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Proximal submandibular calculi are usually removed by transcervical submandibular sialadenectomy. The aim of this study was to show that intraoral removal of hilar submandibular calculi gives the same results with fewer complications than submandibulectomy.The surgical indication is assessed by palpability of the stone and confirmed by simple CT scan. The surgical procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia. At the end of the procedure, the duct is controlled with a sialendoscope to remove remaining concretions. We prospectively followed 36 patients with a mean follow-up of six months (one to 36 months).The transoral removal of calculi was performed in 34 patients without any definitive neurological complication. The procedure failed in two patients with nonpalpable calculi. Two patients had a recurrence of symptoms due to small intraglandular calculi, which were evacuated later.The transoral removal of submandibular hilar calculi is a safe and reproducible procedure with less morbidity than submandibulectomy. It should be recommended for posterior palpable submandibular calculi.

Lingual nerve damage is one of the main complications of mandibular third molar removal. In literature, the series published are heterogeneous so we have decided to study the importance of the lingual protection only during germectomies (wisdom teeth without root formation).We conducted a randomized prospective study in 300 germectomies, operated by the same skilled surgeon. These 300 third molar removals have been divided in two groups, one with lingual nerve protection and one without.Lingual nerve injuries following germectomies, with or without lingual protection was 0%.In germectomies, one can avoid lingual protection.

Recurrence is a major problem after release of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Early physiotherapy and choice of interpositional material are important in preventing recurrence. Currently, the most used technique is gap arthroplasty associated with coronoidectomy, temporalis muscle flap interposition and reconstruction of the condylar unit with a costochondral graft. Full-thickness skin graft interposition, using the technique described by PopescuVasiliu, can also be used. This retrospective review of 31 patients confirms the reliability of full-thickness skin graft interposition. Results were successful in 90% of the 20 patients with follow-up longer than one year.

Surgery is sometimes indicated in cases of recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation (luxation). Among the panel of available techniques, therapeutic arthroscopy with retrodiscal tissue and oblique protuberance coagulation has been used to prevent new episodes. Therapeutic arthroscopy was used for 6 patients. Outcome was considered to be satisfactory in 66% with a mean 3.1-year follow-up. This technique can be recommended as first line therapy when surgery is indicated. In case of failure, eminectomy is scheduled.

A 15 patients series is presented concerning complications following the use of silicone orbital floor implants. The more frequent complications are inferior eyelid swelling, pain and ocular dystopia. Complications may occur very belatedly, 10 years for a patient, 9 years for an other. The mean delay from insertion to removal for complication of the implant is 4.3 years. Sinus troubles are found in 70% patients that may indicate a relationship between sinusal pathology and complications observed. The CT study is described. Precautions in insertion of the implant are given. Suggestions are done to prevent such complications.

A madreporic coral graft was used for orbital floor reconstruction following facial trauma. This report presents a multicentric study of 83 patients with a follow-up period of 15 to 24 months. The results of this study indicate no significant rejection or infection opposed to so many synthetic implants outcome. The radiological follow-up demonstrates a partially resorption of the implant within about 2 years and its replacements by new bone. Coral implant was used to correct enophthalmos or diplopia due to enlarged orbital dimensions. It was technically easy to insert and its anatomic shape does not require to be fashioned before use. Its inflexibility allows to bridge large bone defects and this implant should be considered as an attractive alternative to autogenous grafts, avoiding a second surgical site, in reconstructing orbital floor fractures.

Recurrence is the main problem in temporo-mandibular joint ankylosis treatment. Two therapy are used against this, physiotherapy and surgical joint interposition. Following ankylosis removal, many materials can be interposed but, for us, fullthickness skin graft using Popescu and Vasiliu technique seems to be the best and simplest one. This retrospective study of 31 cases, 20 with long-term follow-up, shows that good results are obtained using this skin graft, with 90% successful rate.

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint was treated by resection of the ankylosed block and arthroplasty with an osteo-cartilage graft from the rib. The main feature was attaching the cartilage to the bony surface and the appearance of enchondral ossification. The value of this method is discussed.

