Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy: a simple method to prevent medial trapping of the proximal fragment.

Intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) is a useful surgical procedure for mandibular setback in patients with mandibular prognathism or mandibular asymmetry. IVRO has some intraoperative complications, such as the medial trapping of the proximal segment. Several techniques have been described to overcome this problem, but none can prevent it. This technical report describes a method that prevents the medial trapping of the proximal segment during IVRO.

Chromosomal numerical aberrations in oral lichen planus.

The malignant potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) has been a matter of serious controversy. We aimed to detect chromosomal numerical aberrations in cells of brush samples collected from affected mucosa. The samples were simultaneously analyzed for morphology and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosomes 2 and 8 centromeric probes. We analyzed 57 persons with OLP and 33 control individuals. A cut-off value of aneuploid cells was determined as 1.1%. Aneuploid cells were found in 16 persons with OLP (28.1%); in 10 individuals (17.5%), over 5% of the cells were aneuploid. Aneuploid cells were also detected in normal-looking mucosa of seven persons with OLP. One person with OLP developed squamous cell carcinoma; 10% of the cells examined were aneuploid. OLP carries an increased risk for chromosomal instability. Identifying aneuploid cells in a brush sample and the combined morphological and FISH analysis can increase the specificity in predicting the malignant potential of OLP.

The immunoprofile of odontogenic keratocyst (keratocystic odontogenic tumor) that includes expression of PTCH, SMO, GLI-1 and bcl-2 is similar to ameloblastoma but different from odontogenic cysts.

BACKGROUND: The aggressive biological behavior of odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), unlike that of other odontogenic cysts, has argued for its recent re-classification as a neoplasm, 'keratocystic odontogenic tumor'. Identification of mutations in the PTCH gene in some of the OKCs that were expected to produce truncated proteins, resulting in loss of control of the cell cycle, provided additional support for OKCs having a neoplastic nature. METHODS: We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway-related proteins, PTCH, smoothened (SMO) and GLI-1, and of the SHH-induced bcl-2 oncoprotein in a series of primary OKC (pOKC), recurrent OKC (rOKC) and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome-associated OKCs (NBCCS-OKCs), and compared them to solid ameloblastomas (SAMs), unicystic ameloblastomas (UAMs), 'orthokeratinized' OKCs (oOKCs), dentigerous cysts (DCs) and radicular cysts (RCs). RESULTS: All studied lesions expressed the SHH pathway-related proteins in a similar pattern. The expression of bcl-2 in OKCs (pOKCs and NBCCS-OKCs) and SAMs was significantly higher than in oOKCs, DCs and RCs (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present results of the immunoprofile of OKCs (that includes the expression of the SHH-related proteins and the SHH-induced bcl-2 oncoprotein) further support the notion of OKC having a neoplastic nature. As OKCs vary considerably in their biologic behavior, it is suggested that the quality and quantity of interactions between the SHH and other cell cycle regulatory pathways are likely to work synergistically to define the individual phenotype and corresponding biological behavior of this lesion.

[Clinical parameters in evaluating hospitalized patients with orofacial odontogenic infection--a preliminary retrospective study].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to characterize local and systemic clinical parameters of odontogenic infections in adults, and to isolate parameters that can predict hospital length of stay (LOS). METHODS: File charts of 142 patients, hospitalized between 1994 and 2004 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Sheba Medical Center, were reviewed. Pre-hospitalization data (age, gender, clinical characteristics of the infection, antibiotic intake), and data during hospitalization (blood count, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, thrombocytes count, anatomic space involved, cause of infection, type of infection abscess or cellulitis, surgical treatment applied and length of stay) were collected and statistically analyzed to isolate which mostly correlated to LOS--long (4 or more days) or short (less than 4 days). Stepwise logistic regression model was carried out to obtain a predictive model for short or long LOS using the statistically significant parameters. RESULTS: Systemic clinical findings, such as body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and WBC count, had normal to slightly elevated values. High blood count PMN, surgical intervention, infraorbital space involvement, and infection in the mandible were significant to LOS. The most important parameter, masking all other significant parameters, was the location of infection. When the maxilla was compared to the mandible, the odds for a long LOS were 3.2 times greater in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: Orofacial odontogenic infections may be regarded as local infection rather than systemic disease. Hospital LOS is influenced directly by infection location, i.e., lower face (mandible) infection requires a longer LOS.

