Orofacial motricity and use of mixed techniques in a cranio-facial trauma: a case report / Motricidad orofacial y uso de técnicas mixtas en cicatrices por trauma cráneo facial: relato de caso

ABSTRACT No reports about treatments applied by orofacial motricity experts, in craniofacial trauma, were found in the specialized literature. However, their knowledge, added to that of the aesthetic area, would be useful in the rehabilitation of scars. The aim of this work is to describe the mixed use of orofacial motor skills, muscle balance massage and scar management in a patient with soft tissues facial trauma. During the initial evaluation, a decrease in the vertical and horizontal oral opening and in the mimic movements, facial asymmetry and marked scars that affected the oral phase of swallowing, chewing (bolus formation), lip mobility, compromising speech intelligibility and, significantly, aesthetics, were observed. Myofunctional therapy lasted 12 months, during which the patient underwent three surgeries. The process was divided into an intensive phase (six months, two weekly sessions) and a follow-up phase (six months, one weekly session), which ended when the indicators evaluated at the beginning were stable, showing improvements in scars condition and appearance, as well as in orofacial functions, including pre-post therapy self-perception and greater muscular mobility, reflecting a management with an integrative approach.

RESUMEN En la literatura especializada no se encontraron reportes sobre tratamientos aplicados por expertos en motricidad orofacial en traumas craneofaciales, sin embargo, sus conocimientos, sumados a los del área estética serían útiles en la rehabilitación de cicatrices. El objetivo del trabajo es describir el uso mixto de técnicas de motricidad orofacial, masaje de equilibrio muscular y manejo de cicatrices en un paciente con trauma facial en tejidos blandos. En la evaluación inicial se observó: disminución en la apertura oral vertical y horizontal y de los movimientos de la mímica, asimetría facial y marcadas cicatrices que afectaban la fase oral de la deglución, la masticación (formación del bolo), la movilidad labial, comprometiendo la inteligibilidad del habla y de modo significativo la estética. La terapia miofuncional duró 12 meses, en medio de la cual el paciente tuvo tres intervenciones quirúrgicas. El proceso se dividió en una fase intensiva (seis meses con dos sesiones semanales) y otra de seguimiento (seis meses con una sesión semanal), que concluyó al estabilizarse los indicadores evaluados al inicio, evidenciándose mejoras en el estado y apariencia de las cicatrices, en las funciones orofaciales, incluida la autopercepción pre -post terapia, y mayor movilidad de la musculatura, asumiendo un manejo con enfoque integrador.

Reanimação estática do lábio inferior na paralisia facial como complicação de preenchimento / Static lower lip reanimation as a filler complication of facial paralysis

Procedimentos de rejuvenescimento facial substitutos da cirurgia tradicional tornaram-se cada vez mais populares para promover uma aparência jovial com procedimentos minimamente invasivos, como toxina botulínica injetável, preenchimento de tecidos moles e peelings químicos. No entanto, complicações podem ocorrer mesmo na presença de um injetor habilidoso e experiente. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente submetida a reanimação labial estática usando retalho dermoadiposo para lesão do nervo facial direito após remoção de nódulos como complicação de preenchimento. A "abordagem modificada de bull horn" foi realizada para elevação do lábio superior em torno das asas nasais e columela e ao longo do sulco nasolabial direito. O retalho foi desepitelizado e obtido. Usando a ponta aberta de uma pequena cânula de lipoaspiração, a porção distal do retalho foi encapsulada e fixada diretamente em C-loop e foram utilizados pontos U, transfixando o retalho para o periósteo do arco zigomático. Nos três anos de seguimento não foram observadas complicações significativas e a paciente não relatou nenhuma limitação funcional ou insatisfação com o aspecto das cicatrizes no sulco nasolabial e ao redor das asas nasais e da columela.

