Time-Lapse Between Presentation and Treatment of Mandibular Fractures: Is There a Correlation With Sensory Loss Recovery or No Recovery?

ABSTRACT: A prospective cohort study composed of 43 patients treated for unilateral mandibular fracture. The primary study variables were the post-traumatic IAN neurosensory score and the score after fracture reduction in two different groups on the basis of time lapse between presentation and treatment and displacement of mandible fracture. Appropriate descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. The sample was analyzed over a one year period. It was observed that the recovery percentage (80%) was good in Group-A (n = 20) patients as compared to Group-B (n = 23) patients (43.47%) with significant P value of 0.015. Patients with displacement of ≥9 mm have neurosensory deficit of 80% while fracture displacement ≥ 5 mm to 8 mm have the neurosensory deficit of 34.21% which is significant with P value of 0.049. With each millimeter increase of displacement of fracture segments, more neurosensory deficit will be manifested. Delay in seeking in the treatment increases the risk because of continued movement. Where the injury is more severe, excessive displacement with increased time lapse from injury to surgical intervention, there is a higher possibility neurosensory deficit or no recovery. Early management can reduce the risk of permanent neurosensory deficits.

Post-traumatic and postoperative neurosensory deficits of the inferior alveolar nerve in mandibular fracture: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated and recorded post-traumatic and postoperative neurosensory deficits of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in mandibular fracture in order to identify associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study composed of 60 patients treated for mandibular fracture. The primary study variable was the change between the post-traumatic IAN neurosensory examination score and the score after fracture reduction. Risk factors were categorized as demographic, anatomic, fracture displacement, and treatment. Appropriate descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. RESULTS: Sixty patients with unilateral mandibular fracture reported within 24 hours of injury were evaluated over a one-year period. A post-traumatic neurosensory deficit was observed in 52 patients (86.7%), the percentage of which was reduced to 23.3% over the follow-up period. Abnormal postoperative neurosensory scores were significantly higher in angle fracture cases (33.3%) compared to body fracture cases (11.1%). When recovered and non-recovered neurosensory scores were compared by fracture location, 88.9% of body fracture cases showed significant recovery compared to 66.7% of mandibular angle fracture cases. Cases with less than 5 mm fracture displacement showed statistically significantly higher neurosensory recovery scores (90.6%) compared to those with more than 5 mm fracture displacement (60.7%). CONCLUSION: Use of a miniplate with mono-cortical screws does not play a role in increasing IAN post-traumatic neurosensory deficit. Early management can reduce the chances of permanent neurosensory deficit. Mandibular fracture displacement of 5 mm or more and fracture location were found to be associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic IAN neurosensory score worsening.

Transoral approach alone in single miniplate osteosynthesis of angle fracture - our experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of transoral approach alone to treat the mandibular angle fracture using single 2.0 mm miniplate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 28 patients were included and treated with 2.0 mm single miniplate osteosynthesis at upper border along Champy's line of osteosynthesis using transoral approach alone. RESULTS: All the cases were treated successfully with 2.0 mm single miniplate with common complications such as infection (two cases) and plate exposure (one case) in a total of two cases. CONCLUSION: Use of single miniplates by transoral approach alone for superior border osteosynthesis is effective and simple approach without need of extra armamentarium.

A retrospective study of 72 cases diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia in indian populace.

CONTEXT: Trigeminal neuralgia is as a chronic, debilitating condition, which can have a major impact on quality of life. There are few reports of trigeminal neuralgia in oriental populations. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the retrospective data of the patients diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia and to understanding the disorder in the Indian populace. METHODS: The retrospective data of 72 patients with typical idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia regarding age of onset, gender, site of involvement, clinical presentations and treatment received during three years of the follow up was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In the present retrospective study, the mean age was 54.9 years; female to male ratio was 2.13:1; rural to urban ratio 1.76:1 with 62.5% suffered trigeminal neuralgic pain on the right side. Carbamazepine was found to be highly effective in 60.8% of the cases on long-term basis with maintenance doses. Other treatment modalities were employed in more refractory cases including add-on of gabapentin, which relieved the symptoms for an additional duration of 13±3months. The neurolytic alcohol bloc was given in 30% of patients who stopped responding to combination of carbamazepine and gabapentin and relieved pain for a mean duration of 17.25±2.95 months. Twenty three percent of the patients (23%) required peripheral neurectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Carbamazepine was found to be highly effective in trigeminal neuralgia. Other treatment modality includes add-on of gabapentin, neurolytic alcohol blocs and peripheral surgical intervention in more refractory cases. Only limited cases needed further neurological consideration. Key words:Trigeminal neuralgia, carbamazepine, gabapentin, alcohol bloc, peripheral neurectomy.

Buccal injection of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine for the removal of maxillary third molars.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate if 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with 1:200,000 epinephrine could provide palatal anesthesia in maxillary tooth removal with a single buccal injection. The subjects included in the clinical study were those requiring extraction of the maxillary third molar of either side. For the purpose of comparison, the sample was randomly divided into 2 main groups: group 1 (study group) included 100 subjects who were to receive a single injection before extraction, and group 2 (control group) included 100 subjects who were to receive a single buccal injection and a single palatal injection before extraction. After 5 minutes the extraction was performed. All patients were observed for Faces Pain Scale during extraction and asked for the same on a 100-mm visual analog scale after extraction. According to visual analog scale and Faces Pain Scale scores, when maxillary third molar removal without palatal injection (study group) and with palatal injection (control group) were compared the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). Removal of maxillary third molars without palatal injection is possible by depositing 2 mL of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride with 1:200,000 epinephrine to the buccal vestibule of the tooth.

Facial necrotizing fasciitis from an odontogenic infection.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is defined as rapidly progressive necrosis of subcutaneous fat and fascia. It is a rare but life-threatening infection characterized by a progressive, usually rapid, necrotizing process of the subcutaneous tissues and fascial planes. The condition is commonly described in the extremities, abdominal wall, and perineum but rarely seen in the head and neck. The diagnosis of NF depends mainly on clinical features, which are not always observable, so that the disease is often diagnosed late in its course, resulting in high mortality. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, aggressive surgical treatment and supportive therapy are the most widely accepted modalities of successful treatment. We describe a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck, arising from odontogenic origin.