Associated Injuries Are Frequent and Severe Among Geriatric Patients With Zygomatico-Orbital Fractures.

PURPOSE: Associated injuries (AIs) are hypothesized to be frequent in geriatric zygomatico-orbital (ZMO) fractures. The study aim was to determine the relation between ZMO fractures and AIs in geriatric patients compared with younger adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-and-control study was carried out on geriatric patients at least 65 years of age (n = 93) and younger adult patients 20 to 30 years of age (n = 68) diagnosed with pure unilateral ZMO fractures. The main exposure was age, the primary outcome was AI outside the face, and the secondary outcomes were type and severity of AI, ocular injuries, restriction of mandibular movement, and ZMO buttress asymmetry. The confounding variables were gender, trauma mechanism, type of ZMO fracture, and dislocation. Statistical analyses included χ2 tests, risk evaluation with 2 × 2 tables, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: AIs outside the face, and particularly brain injuries, were significantly more frequent in the geriatric group than in the control group (P < .001). The significant predictors of AIs outside the face were fall from a height (66.7%), motor vehicle accidents (66.7%), and absence of ZMO dislocation (59.5%; P < .001). The adjusted risk of brain injury was 2.5-fold in the absence of dislocation. The geriatric group had a more than 5-fold higher risk of brain injuries compared with the younger control group (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: AIs in general, and particularly brain injuries, are frequent in geriatric ZMO fractures. Intracranial injuries should be ruled out, particularly in geriatric patients diagnosed with a non-dislocated ZMO fracture.

Isolated Orbital Fractures Are Severe Among Geriatric Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the reasons for, types of, and degree of involvement of the orbital wall and the severity of orbital fractures in geriatric patients and to compare the differences between geriatric and younger adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of geriatric patients aged at least 65 years (n = 72) and younger controls aged 20 to 50 years (n = 58) with a diagnosis of a unilateral isolated orbital fracture was designed and implemented. The main exposure was age, the primary outcome was the isolated orbital fracture type, and the secondary outcomes were the associated orbital zones, fracture area (cm2), degree of dislocation (mm), involvement of anatomic landmarks, diplopia, altered ocular position, restricted eye movement, and ocular injuries. The confounding variables were gender, trauma mechanism, and alcohol abuse. The statistical methods included χ2 tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among the geriatric patients, the great majority of isolated orbital fractures had been caused by falls (66.7%; P < .001). Geriatric orbital fractures were significantly more often extensive (2 cm2 or larger; P = .045) and associated with the middle-posterior orbital third (P = .032). In the logistic regression analyses, the elderly had a 2.2-fold greater risk of fractures of the middle-posterior orbital third and a 2.3-fold greater risk of extensive fractures compared with the younger controls. Ocular injuries were only diagnosed in the geriatric patients (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Falling is the most common mechanism of elderly orbital fractures. Isolated orbital fractures are extensive and mainly affect the globe supporting the middle and posterior parts of the orbital floor among geriatric patients.

Occupational Risk for Oral Cancer in Nordic Countries.

AIM: To evaluate occupational risk for cancer of the tongue, oral cavity or pharynx after adjustment for alcohol and tobacco use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data covered 14.9 million people and 28,623 cases of cancer of the tongue, oral cavity and pharynx in the Nordic countries 1961-2005. Alcohol consumption by occupation was estimated based on mortality from liver cirrhosis and incidence of liver cancer. Smoking by occupation was estimated based on the incidence of lung cancer. RESULTS: Only few occupations had relative risks of over 1.5 for cancer of the tongue, oral cavity and pharynx. These occupations included dentists, artistic workers, hairdressers, journalists, cooks and stewards, seamen and waiters. CONCLUSION: Several occupational categories, including dentists, had an increased relative risk of tongue cancer. This new finding remains to be explained but could be related to occupational chemical exposures, increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco products, or infection with human papilloma virus.

Among Patients With Facial Fractures, Geriatric Patients Have an Increased Risk for Associated Injuries.