Facial rejuvenation procedures to circumvent traditional surgery have become increasingly popular to promote a youthful appearance with minimally invasive procedures such as injectable botulinum toxin, soft-tissue fillers, and chemical peels. Nevertheless, complications can occur even with an astute and experienced injector. Here we present the case of a patient who underwent static lip reanimation using a dermoadiposal flap for right facial nerve damage following nodule removal as a filler complication. A "modified bulls horn approach" to the upper lip lift was performed around the nasal wings and columella and along the right nasolabial fold. The flap was de-epithelized and harvested. Using the open tip of a small liposuction cannula, the distal portion of the flap was tunneled and fixed directly in a C-loop fashion using U stitches, transfixing the flap to the periosteum of the zygomatic arch. At 3 years follow-up, no significant complications were observed, and the patient reported no functional limitations or dissatisfaction with the scars in the nasolabial fold or around the nasal wings and columella.

Análise eletromiográfica do efeito da fisioterapia no músculo masseter em pós-operatório de politrauma de face / Electromyographic analysis of the effect of physical therapy on the masseter muscle in post-operative facial polytrauma

Em situações de acidente, os traumas faciais têm ocupado lugar de destaque, e as fraturas mandibulares compreendem o maior percentual de injúrias tratadas pelos cirurgiões bucomaxilofaciais. Intervenções fisioterapêuticas vêm sendo somadas à reabilitação pós-operatória, otimizando a atividade muscular pós-trauma, colaborando na recuperação das funções mastigatórias, de fonação, deglutição e posturais. Objetivo: o presente estudo objetivou comparar a evolução longitudinal da atividade elétrica do músculo masseter por meio de exame eletromiográfico em um indivíduo politraumatizado submetido à fisioterapia e outro com fratura de mandíbula sem tratamento fisioterapêutico. Sujeitos e método: para tal pesquisa, analisou-se um voluntário politraumatizado submetido a tratamento fisioterapêutico, um voluntário com fratura de mandíbula sem tratamento fisioterapêutico e três voluntários sem fraturas como grupo controle. Foi realizada uma primeira coleta de dados eletromiográficos nos primeiros dias após alta do serviço de cirurgia responsável pelo tratamento das fraturas e uma segunda coleta 60 dias após. No indivíduo submetido ao tratamento fisioterápico, realizou-se ainda uma terceira coleta após 90 dias. Resultados: o voluntário politraumatizado submetido ao tratamento fisioterapêutico, em 90 dias, obteve atividade elétrica do músculo masseter, semelhante ao grupo controle. Já o voluntário com fretura mandibular não submetido ao tratamento fisioterapêutico apresentou resultados semelhantes ao grupo controle após 60 dias de alta hospitalar. Considerações finais: conclui-se que a intervenção fisioterapêutica em pacientes politraumatizados é de grande relevância, devolvendo a condição muscular fisiológica de mastigação, no que tange à atividade elétrica, num prazo de até 90 dias, apresentando, além disso, vantagens na redução da sintomatologia desarmonizadora da função.(AU)

In cases of accident, facial trauma has stood out and mandibular fractures comprise the highest rate of injuries treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Physiotherapeutic interventions have been added to postoperative rehabilitation, optimizing post-trauma muscle activity, aiding the recovery of masticatory, phonation, swallowing, and postural functions. Objective: the present study aimed to compare the longitudinal evolution of the electrical activity of the masseter muscle through electromyographic examination in a polytraumatized individual subjected to physical therapy and another individual with mandibular fracture without physical therapy. Subjects and method: the study analyzed a polytraumatized volunteer subjected to physical therapy treatment, a volunteer with mandibular fracture without physical therapy treatment, and three volunteers without fractures as control group. A first electromyographic data collection was performed in the first days after the discharge from the surgery department responsible for the treatment of fractures, and a second collection occurred 60 days later. In the individual subjected to physiotherapeutic treatment, a third collection was performed 90 days later. Results: the polytraumatized volunteer subjected to the physiotherapeutic treatment obtained, in 90 days, electrical activity of the masseter muscle similar to the control group. The volunteer with mandibular fracture not subjected to physical therapy presented results similar to the control group 60 days after hospital discharge. Final considerations: it is concluded that the physiotherapeutic intervention in polytraumatized patients is of great relevance, returning the physiological muscular condition of chewing, regarding the electrical activity, within a period of up to 90 days, also presenting advantages in the reduction of the function disharmonizing symptomatology.(AU)

Head and neck burns are associated with long-term patient-reported dissatisfaction with appearance: A Burn Model System National Database study.

