Child dental neglect and legal protections: a compendium of briefs from policy reviews in 26 countries and a special administrative region of China.

Background: Child neglect is a public health, human rights, and social problem, with potentially devastating and costly consequences. The aim of this study was to: (1) summarize the oral health profile of children across the globe; (2) provide a brief overview of legal instruments that can offer children protection from dental neglect; and (3) discuss the effectiveness of these legal instruments. Methods: We summarized and highlighted the caries profile and status of implementation of legislation on child dental neglect for 26 countries representing the World Health Organization regions: five countries in Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe), eight in the Americas (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Unites States of America, Uruguay), six in the Eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Iran, Libya, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), four in Europe (Italy, Latvia, Serbia, United Kingdom), two in South-East Asia (India and Indonesia) and one country (China) with its special administrative region (Hong Kong) in the Western Pacific. Results: Twenty-five of the 26 countries have legal instruments to address child neglect. Only two (8.0%) of these 25 countries had specific legal instruments on child dental neglect. Although child neglect laws can be interpreted to establish a case of child dental neglect, the latter may be difficult to establish in countries where governments have not addressed barriers that limit children's access to oral healthcare. Where there are specific legal instruments to address child dental neglect, a supportive social ecosystem has also been built to facilitate children's access to oral healthcare. A supportive legal environment, however, does not seem to confer extra protection against risks for untreated dental caries. Conclusions: The institution of specific country-level legislation on child dental neglect may not significantly reduce the national prevalence of untreated caries in children. It, however, increases the prospect for building a social ecosystem that may reduce the risk of untreated caries at the individual level. Social ecosystems to mitigate child dental neglect can be built when there is specific legislation against child dental neglect. It may be more effective to combine public health and human rights-based approaches, inclusive of an efficient criminal justice system to deal with child dental neglect.

Relationship Between Types of Information, Dental Anxiety, and Postoperative Pain Following Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Study.

PURPOSE: Third molar (M3) extraction is an anxiety-provoking procedure. Information mode delivery may affect patients' anxiety level and postoperative sequelae. This study determined the relationship between information types, dental anxiety, and postoperative pain following mandibular M3 extraction. METHODS: Patients (aged 18 to 35 years) requiring M3 extraction under local anesthesia were recruited into this prospective randomized study conducted in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. Patients were randomized to two groups; verbal or audiovisual depending on M3 extraction information received. Primary outcome variable (difference in anxiety between groups) was assessed with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and Modified Dental Anxiety Scale(MDAS). Pain recorded on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 7 using the Visual Analog Scale was the secondary outcome. Other covariables include biodata, impaction types, and difficulty indices. Data analysis was descriptive and bivariate using IBM/SPSS for Windows, version 23 (SPSS, Chicago, IL USA) with significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Ninety patients referred for M3 extraction met the inclusion criteria, 45 patients in each group. The audiovisual group had significant increase in anxiety preoperatively measured by STAI-S (P = .002) and MDAS (P = .009) when compared with the verbal group. No significant differences in the STAI-S (P = .16) and MDAS (P = .216) scores were recorded at POD7. The progressive reduction in pain in both groups was not significant at POD7 (P = .746). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative verbal information allayed anxiety compared to real life audiovisual information in M3 patients. These findings will provide a baseline reference data for subsequent research in our environment.

Does platelet-rich fibrin increase bone regeneration in mandibular third molar extraction sockets?

Objectives: This study determined the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on extraction socket bone regeneration and assessed the patterns and determinants of bone regeneration after the surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: This prospective study randomly allocated 90 patients into two treatment groups: A PRF group (intervention group) and a non-PRF group (control group). After surgical extractions, the PRF group had PRF placed in the extraction socket and the socket was sutured, while the socket was only sutured in the non-PRF group. At postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12, periapical radiographs were obtained and HLImage software was used to determine the region of newly formed bone (RNFB) and the pattern of bone formation. The determinants of bone regeneration were assessed. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The percentage RNFB (RNFB%) was not significantly higher in the PRF group when compared with the non-PRF group at postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 (P=0.188, 0.155, 0.132, and 0.219, respectively). Within the non-PRF group, the middle third consistently exhibited the highest bone formation while the least amount of bone formation was consistently observed in the cervical third. In the PRF group, the middle third had the highest bone formation, while bone formation at the apical third was smaller compared to the cervical third at the 8th week with this difference widening at the 12th week. The sex of the patient, type of impaction, and duration of surgery was significantly associated with percentage bone formation (P=0.041, 0.043, and 0.018, respectively). Conclusion: Placement of PRF in extraction sockets increased socket bone regeneration. However, this finding was not statistically significant. The patient's sex, type of impaction, and duration of surgery significantly influenced the percentage of bone formation.