PURPOSE: It is hypothesized that facial trauma-associated injuries (AIs) are more frequent and severe in elderly than in younger adult patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of, reasons for, and severity of AI in geriatric facial fractures and to compare the differences between geriatric and younger adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patient cohorts were included in this cross-sectional retrospective study. Geriatric patients were at least 65 years old (n = 117) and younger controls were 20 to 50 years old (n = 136). The main predictor was age, the primary outcome was AI, and secondary outcomes were affected organ system, multiple AIs, polytrauma, and mortality during hospitalization. The other explanatory variables were gender, trauma mechanism, and type of facial fracture. Statistical methods included χ(2) tests, risk analyses with 2 × 2 table, and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: AIs were significantly more common in geriatric patients (44.0%) than in younger controls (25.0%; P < .001). Also, multiple AIs (P = .003), polytrauma (P = .039), mortality (P = .008), limb injuries (P = .005), and spine injuries (P = .041) were significantly more common in the elderly. In the risk analyses, geriatric patients had a 1.8-fold risk for AI, a 2.6-fold risk for multiple AIs, and a 2.2-fold risk for polytrauma. CONCLUSIONS: AIs are much more frequent and severe in geriatric patients, and the elderly die more often of their injuries. The results emphasize that elderly patients require specific attention and multi-professional collaboration in the diagnosis and sequencing of trauma treatment.

The use of anatomically drop-shaped bioactive glass S53P4 implants in the reconstruction of orbital floor fractures--A prospective long-term follow-up study.

An isolated fracture of the orbital floor needs reconstruction if there is a clear herniation of adipose tissue or of the rectus inferior muscle into the maxillary sinus. A prospective study was carried out treating 20 patients with an isolated blow-out fracture of the orbital floor or with a combined zygomatico-orbito-maxillary complex fracture, using a newly designed anatomically drop-shaped implants made of bioactive glass (BAG) S53P4. Computed tomography (CT) was performed immediately postoperatively to confirm the correct position of the plate. The patients were followed up for an average of 32 months clinically and radiologically with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for an average of 31 months. None of the patients had any signs of complications related to the implant and the clinical outcome was very good. None of the patients had persisting diplopia. The level of the pupillas was normal in 15 of 20 patients. Minor hypo-ophthalmos ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mm was observed in three patients, and moderate hypo-ophthalmos of 2.0 mm was seen in one patient. Hyperophthalmos of 1.0 mm was seen in one patient. Minor enophthalmos on the operated side ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mm was seen in eight patients. Mild to moderate paraesthesia of the infraorbital nerve was observed in six patients. The immediate postoperative CT and the long term follow-up MRI revealed that the drop-shaped BAG implants retained their correct position in the orbital floor and did not show any evidence of losing their original shape or material resorption. No adverse tissue reaction was associated with the material. Due to the anatomical drop shape, the implants could successfully maintain the orbital volume and compensate for the retrobulbar adipose tissue atrophy.

Health-related quality of life after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture and assessed patients' perceptions of the esthetic and functional outcomes of surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We established a prospective study of adult patients who were to undergo open reduction and rigid fixation of mandibular fracture. Of the patients, 49 met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 45 agreed to participate. HRQoL was measured with the generic 15-dimensional (15-D) instrument, and patients' satisfaction was assessed with an additional questionnaire. RESULTS: The average preoperative 15-D score among patients (0.891) was significantly lower than that in the general population (0.964) (P < .01). Patients were worse off on 9 of the 15 dimensions of HRQoL; however, at 3 months following surgery, all dimensions had improved to the level observed in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL is significantly reduced after mandibular trauma but improves in a few months after surgery. Sensory disturbance is the most significant disadvantage of the surgery.

Pulp necrosis of teeth retained at the mandibular fracture site and the effect of dexamethasone on its occurrence.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose was to determine the occurrence of pulp necrosis (PN) of teeth retained at the mandibular fracture site. An additional purpose was to investigate whether perioperative use of dexamethasone increases the risk of PN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A follow-up study on 24 adult dentate patients with mandibular body, symphysis or parasymphysis fracture. These patients had been selected from a larger cohort who had participated in a randomized study of maxillofacial fractures and dexamethasone. All patients who were suspected of having a need for endodontic treatment were evaluated by an endodontist. RESULTS: PN was diagnosed in six patients (25.0%) in one or two teeth. Of a total of 33 teeth situated in the fracture line, six (18.2%) were diagnosed as having PN. PN was more common in teeth in which the fracture line ran through the apex (21.7%) than in those in which the fracture line was in contact with the tooth cranially to the apex (10.0%). The association between PN and dexamethasone was not significant. CONCLUSION: PN is common after mandibular fractures, particularly when the fracture line runs through the apex of the tooth. Use of short-term, high-dose dexamethasone perioperatively did not significantly increase the risk for PN.

