An objective assessment of microneedling therapy in atrophic facial acne scars.

Context: Microneedling therapy is one of the recent advances in treating acne facial scars. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of microneedling therapy in the treatment of atrophic acne facial scars. Settings and Design: A total number of 10 patients between the age group of 20 and 40 years (8 women and 2 men) who complained of acne scars from November 2012 to August 2014 were selected for the study. Subjects and Methods: Microneedling therapy was performed following the application of the Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics in an interval of 2 months. All patients underwent three sessions. A follow-up of 2 months after the last sitting was carried out. Statistical Analysis: Cochran's Q-paired test, Kendall's W-test, and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results: Patients in our study had three forms of acne scars: box-scar, icepick form, and rolling scars. Patients were told to rate the outcome of the treatment at the end of the follow-up. Three observers randomly selected were shown the pre- and postoperative photographs of the patients to rate the treatment outcome. Statistically there was no interobserver bias. Ninety percent reduction in number of scars and depth of scars was noted at the end of three sittings. The improvement in pigmentation was insignificant. Seventy percent improvement in the skin texture was noted. Nine patients suffered from transient postinflammatory erythema and six patients had postoperative swelling. Conclusion: Microneedling therapy is a safe and effective method of treating acne scars.

Evaluation of Trigeminocardiac Reflex in Patients Undergoing Elevation of Zygomatic Fractures.

Aim Trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) manifests as typical hemodynamic perturbations including a sudden lowering of heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), cardiac arrhythmias, and asystole. In literature, TCR has been seen during ocular surgeries, Lefort fractures, and craniofacial surgeries. However, the prevalence of the TCR has not been studied in zygomatic complex fractures . The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TCR in patients undergoing elevation with/without fixation of zygomatic complex fractures and isolated zygomatic arch fractures under local anesthesia and general anesthesia and to evaluate the prevalence of TCR in different age groups. Materials and methods The study comprised 26 participants diagnosed with zygomatic fractures indicated for surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of TCR in patients undergoing surgical intervention (elevation of zygomatic complex fractures with/without fixation) under local anesthesia and general anesthesia. The heart rate and blood pressure were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results Variation in heart rate was seen in patients undergoing surgery under local anesthesia and general anesthesia. However, a decrease in the heart rate i.e., bradycardia was noted intra-operatively in 75% of the patients operated under local anesthesia. The prevalence of TCR was noted intra-operatively in 23% of cases operated under general anesthesia. No significant changes were seen in the blood pressure of the patients. Conclusion In our study, we found out that the prevalence of TCR was more in the patients operated under local anesthesia i.e., 75% of patients. Out of the patients operated under general anesthesia i.e., 23% of patients showed TCR. No significant variations in blood pressure were observed in patients operated under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The prevalence of TCR was found more often in the age group of 31-45 years in our study.

Evaluation of Infraorbital Nerve Recovery and its Effect on Quality of Life following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures - An Evaluative Study.

Introduction: The zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures are the second most common fractures affecting the midfacial skeleton. Neurosensory disturbances of the infraorbital nerve are one of the most common signs of ZMC fractures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the neurosensory recovery of the infraorbital nerve and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) following open reduction and internal fixation of ZMC fractures. Methods: Thirteen patients clinically and radiologically diagnosed with unilateral ZMC fractures with neurosensory deficits of the infraorbital nerve were enrolled for this study. All patients were assessed presurgically for neurosensory deficits of the infraorbital nerve using the various neurosensory tests, followed by open reduction with two-point fixation under general anaesthesia. The patients were followed up at one, three and six months postoperatively to evaluate the recovery of neurosensory deficits. Results: Recovery of tactile and pain sensation was relatively complete in 84.62% and 76.92% of patients respectively by the end of six months postoperatively. The spatial mechanoreception of the affected side improved significantly. 61.54% of patients led an excellent QoL six months postoperatively. Discussion: The majority of the patients with ZMC fractures and neurosensory deficits of the infraorbital nerve, when treated with open reduction and internal fixation, have complete recovery of the neurosensory deficits by the end of six months postoperatively. However, some patients may continue to experience some long-term residual deficits, which can affect the patient's QoL.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin analysis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

AIM: This study aims to compare the level of serum beta-2 microglobulin (ß2-M) in normal healthy individuals and patient with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY: This study has been conducted in patients attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Sample comprises of 25 cases of clinically and histologically diagnosed oral cancer and 25 normal healthy individuals as control group. The serum was analyzed for ß2-M by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: It was observed that there was a significant increase in serum ß2-M levels in oral SCC patients as compared to controls. Circulating levels in serum ß2-M were also elevated significantly among different clinical stages with progressive rise from stage I to stage IV of the disease. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of these markers would be useful in assessing malignant change, increasing accuracy of clinical diagnosis and also in assessing the spread and invasiveness of the cancer of the oral cavity.

