Hybrid total alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement prosthesis: a pilot study to evaluate feasibility, functional performance and impact on post-operative quality of life.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficiency of hybrid alloplastic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prosthesis in patients undergoing TMJ total alloplastic joint replacement (TMJR). The prosthesis utilized for this study for TMJR is a hybrid variant with combination of stock prototype design and a partial customization of components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study was conducted involving five patients with unilateral TMJ ankylosis or end-stage joint disease (ESJD) indicated for and requiring TMJR. The patients underwent resection of the joint or gap arthroplasty followed by TMJR using the hybrid alloplastic TMJ prosthesis. The subjective and objective variables that included the jaw function (JF), inter-incisal opening (IO), diet intake (DI) and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the psychometric modified Likert scale. The nutritional status of the patients was evaluated using the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as reference. RESULTS: The assessed study variables demonstrated functional and observational improvement in the post-operative follow-up when compared to the pre-operative period. The patients showed an improvement in overall QoL and nutritional status post-operatively. The follow-up period showed subjective and objective improvement in the parameters assessed among the study population. CONCLUSION: There is a technical and clinical feasibility to utilize the hybrid alloplastic TMJ prosthesis as a reliable alloplastic option for treating patients requiring TMJR, with prudent indications.

Is Single Puncture Superior to Double Puncture Arthrocentesis in Patients With Wilkes III Internal Derangement?

BACKGROUND: Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure with reported efficacy when used for lysis and lavage of the joint for symptomatic internal derangement, irrespective of the technique utilized. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine if the single puncture arthrocentesis (SPA) is superior to double puncture arthrocentesis (DPA) with respect to pain reduction and improved maximal mouth opening (MMO) for subjects with acute disc displacement without reduction. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-blinded randomized prospective clinical trial was conducted at the tertiary referral center for temporomandibular joint disorders. All subjects were diagnosed with acute onset disc displacement without reduction based on history and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Subjects were randomized to SPA or DPA. PREDICTOR VARIABLE(S): The primary predictor variable was arthrocentesis technique (SPA vs DPA). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE(S): The primary outcome variables were pain and MMO, measured at 4 weeks. The duration for the procedure was recorded at the time of the surgery. COVARIATES: Age, sex, and the side affected were recorded. ANALYSES: Data were analyzed using analysis of variance to compare the primary outcome variables. Levene's, post hoc, and Bonferroni-Holm tests were used for intergroup comparisons with a P value of <0.05 being significant. RESULTS: Forty subjects completed the study. The mean age for the SPA and DPA groups was 28.3 (±3.9) and 29.1 (±4.1), respectively (P = .52). The sex distribution was 60 and 55% female in the SPA and DPA groups, respectively. The mean pain reduction in the SPA and DPA groups was from 8.30 (±0.86) to 0.90 (±0.78) and from 8.00 (±0.79) to 0.95 (±0.82), respectively (P < .0001). There was no difference in pain reduction between the groups (P = .05). The mean increase in MMO was 34.6 (±2.34) and 33.4 (±2.35) in the SPA and DPA groups, respectively (P < .0001). The difference between the groups was not significant (P = .12). The procedural time in the SPA and DPA groups was 14.15 ± 1.72 and 17.55 ± 1.66, respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: SPA and DPA arthrocentesis appear to be equally efficacious for pain reduction and increasing MMO. SPA can be completed in less time than DPA and should be considered as a viable alternative to the conventional DPA technique.

Recommendations on the Use of Oral Orthotic Occlusal Appliance Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Current Evidence and Clinical Practice.

Background: 'Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs)' denote an umbrella term that includes arthritic, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions involving the temporomandibular joint, the masticatory muscles, and the associated tissues. Occlusal devices are one of the common treatment modalities utilized in the conservative management of TMDs. The indications for the available 'oral splints' or 'oral orthotic occlusal devices' remain ambiguous. Methods: A joint international consortium was formulated involving the subject experts at TMJ Foundation, to resolve the current ambiguity regarding the use of oral orthotic occlusal appliance therapy for the temporomandibular joint disorders based on the current scientific and clinical evidence. Results: The recommendations and the conclusion of the clinical experts of the joint international consort has been summarized for understanding the indications of the various available oral orthotic occlusal appliances and to aid in the future research on oral occlusal orthotics. Conclusion: The use of the oral orthotic occlusal appliances should be based on the current available scientific evidence, rather than the archaic protocols.