INTRODUCTION: Burns affecting the head and neck (H&N) can lead to significant changes in appearance. It is postulated that such injuries have a negative impact on patients' social functioning, quality of life, physical health, and satisfaction with appearance, but there has been little investigation of these effects using patient reported outcome measures. This study evaluates the effect of H&N burns on long-term patient reported outcomes compared to patients who sustained burns to other areas. METHODS: Data from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System National Database collected between 1996 and 2015 were used to investigate differences in outcomes between those with and without H&N burns. Demographic and clinical characteristics for adult burn survivors with and without H&N burns were compared. The following patient-reported outcome measures, collected at 6, 12, and 24 months after injury, were examined: satisfaction with life (SWL), community integration questionnaire (CIQ), satisfaction with appearance (SWAP), short form-12 physical component score (SF-12 PCS), and short form-12 mental component score (SF-12 MCS). Mixed regression model analyses were used to examine the associations between H&N burns and each outcome measure, controlling for medical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 697 adults (373 with H&N burns; 324 without H&N burns) were included in the analyses. Over 75% of H&N injuries resulted from a fire/flame burn and those with H&N burns had significantly larger burn size (p<0.001). In the mixed model regression analyses, SWAP and SF-12 MCS were significantly worse for adults with H&N burns compared to those with non-H&N burns (p<0.01). There were no significant differences between SWL, CIQ, and SF-12 PCS. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors with H&N burns demonstrated community integration, physical health, and satisfaction with life outcomes similar to those of survivors with non-H&N burns. Scores in these domains improved over time. However, survivors with H&N burns demonstrated worse satisfaction with their appearance. These results suggest that strategies to address satisfaction with appearance, such as reconstructive surgery, cognitive behavior therapy, and social skills training, are an area of need for survivors with H&N burns.

Reconstruction of neck and face scar contractures using occipito-cervico-dorsal supercharged "super-thin flaps": A retrospective analysis of 82 cases in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The concept of the "super-thin flap" (also known as the subdermal vascular network flap) was introduced in Japan in 1994. Its distinctive characteristic is its extreme thinness: it is thinned to the point that the subdermal vascular network (subdermal plexus) can be seen through the minimal fat layer. Since 2006 in Vietnam, we have used circumflex scapular artery-supercharged occipito-cervico-dorsal (OCD) super-thin flaps to reconstruct cases of neck and face scar contracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case series comprised all 82 patients with neck and face scar contracture who underwent reconstruction with an OCD supercharged super-thin flap from 2006-2015 at the Vietnam National Institute of Burns. The flap was thinned and anastomosed at the distal area after elevation. All patients received one flap. RESULTS: Of the 82 flaps, 77 survived completely. The remaining five developed distal superficial necrosis (n=3) and interruption of the sutures due to infection; these required resuturing (n=2). In two of the three necrosis cases, the necrotic area affected 50% of the flap. Eighty of the eighty-two patients were satisfied with both the functional and aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: The OCD super-thin flap has clear benefits, and although it is thin, its vasculature is reliable. Thus, it may be one of the best choices for reconstruction of neck and face scar contractures.

The application of 3D-printed transparent facemask for facial scar management and its biomechanical rationale.

