Use of Intravenous Acetaminophen in Postoperative Pain Management After Partial and Full Bony Impacted Third Molar Extractions: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Currently, there is a concern at the national level of the overuse of both prescription and nonprescription opioid use. The purpose of this study was to identify whether the use of the intravenous (IV) formulation of acetaminophen (Ofirmev; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Staines-upon-Thames, United Kingdom) is an effective tool in the reduction of postoperative pain, with a secondary goal of reduction of postoperative narcotic use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 patients with previously diagnosed either partial bony or complete bony impacted third molars were selected with care to avoid long-acting local anesthetics or dissociative anesthetic agents. The patients' postoperative pain scores at 4 and 24 hours were collected via a verbal rating scale by the primary investigator. The exclusion criteria included administration of bupivacaine or ketamine, hepatic or renal impairment, pregnancy, or allergy to any of the normally administered sedation medications. RESULTS: At all postoperative increments (immediately, 4 hours, and 24 hours), there was no significant difference at P < .05 between scores for either the IV acetaminophen or placebo group. Although there was a recorded difference in reduction of pain at both 4 and 24 hours postoperatively, these were not statistically significant variables. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IV acetaminophen showed no statistically significant decrease in patient pain at either 4 or 24 hours postoperatively. Although there are not representative data suggesting the routine use of IV acetaminophen, on the basis of the abundance of literature on the treatment of pain for other procedures, this medication should not be discarded as ineffective.

Predictors of blood loss during orthognathic surgery: outcomes from a teaching institution.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to correlate different orthognathic surgical procedures with operating time and blood loss, reported from an accredited resident training institution. METHODS: Ninety-five patient records were evaluated retrospectively. Individual blood volume, percent blood volume lost (BVL), and estimated blood loss (EBL) for each patient were recorded and correlated with operating time (OT). Statistics included independent t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression. RESULTS: The mean OT for all procedures was 203 min with mean blood loss 556 ml. Mean EBL for males was 676 ml versus 468 ml for females. Overall BVL was 12.4 %, while for males, BVL was 13.3 % compared to 11.8 % for females. For a single orthognathic procedure (n = 45), mean OT 145 min., EBL 414 ml, and BVL 9.0 %; two procedures (n = 41), mean OT was 239 min., EBL 659 ml, and BVL 15 %; three procedures (n = 9), mean OT 328 min, EBL 793 ml, and BVL was 17 %. CONCLUSION: Examination of individual procedures suggests a shorter OT for Le Fort I procedures with slightly greater EBL. Concomitant orthognathic procedures are associated with greater OT and EBL. Blood volume should be calculated for male and female patients separately. Percent BVL can be predicted based on OT using a basic equation.

Management of fractures of the atrophic mandible: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to report the outcome of patients with atrophic mandible fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Atrophic mandible fractures in 11 patients (7 females and 4 males) were approached with a transcervical incision, and bone segments were stabilized with 2.7-mm reconstruction titanium plates and locking screws placed at the lateral border of the mandible. In 6 of the 11 cases, autogenous cancellous bone was used to repair a continuity defect or to augment the vertical height of the bone in the region of the fracture(s). RESULTS: No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered in any patient. Two patients presented with postoperative infections that resolved with incision-drainage and antibiotics, and removal or replacement of the reconstruction plates or the bone grafts was not required. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of atrophic mandible fractures can be performed safely and effectively with reconstruction plates, with or without bone grafting. The most conservative and predictable treatment in the long term is the definitive reconstructive surgical procedure to restore form and immediate function.