Perception Regarding the NICE Guideline on Antibiotic Prophylaxis against Infective Endocarditis Following Dental Procedures: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study explores the opinions of Malaysian clinical specialists on the antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis (IE) as described in the 2008 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline. This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2017 to March 2019. The self-administered questionnaire comprised two sections: background information of the specialists and their opinions on the NICE guideline. The questionnaire was distributed to 794 potential participants, and 277 responded (response rate of 34.9%). In general, 49.8% of the respondents believed that clinicians should adhere to the guideline, although the majority of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (54.5%) actually disagreed with this view. The dental procedures that were perceived as presented moderate-to-high risk for IE were minor surgery for an impacted tooth with a recent episode of infection, dental implant surgery, periodontal surgery and dental extraction in patients with poor oral hygiene. The cardiac conditions that were strongly recommended for antibiotic prophylaxis were severe mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation and previous IE. Less than half of Malaysian clinical specialists agreed with the changes in the 2008 NICE guideline, contributing to their insistence that antibiotic prophylaxis is still needed for high-risk cardiac conditions and selected invasive dental procedures.

Subperiosteal Dissection in Orbital Blowout Fracture: Technical Tips Including the Use of Modified Periosteal Elevator.

Orbital blowout fractures are common. The same goes for its surgical complications when the efficiency of the dissection of entrapped or herniated intraorbital contents into the fracture could not be completely and safely dissected out. The authors describe a modification of the commonly used Howarth periosteal elevator for dissection of intraorbital content displacement or herniation on orbital blowout fracture. The instrument was modified by marking out the instrument from the tip into 10, 20, 25, 30, and 40 mm on both of its concave and convex surfaces to allow safe orbital soft tissue dissection and distance control. From the authors' experience, these simple modifications from its original instrument design allow better intraoperative control and appreciation of any intact important intraorbital anatomical structures such as inferomedial strut and posterior ledge. At the same time of importantly getting complete orbital fracture dissection and visualization, it causes less trauma to surrounding soft tissue with the markings ensuring unnecessary orbital exploration or visualization. Dissection can be kept for optimum maneuverability at the required or intended location based on the preoperative scan or dimension of anatomical orbital implant.

Intraoperative Computed Tomography Scan for Orbital Fracture Reconstruction.

Orbital fractures pose specific challenge in its surgical management. One of the greatest challenges is to obtain satisfactory reconstruction by correct positioning of orbital implant. Intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scan may facilitate this procedure. The aim of this study was to describe the early use of intraoperative CT in orbital fractures repair in our center. The authors assessed the revision types and rates that have occurred with this technique. With the use of pre-surgical planning, optical intraoperative navigation, and intraoperative CT, the impact of intraoperative CT on the management of 5 cases involving a total number of 14 orbital wall fractures were described. There were 6 pure orbital blowout wall fractures reconstructed, involving both medial and inferior wall of the orbit fracturing the transition zone and 8 impure orbital wall fractures in orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex fracture. 4 patients underwent primary and 1 had delayed orbital reconstruction. Intraoperative CT resulted in intraoperative orbital implant revision, following final navigation planning position, in 40% (2/5) of patients or 14% (2/14) of the fractures. In revised cases, both implant repositioning was conducted at posterior ledge of orbit. Intraoperative CT confirmed true to original reconstruction of medial wall, inferior wall and transition zone of the orbit. Two selected cases were illustrated. In conclusion, intraoperative CT allows real-time assessment of fracture reduction and immediate orbital implant revision, especially at posterior ledge. As a result, no postoperative imaging was indicated in any of the patients. Long-term follow-ups for orbital fracture patients managed with intraoperative CT is suggested.

Gorham's disease of the mandible: radiological features.

The most conspicuous element of Gorham's disease is its radiographic features, wherein massive disappearance of the mandible is observed. We report a case of an adolescent boy with massive osteolysis of the mandible in whom the diagnosis of Gorham's disease was made. A 14-year-old boy was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, for the management of a massive mandibular deformity. He was diagnosed with a hemangioma-like lesion at 1 year of age. The disease had progressed for an unknown number of years. Plain X-rays and computed tomography images were examined for reconstructive surgery planning. Gorham's disease is self-limiting, but has catastrophic results. The role of imaging is huge, particularly for reconstructive surgery planning.

Numb chin syndrome: an ominous sign of mandibular metastasis.

A 51-year-old woman a known case of stage 2 breast carcinoma in 2006 and underwent left mastectomy performed in the same year presented with bilateral lower limb pain suggestive of spinal pathology, and left chin numbness, both of 2 weeks' duration. Examination revealed left mandibular hypoesthesia without any other sign or symptoms. Orthopantomogram was unremarkable apart from mild alveolar bone expansion at tooth 36 area, which was extracted 3 months earlier. Subsequently, a full-body positron emission tomography contrast enhanced computer tomography revealed hypermetabolic lesions of her axial (excluding skull) and appendicular skeleton. In the head and neck region, left mandibular foramen and oropharynx bilaterally showed increased metabolism suggestive of tumour metastasis. The diagnosis was numb chin syndrome secondary to mandibular metastasis. Apart from supportive treatment, she was started on palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At the time of discharge, there were no active complaints other than the aforementioned hypoesthesia.

Iatrogenic displacement of high-speed bur during third molar removal.

Surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar is a routine procedure in oral surgery. Various iatrogenic complications related to the procedure has been discussed well in the literatures before. Some of these complications are related to the wrong usage of instruments and techniques. Here we discuss a rare complication on a 42-year-old male, related to the use of high-speed handpiece drill in mandibular third molar removal in a general dental office setting. He was referred when a high speed tungsten carbide bur was accidentally broken and displaced into the mandibular bone during surgical procedure. It is not common to use a high-speed handpiece in impacted third molar removal. This iatrogenic complication could have been totally avoided with the use of proper equipment and technique; therefore raising awareness regarding wrong usage of instrument is vital to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Cost analysis of facial injury treatment in two university hospitals in Malaysia: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Facial injury (FI) may occur in isolation or in association with injuries to other parts of the body (facial and other injury [FOI]). The objective of this study was to determine the direct treatment costs incurred during the management of facial trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study on treatment cost for FIs and FOIs due to road-traffic crashes in two university hospitals in Malaysia was conducted from July 2010 to June 2011. The patients were recruited from emergency departments and reviewed after 6 months from the date of initial treatment. Direct cost analysis, comparison of cost and length of hospital stay, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were performed. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 83 (43.7%) had FI only, and 107 (56.3%) had FOI. The mean ISS was 5.4. The mean length of stay and costs for patients with FI only were 5.8 days with a total cost of US$1,261.96, whereas patients with FOI were admitted for 7.8 days with a total cost of US$1,716.47. Costs doubled if the treatment was performed under general anesthesia compared to local anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Treatment of FI and FOI imposes a financial burden on the health care system in Malaysia.

Treatment of Extensively Comminuted Mandibular Fracture with the Aid of a Condylar Positioning Device.

We describe a case of extensively comminuted mandibular fracture that extends bilaterally to the angle of mandible successfully treated with the use of condylar positioning device (CPD). This simple, yet effective, technique that almost exclusively described in orthognathic surgery is useful when advance surgical techniques such as pre- or intraoperative landmark identification may not be readily available. CPD technique optimizes the manual manipulations of the comminuted distal segments during fracture reduction and internal fixation. At the same time, it allows greater control of the proximal segments to avoid further surgical complication.