[Simple bone cyst in the mandible--a rare occurrence in an elderly patient].

Simple bone cyst (SBC) is an intra-osseous pseudocystic lesion lined by a thin fibrovascular membrane but lacks an epithelial lining. SBC is uncommon and comprises of approximately 1% of all jaw cysts. The lesion is usually discovered incidentally during the first two decades of life. Males are affected slightly more frequently than females. The most common sites of occurrence are the molar and premolar regions of the mandible; maxillary lesions are uncommon. The lesion is usually solitary, radiolucent, well demarcated, and non-expansile. Margins may be scalloped, between vital teeth, and root resorption is rare. A surgical approach to the lesion reveals an empty cavity with serosanguinous fluid. Histologically, the cavity lining consists of a loose connective tissue layer and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Pathogenesis and etiology of SBC are still not clearly understood. It is assumed that the cyst forms following traumatic intra-osseous hemorrhage with subsequent lysis and resorption of the cellular content. Trauma, as the main cause of SBC, is not always conclusive and the origin of the lesion may be multifactorial. Treatment of SBC is by curettage. Intralesional hemorrhage due to either intentional curettage or during exploratory procedure may induce a reparative process. A rare occurrence of SBC in a 71 year old healthy male, referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Outpatient Clinic, Sheba Medical Center by his dentist, because of a large radiolucent lesion in the left mandibular body is reported. The patient received a complete lower denture 3 months earlier. He returned to his dentist with a complaint of local pain and an ulcer under the denture. A panoramic radiograph revealed a large unilocular radiolucent lesion with demarcated borders in the left mandibular body and bone erosion in the upper alveolar border of the lesion Clinical examination showed a deep ulcer in the denture-bearing area of the left posterior alveolar ridge. There was no cortical expansion of the mandible. Incisinal biopsy revealed an empty cavity lined by fibrous connective tissue with no epithelial lining. According to the clinico-radiologic and histologic findings, a diagnosis of a simple bone cyst was made. The incidence of SBC is higher in younger age groups (second decade). Occurrence of the lesion in the elderly is rare with only a few reports in the literature. In the present case, the fact that SBC is asymptomatic, may be responsible for the late discovery of the lesion.

Midline versus paramidline mandibulotomy: a radiological study.

Mandibulotomy allows for wide exposure of deep oral cavity and oropharyngeal tumors and may be performed medial or lateral to the mental foramen. Medial mandibulotomy is divided into midline and paramidline. Midline mandibulotomy requires detachment of muscles which may lead to masticatory and swallowing problems and could potentially jeopardize the central incisors. Our study provides a basis for placement of bone cuts in mandibulotomy. The angles between the long axis of the two central incisors, the lateral incisor and canine bilaterally were measured in panoramic radiographs of 100 healthy patients. The distances between the roots were measured. The angle between the lateral incisor and the canine ranged from 1 degrees to 8 degrees compared to 1 degrees -4 degrees (P<0.001) between the central incisors. The distances between the lateral incisor and the canine were 1-6.2mm while the distances between the two central incisors ranged from 0.5 to 4.7mm (P<0.05). Although the measurements were taken from a younger group of patients compared to the usual age of presentation of oropharyngeal cancer, it shows that the paramidline mandibulotomy in which bony cuts are performed through a wider gap is the preferred approach.

Peripheral odontogenic tumours--differential diagnosis in gingival lesions.

Peripheral odontogenic tumours (POT) are rare benign focal overgrowths of the oral soft tissue, usually occurring in the gingiva. Between 1996-2000, 6 out of 406 excised gingival lesions were diagnosed as POT (1.5%). Tumours included peripheral odontogenic fibroma (2 patients), peripheral calcifying odontogenic cyst (2 patients), peripheral ameloblastoma (1 patient), and peripheral calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour (1 patient). Review of the literature reveals that peripheral odontogenic fibroma and peripheral ameloblastoma were the most common POT. The purpose of this article was to analyse the clinical data of these tumours according to the presented cases and the literature review, to elucidate typical features of each tumour type and enhance easy identification.

Mandibular buccal bifurcation cyst: enucleation without extraction.

