Bilobed Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction: a Single Institution Experience of 150 Patients and Methods to Prevent Complications.

Introduction: Bilobed PMMC flap is done for patients who have diseases that require resection of oral cavity mucosa along with the overlying skin, either because of direct tumor invasion to the skin or for achieving adequate tumor-free base of resection. The versatility of the flap allows it to be used to cover both inner and outer linings for a full-thickness defect. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study carried out in the Department of Head and Neck Oncology at a regional cancer center from January 2019 to December 2019. A minimum follow-up duration for all patients was 6 months. The primary endpoint was to study the results and complications associated with bilobed PMMC flap reconstruction and factors affecting it, as well as their management. Results: The median age was 45 years [24-71 years]. There were 96(64%) males and 54(36%) females. The most common sites reconstructed were lower gingivobuccal sulcus (39.1%), buccal mucosa (30.2%), and lower alveolus (16.7%). The overall complication rate was 41.3%, with 10(6.6%) patients requiring re-exploration. The average hospital stay was 11 days [5-28 days]. On doing a multivariate analysis, for various factors affecting flap necrosis, none of the factors reached statistical significance (p value > 0.05). Conclusion: PMMC flap remains the workhorse of head and neck reconstruction. In cases of full-thickness defects in oral cancer patients, in our country, in the setup which lacks the expertise in microvascular anastomosis and with immense caseload in the head and neck cancer department, bilobed PMMC flap remains a safe and favorite alternative method for reconstruction.

Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Conventional Arch Bar, Intermaxillary Fixation Screws, and Modified Arch Bar for Intermaxillary Fixation.

AIM: Comparative evaluation of efficacy of conventional arch bar, intermaxillary fixation screws, and modified arch bar with respect to plaque accumulation, time required for procedure, postoperative stability after achieving the intermaxillary fixation, mucosal growth, and complication encountered for intermaxillary fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a randomized clinical trial in which participants were divided into three groups of 10 each, and designated as Group A, Group B, and Group C. In Group A, intermaxillary fixation was achieved by the conventional method using Erich arch bar, fastened with 26-gauge stainless-steel wires. In Group B, intermaxillary fixation was achieved by the use of 2 mm × 8 mm 4-6 stainless-steel intermaxillary fixation screws. In Group C, intermaxillary fixation was achieved by modified screw arch bar. A conventional arch bar was modified by making perforations in the spaces between the winglets along the entire extension of the bar which was then adapted to the vestibular surface of the maxilla and mandible, close to the cervical portion of the teeth, and perforations were made in the inter-radicular spaces with a 1.1-mm bur, and after this, 1.5-mm screws were placed to fix the bar. RESULTS: In the present study, a total of 30 patients were analyzed. The average working time for Group A, Group B, and Group C were 110, 16, and 29 min respectively. Oral hygiene scores through modified Turskey Gilmore plaque index which was taken at immediate postoperative, 15, 30, and at 45 days. Maximum hygiene was maintained in intermaxillary fixation screw group followed by modified arch bar group and conventional arch bar group. Maximum stability was seen in the conventional arch bar group followed by modified arch bar group and intermaxillary fixation screw group. With respect to mucosal coverage, maximum mucosal growth was seen in intermaxillary fixation screws group. When complications were taken into consideration, maximum complications were reported in Group A followed by Group B and Group C. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes that the use of modified arch bar is quick and easy method than conventional arch bar with least chances of glove puncture and needle stick injury to the operator. Oral hygiene maintenance is comparatively better in patients with modified arch bar than with conventional arch bars. Modified arch bar was significantly stable when compared with IMF screws, and therefore, for the patients who require long-term intermaxillary fixation, modified arch bars can be a viable option.

Evaluation of efficacy of intermaxillary fixation screws versus modified arch bar for intermaxillary fixation.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws and modified arch bar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a randomized clinical trial in which all participants were divided into two groups of ten in each group and designated as Group A and Group B. In Group A, IMF was achieved by the use of four to six 2×8mm stainless steel IMF screws. In Group B, IMF was achieved by modified screw arch bar. RESULTS: In the present study, a total of twenty patients were analyzed. The average working time for Group A and Group B was 16 min and 29 min, respectively. Oral hygiene scores through modified Turesky Gilmore plaque index were calculated at immediate postoperative period and after 15 days, 30 days, and 45 days. Maximum hygiene was maintained in IMF screw group than modified arch bar group, but maximum stability was observed in the modified arch bar group than IMF screw group. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the use of IMF screws as a quick and easy method than modified arch bar. Oral hygiene maintenance was comparatively better in patients with IMF screws than those with modified arch bar. Modified arch bar was significantly stable when compared with IMF screws; therefore, for patients who require long-term IMF, modified arch bars can be a viable option, but the perforation in the original arch bar may lead to the weakening of the arch bar, and therefore the prefabricated modified arch bar would be a better option.

