Sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape by colleagues in the surgical workforce, and how women and men are living different realities: observational study using NHS population-derived weights.

BACKGROUND: This observational study, paired with National Health Service (NHS) workforce population data, examined gender differences in surgical workforce members' experiences with sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape) among colleagues in the past 5 years, and their views of the adequacy of accountable organizations in dealing with this issue. METHODS: This was a survey of UK surgical workforce members, recruited via surgical organizations. RESULTS: Some 1704 individuals participated, with 1434 (51.5 per cent women) eligible for primary unweighted analyses. Weighted analyses, grounded in NHS England surgical workforce population data, used 756 NHS England participants. Weighted and unweighted analyses showed that, compared with men, women were significantly more likely to report witnessing, and be a target of, sexual misconduct. Among women, 63.3 per cent reported being the target of sexual harassment versus 23.7 per cent of men (89.5 per cent witnessing versus 81.0 per cent of men). Additionally, 29.9 per cent of women had been sexually assaulted versus 6.9 per cent of men (35.9 per cent witnessing versus 17.1 per cent of men), with 10.9 per cent of women experiencing forced physical contact for career opportunities (a form of sexual assault) versus 0.7 per cent of men. Being raped by a colleague was reported by 0.8 per cent of women versus 0.1 per cent of men (1.9 per cent witnessing versus 0.6 per cent of men). Evaluations of organizations' adequacy in handling sexual misconduct were significantly lower among women than men, ranging from a low of 15.1 per cent for the General Medical Council to a high of 31.1 per cent for the Royal Colleges (men's evaluations: 48.6 and 60.2 per cent respectively). CONCLUSION: Sexual misconduct in the past 5 years has been experienced widely, with women affected disproportionately. Accountable organizations are not regarded as dealing adequately with this issue.

This research examined sexual misconduct occurring in surgery in the UK, so that more informed and targeted actions can be taken to make healthcare safer for staff and patients. A survey assessed individuals' experiences with being sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, and raped by work colleagues. Individuals were also asked whether they had seen this happen to others at work. Compared with men, women were much more likely to have seen sexual misconduct happening to others, and to have it happen to them. For example, most women (63.3 per cent) experienced being sexually harassed by colleagues, as did some men (23.7 per cent). Women also experienced being sexual assaulted by colleagues far more often than men (29.9 per cent of women, 6.9 per cent of men). These findings show that women and men in the surgical workforce are living different realities. For women, being around colleagues is more often going to mean witnessing, and being a target of, sexual misconduct. Individuals were also asked whether they thought healthcare-related organizations were handling issues of sexual misconduct adequately; most did not think they were. The General Medical Council (GMC) received the lowest evaluations. Only 15.1 per cent of women regarded the GMC as adequate in their handling of sexual misconduct. Men's evaluations were higher, although the GMC was still regarded as adequate by less than half of men (48.6 per cent). Evaluations of National Health Service Trusts were rated similarly low. Only 15.8 per cent of women evaluated them as adequate (44.9 per cent of men). The results of this study have implications for all stakeholders, including patients. Sexual misconduct was commonly experienced by respondents, representing a serious issue for the profession. There is a widespread lack of faith in the UK organizations responsible for dealing with this issue. Those organizations have a duty to protect the workforce, and to protect patients.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Consultant Workforce in the UK: reducing consultant numbers resulting from recruitment issues, pension pressures, changing job-plans, and demographics when combined with the COVID backlog in elective surgery, requires urgent action.

Mean retirement age for UK doctors is 59.6 years, giving the average OMFS consultant approximately 20 years of practice. Current pension tax regulations, new consultant posts typically restricted to a maximum of 10 sessions (40 hours), increasing proportions of consultants working less than full time (LTFT), all combined with the backlog of elective care created by COVID-19 will create a significant gap between workforce capacity and clinical demand. The age of current OMFS consultants was estimated using the date of their primary medical/dental qualification. Changes in job plans were estimated using data from the BAOMS Workforce Census and from recently advertised posts. Reports of unfilled posts were collated by OMFS Regional Specialty Professional Advisors (RSPAs). First degree dates were identified for 476 OMFS substantive consultant posts. Estimated current average age of OMFS consultants was 52.7 years (minimum 35.9, maximum 72.1), 75th centile age 59.0 and 23% of the current consultant workforce above the average retirement age for doctors. The 10 sessions of new OMFS consultants posts is significantly less than existing consultants' average of 12.1 sessions (48.4 hours). Unfilled consultant posts in Great Britain are 13% of the total compared to 20% in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Many (23%) of the OMFS consultant workforce are above average retirement age. Forty-hour contracts; new consultants working LTFT; and early loss of senior colleagues because of pension pressure will reduce NHS' capacity to treat OMFS disorders and injuries. This paper suggests increasing consultant posts, increasing trainee numbers, and actively retaining senior surgeons to maintain capacity.

