A prospective epidemiological study on odontogenic tumours in a black African population, with emphasis on the relative frequency of ameloblastoma.

The persistent view in the literature is that the relative frequency of ameloblastomas is higher in the black population than in Caucasians. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of all odontogenic tumours (OT) in a 100% black population and to compare our findings with those of previous studies. A prospective study was undertaken of all patients presenting with OT to all 16 Nigerian departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery over a 4-year period. The following data were obtained: patient demographics, delay to presentation, extent of the lesion, and histological diagnosis. Six hundred and twenty-two cases were studied. A slight male preponderance was observed (male to female ratio 1.17:1). Patients ranged in age from 5 to 89 years, with a peak incidence in the third decade. The relative frequency of OT was 0.99 per million and that of ameloblastoma was 0.76 per million. Ameloblastoma was the most prevalent OT (76.5%), followed by adenomatoid odontogenic tumours (5.6%), odontogenic myxoma (4.5%), and keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) (3.1%). The relative frequency of ameloblastoma among Nigerians was not different from frequencies reported previously among Caucasian and Tanzanian black populations. KCOTs were, however, rarely diagnosed in Nigerians as compared to the white population in the Western world.

Comparative study of the effect of warm saline mouth rinse on complications after dental extractions.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of saline mouth rinse on postoperative complications following routine dental extractions. Patients aged ≥16 years, who were referred to the oral surgery clinic with an indication for non-surgical extraction of pathologic teeth, were prospectively and uniformly randomized into three groups. Group A (n=40) were instructed to gargle six times daily with warm saline and group B (n=40) twice daily; group C (n=40) were not instructed to gargle with warm saline and served as controls. Information on demographic characteristics, indications for extraction, and the development of complications, such as alveolar osteitis, acute inflamed socket, and acute infected socket, was obtained and analyzed. There were no significant differences between patients who gargled six times daily with warm saline and those who gargled twice daily with reference to either alveolar osteitis or acute inflamed socket (P>0.05). However saline mouth rinses at either frequency were beneficial in the prevention of alveolar osteitis in comparison with those who did not rinse. A twice-daily saline mouth rinse regimen is more convenient, and patient compliance may be better than with a six times daily rinse regimen.

Pediatric maxillofacial injuries at a Nigerian teaching hospital: a three-year review.

AIM: To determine the nature of pediatric maxillofacial injuries, according to etiology and characteristics of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of patients aged 15 years and below who presented with maxillofacial trauma to the Maxillofacial Clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria over a 3-year period were retrospectively examined. Patients' demographic and etiologic factors were obtained and analyzed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients comprising males, 102 (63.8%) and females 58 (36.2%), were seen over the period of study. The age of patients range from 4 months to 15 years, mean 7.07 ± 4.52 years. There was no gender difference in terms of age (P < 0.05). Road traffic accident (RTA) was the most common etiologic factor accounting for 45.0% of cases. This was followed by fall (40.6%). Animal related injury and violence accounted equally for 3.8%. Soft tissue injuries in the form of abrasion, laceration and avulsion accounted for 70.0% of cases. Other anatomical sites included the mandible (16.3%), dento-alveolar fractures(12.5%), and midface (1.3%). CONCLUSION: Road traffic accident and falls still remains the leading cause of maxillofacial injuries in children in this part of the globe. There is a need to reinforce existing traffic laws that aimed at minimizing the menace of RTA-related accidents.

Augmentation of craniofacial defects using alloplastic material.

BACKGROUND: Alloplastic materials are increasingly being used in augmentation of craniofacial defects because of its ready availability, good aesthetic outcome and absence of donor site morbidity. This paper highlights experience in the use of heat-cured acrylic in augmentation cranioplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The management of three patients with anterior skull defect who presented at the Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital over a five-year period is presented. RESULTS: There was good aesthetic outcome in all the patients and no complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: Augmentation of craniofacial defects using customized prefabricated heat-cured acrylic provides patients with a durable, stable and structural repair of craniofacial defects with good aesthetic outcome.

A comparative study of the effect of suture-less and multiple suture techniques on inflammatory complications following third molar surgery.

