Oral L-menthol reduces thermal sensation, increases work-rate and extends time to exhaustion, in the heat at a fixed rating of perceived exertion.

PURPOSE: The study investigated the effect of a non-thermal cooling agent, L-menthol, on exercise at a fixed subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in a hot environment. METHOD: Eight male participants completed two trials at an exercise intensity between 'hard' and 'very hard', equating to 16 on the RPE scale at ~35 °C. Participants were instructed to continually adjust their power output to maintain an RPE of 16 throughout the exercise trial, stopping once power output had fallen by 30%. In a randomized crossover design, either L-menthol or placebo mouthwash was administered prior to exercise and at 10 min intervals. Power output, [Formula: see text]O2, heart rate, core and skin temperature was monitored, alongside thermal sensation and thermal comfort. Isokinetic peak power sprints were conducted prior to and immediately after the fixed RPE trial. RESULTS: Exercise time was greater (23:23 ± 3:36 vs. 21:44 ± 2:32 min; P = 0.049) and average power output increased (173 ± 24 vs. 167 ± 24 W; P = 0.044) in the L-menthol condition. Peak isokinetic sprint power declined from pre-post trial in the L-menthol l (9.0%; P = 0.015) but not in the placebo condition (3.4%; P = 0.275). Thermal sensation was lower in the L-menthol condition (P = 0.036), despite no changes in skin or core temperature (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a non-thermal cooling mouth rinse lowered thermal sensation, resulting in an elevated work rate, which extended exercise time in the heat at a fixed RPE.

An orbital apex fracture resulting in multiple cranial neuropathies.

Fractures of the orbital apex are rare after trauma, but can be devastating if associated with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy and a permanent visual defect. Computed tomography plays an important role in the diagnosis and classification of these fractures, but optimal treatment is controversial. We describe an isolated fracture of the orbital apex in a 15-year-old boy resulting in indirect traumatic optic neuropathy and palsies of cranial nerves III, IV and VI after a blunt injury to the face.

Use of an inferior orbitotomy for safe removal of a wooden foreign body penetrating the orbit.

Penetrating orbital foreign bodies must be removed in a safe and controlled manner. Adequate access is necessary so that there is no further damage to the orbital structures and to allow haemostasis. We describe a case of a wooden foreign body that penetrated the left orbit and its subsequent removal using an inferior orbitotomy. To our knowledge, this technique has not been previously described for removal of a foreign body.

Corlett loop for microvascular reconstruction in a neck depleted of vessels.

Free tissue transfer has revolutionised reconstruction of the head and neck and there are currently few local factors that preclude its use. These include a lack of suitable recipient vessels in the area for microvascular anastomosis. We describe the use of a Corlett loop in which a temporary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is created with a transposed cephalic vein to enable reconstruction of a mandibular defect with a fibular free flap.

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumour of the tongue: Unlikely to originate from myoepithelial cells.

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumour is a recently described rare entity found almost exclusively in the anterior dorsum of the tongue. We report an additional case, review the pertinent literature and explore the histogenesis of the lesion. The lesion has no discriminating clinical features and diagnosis is only established following histopathological examination including immunohistochemical assessment. The histogenesis of the lesion remains speculative and our study seems to discount myoepithelial cells as a potential source.

Zygomaticus implants for retention of nasal prostheses after rhinectomy.

Malignant tumours of the nose occasionally require rhinectomy. Implant retained prostheses can give good aesthetic results. Predictable biomechanical retention of nasal prostheses can be achieved using osseointegrated implants and Brånemark intra-oral and craniofacial implants have been used previously. Zygomaticus implants are traditionally used for dental rehabilitation of the partially edentulous maxilla with severe bone resorption. We describe two patients in whom zygomaticus implants have been used to aid salvage in prosthetic reconstruction of the nose.

Steroid-induced psychosis complicating orthognathic surgery: a case report.

Psychosis is an uncommon but well-recognised complication of short-term corticosteroid administration. We report a case of steroid-induced psychosis subsequent to a bimaxillary osteotomy.

Bifid tongue - a complication of tongue piercing.

Tongue piercing is associated with significant morbidity. We report on a patient with a bifid tongue defect following insertion of a tongue ornament. This abnormality resulted in severe emotional disturbance.

