Satisfaction of orthognathic surgical patients in a Malaysian population.

Thirty-one patients treated at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, were assessed for their satisfaction following orthognathic surgery. The female to male ratio was 22:9 with an age range of 17 to 36. Almost all patients (97%) listed appearance as one of their rationales for surgery. More males (78%) than females (59%) wanted functional improvement, while more females (91%) than males (33%) hoped for improvement in self-confidence. All patients reported esthetic improvement while 68% each reported improvement in mastication and self-confidence. Slightly more than half (52%) chose esthetic improvement as the single most important factor resulting in satisfaction. Almost ninety percent of male patients claimed satisfaction with functional improvement, while 68% of those who found satisfaction in improved self-confidence were females. Eighty-seven percent rated their post-surgical changes as being well accepted by their family. The impact of these findings on the success of the surgery and the need to reinforce verbal communication with printed pamphlets are emphasized.

Orthognathic surgery in the University of Malaya.

This is the first review on orthognathic surgery in Malaysia. The records of a total of 84 patients seen between 1977 and 1999 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya were analysed. Skeletal III deformity formed 85% of the sample with a female dominance of 2 to 1. The patients' age ranged from 17 to 36 years, with a mean of 25.3 years. The common surgical techniques used were combined bilateral sagittal split and Le Fort I osteotomy. The predominant ethnic group was Chinese (n = 58, 69%); followed by Malay (n = 14, 17%) and Indian (n = 12, 14%).

Bilateral coronoid hyperplasia--a report with a view on its management.

Bilateral coronoid hyperplasia requires surgery (coronoidectomy) to improve mouth opening. An intra-oral approach is preferred with direct fibre-optic anaesthetic intubation. Myotomy of the masseter muscle is recommended in cases where fibrotic and calcifying effects have occurred. Pre-operative physiotherapy counselling and post-operative jaw exercises are important to the final success of the management.

Unilateral comminuted and complicated fracture of the mandible due to dog attack.

Fractures of the mandible and their management are discussed in detail in textbooks and articles dealing with facial trauma. This paper presents the management and treatment of a case of a unilateral comminuted and complicated fracture of the mandible due to dog attack on a geriatric patient. The attack also severed the patient's right arm. Due to the severity of the trauma, an emergency surgery was performed on the mandible and arm.

Intraoral spindle-cell lipoma: report of a case and literature review.

Spindle-cell lipoma (SCL) of the oral cavity is very rare. There are only four such reported cases in the literature. A concise literature review of SCL and a case report of a SCL affecting the cheek and lip of a 23-year-old man is presented.

Mandibular reconstruction: experience with the free vascularized fibula transfer.

Mandibular resection, following surgery for tumor or osteoradionecrosis, leaves a patient with a swallowing, speech, and cosmetic disability. Repair of the oromandibular defect is difficult and various prostheses and grafts have been used and reported. The most popular form of mandibular reconstruction is the use of the free, vascularized bone transfer. We report our experience with the free vascularized fibula bone transfer in eight patients.

Chronic disseminated histiocytosis X: a case report.

A case of chronic disseminated histiocytosis X (Hand-Schuller-Christian Disease) of the mandible is presented. Multi-modal approach to management is discussed.

Middle third fractures of facial skeleton at University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: a retrospective study.

This is a retrospective study of 80 patients with major central and lateral middle third fractures of facial skeleton treated at University Hospital from 1981 to 1985. The most common was the fractures of zygomatic complex. The peak incidence was in the 20-29 year age group and males were involved more than females (ratio 9: 1). Road traffic accidents were to be blamed for most of the fractures which was 82.25%.

Dentistry in Britain--a lesson for the future?

Modern dentistry is a relatively young profession in Malaysia. The development of dentistry in Britain has a major influence on dentistry in Malaysia. Not only does it offer a historical perspective, it serves as a crystal ball to provide an insight into what dentistry will be like in the future. A brief review of dentistry in Britain follows.

Actinomycosis after cyst enucleation.

A case report of actinomycosis associated with bony sequestra resulting from a post-operative infection of a dental cyst in a young patient is presented. The need for careful wound debridement as a prophylactic measure is emphasized.