Infinitesimal Periangular Pterygomasseteric Transectioning Approach for the Base Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle: A Technical Note and Quality of Life Outcome.

Purpose Infinitesimal Periangular Pterygomasseteric Transectioning Approach (IPPTA) is a minimal access surgical approach utilized for the management of base fractures of the mandibular condyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate and report the long-term post-operative functional outcome using this surgical access approach. Materials and method A prospective clinical study involving 20 patients was undertaken to evaluate the post-operative functional and aesthetic outcome for the patients that underwent surgery for base fractures of the mandibular condyle using IPPTA. The various parameters assessed were wound healing, marginal mandibular nerve injury, diet intake, mandibular function, and any other complications at twelfth post-operative month. Results IPPTA provided adequate exposure to the condylar base fracture for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and was found to have an uneventful post-operative recovery phase in terms of functional and aesthetic outcomes. Conclusion IPPTA involves utilizing a smaller incision and provides adequate exposure to the condylar base region for ORIF to establish a satisfactory form and function with a predictable outcome.

A comparative study to evaluate the heat generated during osteotomy with conventional drill, trephine and alveolar expander.

Purpose: Excessively produced heat could lead to clinical failure of osseointegration. This study was done to compare the heat generated during osteotomy with the conventional drill, trephine, and alveolar expander . Materials and methods: This in vitro study was performed on ten bovine femoral bones. In each femoral bone, three osteotomy sites were prepared at a distance of 1.5cm using the conventional drill, trephine, and alveolar expander. During osteotomy, the site was irrigated with a copius amount of normal saline. Osteotomy sites of 3.6 mm in diameter and 11.5 mm in length were prepared using the conventional drill and bone trephines. The alveolar expander used for preparing the osteotomy site was 3.5mm, the nearest dimensions available. The temperature rise was measured using a thermocouple thermometer. Repeated measures ANOVA and Fisher's least significant difference pairwise comparison test was done for statistical analysis. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference in the heat generation with the conventional drill, trephine, and alveolar expander (p<0.001). The mean heat generated was maximum with the trephine (28.26±0.246 0C) followed by the conventional drill (27.27±0.297 0C) and least with alveolar expander (25.64±0.142 0C). Pairwise comparison showed a significant difference in heat generated during osteotomy with conventional drill compared to trephine (P=0.023), conventional drill compared to alveolar expander (P=0.014), and trephine compared to alveolar expander (P<0.001). Conclusion: The heat generated with trephine was maximum compared to the alveolar expander and conventional drills. If in case trephine is to be used, both internal and external irrigation must be used. Less heat generation during osteotomy by alveolar expander seems very promising and advantageous for better osseointegration.

A Comparative Preliminary Randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate Heavy Bupivacaine Dextrose Prolotherapy (HDP) and Autologous Blood Injection (ABI) for Symptomatic Temporomandibular Joint Hypermobility Disorder.

Purpose: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sub-luxation can have a significant psycho-social impact on a patients' well-being. Several treatment modalities have been described in the literature for the same. The present study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of heavy bupivacaine-dextrose prolotherapy (HDP) for the peri-articular tissues, superior joint space and the retro-discal area in the patients with symptomatic chronic sub-luxation. Materials and Methods: A preliminary clinical study was conducted among 60 patients diagnosed with chronic painful sub-luxation of the TMJ. Patients were divided into control group (CG), n = 30, where autologous blood was injected in the superior joint space, peri-capsular tissues and retro-discal area bilaterally as per the predetermined protocol; and the study group (SG), n = 30 patients were administered heavy bupivacaine-dextrose injection bilaterally in the peri-articular tissues, superior joint space and retro-discal area. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by assessing pain, maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO), changes in computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging study, number and need for subsequent injections in both the groups. Result: Among the 60 patients, majority of the patients exhibited successful outcome after both the interventions, ABI and HDP. There was statistically significant reduction in recorded pain score with reduced MIO post-treatment. No morphological changes were noted in the condyle in both the groups. No complications were recorded among the study population. Conclusion: HDP is a safe and simple modality for treating symptomatic sub-luxation with predictable clinical outcome. Heavy bupivacaine-dextrose can be considered as a prolotherapeutic agent for symptomatic chronic temporomandibular joint sub-luxation with the pharmacological benefit of local anaesthesia and proliferent delivery through the same injection.