Do oral flora colonize the nasal floor of patients with oronasal fistulae?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oral bacteria colonize the cleft nasal floor in patients with unilateral oronasal fistula when compared with the unaffected nasal floor and whether the results obtained would be of benefit in assessing oronasal fistulae in the clinic. DESIGN: Prospective study of 26 patients with cleft palate and unilateral oronasal fistula. Microbiological culture swabs were taken from the mouth and nasal floors of patients. The unaffected nasal floor was used as a control. Bacterial isolates were identified and compared in the laboratory by a senior microbiologist. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: A significant growth of oral bacteria from the cleft nasal floor when compared with the unaffected nasal floor. RESULTS: Four patients were excluded because no growth was found on any culture plate. In the remaining 22 cases, a light growth of oral flora was found in the cleft nasal floor in only 3 patients. No statistical correlation between culture of oral bacteria and the cleft nasal floor could be found (p =.12). CONCLUSIONS: The relative lack of colonization of the cleft nasal floor by oral bacteria may reflect poor transmission of bacteria through the fistula, competition with commensal nasal flora, or an inability of oral bacteria to survive in a saliva-depleted area. The investigation is not helpful in the assessment of oronasal fistulae in the clinic.

Cleft lip and palate management by U.K. consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: Following the report of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG), a national survey of U.K. consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons was performed to determine the current cleft lip and palate practice of this group prior to the implementation of proposed radical changes in the delivery of cleft services. The views of these surgeons regarding the proposed changes was also sought. DESIGN: An anonymous postal questionnaire sent to all 266 consultants in the U.K., which requested information on the practice of cleft surgery during a defined 1-year period (March 1997 through February 1998). It included the numbers and types of procedures performed, the involvement of multidisciplinary care, research and audit activity, and questions regarding the implementation of CSAG. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one replies (72% response rate). Seventy-three surgeons were actively involved with mainly secondary cleft surgery. A varied number and range of procedures were undertaken, with most surgeons performing less than five of each procedure per year. Audit and research activity was 26%. The majority of both noncleft and cleft surgeons agreed with proposals made by CSAG (except for cleft osteotomy procedures). CONCLUSIONS: In the U.K. at present, there are many oral and maxillofacial surgeons performing mainly secondary cleft surgery; overall, the number of procedures performed by these surgeons per year is small. Intraspecialty referral is suggested to further improve patient outcome.

Randomized prospective study of the influence of steroids on postoperative eye-opening after exploration of the orbital floor.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if giving steroids reduces postoperative swelling in orbital surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING: Regional unit, teaching hospital, UK. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: 20 patients who require orbital floor exploration after injuries. Patients were given methylprednisolone 250 mg (or placebo identically packaged) at induction of anaesthesia, with a further three doses at 6-hourly intervals postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Differences in interpalpebral width before and after operation. RESULTS: Those given steroids (n=11) had a significantly increased interpalpebral width compared with placebo (n=9) postoperatively (P < 0.01, 95% confidence intervals of the difference = 1 mm-6 mm). CONCLUSION: Short courses of steroids therapy should be considered in orbital surgery for appropriate patients. There is an advantage in being able to assess the globe postoperatively.

Reconstruction of nasal defects with implant-retained nasal prostheses.

Predictable biomechanical retention of nasal prostheses can now be achieved using Brånemark osseointegrated implants. These prostheses are tissue compatible, simple in design and easy to place, can be worn independently of spectacles and can in the majority of cases be provided soon after surgical excision. We have treated 14 patients (30 implants) 8 of whom had the implants placed at the time of surgical excision of the tumour. The longest survival so far has been 62 months (mean 38 months). Craniofacial osseointegration changes patients' perceptions of a nasal prosthesis and improves quality of life. Initial reconstructive surgery after radical nasal excision should be limited to reconstruction of the upper lip and preparation of the surgical defect for an implant-retained prosthesis.

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland presenting as a ranula.

A case is reported of a papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland which presented as a ranula. This is both rare in site and mode of presentation.

A modified surgical approach for parapharyngeal space tumours: use of the inverted 'L' osteotomy.

Removal of tumours from the parapharyngeal space is often difficult because of limited surgical access. Mandibulotomy has proved useful for improving access but may cause damage to the inferior dental and lingual nerves. Use of the inverted 'L' osteotomy provides excellent access avoiding damage to the nerves and the technique is illustrated with three surgical cases.

Central acinic cell carcinoma of the mandible: report of a case.

A case is reported of a central acinic cell carcinoma of the mandible. This is an unusual site for this rare tumour and to our knowledge only three cases have been previously reported in the literature.

Cross-match requirements in orthognathic surgery: an audit.

A retrospective audit was undertaken of the value of routine cross-matching of blood for patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow. Overall, routine cross-matching of blood was wasteful of resources for all but the more major types of osteotomy procedure: Le Fort III, Le Fort II, malar osteotomies requiring a bicoronal flap and bimaxillary osteotomies. The study has financial implications regarding the proper use of cross-matching in selected patients undergoing elective orthognathic surgery. A blood ordering tariff has been suggested for the various procedures studied.