Clinical Signs and Intraocular Pressure Changes in Patients with Orbitozygomatic Complex Fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The study investigated the association between intraocular pressure changes and clinical ocular signs in 51 patients with orbitozygomatic complex fractures. Diplopia, chemosis, enophthalmos, subconjunctival haemorrhage, periorbital ecchymosis and extraocular muscles entrapment were assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Intraocular pressure was measured in mmHg at different time intervals with Perkins and Goldman tonometers; within first 3 days of injury (T1), 24 h post-elevation within 3-14 days of injury (T2), 1 month after initial treatment assessment (T3), 2 months after initial treatment assessment (T4), and 3 months after initial treatment assessment (T5). Intraocular pressure changes between T2/T1 and T3/T1 were analysed as change 1 and change 2, respectively, with paired t test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Minimum intraocular pressure recorded in the affected eye was 5 mmHg at T1 and T2, while maximum intraocular pressure was 28 mmHg at T1. Mean intraocular pressure at T1 and T2 was 15.90 ± 4.73 mmHg and 16.80 ± 4.43 mmHg, respectively. All eye signs had completely resolved at T3 except enophthalmos, which persisted till T5. Statistical significant relationship exist between orbitozygomatic complex fracture and enophthalmos (T1: p = 0.04). subconjunctival haemorrhage (T2: p = 0.003), periorbital ecchymosis (T2: p = 0.005),and T3: p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Chemosis, diplopia, enophthalmos, periorbital ecchymosis and subconjunctival haemorrhage showed positive contributory effect to intraocular pressure elevation in orbitozygomatic complex fracture.

Assessment of Severity of Illness and Monitoring Response to Treatment of Odontogenic Space Infection Using Serum Prealbumin.

PURPOSE: To assess Serum Prealbumin in the severity of illness and monitor response to treatment in odontogenic space infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study comprising patients being managed for odontogenic space infection at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The calculated sample size was 69. Clinical parameters (Swelling Size, Visual Analogue Scale for pain intensity, and Maximal Interincisal Distance) were measured on day 0, day 4, and day 8. Other clinical parameters were Number of Anatomic Spaces Involved, setting of treatment, and Length of Hospital Stay. Serum Prealbumin levels were also serially measured. The relationship between Serum Prealbumin level and the clinical parameters was established using Spearman's correlation test, independent t test, Friedman's test, and linear regression. Significance level was set at .05. RESULTS: The mean Serum Prealbumin level at presentation (day 0) was 19.19 ± 4.61 mg/dl, which was significantly lower among inpatients (p = 0.001). On days 0, 4, and 8, Serum Prealbumin negatively correlated with Number of Anatomic Spaces Involved (p < 0.001). Serum Prealbumin levels on days 0, 4, and 8 and response in Serum Prealbumin negatively correlated with Length of Hospital Stay. On each day, Serum Prealbumin negatively correlated with pain intensity and Swelling Size and positively correlated with mouth opening. The response in Serum Prealbumin also positively correlated with response in each of the three clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Serum Prealbumin is a reliable tool for grading severity of illness and monitoring response to treatment in odontogenic space infection.