INTRODUCTION: Deep facial burns leave conspicuous scar to the patients and affect their quality of life. Transparent facemask has been adopted for the prevention and treatment of facial hypertrophic scars for decades. Recently, with the advancement of 3D printing, the transparent facemask could facilitate the fitting of the facial contour. However, the effectiveness of the device and its biomechanical characteristics on pressure management of hypertrophic scar would need more objective evaluation. METHOD: A biomechanical model of the transparent 3D-printed facemask was established through finite element analysis. Ten patients with extensive deep facial burns within 6 months were recruited for clinical study using 3D-printed facemask designed according to biomechanical model, and the interface pressure was measured on each patient. The patients in the treatment group (n=5) was provided with the 3D-printed transparent face mask soon after initial scar assessment, while the delayed treatment group (n=5) began the treatment one month after the initial scar assessment. The scar assessment was performed one month post intervention for both groups. RESULTS: The biomechanical modeling showed that the 3D, computer-generated facemask resulted in unbalanced pressure if design modifications were not incorporated to address these issues. The interface pressure between the facemask and patient's face was optimized through individualized design adjustments and the addition of silicone lining. After optimization of pressure through additional lining, the mean thickness and hardness of the scars of all 10 patients were decreased significantly after 1-month of intervention. In the delayed treatment group, the mean thickness of the scars was increased within the month without intervention, but it was also decreased after intervention. CONCLUSION: Facemask design and the silicone lining are important to ensure adequate compression pressure of 3D-printed transparent facemask. The intervention using the 3D-printed facemask appeared to show its efficacy to control the thickness and hardness of the facial hypertrophic scars.

Fratura panfacial ­ relato de caso / Panfacial fracture ­ case report

As fraturas panfaciais são aquelas que acometem pelo menos dois dos três terços da face e podem ou não estar associadas a lesões e complicações sistêmicas, podendo levar ao adiamento do tratamento das lesões faciais conforme a gravidade do quadro geral. Os fatores etiológicos mais comuns envolvidos em traumas faciais com múltiplas fraturas são acidentes automobilísticos e motociclísticos, acidentes esportivos, atropelamentos, agressão física e ferimento por arma de fogo. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar (ressaltando a complexidade deste tipo de trauma) o caso de um paciente de 29 anos, vítima de atropelamento em via pública, com múltiplas fraturas em face, admitido no Hospital Geral do Estado em Salvador/BA, submetido à cirurgia poucos dias após o trauma, com redução cruenta e fixação das fraturas através do acesso coronal, subciliar e intraoral. O paciente evoluiu sem sequelas, com oclusão estável e harmonia entre os terços da face. Concluiu-se que tratar precocemente as fraturas panfaciais reduz o risco de sequelas e infecções, além de permitir o alinhamento correto dos segmentos fraturados, proporcionando resultado funcional e estético muito mais satisfatório (AU).

Panfacial fractures are those that affect at least two of the three thirds of the face and may or may not be associated with lesions and systemic complications, which may lead to delayed treatment of facial lesions according to the severity of the general condition. The most common etiological factors involved in facial fractures with multiple fractures are automobile and motorcycle accidents, sports accidents, road accidents, physical aggression, and firearm injuries. This study aimed to report (stressing the complexity of this type of trauma) the case of a 29-year-old patient, who was victim of a road accident, with multiple face fractures, who was admitted to the State General Hospital in Salvador/BA, submitted to surgery a few days after trauma, with bloody reduction and fixation of fractures through coronal, subciliary, and intraoral access. The patient evolved without sequelae, with stable occlusion and harmony between the thirds of the face. It was concluded that early treatment of panfacial fractures reduces the risk of sequelae and infections, besides allowing the correct alignment of the fractured segments, providing a much more satisfactory functional and aesthetic result (AU).

[The potential of ectoprosthetics in rehabilitation of patients with orbital pathology]. / Vozmozhnosti éktoprotezirovaniia v reabilitatsii patsientov s patologiei orbity.

AIM: rectification of indications and contraindications for ectoprosthetics and exploration of its potential as a modern rehabilitation modality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Here are summarized the results of 89 cases of facial reconstruction with prosthetic means in trauma patients and those who had had congenital or oncological pathology and in whom other methods of rehabilitation were unable to remedy the defect within the orbital region. RESULTS: The indications and contraindications for facial prosthetics as well as the conditions, under which this type of medical and social rehabilitation can be carried out, were clarified. The authors also explained the process of creating an epiprosthesis and how it should be attached to the orbit to have the maximum effect on the existing defects of both the bone and auxiliary apparatus (including eyelid soft tissues, eyelashes, etc.). Because modern ectoprostheses are made of silicone and held in place with magnets, they provide an optimal cosmetic result, so that, regardless of patient's age, no rough defects can be detected on the affected side at a 2-m distance. CONCLUSION: As the production technology develops, the cosmetic appearance of epiprostheses improves and their use broadens.