The mandibular buccal bifurcation cyst (MBBC) is a cystic lesion, which occurs on the buccal surface of the permanent mandibular first molar in children around 6-8 years old. Treatment of the cyst has been controversial: extraction of the involved tooth and enucleation of the cyst, or only enucleation, without extraction. The aim of this article is to familiarize oral and maxillofacial surgeons with this entity and the appropriate treatment approach. The diagnostic features of MBBC are described and the treatment approach in five patients with a total of seven cysts is presented. Two cases were identified in identical twins. Enucleation of the cyst without extraction of the involved tooth is the treatment of choice when the available data and experience in treating MBBC are considered.

[Fourth molars in the maxilla and mandible--a rare phenomenon].

The occurrence of supernumerary teeth is not uncommon. The preferred location of the supernumerary teeth is in the maxilla, mostly incisors, followed by the molars. Supernumerary molars are divided into two types, depending on their location: distomolars and paramolars. Distomolars are supernumerary teeth that are distal to the third molars, while paramolars are supernumerary teeth on the side of the molars. The paper describes an unusual case of four distomolars. The two maxillary distomolars were unerupted, in a vertical position distal to the third molars. Their morphology was normal but they were smaller than the regular molars. The two mandibular distomolars were unerupted, in a horizontal position distal to the third molars. Their morphology was normal but they were smaller than the regular molars. Cases of four distomolars with normal morphology are extremely rare and have seldom been reported in the dental literature. The phenomenon is interesting especially considering the fact that in modern man, missing third molars are becoming a common finding.

[Medical treatment of central giant cell granuloma of the jaws].

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign intraosseous lesion of the jaws that is found predominantly in children and young adults. The lesion appears mostly in the mandible and presents as a unilocular or multilocular radiolucent defect. Although it is benign, it may be locally aggressive, causing extensive bone destruction, tooth displacement and root resorption. Two variants of the lesion, non-aggressive and aggressive, have been described. Traditionally, CGCG was treated surgically with aggressive curettage and peripheral ostectomy. The more aggressive type or recurrent lesions require wide resection, that lead to major defects in the jaws. This form of surgical treatment could be particularly disfiguring for a child or young adult. An alternative, non-surgical approach, was developed during the past several years. The present review describes several medical treatments available for CGCG that have been reported in the literature, such as corticosteroids, calcitonin and Interferon Alfa-2a. These alternatives are advantageous for large aggressive lesions in order to cure, or reduce the size of the lesion and thus minimize the need for extensive surgical resection that could result in functional and esthetic deficits.

Pretreatment prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with head and neck carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism in the normal population age > 60 years is encountered in the range of 0.5-5% clinically, and 5-20% have subclinical hypofunction. Hypothyroidism is recognized as a common complication of treatment in patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNC) and is reported in up to 75% of patients who receive combined treatment. Surprisingly, base-line pretreatment measurements of thyroid function in large series of patients have not been reported. METHODS: Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, and total T3 levels were recorded in 110 patients with nonthyroid HNC prior to treatment in a prospective, controlled study. RESULTS: The mean patient age (+/- standard deviation) was 65 years +/- 13.8 years, and 82% of patients had squamous cell carcinoma. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism already was established in 4.5% of patients, and subclinical hypothyroidism was discovered in an additional 6.4% of patients. Sixteen patients had other equivocal anomalies in thyroid function and were referred for further endocrine evaluation. No patients with formerly unrecognized clinical hypothyroidism were found. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothyroidism in patients with head and neck carcinoma in Israel corresponds with the reported incidence in the general population. Hypothyroidism after treatment for head and neck carcinoma stems from the effects of treatment. The need for pretreatment evaluation of thyroid function should be considered.

Intra-oral vertical ramus osteotomy: a modified technique for correction of mandibular prognathism.

Intra-oral vertical ramus osteotomy is a useful procedure for correction of mandibular prognathism. However, a major disadvantage is poor visibility of the operating field. A modified technique that improves visibility without higher morbidity is described.

Patient compliance to instructions after oral surgical procedures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient compliance to postoperative instructions from the oral surgeon. A total of 180 patients who underwent minor oral surgical procedures anonymously answered a questionnaire 1 week postsurgery. This questionnaire was used to evaluate how patients remembered the mode of transmission of instructions (written, verbal), their compliance to the postoperative instructions and to the antibiotic treatment and their comments. Of the patients, 40% did not remember receiving both written and verbal instructions, 36% remembered only the written instructions. Twelve percent did not comply with the postoperative instructions regarding mouthwashes and 67% did not comply with the antibiotic prescriptions; 43% took more antibiotics and 31% less, and 4% who did not receive an antibiotic prescription took them on their own initiative. The academic level of the patients did not influence patient compliance. Verbal and written recommendations worded simply with details are important for patient compliance and reduced postoperative stress and complaints. Better instructions on antibiotics use are necessary to ameliorate patient compliance to the antibiotic treatment.

