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Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is a useful surgical procedure for mandibular setback in patients with mandibular prognathism or mandibular asymmetry. IVRO has some intraoperative complications, such as the medial trapping of the proximal segment. Several techniques have been described to overcome this problem, but none can prevent it. This technical report describes a method that prevents the medial trapping of the proximal segment during IVRO.

Mandibulotomy allows for wide exposure of deep oral cavity and oropharyngeal tumors and may be performed medial or lateral to the mental foramen. Medial mandibulotomy is divided into midline and paramidline. Midline mandibulotomy requires detachment of muscles which may lead to masticatory and swallowing problems and could potentially jeopardize the central incisors. Our study provides a basis for placement of bone cuts in mandibulotomy. The angles between the long axis of the two central incisors, the lateral incisor and canine bilaterally were measured in panoramic radiographs of 100 healthy patients. The distances between the roots were measured. The angle between the lateral incisor and the canine ranged from 1 degrees to 8 degrees compared to 1 degrees -4 degrees (P<0.001) between the central incisors. The distances between the lateral incisor and the canine were 1-6.2mm while the distances between the two central incisors ranged from 0.5 to 4.7mm (P<0.05). Although the measurements were taken from a younger group of patients compared to the usual age of presentation of oropharyngeal cancer, it shows that the paramidline mandibulotomy in which bony cuts are performed through a wider gap is the preferred approach.

Peripheral odontogenic tumours (POT) are rare benign focal overgrowths of the oral soft tissue, usually occurring in the gingiva. Between 1996-2000, 6 out of 406 excised gingival lesions were diagnosed as POT (1.5%). Tumours included peripheral odontogenic fibroma (2 patients), peripheral calcifying odontogenic cyst (2 patients), peripheral ameloblastoma (1 patient), and peripheral calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour (1 patient). Review of the literature reveals that peripheral odontogenic fibroma and peripheral ameloblastoma were the most common POT. The purpose of this article was to analyse the clinical data of these tumours according to the presented cases and the literature review, to elucidate typical features of each tumour type and enhance easy identification.

The mandibular buccal bifurcation cyst (MBBC) is a cystic lesion, which occurs on the buccal surface of the permanent mandibular first molar in children around 6-8 years old. Treatment of the cyst has been controversial: extraction of the involved tooth and enucleation of the cyst, or only enucleation, without extraction. The aim of this article is to familiarize oral and maxillofacial surgeons with this entity and the appropriate treatment approach. The diagnostic features of MBBC are described and the treatment approach in five patients with a total of seven cysts is presented. Two cases were identified in identical twins. Enucleation of the cyst without extraction of the involved tooth is the treatment of choice when the available data and experience in treating MBBC are considered.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative bleeding in patients treated with oral anticoagulant medication who underwent dental extractions without interruption of the treatment and to analyze the incidence of postoperative bleeding according to the International Normalized Ratio (INR) value. The 249 patients who underwent 543 dental extractions were divided into five groups: Group 1 with INRs of 1.5-1.99, Group 2 with INRs of 2-2.49, Group 3 with INRs of 2.5-2.99, Group 4 with INRs of 3-3.49 and Group 5 with INRs>3.5. The INR was measured on the day of the procedure. Local haemostasis was carried out with gelatin sponge and multiple silk sutures. Of the 249 patients, 30 presented with postoperative bleeding (12%): Group 1, three patients presented with bleeding (5%), Group 2, 10 patients (12.8%), Group 3, nine patients (15.2%), Group 4, five patients (16.6%) and Group 5, three patients (13%). The incidence of postoperative bleeding was not significantly different among the five groups. The value of the INR at the therapeutic dose did not significantly influence the incidence of postoperative bleeding. Thus, dental extractions can be performed without modification of oral anticoagulant treatment. Local haemostasis with gelatin sponge and sutures appears to be sufficient to prevent postoperative bleeding.

Intra-oral vertical ramus osteotomy is a useful procedure for correction of mandibular prognathism. However, a major disadvantage is poor visibility of the operating field. A modified technique that improves visibility without higher morbidity is described.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient compliance to postoperative instructions from the oral surgeon. A total of 180 patients who underwent minor oral surgical procedures anonymously answered a questionnaire 1 week postsurgery. This questionnaire was used to evaluate how patients remembered the mode of transmission of instructions (written, verbal), their compliance to the postoperative instructions and to the antibiotic treatment and their comments. Of the patients, 40% did not remember receiving both written and verbal instructions, 36% remembered only the written instructions. Twelve percent did not comply with the postoperative instructions regarding mouthwashes and 67% did not comply with the antibiotic prescriptions; 43% took more antibiotics and 31% less, and 4% who did not receive an antibiotic prescription took them on their own initiative. The academic level of the patients did not influence patient compliance. Verbal and written recommendations worded simply with details are important for patient compliance and reduced postoperative stress and complaints. Better instructions on antibiotics use are necessary to ameliorate patient compliance to the antibiotic treatment.

A case of macroglossia due to primary amyloidosis is described, followed by a discussion of the various aspects of surgical intervention based on a literature review.

Three cases of conversion disorder are reported: one after orthognathic surgery and two after facial trauma. Two of the cases involved facial anesthesia and one case involved facial palsy. It was thought to be important to bring this phenomenon to the attention of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, to consider its management, and to define the patients with a high risk of developing conversion disorder. The prognosis is dependent on the circumstances of the onset of the disorder, the premorbid psychologic health of the patient, and how rapidly treatment is prescribed.

The infraorbital nerve (ION) is often involved in trauma to the zygomatic complex (ZC), resulting in sensory disturbance of the area innervated by it. The purpose of the study was to compare the incidence of persistent sensory disturbance after recovery from isolated simple fractures of the ZC, with four treatment methods: 1) closed reduction via subcutaneous approach without fixation; 2) open reduction via subcutaneous approach without fixation; 3) open reduction via oroantral approach and support of the complex by an intraantral Foley catheter; and 4) open reduction via Gillies approach with fixation of the frontozygomatic (FZ) fracture with wire osteosynthesis, and open reduction via Gillies approach with fixation of the FZ fracture with miniplate osteosynthesis. Analysis revealed that patients treated with miniplate osteosynthesis exhibited a trend for higher recovery rate of the (ION) than with the other three methods. No significant differences were found among the other three methods.

The surgical treatment of two large, complex odontomas of the angle of the mandible is described. It is recommended that the surgeon consider excision by an intraoral, lingual approach when indicated. The advantages, indications, and possible complications of this approach are discussed.

Basal cell carcinoma is a common neoplasm of the skin which rarely metastasizes. A rare case of metastatic basal cell carcinoma to the mandibular alveolar ridge and to the auditory meatus is described. The pertinent literature since 1977 is reviewed and the possible pathways of metastatic spread are discussed.

An instance of a compound odontoma in the condylar process in a 24-year-old female is described. Location of odontomas in the coronoid or condylar processes were not reported. A hypothesis of migration of the third molar bud into the condylar region, an interfering local factor such as trauma or infection are suggested as aetiologic factors to the tumour in this case. Pre-operative radiographic localisation of the mass, are essential for treatment planning. An intra-oral approach was the treatment of choice.