiopericytoma is an aggressive vascular tumour with a high propensity for recurrence and metastasis. It typically occurs in the soft tissues of the extremities and trunk, and is rarely seen in the oral cavity. A case of haemangiopericytoma of the hard palate is presented. A 48-year-old woman presented with a gradually enlarging mass on the left side of her hard palate for 3 months. CT scans revealed a mass on the left side of the hard palate which extended to the nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus by causing erosion in the bones. Due to the possibility of local recurrence and occasional metastasis, a wide local excision was performed. There was no recurrence over 1 year's follow up.