Would brief alcohol intervention be helpful in facial trauma patients?A Narrative Review.

Facial trauma is commonly associated with excessive consumption of alcohol and is often associated with interpersonal violence or motor vehicle accidents. Alcohol-related trauma presentation to hospitals causes a major service burden, and there have been efforts to reduce such trauma load with educational programs and social support. Brief alcohol intervention (BAI) in an acute setting (emergency department or trauma centre) has been shown as an effective means to reduce future alcohol intake and the incidence of future alcohol-related injuries, especially in the period immediately following injuries. Less is known about the potential benefit of BAI when provided by the surgical team in the same clinical context. This article explores the individual component of brief alcohol intervention and its provision by an acute surgical service by way of a narrative review. The progress of research into brief alcohol intervention for facial trauma patients is also reviewed. The methods and rationale behind screening patients for targeted BAI are discussed in a separate article.

[Advances in the research of pressure therapy for pediatric burn patients with facial scar].

Facial scar and deformation caused by burn injury severely affect physical and psychological well-being of pediatric burn patients, which needs medical workers and pediatric burn patients' family members to pay much attention to and to perform early rehabilitation treatment. Pressure therapy is an important rehabilitative strategy for pediatric burn patients with facial scar, mainly including wearing headgears and transparent pressure facemasks, which have their own features. To achieve better treatment results, pressure therapy should be chosen according to specific condition of pediatric burn patients and combined with other assistant therapies. Successful rehabilitation for pediatric burn patients relies on cooperation of both family members of pediatric burn patients and society. Rehabilitation knowledge should be provided to parents of pediatric burn patients to acquire their full support and cooperation in order to achieve best therapeutic effects and ultimately to rebuild physical and psychological well-being of pediatric burn patients.

Intensive swallowing and orofacial contracture rehabilitation after severe burn: A pilot study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia following severe burns can be significant and protracted, yet there is little evidence describing the rehabilitation principles, process or outcomes. PURPOSE: Outline current evidence and detail the clinical outcomes of two cases who underwent a multifaceted intensive treatment programme aimed at rehabilitating dysphagia by strengthening swallow function and minimising orofacial contractures after severe head and neck burns. METHODS: Two men (54 and 18 years) with full-thickness head and neck burns and inhalation injury underwent intensive orofacial scar management and dysphagia rehabilitation. Therapy was prescribed, consisting of scar stretching, splinting and pharyngeal swallow tasks. Horizontal and vertical range of movement (HROM; VROM), physiological swallow features, functional swallowing outcomes and related distress, were collected at baseline and routinely until dysphagia resolution and scar stabilisation. RESULTS: At presentation, both cases demonstrated severely reduced HROM and VROM, profound dysphagia and moderate dysphagia related distress. Therapy adherence was high. Resolution of dysphagia to full oral diet, nil physiological swallowing impairment, and nil dysphagia related distress was achieved by 222 and 77 days post injury respectively. VROM and HROM achieved normal range by 237 and 204 days. CONCLUSION: Active rehabilitation achieved full functional outcomes for swallowing and orofacial range of movement. A protracted duration of therapy can be anticipated in this complex population.