A Prospective Randomized Study to Assess the Quality of Life in Post-Operative Recovery Phase in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Isolated Vertically Undisplaced Mandibular Parasymphysis Fracture Using Twin Mix Solution.

Purpose: Trauma is a major cause for facial fractures commonly encountered by maxillofacial surgeons. Mandible is commonly involved in facial trauma resulting in an isolated fracture or associated with other facial bones due to its prominent location in the facial skeleton. This study was undertaken to investigate the quality of life (QoL) post-operatively in patients diagnosed with undisplaced parasymphysis fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) under local anesthesia (LA) using the twin mix (TM) solution. Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized clinical study was conducted among 40 patients aged between 20-55 years requiring ORIF for unilateral vertically undisplaced parasymphysis fracture under LA. Group A patients (n = 20) received conventional LA solution with adrenaline, and Group B patients (n = 20) received freshly prepared TM solution for their surgical intervention as a day care procedure. Various parameters such as jaw function, ability to masticate and labialis activity (lower lip pout) were assessed. The data were collected and analyzed applying student's t test, Shapiro-Wilk test using SPSS software. Results: All the 20 patients in Group B who received TM solution exhibited better jaw function and mouth opening with a mean score of (±SD) of 4.55 (±0.944). They also exhibited reduced difficulty in mastication and ability to purse the lower lip on third post-operative day as compared to the patients in Group A. No complications were observed among the patients post-operatively in both the groups of this study. Conclusion: TM solution proves to be superior as compared to the conventional LA solution as the former offers an improved clinical outcomes enhancing the QoL post-operatively in patients undergoing ORIF for undisplaced parasymphysis mandibular fracture.

COVID Induced Functional Exhaustion and Persistently Reduced Lymphocytes as Vital Contributing Factors for Post-COVID Rhino-orbital and Cerebral Mucormycosis in Patients with Diabetes: Report from the Indian Sub-continent.

The current pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global, unanticipated public health crisis. Another emerging challenge is the prevalence of "black fungus", or mucormycosis, among patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. A retrospective study was conducted on 12 patients in a post-COVID recovery phase who developed mucormycosis. The study parameters evaluated lymphocyte count, CD4+ T cell status, and associated systemic co-morbidities for the patient, namely diabetes. The interventions during the treatment for COVID were also recorded to include administration of oxygen, ventilator assistance (invasive and non-invasive)/oxygen support, and steroid use. The possible relationship between low lymphocyte and CD4+ counts with diabetes and fungal growth was evaluated. It was observed that the majority of the patients who had a positive history for diabetes with low lymphocyte and CD4+ counts were more susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. Most of the patients, but not all, had a history of receiving oxygen or assisted ventilation, as well as steroids, during the treatment for COVID infection. These interventions may be considered as accessory contributing factors for fungal infection. Post-exposure to SARS-CoV-2, therapies should be targeted at prevention of functional exhaustion of lymphocytes and maintaining optimal lymphocyte and subset counts in susceptible hosts for the prevention of opportunistic fungal infections. The relationship between functional exhaustion of the lymphocyte, diabetes, and COVID mandates further research.

Infinitesimal Peri-angular Pterygomasseteric Transectioning Approach (IPPTA) for the Base Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle: A Preliminary Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate a reliable and safe surgical access to the condylar base region with minimal surgical trauma to the surrounding anatomic structures. In an attempt to do so, to describe Infinitesimal Peri-angular Pterygomasseteric Transectioning Approach (IPPTA) for the management of base fractures of the mandibular condyle. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A preliminary clinical study involving 20 patients was undertaken to treat patients with unilateral condylar base fracture of the mandible using IPPTA under general anaesthesia (GA). Various parameters assessed were adequacy of surgical access, wound healing at the incision site, marginal mandibular nerve injury, diet intake and complications post-operatively. RESULT: This method provided adequate exposure to fractured condylar base for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with uneventful post-operative recovery phase. There was no limitation to function which was identified by restoration of normal pre-trauma diet intake by 14th post-operative day in more than 50% of the study patients. No complications were observed in any patients among the study population. DISCUSSION: The peri-angular approach has been discussed in the literature. The IPPTA highlights the use of a smaller incision providing an adequate exposure to the condylar base region for ORIF.

A prospective comparative clinical study on modified screw retained arch bar (SRAB) and conventional Erich's arch bar (CEAB).

