Inflammatory and reactive lesions of the orofacial region in an African tertiary health setting

Background: Chronic inflammatory and reactive lesions are tumor­like hyperplasia that are produced in association with chronic local irritation or trauma. These proliferations are painless pedunculated or sessile masses in different colors, from light pink to red. The surface appearance is variable from nonulcerated smooth to ulcerated growth, and they from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size. Common examples in the oral cavity include pyogenic granuloma (PG), epulis, traditional clinical name for gingival reactive proliferations, Irritation fibroma, epulis fissuratum, and giant cell granulomas which could either be of peripheral or central origin.Objective: To describe the pattern of inflammatory and reactive lesions of orofacial region. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients attending the oral and maxillofacial clinic between January 2006 and December 2014 was undertaken. Results: One hundred and twelve patients, comprising 61 (54.5%) males and 51 (45.5%) females were seen over the period of study. Their age ranged from 1 to 80 years with a median age of 26.5 years. PG was the most frequently reported lesion accounting for 32 (28.6%). This was followed by nonspecific chronic inflammation (n = 23; 20.5%), epulis/peripheral giant cell granuloma (n = 13; 11.6%), granulation tissue (n = 10; 8.9%), and central giant cell granuloma, (n = 8; 7.1%). Conclusion: The results of the study show that inflammatory and reactive lesions are common in the study population

A five year audit of cases admitted in maxillofacial surgery wards in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Objective: Admissions of Maxillofacial surgery patient's are on the rise. However, search of English literature shows that there has not been any audit on pattern of maxillofacial admission done in any Nigerian hospital. The objective of the study was to review the indications and pattern of maxillofacial surgery admission in a Nigerian Teaching hospital over a 5-year period. Methods: A retrospective review of the pattern of maxillofacial admissions in a Teaching Hospital in North-West Nigeria from January 2011 to December 2015. Sources of information included maxillofacial ward admission records; patients' case files, accident and emergency records and patients discharge registers. Results: One thousand one hundred and thirty (1,130) patients were admitted into the maxillofacial ward during the study period with an overall gender ratio of 1:1.25. 260 patients were admitted as emergencies while 870 patients were admitted on elective basis. Review of treatment given showed that reduction and immobilization/ arthroplasties had the highest frequency (29.38%) while sequestrectomies had the lowest frequency of 0.80%. Conclusion: A progressive increase in the number of admission of patients into maxillofacial surgery wards shows that there is need for advocacy to improve the practice of the specialty in this region in terms of resources allocation and manpower development

Culture and patients' perception to maxillofacial surgical practices in kano, Nigeria

Objective: Culture is the way of life of a people; and is an integral component of their day-to-day existence. It influences the daily routine of a people, including their diet, dressing, religious disposition, and surprisingly, the degree to which orthodox medical practices impact their daily lives. Appreciating underlying cultural context will help health care workers influence patient's perceptions, especially where cultural practices are not in tandem with medical best practices. This is important, for example, in administration of informed consent for surgery. This study explored cultural beliefs of patients in relation to some common maxillofacial practices in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: Patient's perceptions on oral cancers, use of nasogastric tubes, and tooth extraction was conducted amongst patients attending maxillofacial outpatient clinic of a tertiary Nigerian hospital from January to December 2015 using a non-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Seventy-seven (77) patients were surveyed (52 males and 25 females), with ages ranging from 16 to 75 years. Most were aged 51-60 years (44.2%). Only 6.5% of respondents had higher than secondary education. Responses to the aetiology and treatment of oral cancers, use of nasogastric tubes for maxillofacial surgery patients and extraction of teeth showed cultural perceptions usually at variance with medical best practices. Conclusion: Patients' expectations and fears of maxillofacial surgery procedures are affected by their cultural beliefs. Proper acceptance of this, combined with targeted education and counselling may enhance patient's co-operation and acceptance of necessary surgical procedures when orthodox medical care is sought

Pattern and Presentation of tongue lesions in Kaduna, Nigeria: an 8-year Review

Objective: To analyse various lesions of the tongue seen over an eight- year period in a Nigerian tertiaryhealth care facility. Methods: A retrospective study of all consecutive patients that presented with tongue lesions at the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic of a tertiary hospital between January 2006 and December 2014 was undertaken. Results: A total of 93 patients presented with tongue lesions within the years reviewed. There were 51 males and 42 females giving a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Carcinoma of the tongue was the commonest lesion accounting for 18(19.35%) of all the cases. This was followed by ankyloglosia and trauma with 12.9%each. Condylomas and haemangiomas had the least frequency.Conclusion: A vast variety of tongue lesions were seen in the present study