Orthognathic surgery in COVID-19 times, is it safe?

COVID-19 has impacted the provision of orthognathic surgery globally. Uncertainty around its effects and transmission in aerosol generating procedures (AGP's) has led to disagreement within maxillofacial surgeons into the safety of orthognathic surgery during the pandemic. We present a local case series of orthognathic surgery undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge no such similar study has been reported worldwide. Data was collected from the 1st June to 30th November 2020 for all patients undergoing orthognathic surgery by a single consultant. All procedures and inpatient stays were performed 'off site' at the local Spire Healthcare Group plc© facility. A strict preoperative two-week self-isolation period and negative COVID-19 testing was mandatory. All procedures were classified as AGP's and personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn in line with local guidelines. The primary outcome was 30-day COVID-19 infection among patients, with day 0 the date of surgery. Secondary outcome measures included duration of stay, return to theatre and complications. A total of 59 patients were identified. 42/59 had bimaxillary procedures and 17/59 single jaw. 9/17 had maxillary and 8/17 had mandibular procedures. A total of 3/59 had simultaneous genioplasty. Median duration of stay was one night (range 1-3). Immediate and late complications were seen in 3% (2/59) and 3% (2/59) respectively. Only 1% (1/59) returned to theatre. Zero patients tested positive in the 30-day postoperative period. No staff members tested positive for the duration of the study. Adopting strict safety protocols, orthognathic surgery can be safely delivered during the pandemic without detriment to the patient or staff.

Timing and presentation of recurrent oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and awareness in the outpatient clinic.

The aim of this study was to assess the timing of outpatient review appointments in relation to tumour recurrence. A retrospective review of 278 consecutive previously untreated patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) between 1995 and 1999 was performed. Information on the time of recurrence, site, presentation, treatment and outcome was collected. There were 54 (19%) patients who developed recurrent disease. Recurrence occurred at a median time of 8 months after the initial operation and most (49/54) within 2 years. Thirty-five patients (65%) presented with a new lump (7 local, 22 regional and 5 locoregional). Our policy is to review patients once a month for the first year and every other month for the second year. Patients were seen less frequently than expected, and one in five patients attended half or less than half as frequently as intended in the first year. Although 20 patients were aware of new symptoms from their recurrent disease fewer than half (9) brought their appointment forward. This study has emphasised the need for close clinical follow-up of patients previously treated for oral/oropharyngeal SCC if recurrent tumours are to be discovered and treated at the earliest opportunity.

Primary meningioma of the scalp as a late complication of skull fracture: case report and literature review.

A case of primary meningioma of the scalp is presented in which the anatomical association with a previous skull fracture is demonstrated and pathogenesis discussed. The investigations and surgical treatment are briefly described. Review of the literature reveals a strong association between trauma of the central nervous system and intracranial meningioma. Occasional reports also exist of extra-cranial meningioma following trauma. This is, however, the first report of such an association in the scalp.

Survival of a free flap after arterial disconnection at six days.

We know of no definition of how long it takes for a free flap to develop its own independent blood supply from its recipient bed. In this case report, we describe survival of a free flap after loss of the arterial anastomosis at 6 days.