Effect of an early supervised rehabilitation programme compared with home-based exercise after temporomandibular joint condylar discopexy: a randomized controlled trial.

The goal of rehabilitation after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is to achieve a normal range of motion. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of a comprehensive and early supervised rehabilitation programme with home-based exercise after TMJ condylar discopexy. Patients diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction were randomized to the study and control groups. After baseline assessments, the same surgical condylar discopexy procedure was applied to both groups. Following surgery, the study group patients underwent a supervised exercise programme conducted by a physiotherapist in the outpatient clinic. This comprised 30-min sessions 3 days per week for 8 weeks in the hospital. The control group patients performed the same exercise programme at home. Maximum mouth opening (MMO), protrusion, and right and left lateral movements were measured. Based on the results, the supervised rehabilitation programme yielded significantly better outcomes for pain at rest and with activity, MMO, and protrusion compared with the home-based exercise programme. Also certain parameters of quality of life improved significantly in the study group. In conclusion, exercise therapy is the cornerstone of rehabilitation of the TMJ, and a supervised rehabilitation programme after TMJ surgery is effective in improving functional parameters.

Subcutaneous bipedicle island flaps on the face.

Since 1996, 13 patients have undergone the reconstruction of facial skin defects with subcutaneous bipedicle island skin flaps. The reasons for the surgery were basal cell carcinoma in 10 patients and benign skin tumor excision in three patients. All defects were reconstructed with subcutaneous bipedicle skin flaps without significant complications. Bipedicle subcutaneous skin flaps are a useful alternative for facial reconstruction.

Decline of compound muscle action potentials and statistical MUNEs during Wallerian degeneration.

AIM OF THE STUDY: In two previous studies, we found that the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude loss was significantly higher than the loss of estimated motor unit numbers in the course of Wallerian degeneration (WD). In order to overcome some drawbacks of the method previously used, we performed a similar CMAP vs MUNE comparison by using the statistical motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Initial electrophysiological studies on 6 patients were performed between 22 and 98 hours after the injuries; it was possible to make repeated examinations, four times in 1 nerve, twice in 1 nerve and three times in 4 nerves, before the eventual complete disappearance of the CMAPs. RESULTS: The transected/intact (T/I) side CMAP ratios declined steeply as WD evolved. They were significantly lower than the relatively stable MUNE ratios 48 hours after the injury. CONCLUSION: This study, performed with the use of statistical MUNE, strengthens our previous observation by the incremental method that might have some relevance to the pathophysiology of early WD. CMAP amplitude loss that is more than expected from the amount of axonal degeneration may indicate a considerable amount of inactive muscle fibers in the motor units innervated by the nerve fibers, which are undergoing degeneration but still retain their excitability. Although technical sources of error cannot be totally excluded, our findings could more likely be explained by the failing of neuromuscular synapses in an asynchronous order before complete unresponsiveness of the motor unit ensues.

Motor unit number estimation in transected peripheral nerves.

OBJECTIVES: To study motor unit number estimation (MUNE) in acutely transected peripheral nerves, and to retest our previous observation which had revealed a discordance between the loss of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) size and decrease in MUNE during Wallerian degeneration. METHODS: In eight patients with nine transected median or ulnar nerves, a total of 18 electrophysiological studies were performed before the complete nerve degeneration ensues. CMAP recordings and incremental MUNE studies were performed by stimulation of the nerves at the wrist level and recording from the appropriate hand muscles. The same studies repeated on the contralateral side. RESULTS: Injury side to intact side ratios of the MUNEs were significantly higher than the CMAP ratios. Mean step areas in MUNE studies were found to be lower on the transected sides after 72 hours post-injury. DISCUSSION: These findings support the existence of an electrophysiologically observable asynchrony in neuromuscular synapse dysfunction during Wallerian degeneration.

Changes in soft tissue profile after mandibular setback surgery in Class III subjects.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in hard and soft tissue profile after mandibular setback surgery. Lateral cephalograms of 25 Class III subjects were assessed before and 1.5+/-0.4 years after mandibular setback surgery. Paired t test, Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the changes in soft tissue profile. Significant changes were found in skeletal (SNB -3.6+/-0.9 degrees, ANB 3.7+/-1.0 degrees, overjet 5.0+/-1.2 and overbite 2.5+/-1.1 mm, P<0.001), soft tissue (facial convexity 5.9+/-1.6 degrees, P<0.001; labiomental fold 0.6+/-0.6 mm, P<0.001; upper and lower lip protrusion 0.5+/-0.8 mm, P<0.01; -3.3+/-1.2 mm, P<0.001), and upper and lower lip lengths (0.9+/-1.2mm, P<0.01; -1.8+/-2.1 mm, P<0.001). Correlations were found between facial convexity and SNB and ANB angles and between upper lip length and SNB and ANB angles. The change in lower lip length was correlated with SNB, ANB, overjet and overbite. Lower lip retrusion was correlated with overjet and a significant correlation was found between the retrusion of lower incisor and lower lip. Mandibular setback surgery was effective in producing an orthognathic profile in adult Class III subjects with mandibular prognathism.

Histologic analysis of prefabricated, vascularized bone grafts: an experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular quality of prefabricated bone grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Small pieces of iliac bone were placed around the neurovascular bundle on the dorsal aspect of the ear of 11 one-month-old baby rabbits to create a prefabricated vascularized graft. In five animals, the prefabricated bone grafts were harvested for histologic examination 12 months later. In a second group of 6 rabbits, the prefabricated bone grafts, with the neurovascular bundle as a pedicle, were transferred after 30 days to a defect created by removing 1 cm of the midportion of zygoma on the right side of the face. The transferred bone was removed for histologic examination 11 months later. RESULTS: In both groups, microscopic examination showed the presence of a rich, vascular network and similar histologic characteristics to those of normal iliac bone. CONCLUSION: The findings support the concept that prefabricated bone grafts are a potentially useful source for bony reconstruction.

Modification of vertical scar in vertical mammaplasty technique.

Vertical mammaplasty is a simple and safe procedure that relies on an upper pedicle to the areola with lower central breast reduction and glandular shaping. We applied this technique to six patients adding a modification of the vertical scar which distributed skin tension both to the areola and vertical suture line. It prevented an unacceptable puckering vertical scar and enlargement of areola. This modification also provided satisfactory breast shape with a good vertical scar especially at the early postoperative period.