In 7 cases of mandibular laterognathia caused by condylar hypertrophy, the authors specify the clinical and teleradiological features in adolescents. They emphasize the inadequacy of lateral teleradiography and of its measurements, and the need for three-dimensional investigation. In adolescents, secondary deformations, either spontaneous or therapeutic, are rare, and the treatment preferred is condylectomy based on the study of casts. The immediate results of this techniques are satisfactory. The long-term consequences on growth and temporomandibular pathology have been studied.

After a brief historical summary, the authors report twelve cases of familial form of cherubism and compare them with the other reports of the international literature, of which they make a review.

Trapdoor fractures of the floor of the orbit were first described in 1965 by Soll and Poley. The authors discuss the pathology and pathogenic theories for these lesions and present 8 cases. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and is frequently supported by computed tomography when it is performed rapidly. The surgical procedure is designed to release the herniated tissues by lowering the orbital floor so as not to aggravate the constrictive lesions. These fractures constitute surgical emergencies and their prognosis depends on the nature of the tissues incarcerated.

Injury to the face as a result of firearm wounds differs as a function of whether the injury was due to a bullet or lead shot. In the first case treatment is usually that of a mandibular or maxillary comminuted fracture and is principally orthopedic. In the case of hunting guns the damage is considerable and requires reconstitution of soft tissue with the use of a distant flap (purely cutaneous or musculo-cutaneous), bone repair, when necessary, being by costal or iliac grafts.

Statistical analysis of data from patients with mandibular fractures produced results in agreement with etiologic and pathologic findings in all previous studies. The possible use of miniaturized plate and screws osteosynthesis is discussed. Results of the study indicate a good prognosis for mandibular body fractures but a more reserved prognosis for bicondylar fractures.

This work was carried out over a year on all the wounded patients picked up by the S.A.M.U. 42. Out of 502 interpretable alcoholemic tests 353 positive tests were found (of which 222 were greater than 0.80 g.l-1). The law of July 1978 had no influence on the figures. Thursday is the day when the greatest number of positive alcohol tests were recorded. There is no significant difference between the nocturnal and diurnal results. Pedestrians had an average alcohol blood level which was higher than drivers of automobiles or two wheeled vehicles. Alcoholic excess is found especially in the rural "plain" areas. The unemployed constitute the professional category with the highest alcholemia. Women are more reasonable in their libations. Alcohol is an important factor in the clumsiness which is the origin of worksite accidents. Alcohol encourages suicide attempts. It would seem according to this work that alcoholemia is higher in the region of Saint-Etienne than the national average.

Two cases of mandibular angiodysplasia associated with hemorrhagic phenomena were treated surgically, by conservation resection in one patient and conservative surgery following embolization in the other. External carotid artery ligature is a useless and even risky procedure, whereas surgery should be preceded by tumoral embolization whenever possible. Prognosis, according to the classification proposed by Merland, depends upon whether active vascular malformations, mainly represented by arteriovenous fistulae, are present, or whether the lesions are inactive vascular malformations or with slowed circulation.

It is proposed to alter the classification of laterognathy due to excessive unilateral development of the mandible into hypercondyly and mandibular hemihypertrophy. Two forms are distinguished: those with occlusal modifications and those with conserved occlusal ratios and compensatory skeletal deformities usually involving the two stages. Treatment of laterognathy with occlusal deformity is usually by condylectomy--a simple operation with rapid results and excellent articular tolerance. Treatment of those forms with marked skeletal deformity is usually by condylectomy combined with a Lefort I of occlusal adaptation, surgery for the basilar border being difficult and aleatory except in the region of the chin.

The predominant aetiology in 24 cases of temporomandibular ankylosis treated surgically since 1976 was trauma. Among the patients operated upon for post-traumatic ankylosis one anatomoclinical form could be identified characterized by an external block attaching the condylar neck to the zygomatic bone, and an internal joint by movement of the head or part of the condylar head. A favorable prognosis can be given in this type of lesion as resection of the block does not modify the height of the ascending ramus.

Statistical analysis was conducted on findings in 104 cases of fractures in the condylar region and 25 patients examined to determine degree of incapacity as a result of these types of fracture. Data obtained illustrated the adverse effects of ascending ramus shortening, and the improvement obtained after surgical restoration of its height whenever this was indicated. Long-term follow up surveillance is also necessary after high subcondylar fractures with impaction of the ascending ramus because of the risk of external temporomandibular ankylosis.