Lingual Mandibular Bone Depression.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the area of the jaw angle, osteolytic lesions can occur, the differential diagnosis of which can be difficult and require very different therapeutic measures. One of these lesions is lingual mandibular bone depression (LMBD). The aim of this study was to present the characteristics of the lesion in a group of LMBD patients and to differentiate it from other lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Radiological images of 21 patients with LMBD were examined. RESULTS: The majority of LMBDs were located in the jaw angle. On cross-sectional images, the lesion could be distinguished from salivary tissue (n=2). One case of LMBD had an impact on the course of the fracture line in the mandibular trauma. CONCLUSION: LMBD is a developmental disorder of the mandible and only rarely of pathological importance. Imaging the lesion with cross-sectional images is preferable to using plain X-ray projections. In some cases, surgical exploration is essential for diagnosis.

Analysis of outcome for elderly patients after microvascular flap surgery: a monocentric retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Increasingly, aging societies pose a challenge, particularly in the most developed countries. This trend leads to an increasing group of old and very old patients presenting unique requirements and challenges. One of these challenges consists in reassessment and adaption of established treatment strategies for the elderly patients. There is an ongoing discussion taking place among cranio-maxillo-facial surgeons about the appropriate extent of reconstructive flap surgery for old patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This monocentric retrospective cohort study investigated 281 reconstructions with microvascular flaps by comparing the risk for a negative outcome, which was defined as revision, flap loss, and patient death, between three subgroups of elderly patients and younger patients. The three subgroups of elderly patients were defined as-1: young old (65-74 years), 2: old (75-84 years), and 3: oldest old (≥ 85 years). The group of the younger patients was defined by age between 50 and 64 years. Data were obtained within a defined period of 42 months. RESULTS: Significant correlations with a negative outcome were found for the variables stay on IMC/ICU, multiple flaps, and radiotherapy prior surgery. Our data showed no significant correlation between age and a higher risk for a negative outcome. CONCLUSION: Defect reconstruction with microvascular flaps in old patients is not related with a higher risk for a negative outcome. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Independently of age, treatment with microvascular flaps is an option for all operable patients, with an indication for oncologic surgery. For optimal therapy planning, individual patient resources and preferences should be considered instead of chronologic age.

Postoperative bleeding risk for cutaneous surgery in the head and neck region with continued phenprocoumon therapy.

In a total of 171 surgical procedures for lesions in the head and neck region in patients in whom phenprocoumon therapy was not stopped, 16 (9%) postoperative bleeding events were observed over a follow-up period of two weeks. Local measures were sufficient in all cases except one severe case where blood transfusion was needed and anticoagulant treatment was stopped for 7 days. The bleeding risk was significantly higher for the surgical procedures of the nose than those in other areas (21% versus 6%, P = 0.014), but was not influenced by the international normalized ratio (INR) of blood coagulation, size, site and type of the lesion, surgical procedure, and sex and age of the patients. The bleeding rate in patients not on any anticoagulation therapy was significantly lower (6/211 = 3%). Across both groups, just over 80% of the bleeding episodes were within the first two days (55% on the same day and 32% on the next day) of the surgery. No bleeding was recorded after 5 days. Our data suggest that cutaneous surgery in the head and neck region can be safely performed with continued phenprocoumon therapy in most cases in an INR range of 1.3-3.4, but rarely severe bleeding does occur and can be managed with a close-contact follow-up and with 24-h on call services during the first two days postoperatively.