Review of 109 cases of primary malignant orofacial lesions seen at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial malignancy is a growing health issue common in developing regions of the world. Presentation patterns are myriad with geographic variations. Advanced stage owing to late presentation constitutes a significant public health burden. The site and type of the lesions are valuable in diagnosis and patient management. AIM: This study aims to review cases of primary orofacial malignancies at the OAUTHC Dental Hospital. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of histologically diagnosed orofacial malignancies, the relative frequencies, types and site of distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients with orofacial malignancies at the OAUTHC, Dental Hospital over a period of 10 years (January 2008-December 2017) were reviewed, demographic data (age, gender and site), history of tobacco use were retrieved and entered into a pro forma. The data obtained were analysed with STATA 11. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 375, 109 cases of neoplasms seen were primary malignant tumours, with prevalence rate of 29.1%. There were 71 (65.1%) males and 38 (34.9%) females (male:female ratio of 1.87:1), mean age (48.7 ± 19.3 years) and range (4-94 years). Affected sites were mandible (41, 37.6%), maxilla (39, 35.8%), palate (17, 15.6%) and others. Lesions were mainly squamous cell carcinomas (SCC: 46, 42.2%), salivary gland adenocarcinomas (SGAs, 25, 22.9%) including 8 (32%) cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Others were odontogenic carcinoma (18, 16.5%) and lymphoma (8, 7.3%). Most specimen analysed were hard tissues (n = 63, 57.8%). Thirty-four (73.9%) cases of SCC and 66 (60.6%) cases of primary malignancies were in the 5th-9th decades of life. This was statistically significant at P = 0.000. CONCLUSION: SCC was more prevalent than salivary and odontogenic carcinomas. ACC and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were two most common SGAs. Metastatic tumours to the jaws are rare.

Gaps in oral health-care service provision systems for children in Nigeria: A case study of a tertiary health institution.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated the common dental conditions of children seen in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. The referral patterns were also determined to know how many of the patients had sought care at the lower levels of health before visiting a tertiary hospital. METHODS: All the children aged 0-15 years seen at the Dental hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria over a 4-year period were included in the study. Information retrieved from their case notes including patterns of referral, presenting complaints, diagnosis, and treatment were extracted from the case records of the patients. Treatment plans for patients seen at this tertiary hospital were categorized into primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care services. RESULTS: A total of 1,866 children sought treatment over a 4-year period at this tertiary hospital of which 1715 (91.9%) sought treatment without referral from lower levels of care. Only 102 (5.4%) children were referred from primary health care (PHC) centers. Six hundred and seventy-five (36.2%) children presented with pain while 502 (26.9%) attended for a "check-up." Furthermore, 779 (41.8%) children were diagnosed with periodontal disease (including gingivitis) and 539 (28.9%) with dental caries. Scaling and polishing with oral hygiene instruction was the most common treatment recommended. Only 5% of children seen at this tertiary health facility required specialized oral health-care services provided by tertiary health institutions. CONCLUSIONS: The range of oral health care needed and service provided by and for patients who visited this tertiary health-care institution can be effectively provided in a primary or secondary oral health-care delivery center. The poor integration of oral health care into PHC services in Osun State burdens the tertiary health-care institutions to provide nonspecialized oral health-care services.

Medical and dental students' attitude and practice of prevention strategies against hepatitis B virus infection in a Nigerian university.

INTRODUCTION: Medical and dental students are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which is an occupational hazard for them and a leading cause of death globally. Prevention strategies include vaccination and observance of standard precaution. However, available reports claim utilization of the prevention strategies is low. This study evaluated the attitude of the students towards HBV vaccine and cross-infection practices. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study carried out at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Using the convenience sampling method, anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the first 120 participants that volunteered to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using IBM's Statistical Package (SPSS) version 20 software. Statistical level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Over eighty percent (83.2%) of the participants had at least a dose of the HBV vaccine while 79.65% completed the three doses. Majority (94.7%) of the students that did not receive the vaccine cited their busy schedule as the reason for their failure to be vaccinated. Taking every patient as a contagious disease risk (86.5%), washing hands after contact with patients' body fluids (82.1%) and wearing gloves before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin (74.1%) were the most practiced universal standard precaution items. CONCLUSION: The uptake rate of HBV vaccination and practice of standard precaution among the students are commendable. However, there is need for improvement considering the level of HBV infection in Nigeria.