The surgical management of facial trauma in British soldiers during combat operations in Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: The recent Afghanistan conflict caused a higher proportion of casualties with facial injuries due to both the increasing effectiveness of combat body armour and the insurgent use of the improvised explosive device (IED). The aim of this study was to describe all injuries to the face sustained by UK service personnel from blast or gunshot wounds during the highest intensity period of combat operations in Afghanistan. METHODS: Hospital records and Joint Theatre Trauma Registry data were collected for all UK service personnel killed or wounded by blast and gunshot wounds in Afghanistan between 01 April 2006 and 01 March 2013. RESULTS: 566 casualties were identified, 504 from blast and 52 from gunshot injuries. 75% of blast injury casualties survived and the IED was the most common mechanism of injury with the mid-face the most commonly affected facial region. In blast injuries a facial fracture was a significant marker for increased total injury severity score. A facial gunshot wound was fatal in 53% of cases. The majority of survivors required a single surgical procedure for the facial injury but further reconstruction was required in 156 of the 375 of survivors aero medically evacuated to the UK. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and pattern of facial fractures was significantly different in survivors and fatalities, which may reflect the power of the blast that these cohorts were exposed to. The Anatomical Injury Scoring of the Injury Severity Scale was inadequate for determining the extent of soft tissue facial injuries and did not predict morbidity of the injury.

Orofacial Contracture Management: Current Patterns of Clinical Practice in Australian and New Zealand Adult Burn Units.

Burn injury to the face can lead to scarring and contractures that may impair oral competence for articulation, feeding, airway intubation access, oral/dental hygiene, aesthetics, and facial expression. Although a range of therapy interventions has been discussed for preventing contracture formation, there is minimal information on current practice patterns. This research examined patterns of clinical practice for orofacial burns management during a 4-year period to determine the nature and extent of clinical consistency in current care. Allied health clinicians involved in orofacial contracture management in Australia and New Zealand were surveyed at two time points (2010 and 2014). Twenty and 23 clinicians, respectively, across a range of allied health professions completed the surveys. Both surveys revealed multiple allied health disciplines, predominantly occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and physiotherapy, were involved orofacial burn management. A high degree of variation was observed across clinical practices in the 2010 survey. In the 2014 survey, although, greater consistency in practice patterns was observed with more clinicians commencing intervention earlier, with greater treatment intensity observed and more treatment modalities being used. Furthermore, in 2014, there was an increased use of assessment tools and clinical indicators to guide patient treatment. Agreement regarding clinical practice pathways for orofacial contracture rehabilitation is still emerging, and treatment continues to be predominantly guided by clinical experience. There is an urgent need for treatment efficacy research utilizing validated outcome measure tools to inform clinical consensus and practice guidelines.

3D-Printing Technologies for Craniofacial Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Regeneration.

The treatment of craniofacial defects can present many challenges due to the variety of tissue-specific requirements and the complexity of anatomical structures in that region. 3D-printing technologies provide clinicians, engineers and scientists with the ability to create patient-specific solutions for craniofacial defects. Currently, there are three key strategies that utilize these technologies to restore both appearance and function to patients: rehabilitation, reconstruction and regeneration. In rehabilitation, 3D-printing can be used to create prostheses to replace or cover damaged tissues. Reconstruction, through plastic surgery, can also leverage 3D-printing technologies to create custom cutting guides, fixation devices, practice models and implanted medical devices to improve patient outcomes. Regeneration of tissue attempts to replace defects with biological materials. 3D-printing can be used to create either scaffolds or living, cellular constructs to signal tissue-forming cells to regenerate defect regions. By integrating these three approaches, 3D-printing technologies afford the opportunity to develop personalized treatment plans and design-driven manufacturing solutions to improve aesthetic and functional outcomes for patients with craniofacial defects.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation of short-range gunshot injury to lower part of face: A systematic approach of three cases.

Gunshot injuries are always known to cause severe morbidity and mortality when head and neck are involved. They vary in morbidity, which can occur in civilian surroundings. The wound largely depends on the type of weapon, mass and velocity of the bullet, and the distance from where it has been shot. Close-range gunshot wounds in the head and neck region can result in devastating aesthetic and functional impairment. The complexity in facial skeletal anatomy cause multiple medical and surgical challenges to an operating surgeon, demanding elaborate soft and hard tissue reconstruction. Here we presented the successful management of three patients shot by short-range pistol with basic life support measures, wound management, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation of Patient of Glass Cut Injury With Forehead Flap Repositioning and Implant-Retained Nasal Prosthesis.

