Standards of craniofacial dimension for an African population.

This is a study of 247 children, aged 1-5 years in whom Interpupillary distance (IP) and Cephalic Index have been estimated. A reference curve for UP was determined. The data were compared to those of other populations. It was concluded that the genetic component of the negro hypertelorism manifest with growth and not at birth. Secondly, the Nigerian child appeared to become dolicocephalic at an earlier age of two years than his caucasian counterpart. While the explanation for the relative hypertelorism is obscure, it is suggested that the earlier closure of the anterior fontanelle might be responsible for the early dolicocephalic skull shape.

Resection and immediate reconstruction of parts of the mandible via intra-oral route.

Our experience in partial resection of parts of the mandible with immediate reconstruction using the iliac crest via the intraoral route is presented. 12 patients were treated in this way and the follow up varied between 1 to 3 years. The criteria assessed in the follow up included, behaviour of the bone graft, aesthetics functional behaviour of the bone transplant under the denture plates, and function of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Though infection with discharge of pus was noticed a few days post-operatively, with meticulous care with the use of systemic antibiotics and local irrigation of the wounds with antibiotics solution, the infection was usually overcome. Only in 2 cases were the bone grafts removed because the patients could not tolerate the nasogastric tube feeding for more than 2 or 3 days post-operatively and there was wound dehiscence with exposure of the graft. However the result achieved in this study made us conclude that the intra-oral approach for resection and immediate reconstruction of parts of the mandible will be our method of choice whenever possible.