Twinning of Pleomorphic Adenoma: A Case Report.

Pleomorphic adenoma is a common benign salivary gland tumor which presents as a painless swelling that gradually increases in size, if left untreated. It is often seen involving the parotid gland. However, pleomorphic adenoma has been reported to involve the minor salivary glands as well. In this report, we present two cases of pleomorphic adenoma originating from minor salivary glands of the upper lip, occurring in two male patients of the same age (44 years) with markedly similar history of duration, size, and site of the lesion. The tumor was excised in both patients and sent for histopathological analysis which showed features of pleomorphic adenoma confirming the diagnosis.

Effect of Intramuscular Atropine Sulphate and Glycopyrrolate on Heart Rate and Salivary Secretion in Patients Undergoing Minor Oral Surgical Procedure.

Introduction In most of the oral surgical procedures performed under local anesthesia, we often face a great difficulty while performing surgeries because of reduced accessibility and visibility which is hampered by blood and saliva at the surgical site. Anticholinergic drugs like atropine sulphate and glycopyrrolate are commonly used as antisialogogue for patients undergoing a surgical procedure under general anesthesia with little or no side effects.  Aims and objectives To evaluate and compare the antisialogogue effect of atropine sulphate and glycopyrrolate in patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures. To compare the efficacy of these drugs when administered intramuscularly and to evaluate their effects on heart rate in patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures. Materials and methods Thirty patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedure were selected for the study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.6 mg/ml of Atropine Sulphate or 0.2 mg/ml of Glycopyrrolate intramuscularly. Salivary secretion, heart rate and arterial pressure were noted pre-injection and 30 minutes after the administration of the drug. Results Atropine sulphate and glycopyrrolate were equally potent as an antisialogogue. There was a significant increase in heart rate 30 min after the administration of atropine sulphate, but there was no significant change in heart rate in glycopyrrolate group. Conclusion Intramuscular gycopyrrolate is safer than intramuscular atropine sulphate as an antisialogogue in minor oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia.

Efficacy of Sodium Hyaluronate for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder by Single-Puncture Arthrocentesis.

BACKGROUND: The term temporomandibular joint internal derangement has characteristic clinical findings such as restricted mouth opening, pain, irregular deviated jaw function and clicking sounds. The technique of TMJ arthrocentesis has gained widespread acceptance as a simple and effective technique for the treatment of acute persistent closed lock of the TMJ. Arthrocentesis is known as the lavage and lysis of upper joint compartment. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate followed by single-puncture arthrocentesis. Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid which is a polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycans family, found in many extracellular tissues, including synovial fluid and cartilage. Exogenous hyaluronate can stimulate the synthesis of endogenous hyaluronic acid. METHODS: In our study, a sample of 10 patients (7 females and 3 males) with TMJ disorder was selected. Arthrocentesis was done followed by sodium hyaluronate injection for all the patients. RESULTS: On follow-up ranging from 1 to 3 months, pain at rest and pain on mastication had substantially decreased in all patients and mandibular function and mouth opening had significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that single-puncture Ringer's lactate arthrocentesis followed by sodium hyaluronate injection is effective in the management of the internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint.

Comparison of platelet rich plasma and synthetic graft material for bone regeneration after third molar extraction.

AIMS: To compare the efficacy of Platelet rich plasma and synthetic graft material for bone regeneration after bilateral third molar extraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 10 patients visiting the outpatient department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College & Hospital. Patients requiring extraction of bilateral mandibular third molars were taken for the study. Following extraction, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) was placed in one extraction socket and synthetic graft material in form granules [combination of Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Bioactive glass (BG)] in another extraction socket. The patients were assessed for postoperative pain and soft tissue healing. Radiological assessment of the extraction site was done at 8, 12 and 16 weeks interval to compare the change in bone density in both the sockets. RESULTS: Pain was less on PRP site when compared to HA site. Soft tissue evaluation done using gingival healing index given by Landry et al showed better healing on PRP site when compared to HA site. The evaluation of bone density by radiological assessment showed the grey level values calculated at 4 months at the PRP site were comparatively higher than HA site. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the platelet rich plasma is a better graft material than synthetic graft material in terms of soft tissue and bone healing. However a more elaborate study with a larger number of clinical cases is very much essential to be more conclusive regarding the efficacy of both the materials.