Medical and dental students' attitude and practice of prevention strategies against hepatitis B virus infection in a Nigerian university

Introduction: medical and dental students are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which is an occupational hazard for them and a leading cause of death globally. Prevention strategies include vaccination and observance of standard precaution. However, available reports claim utilization of the prevention strategies is low. This study evaluated the attitude of the students towards HBV vaccine and cross-infection practices.Methods: this study was a cross-sectional study carried out at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Using the convenience sampling method, anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the first 120 participants that volunteered to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using IBM's Statistical Package (SPSS) version 20 software. Statistical level of significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: over eighty percent (83.2%) of the participants had at least a dose of the HBV vaccine while 79.65% completed the three doses. Majority (94.7%) of the students that did not receive the vaccine cited their busy schedule as the reason for their failure to be vaccinated. Taking every patient as a contagious disease risk (86.5%), washing hands after contact with patients' body fluids (82.1%) and wearing gloves before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin (74.1%) were the most practiced universal standard precaution items.Conclusion: the uptake rate of HBV vaccination and practice of standard precaution among the students are commendable. However, there is need for improvement considering the level of HBV infection in Niger

Community members' engagement with and involvement in genomic research: lessons to learn from the field.

In this paper, we describe the potential role laypersons on ethics committees can play in ensuring community concerns are addressed in the design and implementation of genomic research. We draw inferences from the outcome of an empirical study of the impact of training of laypersons to address community engagement issues in ethics review of research protocol. While this paper does not advocate a particular solution, it describes the importance of community engagement in genomic research, the current limitations there are in engaging communities in the design of these research projects and how communities can be indirectly engaged in the design and implementation of genomic research through the engagement of laypersons on ethics committees. However, to ensure that these laypersons can play this role, their capacity needs to be built to play this role appropriately. There is evidence to show that where resources are invested in building the capacity of laypersons to play their role as community 'watchdogs' in research, they play this role aptly. Community engagement is important in genomic research as genomic researchers will increasingly require community perspectives in critical ethics decision making.

Ethical Issues in Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health Research in Nigeria.

There is increasing interest in the need to address the ethical dilemmas related to the engagement of adolescents in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research. Research projects, including those that address issues related to STIs and HIV, adverse pregnancy outcomes, violence, and mental health, must be designed and implemented to address the needs of adolescents. Decisions on when an individual has adequate capacity to give consent for research most commonly use age as a surrogate rather than directly assessing capacity to understand the issues and make an informed decision on whether to participate in research or not. There is a perception that adolescents participating in research are more likely to be coerced and may therefore not fully comprehend the risk they may be taking when engaging in research. This paper examines the various ethical issues that may impact stakeholders' decision making when considering engaging adolescents in SRH research in Nigeria. It makes a case for lowering the age of consent for adolescents. While some experts believe it is possible to extrapolate relevant information from adult research, studies on ethical aspects of adolescents' participation in research are still needed, especially in the field of sexual and reproductive health where there are often differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices compared to adults. The particular challenges of applying the fundamental principles of research ethics to adolescent research, especially research about sex and sexuality, will only become clear if more studies are conducted.

The prevalence, pattern and clinical presentation of developmental dental hard-tissue anomalies in children with primary and mix dentition from Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The study of dental anomalies is important because it generates information that is important for both the anthropological and clinical management of patients. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of presentation of dental hard-tissue developmental anomalies in the mix dentition of children residing in Ile-Ife, a suburban region of Nigeria. METHODS: Information on age, sex and socioeconomic status was collected from 1,036 children aged four months to 12 years through a household survey. Clinical examination was conducted to assess the presence of dental anomalies. Associations between age, sex, socioeconomic status, prevalence, and pattern of presentation of the developmental hard-tissue dental anomalies were determined. RESULT: Two hundred and seventy six (26.6%) children had dental anomalies. Of these, 23.8% had one anomaly, 2.5% had two anomalies, and 0.3% had more than two anomalies. Of the children with anomalies, 49.3%were male, 50.7%were female, and 47.8%, 28.6% and 23.6% were children from low, middle and high socioeconomic classes, respectively. More anomalies were seen in permanent than primary dentition. Anomalies of tooth structure were most prevalent (16.1%); anomalies which affect tooth number were least prevalent (1.3%). Dens evaginatus, peg-shaped lateral, macrodontia, and talon cusp were more prevalent in the permanent dentition, and dens evaginatus peg-shaped lateral and macrodontia were more prevalent in the maxilla. There were significantly more macrodontia anomalies in males and in children of high socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: This large survey of dental hard-tissue anomalies found in the primary dentition and mixed dentition of children in Nigeria provides anthropological and clinical data that may aid the detection and management of dental problems of children in Nigeria.