The effect of precise reattachment of the mentalis muscle on the soft tissue response to genioplasty.

PURPOSE: This study compares vertical and horizontal profile changes of the lower lip and chin after genioplasty with or without precise reattachment of the mentalis muscle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients in whom the mentalis muscle was isolated, identified, marked, and precisely reapproximated comprised the study group. Eleven patients treated without precise reattachment of the mentalis comprised the control group. Preoperative (3 to 6 days before the surgery) and postoperative (6 months after surgery) lateral cephalograms were analyzed to assess the horizontal and vertical soft tissue changes of the lower lip and chin area. RESULTS: All the significant changes in the present study were noted in the vertical parameters. In most of the study group, the length of the lower lip was either maintained or increased. In the control group, the lower lip length was either preserved or decreased. The mean vertical difference between the 2 groups was nearly 6 mm. Consequently, the study group displayed the same or less of the lower incisors postsurgery compared with the original presurgery exposure in the rest position. The opposite was true for the control group, in which the exposure of the lower incisor crowns at rest increased. Similar changes were noticed in the distance from the vermilion to the reference plane. The vertical position of the soft tissue supramentale remained unchanged in the study group, whereas in the control group the soft tissue supramentale was located in an inferior position (mean = 2.14 mm). The clinical expression of this phenomena is chin ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Precise reattachment of the mentalis muscle during an intraoral surgical approach produces a superior result.

Osteosarcoma of the jaw. The Chaim Sheba Medical Center experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to present 14 cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw treated at our medical center from 1989 to 1998. These cases are discussed in the light of a comprehensive review of 774 cases reported in the English literature over the past 3 decades. Differences between osteosarcoma of the jaws and osteosarcoma of the long bones are examined. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The patients ranged in age from 8 to 78 years, the mean age being 33 years. Each patient had a histopathologically established diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw. Records were reviewed for epidemiologic data, treatment modalities, and survival. RESULTS: Of the 14 patients, 6 (42%) had tumors in the mandible and 8 (58%) had tumors in the maxilla. Of the mandibular tumors, 5 occurred in the body of the mandible; all maxillary tumors originated in the alveolar ridge and involved the maxillary sinus. The chief complaint was an intraoral or extraoral painless swelling. Histopathologic types included chondroblastic, osteoblastic, fibroblastic, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like. Pathologic grade was determined to be high (3 or 4) in 13 cases and low (1) in only 1 mandibular case. All patients underwent surgical resection and immediate reconstruction. Adjuvant therapy included postoperative radiation (5 patients), postoperative chemotherapy (2 patients), and preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative radiation (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the literature indicating that osteosarcoma of the jaw differs from osteosarcoma of the long bones in its biological behavior even though they have the same histologic appearance. Because of differences in tumor characteristics, the introduction of chemotherapy did not dramatically alter the prognosis of osteosarcoma of the jaw. Early diagnosis and radical surgery are the keys to high survival rates.

Salivary flow dynamics after parotid surgery: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Tumors in the parotid gland may affect salivary flow. The effects of tumor on glandular function and postoperative changes in both resected gland and contralateral gland were not formerly reported. We prospectively evaluated salivary flow rates and composition in patients undergoing parotidectomy preoperatively and postoperatively. METHOD: Stimulated parotid saliva from 17 patients undergoing parotidectomy was collected bilaterally preoperatively and postoperatively by using a parotid cup. Subjective complaints were recorded. Salivary flow rates, sodium, potassium, and amylase levels were evaluated. RESULTS: None of the patients complained of "dry mouth" before or after surgery. Analysis of the individual results revealed 3 patterns of preoperative and postoperative response, compatible with either a preoperative or postoperative compensatory mechanism in the contralateral gland. The postoperative decrease in flow rate corresponds with the amount of gland removed. Salivary electrolyte composition was unchanged. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to demonstrate the effects of parotid tumors and their surgery on salivary flow and a compensatory response and its different patterns in human parotid glands after their excision.

