effect of low dose aspirin on bleeding in patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures

Objective: To evaluate the safely of oral surgical procedures without stopping low dose aspirin. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, from Mar 2008 to Mar 2009

Material and Methods: Seventy patients taking aspirin 75 to 150 mg daily and requiring minor oral surgery were included. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A [control group] who stopped taking aspirin and group B [intervention group] in which aspirin was not stopped. Their bleeding time [BT] and platelet count were assessed before surgery. Suturing and pressure pack were used to control bleeding. Data were entered in SPSS version 10

Results: Out of 70 patients, 48 [68.57%] were male and 22 [31.43%] female. The mean age was 58.83 +/- 10.94 years. The mean bleeding time was 2.23 +/- 0.013 minutes for group A, and 2.71 +/- 0.12 minutes for group B. The difference was statistically significant [p=0.01]. Severe bleeding was noted in 2 patients from group A and 3 patients from group B, but local haemostatic measures were sufficient to control bleeding

Conclusion: The patients on low dose aspirin can safely undergo routine minor oral surgical procedures, without alteration in their regular therapeutic aspirin regimen

Transpharyngeal approach for Eagle syndrome - case report and literature review

Symptomatic elongation of styloid process or mineralization of stylohyoid ligament is referred to as Eagle's syndrome, which usually presents as a vague head and neck pain radiating to jaws, pharyngodynia, difficulty in swallowing, dysphagia, otalgia, and sensation of foreign body in throat leading to wide range of differential diagnosis. Instead of many hypothesis and studies, the exact etiology of styloid process and role of ectopic calcification are unknown. History and physical examination plays a pivotal role in diagnosis and is confirmed by radiological investigation. Treatment modalities include both conservative and surgical management by intraoral and extra oral approaches

Local dexamethasone infiltration after dental implant placement - a comparative study

Objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the co-administered dexamethasone and diclofinac potassium in controlling pain and swelling after dental implant surgery. The study was done in the PN Dental Centre [PNDC], PNS Shifa hospital Karachi from Aug 2009 to Dec 2010. It was a cross sectional comparative study. One hundred patients were selected in this study and divided into two equal groups, A and B of 50 patients each. In group A only Diclofinac potassium was given and in group B patients intraoral infusion of Dexamethasone was given along with Diclofinac potassium. In Group B patients reported good control over pain and swelling in first 24hours as compared to the group A

Management of facial gunshot wounds

To determine pattern and presentation in terms of site of injury, airway, associated injuries; and management of facial gunshot wounds. Case series. Oral Surgery Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, between January 2001 and December 2008. All patients with gunshot wounds of the face managed at the Oral Surgery Department during the study period were included by convenient sampling method. Patients were treated by a multidisciplinary team of maxillofacial surgeon, otorhinolaryngologist and plastic surgeon. Descriptive statistics were used to determine frequencies and mean+SD for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. A total of 38 patients with gunshot wounds to the face were identified. Age ranged from 15 to 42 years with mean of 28+4.98 years. There were 32 [84%] males and 06 [16%] females. Twenty two [57%] patients required airway management. The most frequent site involved was mandible in 25 [65%] patients while midface was involved in 13 [35%] patients. Open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF] was performed in 17 [44%] patients, while 21 [56%] patients were managed conservatively. Out of 38 patients, 15 [39%] patients had some complications; trismus, sinusitis and infection being the most frequent [10.5% each]. Facial gunshot wounds frequently involve mandible with more likely requirement of establishment of emergency airway and open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF]. Early management of gunshot wounds results in better psychosocial profile, aesthetics, reduced hospital stay and early return to function