INTRODUCTION: Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) is commonly performed in the management of facial skeleton fractures. Various conventional methods like Erich's arch bar and Ivy eyelet wiring are the most commonly employed methods for achieving IMF, but they have their own disadvantages. Conventional Erich's arch bar (CEAB) has been modified recently by making perforations in the spaces between the winglets and securing the arch bar using 1 mm screws. IMF using intraoral modified screw retained arch bar (SRAB) has been introduced for the treatment of mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, advantages, disadvantages, indications, and potential complications associated with CEAB versus modified SRAB in the management of mandibular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized prospective study included 20 patients with mandibular fracture who were randomly allotted to two groups. Group A patients received modified SRAB and group B patients received CEAB. The parameters considered were time taken to place the arch bar, perforation in the gloves, patient acceptance, oral hygiene, iatrogenic dental injuries, and needle (wire) stick injuries during IMF. RESULTS: The mean time taken for arch bar placement was 27.20 min with modified SRAB as compared with 82.50 min with CEAB. Incidence of glove perforations was more in group B patients. Oral hygiene status was good in 90% of the patients from group A whereas it was 100% fair in group B patients. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that both the techniques achieve satisfactory IMF with post-operative occlusion. IMF with modified SRAB reduces the operating time and the incidence of the needle (wire) prick injuries. But modified SRAB has its own limitations in spite of its ease of application.

Vertically unstable fractured mandibular segment with attached genial tubercles as a parameter for difficulty during intubation for general anaesthesia-substantiation with computed tomographic (CT) scan evidence.

PURPOSE: To study and evaluate the anatomic alterations in the suprahyoid musculature, the hyoid bone, and the laryngeal inlet in patients with vertically unstable fractured mandibular segment with attached genial tubercles using computer tomography for substantiation of the clinical evidence and hypothesis of difficulty during intubation for general anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Random sampling methodology was used to enrol patients with mandibular bilateral parasymphysis fracture qualifying for the classification of vertically unstable fractured mandibular segment with attached genial tubercles for group A patients. Patients with unilateral parasymphysis fracture with vertically stable mandibular segment were included in group B. Forty patients with parasymphysis fracture and no other associated facial fracture/injury were evaluated prospectively by comparing their pre-operative computer tomography (CT) images with post-operative CT images taken after the reduction of the fracture. Parameters evaluated were variation in the radiologic anatomy of the laryngeal inlet shape and alteration in the suprahyoid musculature after open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture when compared with pre-operative CT images. RESULTS: The following were the results/observations from this study among group A patients: (1) The distance between the genial tubercles and the hyoid was found to be reduced. (2) Dorsal bodily movement of the hyoid was observed suggesting loss of anterior hyoid support. (3) The posttraumatic changes in the shape of the laryngeal inlet were observed in cases with vertically unstable bilateral parasymphysis fracture. (4) Restoration of morphology of the laryngeal inlet and anterior-posterior distance between genium and hyoid after reduction. CONCLUSION: Computer tomographic findings confirm that the displacement of fractured mandible and resultant displacement of the genial musculature have their effect on the laryngeal morphology. These posttraumatic changes in cases with dorsally displaced vertically unstable fractured mandibular segment with attached genial tubercles should be considered as a vital parameter for assessing difficulty during intubation.

Comparison Between Efficacy of Transdermal Ketoprofen and Diclofenac Patch in Patients Undergoing Therapeutic Extraction-A Randomized Prospective Split Mouth Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative pain control is a significant aspect of patient treatment after an oral and maxillofacial surgical procedure. The use of a transdermal patch is one such method to provide postoperative analgesia. The present study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of a single-dose transdermal patch of ketoprofen compared with that of diclofenac postoperatively after therapeutic extraction of first premolar teeth for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A split mouth randomized clinical trial was conducted of 40 patients aged 15 to 25 years who had required therapeutic extraction of both maxillary and mandibular first premolar teeth bilaterally. A single ketoprofen patch was applied for the first and fourth quadrant extraction, and diclofenac patch was applied for the second and third quadrant extraction after atraumatic therapeutic exodontia at 2 consecutive appointments with the patient under local anesthesia. The data were obtained and analyzed using the Student t test and Shapiro-Wilk test using SPSS software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: All 40 patients who had received a single-dose ketoprofen patch had experienced less postoperative pain and did not require a rescue analgesic with a mean visual analog scale (VAS) score of 1.13 ± 0.335 (P < .00001). The patients who had received a diclofenac patch reported comparatively elevated pain scores in the initial 24 hours, with a mean VAS score of 2.0 ± 0.5064 postoperatively, and 20% of the diclofenac treatment arm had required a rescue analgesic. No complications were observed among the patients postoperatively in either treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: Both the ketoprofen and diclofenac transdermal patches were effective in achieving postoperative analgesia in patients after therapeutic extraction, with ketoprofen superior to diclofenac as a transdermal medicament.

Ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis using single-puncture, double-lumen, single-barrel needle for patients with temporomandibular joint acute closed lock internal derangement.

PURPOSE: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc derangement is defined as a malpositioning of the articular disc relative to the condyle and eminence. Arthrocentesis of the TMJ is considered by many as the first-line surgical treatment for patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. The aim of this study is to assist needle insertion for temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis using ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty patients who required arthrocentesis of the TMJ were randomly assigned to two groups A and B undergoing single-puncture arthrocentesis with modified double-lumen single-barrel needle and ultrasound-guided single-puncture arthrocentesis using modified double-lumen single-barrel needle (n = 10 in each group). The number of attempts of needle manipulation, duration of the operative procedural time, and visual analog (VAS) scale score for pain to assess surgical discomfort were the main outcome variables. RESULTS: None of the patients in either group developed any complication with no significant difference in VAS score for pain between the two study groups. The number of attempts for needle manipulation (mean ± SD) for group A was 2.20 ± 0.789, and for group B, it was 1.10 ± 0.316 (p value, 0.0007); operative procedural time (mean ± SD) for group A was 18.5 ± 3.171 min, and for group B, it was 13.1 ± 1.663 (p value, 0.0002) which was significantly lesser in group A than in group B. The sentence signifies that the number of attempts that was required to re-insert the needle to enter the joint space in Ultrasound guided and conventional method of arthrocentesis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided single-puncture arthrocentesis using a customized needle is a promising method to perform joint lavage with minimal trauma and in a precise manner.

A preliminary study on plasma concentration achieved following intrapterygomandibular space injection of dexamethasone as a route of drug delivery with lignocaine inferior alveolar nerve block-correlation of clinical effects.

PURPOSE: To determine the quantity of dexamethasone plasma concentration achieved following intrapterygomandibular space injection of dexamethasone when co-administered with inferior alveolar nerve block correlating with the clinical effects in the postoperative phase. OBJECTIVE: A preliminary prospective study to evaluate the dexamethasone plasma concentration achieved following intrapterygomandibular space injection of dexamethasone with 2% lignocaine inferior alveolar nerve block to achieve hemi-mandibular anesthesia for minor oral surgical procedures and derive clinical correlations. BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid, chiefly used for the management of postsurgical sequelae like trismus and swelling in maxillofacial surgical practice. Conventionally, parenteral dexamethasone is administered via intravenous or intramuscular route. Intrapterygomandibular space injection is a novel route of steroid delivery described in literature. For minor oral surgical procedures in maxillofacial surgical practice requiring inferior alveolar nerve block, dexamethasone can be administered along with local anesthetic through a single injection as a mixture (twin mix). METHODS: Prospective double-blind randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluative plasma concentration of dexamethasone achieved following injection of a freshly prepared mixture of 1.8 ml of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) and 1 ml (4 mg) dexamethasone [2.8 ml solution of twin mix] in the pterygomandibular space. The 30 candidates included for the trial were randomly split into three study groups (ten each)-(1) control group (C); (2) intramuscular group (IM); (3) intraspace group (IS). RESULTS: The mean plasma dexamethasone concentration at 30 min postinjection in group IM was 226.41 ± 48.67 ng/ml and for IS group it was 209.67 ± 88.13 ng/ml. Post hoc (Bonferroni-Holm test) intergroup comparison for plasma dexamethasone concentration (IM and IS) was found statistically insignificant (P = 0.605). CONCLUSION: Intraspace route of drug administration can be utilized to deliver dexamethasonized local anesthetics safely with predictable clinical effects in the patients requiring mandibular minor oral surgery under local anesthesia.