Prevalence of Bifid Mandibular Canal Amongst Indian Population: A Radiographic Study.

BACKGROUND: Bifid mandibular canal (BMC) is a normal anatomical variation and has been less studied in the Indian population. This study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of BMC amongst Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised of 5800 digital orthopantomograms (OPGs) which were from four zones of India, i.e. North India, South India, East India, and West India (1700 OPGs from each zone). Any pathological or normal digital OPGs having age between 15 and 80 years in the format of jepg or jpg image were included, while OPGs of operated case of hemimandibulectomy and blurred in which mandibular canal was not traceable were excluded from this study. Each radiograph was assessed for BMC based on the classification given by RP Langlais. Four examiners (two Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons and two Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists) individually assessed every OPG for the presence of BMC. BMC was considered present, if all the examiners detected it independently. RESULTS: There were 5800 OPGs examined, out of which 2576 were of women and 3224 were of men. Bifid mandibular canals were observed in 135 (2.3%) out of 5800 digital panoramic images. There was no statistically significant correlation found with regard to age. Bifid mandibular canals were found with a female-to-male ratio of 1:1.2. The most frequently encountered type of BMC was type II (1.34%) followed by type I (0.72%), type IV (0.15%), and type III (0.1%).

Why and How Maxillofacial Disability and Impairment Due to Trauma Should be Quantified for Compensation: A Need for Nationwide Guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: India being is a country with different social, cultural, geographical and economic backgrounds; it is also grounds of rapid industrialization, mechanization of farming and increase in vehicular traffic which increases the no. of accidents and issues related to disablement and compensation of maxillofacial injuries. NEED FOR THE STUDY: There is no system available for evaluation for such injuries. The pathological condition states the nature of an illness but not the extent of the remaining health. Since the individual reacts as an integer it is important to include some appraisal of the physical factors influencing his work efficiency. As there is little clarity for disability and impairment, its separate assessment for maxillofacial injury is necessary. There are complex maxillofacial injuries that may cause impairment of sense, esthetic compromises, and functional loss. Epidemiology of craniofacial trauma-approximately 50 % of 12 million annual traumatic wounds treated in emergency rooms involve the head and neck. Being most common along with other injuries but is never considered for compensation. Facial region being the one that is the identity and factor that influences its social and emotional behavioral changes has not been considered. In this article various aspects have been considered for evaluation of compensation and disablement due to maxillofacial injuries.

Rehabilitation of lost vertical dimension with cast post core and cast partial denture.

Loss of teeth is sometimes inevitable. But, it is the duty of a restorative dentist to restore the loss of teeth in way keeping in mind the discomfort and agony of the patient. Rehabilitation of these types of patients requires thorough knowledge and great skills on the part of a prosthodontist. This clinical case report describes the management of a 58-year-old male patient with a loss of mandibular posterior teeth and severely attrited anterior teeth opposing natural teeth. The treatment plan was to restore the loss of teeth and the loss of vertical dimension by providing prosthesis keeping in mind the occlusion and stomatognathic system. A novel approach of fixed and removable type of prostheses was implemented and successfully delivered.

Osteoblastoma in the retromolar region - Report of an unusual case and Review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Benign osteoblastoma is a rare tumor of bone representing less than 1% of all tumors of the maxillofacial region. There is a slight predilection for the mandible. More frequent sites for this tumor are the vertebral column, sacrum, long bones, and calvarium. A small predilection in males exists. The age of occurrence ranges from 5 to 37 years, with an average of 16.5. Clinically, patients have pain and swelling. The tumor contains a well-vascularized, osteoblastic connective tissue stroma. Osteoclasts may also be present. Osteoid with varying degrees of calcification, as well as immature bone, is noted. CASE REPORT: Very few cases of osteoblastomas occurring in the jaws have been reported in the literature. This is one such a rare case report of OB occurring in a 45 year old female patient with a swelling in right lower back region since 5 years. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Osteoblastoma has to be differentiated from other bone lesions for correct diagnosis. Many bone producing lesions possess some overlapping clinical, radiographic or histopathological findings similar to osteoblastoma. Understanding and correlating all these features is of utmost importance. This helps in correctly diagnosing and helps in adequate management of this rare entity, giving a good prognosis.