The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the effect of not using sutures on postoperative pain, swelling and trismus after lower third molar surgery. 80 patients with impacted lower third molars were referred for surgical extraction (42 males; 38 females; aged 18-38 years). The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (sutures n=40; suture-less n=40). In the experimental group, the flaps were replaced without suturing. The control group was selected using the same criteria and treated under the same surgical protocol as the experimental group, except that the flaps were apposed using multiple sutures. Pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated at 24 h, 48 h and 1 week postoperatively in both groups. The operation time was found to be significantly longer in the multiple sutures group (p<0.05). There was significantly less pain, swelling and trismus at 24 h and 48 h, respectively, in the suture-less group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in terms of pain, swelling and trismus, at 1 week postoperatively (p>0.05). There is less postoperative pain, swelling and trismus with the suture-less technique in third molar surgery.

Management of inflammatory complications in third molar surgery: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pain, swelling and trismus are common complications associated with third molar surgery. These complications have been reported to have an adverse effect on the quality of life of patients undergoing third molar surgery. OBJECTIVE: To review the different modalities of minimizing inflammatory complications in third molar surgery. METHODS: A medline literature search was performed to identify articles on management of inflammatory complications in third molar surgery. Standard textbooks of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were also consulted and some local scientific publications on the subject were reviewed. RESULTS: Methods ranges from surgical closure techniques, use of drains, physical therapy and pharmacological means. Studies reviewed have shown that no single modality effectively minimizes postoperative pain, swelling and trismus without undesirable effects. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory complications after third molar surgery still remains an important factor in quality of life of patients at the early postoperative periods. Oral surgeons should be aware of the different modalities of alleviation of these complications to make postoperative recovery more comfortable for patients.

Spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures in Kano, Nigeria

The goal of the maxillofacial surgeon is to correct facial deformity while eradicating surgical diseases, prevent recurrence or complication and restore function. The aim of this paper is to review the surgical procedures carried out in a new tertiary teaching hospital. A retrospective study of patients with maxillofacial surgical diseases seen at the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between 2001 and 2003, was conducted. A total of 87 patients had various (primary and secondary) surgical procedures during the period under review. There were 51 males and 36 females, a male to female ratio of 1:0.61 with an age range of 3 days to 90 years and a mean age of 34.5 years. The majority of the patients were in the lower socio-economic group. Reduction and immobilization of the jaw fractures (n = 21, 23.3) was the most common, followed by transosseous wiring (n = 12, 13.3). The most common complications were malocclusion (n = 14, 29.8) and facial defects (n = 12, 25.5). Reduction and immobilization, and tumour surgery of the jaws seem to be the most common surgical procedures while osteotomy was the least. Reduction and immobilization with simple arch bars appeared to be very effective, more so when the patients could not afford more modern methods of treatment. Reconstructive surgeries of ablated jaws are advocated in view of the devastating aesthetic and psychosocial effects that these have on the patients.

Spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures in Kano, Nigeria.

The goal of the maxillofacial surgeon is to correct facial deformity while eradicating surgical diseases, prevent recurrence or complication and restore function. The aim of this paper is to review the surgical procedures carried out in a new tertiary teaching hospital. A retrospective study of patients with maxillofacial surgical diseases seen at the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between 2001 and 2003, was conducted. A total of 87 patients had various (primary and secondary) surgical procedures during the period under review. There were 51 males and 36 females, a male to female ratio of 1:0.61 with an age range of 3 days to 90 years and a mean age of 34.5 years. The majority of the patients were in the lower socio-economic group. Reduction and immobilization of the jaw fractures (n = 21, 23.3%) was the most common, followed by transosseous wiring (n = 12, 13.3%). The most common complications were malocclusion (n = 14, 29.8%) and facial defects (n = 12, 25.5%). Reduction and immobilization, and tumour surgery of the jaws seem to be the most common surgical procedures while osteotomy was the least. Reduction and immobilization with simple arch bars appeared to be very effective, more so when the patients could not afford more modern methods of treatment. Reconstructive surgeries of ablated jaws are advocated in view of the devastating aesthetic and psychosocial effects that these have on the patients.