Reconstruction of mandibular defects using nonvascularized autogenous bone graft in nigerians.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the success rate and complications of mandibular reconstruction with nonvascularized bone graft in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients who underwent reconstruction of mandibular discontinuity defects between January 2003 and February 2012, at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife constituted the study sample. Relevant information was retrieved from the patients' records. This information include patients' demographics (age and sex) as well as the type of mandibular defect, cause of the defect, type of mandibular resection done, source of the bone graft used, and the method of graft immobilization. Morbidity associated with the graft procedures were assessed by retrieving information on graft failures, length of hospital stay following surgery, rehabilitation device used and associated graft donor and recipient site complications. RESULT: There were 12 males and 13 females with a male:female ratio was 1:1.1. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 73 years with a mean age for males 32.7 ± standard deviation (SD) 12.9 and for females 35.0 ± SD 17.1. Jaw defect was caused by resection for tumours and other jaw pathologies in 92% of cases. Complete symphyseal involvement defect was the most common defect recorded 11 (44%). Reconstruction with nonvascularized rib graft accounted for 68% of cases while iliac crest graft was used in 32% of the patients. Successful take of the grafts was recorded in 22 patients while three cases failed. Wound dehiscence (two patients) and postoperative wound infection (eight patients) were the most common complications recorded. CONCLUSION: The use of nonvascularized graft is still relevant in the reconstruction of large mandibular defects caused by surgical ablation of benign conditions in Nigerians. Precise surgical planning and execution, extended antibiotic therapy, and meticulous postoperative care contributed to the good outcome.

Beyond informed consent: ethical considerations in the design and implementation of sexual and reproductive health research among adolescents.

Interest in addressing the ethical issues related to adolescents' engagement in research, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) research is increasing in view of the need to design and implement research that address peculiar SRHR needs of adolescents. These needs include issues of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, AIDS, adverse pregnancy outcomes, community, family and relationship violence and mental health. Unfortunately, adolescents' voluntary participation in research has been limited due to their perceived potential to be coerced into participation, and concerns that they may not fully comprehend the issues related to research risks. As such, many of the regulations for engaging research participants have been defined by age rather than due consideration of psychological development. This paper examines the various potential ethical issues that may impact on decision making when adolescents are engaged in research. These include the need to minimise therapeutic misconception, considerations for recruitment and retention, types and amounts for reimbursement, and engagement of communities of adolescents on advisory boards of studies that involve their population. The potential challenges associated with recruitment of adolescents in early child marriages were also highlighted.

The role of human immunodeficiency virus infection in infranuclear facial paralysis.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the pattern of idiopathic infranuclear facial palsy (facial neuropathy) and highlights the role of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS in its occurrence and management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, assessed individuals with idiopathic facial neuropathy seen at the neurology; maxillofacial surgery; and ear, nose and throat outpatient clinics between 1994 and 2006. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with idiopathic facial neuropathy were seen during the 13-year study period. Forty-six (52.3%) were males, and the age range was 15 to 76 years, with a median of 35.5 years and interquartile range of 24.5 to 54 years. The right side was affected in 59.1%, compared with 40.9% on the left side. Twenty-six patients (29.5%) were HIV positive at presentation: 16 males, 10 females; mean age for HIV-positive patients was 29.15 +/- 8.12 years and 44.39 +/- 18.48 years for HIV-negative patients. There was a significant relationship among the status of the patients and the severity at presentation (p = .035), treatment given (p = .019), and the occurrence of flu-like symptoms (p = .004). CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion of seroconversion is essential in patients presenting with idiopathic facial neuropathy since it has implications for management. Serological testing for HIV, especially in patients at risk and those with history of recent flu-like symptoms, is recommended.

Clinicopathology of soft tissue lesions associated with extracted teeth.