Etiology of facial fractures in elderly Finns during 2006-2007.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the trauma mechanisms and resulting facial fractures in geriatric patients and to compare them with those of younger adults. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of 117 geriatric patients was compared with 136 patients aged 20 to 50 years. The statistical significance of differences between the age groups was evaluated with χ(2) tests. RESULTS: Falls on the ground were significantly more frequent among geriatric patients (P < .001), whereas assault was more frequent in controls (P < .001). Accident rates in geriatric patients were significantly higher during the winter months (P = .04). Fractures of the midface in general (P = .001) and of the nasal bone (P = .004) and orbit (P = .015) in particular were more frequent in geriatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related factors and preexisting medical problems predispose the elderly to falls and subsequent fractures. Footwear traction devices are recommended during the cold season. Orbital fractures should be strongly suspected in the elderly.

Rapidly growing and ulcerating metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the lower lip: A case report and review of the literature.

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) have a tendency to metastasize at an early stage, therefore, the patients frequently exhibit metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Common locations for the metastases are adjacent organs and abdominal lymph nodes; however, occasionally metastasis to the peripheral organs may be the initial clinical symptom. The 71-year-old male patient in the current case suffered from radioresistant and aggressively behaving RCC metastasis in the mandible and lower lip, which was successfully managed by surgical resection. RCC metastasis to the facial area is considered to be uncommon based on a review of the existing literature. RCC are somewhat radioresistant and therefore, palliative surgery must be considered when treating patients with this metastatic disease.

Nerve manipulation during bilateral sagittal split osteotomy increases neurosensory disturbance and decreases patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: The extent to which neurosensory disturbance (NSD) affects patients after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) was investigated 1 year postoperatively. An additional aim was to identify related factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, the fate of the mandibular nerve during BSSO was recorded. The predictor variable was the degree of nerve injury during BSSO, and the outcome variable was the effect of NSD 1 year postoperatively. Statistics were computed and a P value less than .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (27 women; average age, 37 yr) completed the study. Of these patients, 90.2% had NSD, but most (89.2%) were satisfied with the treatment and would choose it again. The NSD was greater when the nerve had been manipulated more during surgery. The 4 patients with visible nerve lacerations had severe NSD and were unsatisfied with the treatment at the endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Although NSD was frequent 1 year after BSSO, most patients were satisfied with the treatment. However, a risk for severe NSD or neuropathic pain does exist in a small group of patients. These patients should be identified at an early stage so that proper medical and supportive treatment can be initiated. If necessary, a multidisciplinary pain center should be consulted. The importance of accurate patient information preoperatively cannot be overstated.

Rapid prototyped patient specific implants for reconstruction of orbital wall defects.

Defects of orbital walls can be reconstructed using implants. The authors report a safe and accurate method to reconstruct bone defects in the orbital area using patient specific implants. A detailed process description of computer aided design (CAD) reconstructive surgery (CRS) is introduced in this prospective study. The 3D volumetric virtual implant was design using MSCT data and PTCProEngineer™ 3D software. The intact orbital cavity of twelve patients was mirrored to the injured side. Specific ledges steered the implant into correct place. Postoperatively the position was assessed using image fusion. One implant (8%) was rejected due to chemical impurities, two (16%) had a false shape due to incorrect CAD. Data of thin bone did not transfer correctly to CAD and resulted in error. One implant (8%) was placed incorrectly. Duration of the CRS was in average 1.17 h, correspondingly 1.57 h using intraoperative bending technique. The CRS process has several critical stages, which are related to converting data and to incompatibility between software. The CRS process has several steps that need further studies. The data of thin bone may be lost and disturb an otherwise very precise technique. The risk of incorporating impurities into the implant must be carefully controlled.

