Computed tomography-guided 3D printed patient-specific regional anesthesia.

Classic anesthetic techniques for the inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, and long buccal nerve blockade are achieved by estimating the intended location for anesthetic deposition based on palpation, inspection, and subsequent correlation for oral anatomical structures. The present article utilizes computed tomography (CT) data to 3D print a guide for repeatable and accurate deposition of a local anesthetic at the ideal location. This technical report aims to anatomically define the ideal location for local anesthetic deposition. This process has the potential to reduce patient discomfort, risk of nerve damage, and failed mandibular anesthesia, as well as to reduce the total anesthetic dose. Lastly, as robotic-based interventions improve, this provides the initial framework for robot-guided regional anesthesia administration in the oral cavity.

Evolving Technologies for Tissue Cutting.

This article reviews evolving and lesser known technologies for tissue cutting and their application in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Practice Management in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Managing an oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) practice has undergone dramatic changes. Electronic health records, privacy laws, revenue cycle management, online marketing, and the rise of dental service organizations (DSOs) present increased daily complexity for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice, hospital-based employees, and academic surgeons. This article is structured to discuss the role of DSOs, private equity in OMS, online practice marketing, accounting and tax considerations, and modern essentials of practice management.

Invasive Cutaneous Facial Mucormycosis in a Trauma Patient.

Mucormycosis, also known as zygomycosis, is an aggressive infection caused by a ubiquitous group of molds known as mucormycetes and is often associated with immune suppression or trauma among immunocompetent populations. We present the case of a 19-year-old woman who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in whom rapidly progressive invasive cutaneous facial mucormycosis subsequently developed. The diagnosis, treatment options, and incidence of this disease process are discussed in the context of trauma.

Oculocardiac Reflex in an Orbital Fracture Without Entrapment.

Large orbital fractures in older patients are infrequently associated with an exaggerated oculocardiac reflex. This report describes the case of a patient in his 40s with a large right orbital floor and medial wall fracture without radiographic evidence of extraocular muscle compression or entrapment who developed severe nausea and bradycardia with movement of his affected eye. The patient exhibited bradycardia to 17 beats per minute during the initial examination and was taken urgently to the operating room for reconstruction of the right orbital floor and medial wall. Additional episodes of bradycardia intraoperatively were responsive to glycopyrrolate. After the procedure, the patient's pain was decreased, a normal range of motion was restored, and the bradycardia and nausea resolved. An explanation for induction of the oculocardiac reflex is considered in the absence of clinical or radiologic entrapment because large orbital fractures are not often considered to induce this reflex.

A Survey of Sleep Medicine Physician Perceptions on the Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) varies by specialty. Our survey sought to answer 3 principal questions: 1) To which surgical specialists are sleep physicians referring patients for upper airway surgery? 2) Which surgical treatment do sleep specialists find to be most effective in treating OSA? 3) Do sleep medicine physicians believe that maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is worthwhile to patients who are surgical candidates? MATERIALS AND METHODS: We formulated a cross-sectional survey. The study sample was obtained by identifying all practices that advertised as sleep medicine specialists in Houston, Texas, by using Internet searches. Physicians who treated children were excluded. Seventy-nine surveys were hand delivered to offices in the greater Houston area; the survey included 6 questions to determine referral and surgical preferences for OSA. Variable responses included years in practice, specialty, and a comments section. A 10-point Likert scale was used to assess sleep medicine physicians' referral patterns and perceptions regarding surgical treatment of OSA. Numerical data were analyzed by calculating mean values and by dividing responses into "disagree" (<5), "neutral" (5), and "agree" (>5). RESULTS: Twenty-six surveys were returned. More sleep medicine physicians referred patients to ear, nose, and throat surgeons (52%) than to oral and maxillofacial surgeons (20%). MMA was viewed as the most effective surgery (72%), followed by "none" (16%), "other" (8%), and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (4%). More respondents viewed the benefits versus risks as favorable for MMA (44%) than for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (29%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey show that sleep medicine physicians in the greater Houston area view MMA as the most favorable and effective surgical option for treating OSA. Although MMA was most often referred for, more respondents refer patients to ear, nose, and throat surgeons than to oral and maxillofacial surgeons for surgical management of OSA. Years in practice displayed no correlation in referral patterns or preference for type of OSA surgery.

Use of Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) for the Treatment of Parotid Sialocele and Fistula After Extirpation of Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Immediate Reconstruction Using Microvascular Free Flap: A Report of 3 Cases.

PURPOSE: Buccal squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of oral carcinoma with a high recurrence rate. Injury to the parotid duct is often unavoidable when surgically treating buccal squamous cell carcinoma because of the intimate anatomic relation among the buccal mucosa, Stensen duct, and parotid gland. It is often difficult to achieve negative margins and preserve the integrity of the parotid duct. Sialocele formation is a frequent and untoward complication owing to extravasation of saliva into the surgical defect, which delays healing, creates fistulas, and produces painful facial swelling. Currently, no consensus exists regarding the management of a parotid sialocele. Multiple investigators have described different modalities of treatment, such as repeated percutaneous needle aspiration, pressure dressings, antisialagogue therapy, radiotherapy, botulinum toxin, and surgical techniques, including duct repair, diversion, ligation, drain placement, and parotidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With approval from the institutional review board of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, 3 cases of parotid sialocele and nonhealing fistulas successfully treated with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) after tumor extirpation, neck dissection, and reconstruction with a microvascular free flap are presented. RESULTS: At the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, the radiation oncologist prefers not to start adjunctive radiation treatment with a nonhealing wound or a drain in the field of radiation. Ideally, a standard timing of adjuvant radiotherapy is 6 to 8 weeks after surgery and 60 cGy should be completed before 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of Botox, the nonhealing wound resolved and the drain was removed at least 2 weeks before the initiation of adjunctive radiotherapy, thus minimizing the delay in adjuvant treatment.

Characteristics and cost impact of severe odontogenic infections.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation, surgical management, and cost implications of inpatients treated for odontogenic infections at a public tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Specific analysis from 3 years of chart review included length of stay, cost of hospitalization, site of infection, number of infected spaces, microbiology profile, antibiotics administered, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, number of days intubated, comorbidities, number of operating room visits, imaging studies, and whether the patients received preadmission treatment. RESULTS: Multiple fascial spaces were involved in most of the infections. The average length of stay was 4.57 days and average time in the ICU was 3.1 days. Ninety percent of the patients had a coexisting medical comorbidity. The overall hospital costs totaled $749,382 averaging $17,842 per person. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a staggering cost burden on a public health care facility as a result of odontogenic infections.