PURPOSE: The study assessed the prevalence and the clinical and histologic pattern of soft tissue lesions associated with extracted teeth and determined the validity of clinical diagnoses in comparison with histologic diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Soft tissue from the apices of 100 teeth extracted by the intra-alveolar approach and from the follicle of 50 teeth extracted by the transalveolar approach was examined histologically subsequent to clinical diagnosis. The subjects were seen within a 2-year period at the Oral Surgery unit of a Nigerian teaching hospital. Association between age, gender, and the histopathologic diagnosis was assessed, and the clinical presumptive diagnoses were compared with the histopathologic diagnoses using the epidemiologic parameters of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: There were 76 (50.7%) males and 74 (49.3%) females, with age range of 17 to 77 years (33 +/- 14 years). Although clinical diagnosis indicated that all the cases were inflammatory in origin, histopathologic diagnosis reported 84% to be of inflammatory origin, 10% to be normal tissue, and 6% to be noninflammatory in nature. The noninflammatory lesions included dentigerous cyst (4%), central giant cell granuloma (1.3%), and ameloblastoma (0.7%). Gender and age were not associated statistically with type and frequency of pathology. Inflammatory conditions showed the highest sensitivity (98%). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the probability of clinical misdiagnosis of pathologically significant lesions associated with extracted teeth is lowest with inflammation and highest with cysts and neoplasms. Thus, routine histopathologic examination of all recoverable soft tissues associated with extracted teeth would contribute to improve management of cases although the cost and related implications of this need to be investigated further.

Multiple midface degloving injury in an elderly man: challenges and management outcome.

We present a case of multiple degloving injuries in an elderly man following a fall from a palm tree. Multiple midface injuries are very rare, although individual types have been reported. Our patient sustained injuries in the lower and middle thirds of the face, including multiple tongue lacerations and a deep jagged laceration at the lower posterior part of the neck with a piece of wood in place. The facial degloving injury in this case posed an immediate danger from disruption of the respiratory system and hemorrhage. Emergency care involved prevention of respiratory embarrassment through a tracheostomy, maintenance of hemostasis and wound contamination. All the bone fractures were immobilized using interosseous wires and the avulsed nasal cartilage was immobilized with polyglactin 910 sutures against the anterior nasal spine. This case was unique because it was possible to manage the various challenges and significant risk to life by emergency tracheostomy and adoption of a multidisciplinary approach.

Management outcome and associated factors in burn injuries with and without facial involvement in a Nigerian population.

There is a high potential for the occurrence of burns in Nigeria, yet very little is known about factors that are associated with management outcomes (death/survivorship) in burns affecting facial or other body areas among Nigerian populations. This study aimed at determining patterns of occurrences of burn injuries with and without facial involvement and the factors that are associated with mortality. A standardized data-collection instrument was designed and used to extract relevant information about burn patients that were seen at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between 1998 and 2003. During the study period, fuel-related flames constituted the leading type of agent in both facial (71.1%) and nonfacial involved burns (65.3%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of contracture and inhalation injury between burns with facial involvement and burns without facial involvement, but cases of facial involvement have significantly lower incidences of wound infections. No significant difference was seen in the incidence of mortality between burns with facial involvement (31.6 %) and burns without facial involvement (30.7%). Significant bivariate correlates for mortality were age, flame as the agent of burns, depth of the burns and wound infections. Two correlates remained significant in the multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression): BSA involved and wound infection.

Challenges of managing nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a developing country.

The maxillofacial unit is an uncommon entry point for cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This report documents involvement of the maxillofacial unit in the management of NPC in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-lfe, Nigeria, with the aim of highlighting the challenges associated with recognition and management of the disease. Almost all cases (86.7%) were recorded in the low socioeconomic group, and males constituted 66.7%. The median age of our patients was 38 years, with an earlier cluster in females. Most of our patients (86.7%) presented with late stages of the disease. The challenges posed to surgeons in the management of NPC in the tropics include limited availability of diagnostic and treatment facilities. The inability of patients to afford the cost of relevant healthcare services due to high poverty level and absence of effective social support system also limits their access and utilization of available clinical facilities. These issues need to be addressed to facilitate early diagnosis and improved management that would ensure better prognosis for Nigerian patients with NPC. Education targeted at community members as well as healthcare service providers, including maxillofacial surgeons, would be important to enhance the possibility of detecting the cases at an earlier stage.