Effects of perioperatively administered dexamethasone on surgical wound healing in patients undergoing surgery for zygomatic fracture: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to clarify the occurrence of disturbance in surgical wound healing (DSWH) after surgery of zygomatic complex (ZC) fractures and to determine whether perioperatively applied dexamethasone increases the risk for DSWH. STUDY DESIGN: Of 64 patients who were included in a single-blind prospective trial, 33 perioperatively received a total dose of 10 mg or 30 mg of dexamethasone. The remaining 31 patients served as controls. RESULTS: DSWH occurred in 9 patients (14.1%). Occurrence of DSWH was 24.4% in patients who received dexamethasone and 3.2% in controls. The association between DSWH and dexamethasone was significant (P = .016). Intraoral approach also was associated with DSWH significantly (P = .042). No association emerged between DSWH and age, gender, time span from accident to surgery, or duration of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: DSWH occurred significantly more frequently in patients who received perioperative dexamethasone. Because of increased risk of DSWH, perioperative dexamethasone cannot be recommended in open reduction and fixation of ZC fractures.

Impairment of wound healing after operative treatment of mandibular fractures, and the influence of dexamethasone.

Our aim was to clarify the incidence of impaired wound healing after open reduction and ostheosynthesis of mandibular fractures, and to find out whether the use of dexamethasone during the operation increased the risk. Patients were drawn from a larger group of healthy adult dentate patients who had participated in a single-blind, randomised study, the aim of which was to clarify the benefits of operative dexamethasone after treatment of facial fractures. The present analysis comprised 41 patients who had had open reduction and fixation of mandibular fractures with titanium miniplates and monocortical screws through one or 2 intraoral approaches. The outcome variable was impaired healing of the wound. The primary predictive variable was the perioperative use of dexamethasone; other potential predictive variables were age, sex, smoking habit, type of fracture, delay in treatment, and duration of operation. Wound healing was impaired in 13/41 patients (32%) (13/53 of all fractures). The incidence among patients who were given dexamethasone and those who were not did not differ significantly. Only age over 25 was significantly associated with delayed healing (p=0.02). The use of dexamethasone 30 mg perioperatively did not significantly increase the risk of impaired wound healing in healthy patients with clinically uninfected mandibular fractures fixed with titanium miniplates through an intraoral approach. Older age is a significant predictor of impaired healing, which emphasises the importance of thorough anti-infective care in these patients during and after the operation.

Autologous adipose stem cells and polylactide discs in the replacement of the rabbit temporomandibular joint disc.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc lacks functional replacement after discectomy. We investigated tissue-engineered bilayer polylactide (PLA) discs and autologous adipose stem cells (ASCs) as a potential replacement for the TMJ disc. These ASC discs were pre-cultured either in control or in differentiation medium, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 for one week. Prior to implantation, expression of fibrocartilaginous genes was measured by qRT-PCR. The control and differentiated ASC discs were implanted, respectively, in the right and left TMJs of rabbits for six (n = 5) and 12 months (n = 5). Thereafter, the excised TMJ areas were examined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histology. No signs of infection, inflammation or foreign body reactions were detected at histology, whereas chronic arthrosis and considerable condylar hypertrophy were observed in all operated joints at CBCT. The left condyle treated with the differentiated ASC discs appeared consistently smoother and more sclerotic than the right condyle. The ASC disc replacement resulted in dislocation and morphological changes in the rabbit TMJ. The ASC discs pre-treated with TGF-ß1 enhanced the condylar integrity. While adverse tissue reactions were not shown, the authors suggest that with improved attachment and design, the PLA disc and biomaterial itself would hold potential for TMJ disc replacement.

Acetaldehyde production and microbial colonization in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral lichenoid disease.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this prospective study was to explore the ability of the oral microbiome to produce acetaldehyde in ethanol incubation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 90 patients [30 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); 30 oral lichenoid disease (OLD); 30 healthy controls (CO)] were enrolled in the study. Microbial samples were taken from the mucosa using a filter paper method. The density of microbial colonization was calculated and the spectrum analyzed. Microbial acetaldehyde production was measured by gas chromatography. RESULTS: The majority (68%) of cultures produced carcinogenic levels of acetaldehyde (>100 µM) when incubated with ethanol (22 mM). The mean acetaldehyde production by microbes cultured from smoker samples was significantly higher (213 µM) than from non-smoker samples (141 µM) (P=.0326). CONCLUSIONS: The oral microbiota from OSCC, OLD patients and healthy individuals are able to produce carcinogenic levels of acetaldehyde. The present provisional study suggests smoking may increase the production of acetaldehyde.