Dental extractions in patients maintained on oral anticoagulant therapy: comparison of INR value with occurrence of postoperative bleeding.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative bleeding in patients treated with oral anticoagulant medication who underwent dental extractions without interruption of the treatment and to analyze the incidence of postoperative bleeding according to the International Normalized Ratio (INR) value. The 249 patients who underwent 543 dental extractions were divided into five groups: Group 1 with INRs of 1.5-1.99, Group 2 with INRs of 2-2.49, Group 3 with INRs of 2.5-2.99, Group 4 with INRs of 3-3.49 and Group 5 with INRs>3.5. The INR was measured on the day of the procedure. Local haemostasis was carried out with gelatin sponge and multiple silk sutures. Of the 249 patients, 30 presented with postoperative bleeding (12%): Group 1, three patients presented with bleeding (5%), Group 2, 10 patients (12.8%), Group 3, nine patients (15.2%), Group 4, five patients (16.6%) and Group 5, three patients (13%). The incidence of postoperative bleeding was not significantly different among the five groups. The value of the INR at the therapeutic dose did not significantly influence the incidence of postoperative bleeding. Thus, dental extractions can be performed without modification of oral anticoagulant treatment. Local haemostasis with gelatin sponge and sutures appears to be sufficient to prevent postoperative bleeding.

Risk factors contributing to symptomatic plate removal in maxillofacial trauma patients.

This study analyzed the fate of plates used to correct maxillofacial injuries and defined risk factors that eventually resulted in plate removal. The outpatient clinic files of 108 patients treated with rigid internal fixation after maxillofacial trauma were reviewed. Study variables included age, sex, trauma circumstances, diagnosis, type of fracture, approach to the facial skeleton, presence of teeth in the line of fracture, plate material, site of plates, and reasons for plate removal. Of 204 plates used for fixation, 44 plates (22 percent) were removed. When all factors were considered together, only fracture diagnosis (mandibular body and angle) and plate location (mandibular body and angle) were statistically significant. Only when each factor was considered separately, the approach to the facial skeleton (intraoral) and the type of fracture (comminuted and compound fractures) were statistically associated with plate removal. Selection of favorable plate location, the extraoral approach, and vigilant infection control may reduce plate removal in patients with maxillofacial injuries. Special attention should be given to compound and comminuted fractures of the mandibular body and angle.

Salivary flow and its relation with oral symptoms in terminally ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with terminal malignant disease commonly report hyposalivation or xerostomia. This leads to "dry mouth," fungal infection, and mucosal abnormalities. To the authors' knowledge oral symptomatology and findings have not been correlated previously with accurate salivary flow measurements. METHODS: Measurement of stimulated parotid salivary flow rate and clinical recording of oral symptoms within 24 hours from the time of hospital admission were obtained in 48 terminally ill cancer patients. Subjective reporting of symptoms by patients, parotid salivary flow rate, clinical recording of dental status, presence of candidiasis, angular cheilitis, and dryness of the floor of the mouth were obtained. RESULTS: A clinical diagnosis of oral candidiasis was made tentatively in 94% of patients, and 50% of the patients were found to have angular cheilitis. Thirty-one of 45 evaluable patients (68%) reported a sensation of oral dryness. Sixteen of the 48 patients (33%) had no saliva at the floor of the mouth. Analysis of individual salivary flow rates was stratified into 3 levels of secretion: 0, < 0.2, and > or= 0.2 mL/minute. Symptoms were found to correlate with salivary flow rates. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, symptoms were found to be most severe in the patients with xerostomia followed by those patients with hyposalivation. Treatment should be directed individually to each group of patients using either salivary substitutes or stimulants. The rate of incidence of oral pathologic findings may be higher than formerly recognized.

Emergency tracheostomy following life-threatening hemorrhage in the floor of the mouth during immediate implant placement in the mandibular canine region.

BACKGROUND: The edentulous interforaminal mandibular area is frequently the preferred area for implant placement. METHODS: A case of emergency tracheostomy following life-threatening hemorrhage in the floor of the mouth during immediate implant placement in the mandibular canine region is described. The probable cause was bleeding from the sublingual artery or a branch of that artery following implant perforation of the lingual cortex. RESULTS: Healing was uneventful and the patient was released from the hospital after 11 days. Three years later, CT showed a well-osseointegrated implant with a severe buccolingual inclination. CONCLUSIONS: It is stressed that short implants (14 mm or less) should be used in the mandibular canine region and that effective treatment of this complication is essential.