Efficacy of Codeine When Added to Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and Ibuprofen for Relief of Postoperative Pain After Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molars: A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Trial.

PURPOSE: The use of opioids in combination with nonopioids is common practice for acute pain management after third molar surgery. One such combination is paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine. The authors assessed the efficacy of codeine when added to a regimen of paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief after third molar surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted in patients undergoing the surgical removal of at least 1 impacted mandibular third molar requiring bone removal. Participants were randomly allocated to a control group (paracetamol 1,000 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg) or an intervention group (paracetamol 1,000 mg, ibuprofen 400 mg, and codeine 60 mg). All participants were treated under intravenous sedation and using identical surgical conditions and technique. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) every 3 hours (while awake) for the first 48 hours after surgery. Pain was globally assessed using a questionnaire on day 3 after surgery. RESULTS: There were 131 participants (36% men; control group, n = 67; intervention group, n = 64). Baseline characteristics were similar for the 2 groups. Data were analyzed using a modified intention-to-treat analysis and, for this, a linear mixed model was used. The model showed that the baseline VAS score was associated with subsequent VAS scores and that, with each 3-hour period, the VAS score increased by an average of 0.08. The treatment effect was not statistically meaningful, indicating there was no difference in recorded pain levels between the 2 groups during the first 48 hours after mandibular third molar surgery. Similarly, the 2 groups did not differ in their global ratings of postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: Codeine 60 mg added to a regimen of paracetamol 1,000 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg does not improve analgesia after third molar surgery.

Concordance between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of oral mucosal lesions.

PURPOSE: To study the epidemiology of oral soft tissue lesions in New Zealand from 2002 to 2006 and to determine the concordance between the clinical diagnosis and the definitive histopathologic diagnosis achieved by general dental practitioners and by specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The details from biopsy referrals and the corresponding histopathologic reports of oral soft tissue lesions were recorded into a statistical software package, and the concordance between the clinical diagnosis and histopathologic diagnosis was determined for all the lesions. RESULTS: Most biopsies were benign lesions, and both clinician groups achieved a high diagnostic concordance for these lesions. However, when considering all lesion types, the overall concordance for both groups was a moderate 50.6%, with little difference between specialists and general dental practitioners, although specialists were more accurate in diagnosing a malignant or premalignant lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and histopathologic concordance achieved by oral health practitioners in New Zealand appears to be moderate.

A case series of odontogenic keratocysts from a New Zealand population over a 20-year period.

PURPOSE: To report on the clinicopathological aspects of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC)/keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) presenting in a New Zealand population. METHODS: Information on defined areas--including age at presentation, gender, anatomical sub-location, presenting features, histological subtype and the recurrence pattern--were extracted from the histopathological data available in the Oral Pathology database of the University of Otago School of Dentistry. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty three cases of OKC/ KCOT were identified over the period ranging from 1987 to 2008. Mean age at presentation was 37.0 years (males 38.6 years, females 34.4 years), with 61.0% of cases being male. The mandible was the dominant jaw affected, with 65.9% of lesions, with the angle of mandible being the commonest anatomical sub-location (with 32.4% of lesions). One-fifth of the cases were asymptomatic incidental findings, while the majority of problems were related to the third molar tooth and/or pain and swelling. The overall recurrence rate was 18.3%, with the majority (62.2%) in the mandible and more males (67.5%) affected. Recurrence was highest in the first 5 years of follow-up, and decreased sharply thereafter. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to describe the frequency, distribution, presentation and recurrence rates of OKC/KCOT in New Zealand and shows that these are similar to those reported from other populations.

A nine-year review of orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago over a nine-year period. METHODS: The case notes of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery procedures at the University of Otago from 2001 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. This was augmented with a brief literature review of surgical considerations and complications in orthognathic surgery among older patients. RESULTS: The 92 patients included in the study were aged 15 to 56 years. The mean patient age increased over the nine-year observation period, from 22.1 years (sd, 9.4) during 2001-2003, 25.0 years (sd, 12.7) during 2004-2006, to 27.7 years (sd, 11.4) during 2007-2009. Most patients were from New Zealand European or European backgrounds, with only 5.5% identifying as Maori, and 3.3% as Asian. A female preponderance was observed (with a female:male ratio of 1.6:1). Complications were encountered with 24 patients (26.1%). Ten patients had long-term (lasting for one year or more) sensory nerve disturbance; all of those had undergone a mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) procedure (they comprised 12.7% of all BSSO patients treated); half of those patients were over 35 years old, and four were over 40 years old. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase in the proportion of older patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago. Observations from this case series support findings from other studies demonstrating a higher rate of sensory nerve disturbance among older BSSO patients.

The thickness of parietal bones in a new zealand sample of cadaveric skulls in relation to calvarial bone graft.

Objectives To evaluate the average thickness of the parietal bones in their different regions to identify the ideal site(s) for calvarial bone graft harvest. Methods and Materials Thickness of the parietal bones of 25 wet cranial vaults of New Zealand European origin was measured in 135 different locations using an electronic caliper. Analyses to identify the ideal harvest sites were conducted so that the sites fit the features of an ideal harvest site described in the literature as: (1) 6 mm of minimum thickness and (2) 2 cm away from the midline. Results and Conclusion The overall average thickness was 6.69 ± 0.22 mm. The average thickness at different sites within the same bone ranged from 2.85 to 6.93 mm. In keeping with previous studies, the report observed a progressive thickening of the parietal bone in medial and posterior directions. Of the 135 different locations measured, only 20% exceeded an average thickness of 6 mm as well as being 2 cm away from the sagittal midline. These locations were mainly located between 6 to 11 cm posterior to the coronal suture and 2 to 5 cm away from the sagittal suture. Conclusion Harvesting the calvarial bone graft in the area 6 to 11 cm posterior to the coronal suture and 2 cm away from the midline is recommended based on our study using cadaveric cranial vaults of New Zealand Europeans.