Dental injuries in pediatric patients with facial fractures are frequent and severe.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to identify the occurrence, type, location, and severity of dental injuries (DIs), as well as predictors for DIs, in pediatric patients with facial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined the files of patients aged 16 years or less who had sustained facial fractures during a 12-year period. The outcome variable was DI. The explanatory variables included gender, age, trauma mechanism, and type of facial fracture. Data analysis was carried out with the χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients, 119 (59.5%) of whom were boys, met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 12.6 years. A total of 45 patients (22.5%) had DIs. Crown fracture, the most common type of DI, occurred in 59.9% of all DIs. The most common location of crown fractures was in the premolars (37.4% of all crown fractures). Multiple DIs occurred in 71.1% of those with DIs and severe DI in 66.7%. DIs were significantly associated with motor vehicle collision (MVC) (P = .02) and mandibular fracture (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: DIs are common in pediatric patients with facial fracture, often being both multiple and severe. In association with pediatric facial fracture, facial surgeons should be especially alert for crown fractures in the lateral parts of the jaws.

Occurrence and severity of concomitant injuries in other areas than the face in children with mandibular and midfacial fractures.

PURPOSE: To clarify the occurrence, causes, severity, and predictors of concomitant injuries in pediatric patients with facial fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Files of 339 pediatric patients who had sustained facial fractures at age 15 years or younger were reviewed. Outcome variables were injured organ systems other than the face, types of injuries in areas other than the face, and severity of injuries in areas other than the face. Explanatory variables were gender, age, mechanism of trauma, and type of facial fracture. RESULTS: Concomitant injuries in organ systems other than the face were observed in 11.0%. Limb injuries occurred in 9.1%, head and neck injuries in 5.6%, and chest injuries in 1.8%. The most common injury types were upper limb injury (8.0%), brain injury (3.2%), and lower limb injury (2.9%). Severe head and neck injuries occurred in 3.5% and severe chest injuries in 1.2%. Concomitant injuries occurred more frequently after motor vehicle accidents and falls from height compared with other etiologies (P < .001) and more frequently in association with combined mandibular and midfacial fractures than in association with other fracture types (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant injuries in areas other than the face should be expected first and foremost after high-speed trauma mechanisms and in association with severe facial fractures. Concomitant injuries in general occur most frequently in the limbs, with severe concomitant injuries in particular occurring most often in the head and neck region and chest, emphasizing the importance of multiprofessional teamwork in the diagnosis of pediatric patients who have sustained facial fractures.

Smoking as a significant risk factor for infections after orthognathic surgery.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine risk factors for infections after orthognathic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, including files of patients who had undergone 1-jaw orthognathic surgery (ie, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy or Le Fort I osteotomy) during a 7-year period. The outcome variable was surgical site infection. Predictor variables were age, gender, general disease, smoking habit, site of orthognathic surgery, duration of operation, type of osteosynthesis material, and use of postoperative drainage. Data analysis was performed with χ(2) test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In total 286 patients met the inclusion criteria (174 women, 60.8%). Patients' age range was 17 to 56.5 years (average, 34.8 years). The infection rate was 9.1%. The only statistically significant risk factor for infection was smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the importance of preoperative patient information about smoking. Orthognathic surgery, because of the long orthodontic preoperative treatment period, provides a good opportunity to encourage and assist patients to cease smoking and thus avoid an increased risk for postoperative infections.

Effect of the aetiology and severity of liver disease on oral health and dental treatment prior to transplantation.

Elimination of dental infection foci has been recommended before liver transplantation (LT) because lifelong immunosuppression may predispose to infection spread. Association between pre-LT oral health and the aetiology and severity of chronic liver disease (CLD) was investigated retrospectively. A total of 212 adult patients (median age 51.1) who had received LT during 2000-2006 in Finland were included. Their oral health had been pre-operatively examined. Patients were divided into seven different CLD groups. Common indications for LT were primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC 25.5%), alcohol cirrhosis (ALCI 17.5%) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC 14.6%). Patients were also categorized by the Model for End stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring system. Medical, dental and panoramic jaw x-ray data were analysed between groups. PBC patients had the lowest number of teeth with significant difference to PSC patients (19.7 vs. 25.6, P < 0.005, anova, t-test). ALCI patients had the highest number of tooth extractions with significant difference in comparison to PSC patients (5.6 vs. 2.5, P < 0.005). Lower MELD score resulted in fewer tooth extractions but after adjusting for several confounding factors, age was the most important factor associated with extractions (P < 0.005). The aetiology of CLD associated with the oral health status and there was a tendency towards worse dental health with higher MELD scores.