Comparative study to evaluate bone loss during osteotomy using standard drill, bone trephine, and alveolar expanders for implant placement.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Various osteotomy modalities seem to have an impact on the primary and secondary stability of the dental implant. The available literature lacks the comparison of various available osteotomy modalities used for the dental implant placement and its effects on the initial surgical bone removal. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the osteotomy sites created using standard drill, bone trephine, and alveolar expanders for dental implant surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done on ten goat hemimandibles. Three osteotomy sites were prepared at the inferior border of the mandible using standard drill, trephine, and alveolar expander in each hemimandibles and the sites were subjected to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The CBCT images obtained were compared for the amount of cortical bone and bone marrow loss at osteotomy sites in different techniques. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of loss of cortical bone with standard drills, trephines, and alveolar expanders was 3.62 ± 4.216 × 10-2, 3.6 ± 4.681 × 10-16 and 3.15 ± 7.071 × 10-2. At the middle-third region, the loss of marrow bone was 3.38 ± 7.88 × 10-2, 2.15 ± 8.498 × 10-2 and 0.03 ± 9.487 × 10-2, and at lower third region, it was 2.3 ± 4.714 × 10-2, 0.02 ± 6.325 × 10-2, and 0.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: CBCT images showed minimum bone loss with the use of alveolar expander which may be due to the lateral bone condensation rather the removal of the marrow. Trephine showed less marrow removal in comparison to the standard drill used for dental implant surgery.

Reduction of Palatal Midline and Para-Midline Fractures Using Intra-arch Wire Fixation Versus Transmucosal Miniplate Stabilization: Prospective Randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate Postoperative Occlusion.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to compare the post reduction squealae of transmucosal miniplate fixation technique for stabilization of palatal fractures with intra-arch wiring technique. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study was prospectively undertaken on 16 patients, dividing them into two treatment arms based on random sampling methodology (Group A & B). For patients in Group A, intra-arch wire stabilization technique and in Group B trans-mucosal miniplate stabilization technique was used. The pre-operative and post-operative occlusion and time taken for stabilization in both the techniques was compared. RESULTS: The mean time taken for reduction and stabilization of palatal fracture in group A was 10.9 ± 2.21 min and in group B was 14.2 ± 1.13 min. Four out of eight study patients in group A required post reduction interception to stabilize occlusion postoperatively, whereas none of the patients in group B needed any post operative intervention. CONCLUSION: The post operative occlusal stability was found better in study patients included in group B when compared to group A patients, although satisfactory post-operative occlusion was obtained even in group A with post-operative interception for occlusal stability.

High performance liquid chromatography determination of dexamethasone in plasma to evaluate its systemic absorption following intra-space pterygomandibular injection of twin-mix (mixture of 2 % lignocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 4 mg dexamethasone): randomized control trial.

PURPOSE: To determine systemic absorption of dexamethasone by detection of plasma concentration using high performance liquid chromatography following its administration along with local anesthetic agent as a mixture via pterygomandibular space. METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blind clinical study was undertaken to analyze the plasma concentration of dexamethasone after intra-space pterygomandibular injection along with local anesthesia. The study was performed as per split mouth model where the mandibular quadrant allocation was done on a random basis considering each of the 30 patients is included in the two study interventions (SS and CS). For the study site (SS) procedures, dexamethasone was administered as a mixture (2 % lignocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 4 mg dexamethasone) intra-space. In the control site (CS) procedures, a regular standard inferior alveolar nerve block was administered, and dexamethasone was given as intramuscular injection. The plasma dexamethasone determination was done in venous blood 30- and 60-min post injection using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The clinical parameters like pain; swelling; and mouth opening on the first, third, and seventh post-operative day were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the clinical parameters assessed; comparative evaluation showed less swelling in the SS interventions. The plasma concentration of dexamethasone for the CS interventions was 226 ± 47 ng/ml at 30-min and 316 ± 81.6 ng/ml at 60-min post injection, and for SS, it was 221 ± 81.6 ng/ml at 30-min and 340 ± 105 ng/ml at 60-min post injection. On inter-site (CS and SS) comparison, no statistically significant difference was ascertained in dexamethasone plasma concentration at 30-min post injection (P = 0.77) and at 60-min post injection. (P = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Intra-space (pterygomandibular space) administration of dexamethasone can achieve statistically similar plasma concentration of the drug as when the same dose is administered intramuscularly with demonstration of similar clinical effects.

Temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis for internal derangement with disc displacement without reduction.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc derangement is defined as a malpositioning of the articular disc relative to the condyle and eminence. Arthrocentesis of the TMJ is a minimally invasive chair side procedure for the patients with TMJ internal derangement. This case report presents convincing results to keep arthrocentesis as an imperative procedure to relieve such patients of their acute symptoms. TMJ dynamics has also been discussed for an in-depth understanding of the pathology in cases with internal derangement.