Modified vertical osteotomy cut in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is the most common orthognathic surgical procedure for the correction of facial deformities. Like any other surgical procedure, it is also associated with a risk of complications. One of these is described in the literature as notching at the lower inferior border of the mandible. Such discontinuity in the contour of the lower border is often a concern for patients. To overcome this complication, we recommend a modified vertical osteotomy cut while performing BSSO.

Use of knotless barbed sutures for closure of intraoral incisions for maxillofacial trauma: a randomised controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of knotless barbed sutures in intraoral wound closure for maxillofacial trauma in comparison with conventional (vicryl) sutures. This was a randomised controlled clinical trial involving 40 patients with isolated mandibular angle fractures who required intraoral incisions for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The sample was randomised into the study group (20 patients) and control group (20 patients). Following fracture fixation by a standardised surgical protocol, the wound closure was done with bidirectional knotless barbed suture and vicryl for the study and control groups, respectively. The wounds were closed in layers (periosteum and mucosa). All operations were performed by a single surgeon. Outcome parameters measured were intraoperative wound closure time and wound healing using 'Landry's wound healing index' on the first, third, and seventh postoperative days. Statistically significant difference in suturing time was noted between the study and control group (p value <0.001). The study group demonstrated a mean (SD) suturing time of 9.46 (2.01) minutes, compared with the 17.61 (2.57) minutes in the control group. Wound healing was found to be better and statistically significant in the study group than the control group (p value<0.001). Knotless barbed suture is a promising alternative to vicryl for intraoral wound closure.

Protection of an intraoral surgical wound with a new dressing: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Operations that involve the maxillofacial region often require intraoral incisions, and contamination of these wounds is common as a result of the presence of saliva, plaque, and food debris. Postoperative infection is therefore common. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an intraoral dressing material, Reso-Pac®, in improving postoperative comfort for patients and its effect on wound healing. One hundred patients who required removal of impacted mandibular third molars were recruited, and were randomised into two groups (50 in each). A standardised surgical technique was used for removal of the impacted teeth, and wounds were closed with sutures. Postoperatively, the study group was given Reso-Pac® dressing while the control group was not. Postoperative pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Wound healing was assessed with the help of Landry's scale, and we also measured thermal sensitivity. Data were analysed using the paired t test. The results in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (p<0.001). Reso-Pac® promoted wound healing and improved patients' comfort during the postoperative phase.