The Tale of the Unrepaired Cleft-Retrospective Evaluation of Cases Encountered by an Indigenous Mission in a Northern Nigerian Community.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to document the experience of an indigenous surgical mission on the occurrence of unrepaired cleft in 2 visits to Minna, North-Central Nigeria. DESIGN: This retrospective study involved participants with orofacial cleft anomaly at 2 surgical outreaches held in Minna in 2011 and 2017. Baseline data were initially obtained from case files of patients at both programs. Data collected were analyzed employing appropriate statistical tests for continuous and categorical variables. SETTING: Two outreach programs in Minna, North-Central Nigeria by Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation in 2011 and 2017. RESULTS: A total of 117 participants with cleft anomaly were encountered at both surgical outreach programs. The sample prevalence of unrepaired cleft was 61.5% with an overall mean age (standard deviation) of 10 (13.2) years. Most participants presented with unilateral complete cleft lip (70.8%) which was more common on the left side and had no family history of orofacial cleft (54.2%). Information on the surgical program was mostly obtained via friends and relatives in 32.6% and lack of wherewithal to offset the expense of cleft surgery and supportive treatment represented the most common reason for the delay of surgical repair (50%). CONCLUSION: We found a high proportion of patients with unrepaired cleft in our sample which may mirror happenings in other developing world centers. We advocate continued collaborations between indigenous missions and international funding agencies to further encourage continued repair of unrepaired cleft in developing centers.

Estimated incidence and Prevalence of noma in north central Nigeria, 2010-2018: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Noma is a spreading and fulminant disease believed to be native to Sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade and associated with low socioeconomic status of citizens of the region. Within this noma belt, most epidemiological reports regarding the disease have emanated from the north western region of Nigeria. However, our indigenous surgical mission encountered a substantial number of cases of noma and post-noma defects noteworthy of epidemiological representation across north central Nigeria. METHODS: All noma cases encountered within the 8-year study period were included and divided based on clinical signs into acute and sequelae groups. Incidence estimation was based on acute/recently active cases and was calculated using the statistical method proposed by the WHO Oral Health Unit (1994). Period prevalence of noma was calculated considering the population at risk in the zone. FINDINGS: A total of 78 subjects were included in the study with age ranging from 2-75 years. Twelve subjects (15.4%) presented with acute disease while 66 (84.6%) had various forms of post-noma defects. The estimated incidence of noma in the north central zone was 8.3 per 100000 with a range of 4.1-17.9 per 100000 across various states. Period prevalence of noma which incorporated all cases seen within the study period was 1.6 per 100000 population at risk. CONCLUSION: Although noma may be more prevalent in the north western region of Nigeria, substantial number of cases occurs within the north central zone which calls for deliberate public awareness campaign on disease risk factors and prevention, and education of primary health-care providers.

Atypical Facial Clefts From Northcentral Nigeria, Review of 36 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to present the pattern and management of atypical facial clefts from a Nigerian population. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of patients seen during series of surgical outreach programs in North Central Nigeria, between 2011 and 2017. All cases of atypical facial clefts encountered were evaluated for the pattern of presentation using Tessier classification system. All of them were surgically repaired and outcome was determined using a Likert scale. Data were presented using descriptive statistics. SETTING: Outreach programs in North Central Nigeria by Cleft & Facial Deformity Foundation. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients, 19 (52.8%) males and 17 (47.2%) females, were studied. The age range was 1 week to 34 years, with mean (standard deviation) of 11.2 (11.8) years. Fifty-eight cleft cases were recorded, with Tessier 1 being the commonest (n = 14; 24.1%) cleft type. There were 35 (60.3%) cases of middle cleft, 14 (24.2%) cases of oblique cleft, and 9 (15.5%) cases of lateral cleft. Typical cleft lip and palate coexisted with atypical facial cleft in 2 (5.6%) patients. Cleft was found to be median in 12 (33.3%) patients and right sided in 9 (25%) patients. Majority (n = 24, 66.7%) of the cases were repaired by simple excision plus direct closure with successful outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Numerical classification by Paul Tessier has reduced the inconsistencies of nomenclature among practitioners. Majority of atypical facial clefts could be treated by simple techniques with satisfactory outcomes. However, the more complex cases will require multistaged surgical approach.

Pattern of maxillofacial surgical conditions in North Central Nigeria: A 5-year experience of an indigenous surgical mission.

BACKGROUND: Several publications have presented pattern of maxillofacial surgical conditions based on data from hospital-based studies. The objective of this study is to present the spectrum of maxillofacial surgical conditions from the perspective of a community study. METHODS: This is a prospective study of all patients seen and treated from 2011 to 2016. The information obtained included the biodata, clinical history of the disease conditions, radiological result, histopathologic result, diagnosis, and treatment records. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: There was a total of 863 patients, male 464 (53.8%) and female 399 (46.2%). The male to female sex ratio was 1.16:1. The age range was 3 days to 76 years with a mean age (SD) 16.8 ± 15.8 years. The spectrum of surgical conditions: facial clefts 492(57.0%); tumor and tumor-like lesions 126(15.2%), trauma 6(0.7%), and others 48(5.5 %). The size of tumors ranged from 5 to 50.4 cm2 with a mean (SD) 21.6 ± 11.9 cm2 and the duration of lesion ranged from 1 to 20 years with mean (SD) 8.7 ± 6.0 years. A total of 622(77.4) cases were operated within the study period with immediate jaw reconstruction in 5(0.8%) patients. Minor complications were recorded but there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of maxillofacial surgery from community-based data was associated with higher percentage of facial cleft as compared to hospital-based study that is associated with higher traumatic injury cases. High level of poverty, ignorance, and poor access to maxillofacial service have been identified as shortcomings in the management of the diseases. There is a need for pragmatic move to improve facility, training, enlightenment, and more funding of outreach programs.

Ectopic 3rd molar tooth in the maxillary antrum.

Location of ectopic tooth in a nondentate area like the maxillary antrum is rare. A 17-year-old boy, with one year history of recurrent right facial swelling and radiographic finding of a maxillary third molar tooth located at the posterior wall of the maxillary antrum, is presented. Under endotracheal intubation, the tooth was extracted through a Caldwell-Luc antrostomy approach and patient had an uneventful recovery and has been symptom free for eight months. Ectopic tooth in the maxillary antrum is rare and is commonest with maxillary third molar. It may be symptomless but is more commonly associated with inflammatory symptoms. The treatment of choice is surgical excision which is mostly carried out with Caldwell-Luc approach, even though endoscopic approach is being reported.