COVID-19: The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Experience, Oxford, UK.

STUDY DESIGN: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Oxford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, that operates as a Hub and Spoke model underwent several changes to its structure to respond to the change in service. This study is an audit of all emergency patients seen during a 10-week period and compared these patients to the same time period 1-year previous. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to observe the change in the service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study prospectively recorded all the emergency referrals, inpatient admissions and emergency outpatient reviews during a 10-week period, this was compared to data from the same time period in 2019. RESULTS: The unit saw a statistically significant decrease in the number of facial lacerations (p = 0.0007) and fractured mandibles (p = 0.0067) and received a statistically significant increase in patients presenting with dental abscesses (p = 0.0067). Average length of inpatient stay was reduced from 2.4 days to 1.7; of these patients significantly less were reviewed face to face (p = 0.026) in favor of telemedicine options. CONCLUSIONS: During this period, the hub and spoke model allowed the service to quickly adapt during the COVID pandemic aiding the dissemination of new guidelines and establishing hub and spoke local consultant led daily emergency and follow up clinics. The Specialist Training Registrars were located in the central hub which allowed the service to have 24-hour resident senior decision makers and enabled the redeployment of junior doctors. The authors believe that the Hub and Spoke model allowed their workforce and resources to best serve their patient population.

Acute Haemorrhagic Oedema of Infancy (AHOI): A Case Report.

Acute haemorrhagic oedema of infancy (AHOI) is a benign variant of leukocytoclastic vasculitis which occurs in children up to 2 years of age. It is considered by some to be a variant of Henoch-Schönlein purpura with its hallmark of prominent facial swelling, purpuric rash without visceral involvement, in an otherwise well child. This condition is well recognised in the paediatric and dermatology literature but despite its impressive facial features, often mimicking more serious pathology like orbital cellulitis, to our knowledge AHOI has not been published in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery literature. We present a case of AHOI to raise awareness of this condition in maxillofacial surgery to avoid it being mis- or over-diagnosed.

Periodontal Disease, Dental Implants, Extractions and Medications Related to Osteonecrosis of the Jaws.

Patients taking bisphosphonates and other anti-resorptive drugs are likely to attend general dental practice. The term 'bisphosphonate'is often immediately associated with osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). Risk assessment and subsequent management of these patients should be carried out taking into account all the risk factors associated with ONJ. The introduction of newer drugs, also shown to be associated with ONJ, demands increased awareness of general dental practitioners about these medications. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This paper provides an update on medication-related ONJ and considers the effects of anti-resorptive drugs on the management of patients needing exodontia, treatment for periodontal disease and dental implant placement.

A rare case of localised oral amyloid of the labial mucosa.

Amyloidosis is often a systemic process, and localised oral amyloidosis is rare. We present the case of a young woman with amyloid deposition in the labial mucosa of her lower lip. Systemic involvement was excluded by comprehensive assessment at the UK Amyloidosis Centre. Of 40 previously reported cases of localised oral amyloidosis we found only one that was limited to the labial mucosa.

Odontogenic cervico-fascial infections: a continuing threat.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Dental abscesses are common and occasionally can progress to life-threatening cervico-fascial infections. Despite medical advances, odontogenic cervico-fascial infections (OCFIs) continue to be a threat. The potential seriousness of odontogenic infections (Ols), or dental abscesses, is frequently underestimated. General dental practitioners (GDPs) in primary care face the challenging decision of whether to refer patients to secondary care or to manage them in the community. PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: This paper reviews the relevant aspects of Ols that might be helpful to primary care dental practitioners in providing a better understanding of the anatomy and pathology and aims to assist in clinical decision. METHOD: An up-to-date review of literature on OCFIs, highlighting their potential risks with clinical examples. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Dental abscesses are common and continue to be a major cause for emergency hospital admission to oral and maxillofacial surgery departments. They occasionally spread to fascial spaces of the neck, potentially posing significant morbidity and mortality. GDPs are usually the first point of contact and face the challenge of recognising those at risk of developing OCFIs, which are potentially life threatening and require urgent referral for hospital treatment. We propose a patient care pathway to be used in primary care.

The effect of anesthetic technique on recovery after orthognathic surgery: a retrospective audit.