Traumatic injuries, especially in maxillofacial region, not only lead to physical debilitation but also cause severe psychological distress in the affected individuals. Complete cosmetic and functional rehabilitation of such patients is a challenging task and thus requires a strategic treatment planning and a multidisciplinary team to execute the treatment. This patient report presents a patient who suffered with a severe glass cut injury leading to massive avulsion of face involving forehead, nose, upper lip, and anterior teeth. Patient was rehabilitated with a combined surgical and prosthetic approach, which involved flap repositioning in forehead, nasal and lip regions and an implant-supported nasal prosthesis to replace missing nose. Missing anterior teeth were replaced with fixed dental prostheses.

Orofacial contracture management outcomes following partial thickness facial burns.

PURPOSE: To examine clinical outcomes following non-surgical exercise for contracture management post partial thickness orofacial burn. METHODS: A cohort of 229 patients with partial thickness orofacial burn was recruited over 3 years. Orofacial contracture management combining exercise and stretching was initiated within 48h of admission and continued until functional goals were consistently achieved. A second cohort of 120 healthy controls was recruited for normative comparison. Vertical and horizontal mouth opening measures were recorded at the start and completion of orofacial intervention for patients and once only for controls. RESULTS: At commencement of intervention, participants with orofacial burns had significantly (p<0.001) reduced vertical and horizontal mouth opening. Treatment duration averaged 30.7 days (SD=52.3). Post treatment significant (p<0.001) improvements in vertical and horizontal opening were noted. At treatment conclusion, a significant (p<0.01) difference remained between the burns cohort and control group for vertical mouth opening, though horizontal mouth opening was now statistically comparable to the controls. CONCLUSION: This study supports positive outcomes following orofacial contracture management for patients with partial thickness orofacial burn. Despite this, some functional loss remained with patients demonstrating persistent reduced vertical mouth opening at conclusion of treatment compared to their healthy counterparts.

Full thickness facial burns: Outcomes following orofacial rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: To document orofacial rehabilitation and outcomes after full thickness orofacial burn. METHODS: Participants included 12 consecutive patients presenting with full thickness orofacial burns. A group of 120 age-matched healthy participants was recruited for normative comparison. Non-surgical exercise was initiated within 48 h of admission and continued until wounds had healed, circumoral scar tissue had stabilised and functional goals were achieved to the best of the patient's ability. Outcomes were documented using vertical and horizontal mouth opening measures at start and end of treatment and therapy duration was recorded. RESULTS: At commencement of treatment, participants had significantly (p<0.001) reduced vertical and horizontal mouth opening range compared to controls. Average duration of orofacial contracture management was 550 days, with half requiring >2 years rehabilitation. By end of treatment, significant (p<0.01) positive improvement in vertical and horizontal mouth opening had been achieved, however measures had returned to lower limits of normal function and remained significantly (p<0.05) reduced compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that although positive gains can be achieved through non-surgical exercise after full thickness burn, the duration of rehabilitation is considerable and some degree of long term loss in functional mouth opening remains.

Factors affecting return to work following facial trauma.

BACKGROUND: Injury has a major impact on work absence. The aim of this study was to document the rate and timeframe at which facially injured patients return to work, and to identify the preinjury and injury-related factors that affect return to employment. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was undertaken of facially injured patients over a 12-month period. The primary measure of outcome assessed was time taken (in days) to return to employment. Sixteen preinjury and injury-related variables were identified to analyze their effect on return to work. Both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on each variable. RESULTS: Seven hundred fourteen adult, facially injured trauma patients presented in the 12-month period. Two hundred thirteen patients (30 percent) were excluded because of being unemployed or retired, and 21 patients did not return to work. The remaining 480 patients were included in the study. The median time to return to work was 15 days (mean, 19 days). Seven preinjury and injury-related variables were identified that significantly affected return to employment: sex, operation status, income band, cause, work-related accident, concomitant injuries, and number of facial fractures. CONCLUSIONS: As a cohort, facially injured patients have a relatively high rate of return to work (80 percent at 30 days, 96 percent at 12 months). Clinicians should identify those patients at risk of having a poor return to employment outcome and provide appropriate support and referral to allied health services. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.