We audited the recovery characteristics of 51 patients who had undergone orthognathic maxillofacial surgery at a single center. Patients whose anesthesia had been maintained with intravenous propofol and remifentanil (n  =  21) had significantly higher pain scores during the first 4 hours after surgery than those whose anesthesia was maintained with volatile inhalational agents and longer-acting opioids (n  =  30) (P  =  .016). There was a nonsignificant trend towards shorter recovery times in the former group, while there were no differences in early postoperative opioid usage, hemodynamic parameters, or postoperative nausea and vomiting . Given that our data were collected retrospectively and without the ability to control for potential confounders, we interpret the results with caution. Notwithstanding these limitations, we believe this is the first report comparing the effects of different opioid-based anesthetic regimens on early recovery from orthognathic surgery, and we believe this report may be used as the starting point for a controlled study.

Are blood investigations, or group and save, required before orthognathic surgery?

Most patients who require orthognathic surgery are young patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) grade I, and current publications recommend a policy of group and save, with antibody screening for all such patients. We retrospectively studied 284 patients who had orthognathic procedures over a 5-year period at one hospital. We identified patients with a history of bleeding disorders, and those with abnormal coagulation. No blood transfusions were required for any patient, and abnormal coagulation screens in patients with no history of bleeding disorders made no difference to perioperative medical or surgical management. We therefore recommend that grouping and saving blood with antibody or coagulation screening are not necessary before orthognathic operations in ASA grade I patients who have no history of bleeding disorders or previous blood transfusion. However, a routine full blood count should still be done, in keeping with the current National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

Review of evidence for the use of steroids in orthognathic surgery.

Primarily, steroids are used routinely in orthognathic surgery to reduce swelling, but there is no nationally accepted regimen for the use of glucocorticoids in the UK. This article examines the evidence base for the use of steroids to reduce swelling, nausea, vomiting, and pain, and looks at evidence of the ratio of risks:benefits in orthognathic surgery and related publications. Evidence supports their use preoperatively, but the timing of this and their postoperative use may be contentious. The current regimens are associated with little morbidity and low cost. A well designed multi-centre study whose design would allow objective measures of swelling is required to resolve the areas of debate.

Infantile fibromatosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Desmoid tumours are benign fibrous neoplasms originating from musculoaponeurotic structures throughout the body. These tumours are rare in the mandible and the literature is limited to case reports and retrospective reviews and to date there is no agreed protocol for the management of these lesions in the paediatric mandible. The definition, diagnosis and management of juvenile fibromatosis still presents a challenge to the modern surgeon, radiologist and pathologist. We describe a case of paediatric mandibular infantile fibromatosis which presented a diagnostic dilemma, and review the currently available literature.

A lucky catch: Fishhook injury of the tongue.

Fishhook injuries, particularly those involving the upper limbs, are frequently encountered in recreational and commercial fishing settings. The oral cavity is rarely a site for such injury. We present the case of a 13-month-old male child who sustained a fishhook injury to the tongue whilst 'playing' with an unused fishhook at home. In this case there was minimal swelling, and the fishhook could be uneventfully removed under general anesthesia. Penetrating injuries to the tongue carry the risk of swelling and hematoma formation, which may result in airway compromise. These injuries therfore call for early intervention.

Multicentre study of operating time and inpatient stay for orthognathic surgery.

Orthognathic surgery has advanced considerably since its development in the mid-twentieth century, and in most maxillofacial units mandibular and maxillary osteotomies are routine procedures. However, to enable accurate health planning and costing, and to obtain meaningful consent, it is important to have reliable data for duration of operation and inpatient stay. Virtually every aspect of orthognathic surgery has been researched, but we know of no recent studies that have looked specifically at how long the procedures take and how long patients stay in hospital. We retrospectively studied a sample of patients who had had orthognathic operations at six maxillofacial units in the United Kingdom (UK) to assess these measures. We looked at 411 operations which included 139 bilateral sagittal split osteotomies, 53 Le Fort I osteotomies, and 219 bimaxillary osteotomies. The study showed that the mean (SD) operating time for bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is 2h 6min (46min), 1h 54min (45minutes) for Le Fort I osteotomy, and 3h 27min (60min) for bimaxillary osteotomy. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was also measured. Fifty percent of patients spent one night in hospital after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, whereas 39% and 9% of patients spent two and three nights, respectively. Forty-five percent of patients spent one night in hospital after Le Fort I osteotomy, whereas 34%, 13%, and 2% spent two, three, and four nights, respectively. Forty-one percent of patients spent two nights in hospital after bimaxillary osteotomy, whereas 34%, 21%, and 3% spent one, three, and four nights, respectively. This data provides evidence for national benchmarks.