1/394. Inverted, T-shaped silicone implant for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Reconstruction of the ankylosed temporomandibular joint is a challenging task. speech impairment, difficulties with mastication, poor oral hygiene, facial asymmetry, and mandibular micrognathia results in physical and psychologic disabilities. Various surgical techniques with varying success rates have been reported. Many autogenous and alloplastic materials have been proposed. The authors used an inverted, T-shaped silicone implant for the reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint after the release of the ankylosis in 10 patients without any complications in the postoperative period. The authors assert that the reconstruction of the ankylosed temporomandibular joint with an inverted, T-shaped silicone implant is a reliable and effective alternative. This technique can be used according to the special requirements of each patient and obviating the need for the fixation of the implant and is a safer and better way of using silicone for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. ( info) |
2/394. Reconstruction of the horizontal rami of the mandible following avulsion in childhood. A 7-year-old boy was involved in a road traffic accident in October 1971, and apparently had been dragged along face downwards with resultant avulsion of the entire horizontal mandibular rami, and most of the mandibular alveolar soft tissue and teeth. Repair by metal implants was attempted but these proved unsatisfactory, and soft tissue replacement for the missing alveolus was carried out by flap raised from arm. Rib grafting was carried out on three occasions at almost yearly intervals, but each time, probably owing to vascular insufficiency, non-union (or more correctly non-replacement) occurred in the left canine region. To "import" a new blood supply, and free some of the scar tissue, a compound muscle/bone/skin flap bearing the clavicle and sternomastoid muscle was transposed to the mandibular bed. This form of grafting was used extensively in world war i to repair facial gunshot wounds, and the transposed blood supply enabled success in the pre-antibiotic period. Bony union is now satisfactory 5 years after injuries and dentures have been recently fitted; speech is normal, the child's facial contours acceptable, and mastication has been satisfactory during this period. ( info) |
3/394. Unusual dental injuries following facial fractures: report of three cases. We report 3 cases of unusual dental injuries following facial fractures. The first patient sustained intrusion of a maxillary incisor into the nasal cavity following a mandibular fracture. The tooth dislocated into the pharynx and was found lodged in the piriform fossa during surgery. The second patient sustained intrusion of molars into the maxillary sinus following maxillary and mandibular fractures. His treatment was delayed due to life-threatening hemorrhage. The third case involved ingestion of multiple avulsed teeth into the alimentary tract following severe maxillofacial fractures. Although the diagnosis was made more than a week after the injury, the patient did not suffer any complications as a result of the dental avulsion. The aim of this report is to emphasize the possibility of associated dental injuries in patients with facial fractures. The trauma surgeon should be cognizant of the importance of carrying out a thorough intraoral examination during the initial evaluation. Any missing tooth should be considered as possibly displaced into other tissue compartments, and must be routinely searched for with x-rays of the skull, cervical spine, chest, and abdomen. If full intrusion injury is suspected, further diagnostic investigation with facial computed tomography scanning may be worth while. ( info) |
4/394. Orthodontic fixation of mandibular fracture: a case report. The present case illustrates a nonsurgical method of fixing a minimally displaced mandibular fracture with use of an easily prepared orthodontic appliance. This method offers several advantages for both the attending staff and the patient. ( info) |
5/394. Presentation and management of chronic osteomyelitis in an African patient with pycnodysostosis. A case is reported of pycnodysostosis (PCD) with chronic osteomyelitis in the mandible. The clinical and radiological features and the problems of management and follow-up are discussed. ( info) |
6/394. Bilateral reflex fracture of the coronoid process of the mandible. A case report. Bilateral fractures of the coronoid process of the mandible occurred following a blow to the left temporal region in an assault. There was no evidence of direct trauma and the zygoma and other facial bones were intact. The probable cause was acute reflex contraction of the temporalis muscles leading to bilateral stress coronoid fractures. Conservative management was followed by complete resolution of symptoms. ( info) |
7/394. eosinophilic granuloma: a case report with pathologic fracture. Approximately 10% to 20% of all cases of eosinophilic granuloma occur in the jaws. A palpable mass with or without pain is the most frequent presenting clinical feature. Less common clinical signs include gingivitis, loose teeth, and oral ulceration with poor healing. We report a case of monostotic mandibular eosinophilic granuloma in a 38-year-old woman that initially manifested mandibular body fracture, an unusual and poorly documented clinical sign for this disease. The clinical and radiographic features, differential diagnosis, and treatment plan of the case are presented. ( info) |
8/394. Non-free osteoplasty of the mandible in maxillofacial gunshot wounds: mandibular reconstruction by compression-osteodistraction. We have treated 33 young men with medium to large (3-8 cm) bony and soft tissue defects of the lower third of the face caused by gunshot wounds. After debridement, collapsing the proximal segments for primary approximation of soft and hard tissues and a closed osteotomy of a small fragment of mandible, we used an original compression-distraction device, designed in 1982 and tested during 1983 (analogous devices were absent at that time) to reposition the mandible and cause callus to form (during distraction) between the fragment and to use the remaining stumps of bone to fill in the defect. The soft tissues were repaired at the same time. Twenty-eight of the patients presented within a few hours of injury, and the remaining five had old injuries. The only complications were in the group with old injuries where four patients developed abscesses that required drainage, but these did not interfere with the process of osteogenesis. All 33 patients had good functional and aesthetic results within 3-4.5 months. The method allows a bloodless minimally traumatic procedure which can be carried out in one stage. The results compare very favourably with the classic methods of the treatment of mandibular gunshot injuries. ( info) |
9/394. Telemedical experiences at an Antarctic station. Wintering-over in Antarctica represents a physician's most remote and inaccessible scenario, apart from a space station. Because of the harsh and unpredictable winter weather, Antarctic stations are typically inaccessible for over six months of the year. telephone and fax communication, and recently other forms of telemedicine, have provided vital links to specialists. The author was the sole physician for more than 250 people wintering-over during the 1995 austral winter at McMurdo Station. There were several instances of serious or life-threatening illness where the author relied on teleconsultation. These cases included new-onset coronary artery disease, posterior hip dislocation, complicated colles' fracture and acute appendicitis. There were also numerous consultations for non-emergency clinical presentations normally managed by specialists. telemedicine was a crucial link to specialists from the remote and inaccessible environment of Antarctica. ( info) |
10/394. Distraction of scarred soft tissue before secondary bone grafting. A case report. Mandibular distraction was performed to restore oral function in a 52-year-old man with tongue cancer, in whom a mandibular fracture developed after marginal resection of the mandible. The fracture caused the mandibular dental arch to be shorter than the maxillary arch. An external fixation device was attached to the collapsed mandible. The mandibular soft tissue was expanded by 32 mm. After gradual distraction, a vascularized iliac bone graft was transferred to the lengthened space. Subsequently, vestibuloplasty was performed and implants were inserted. A normal appearance, acceptable occlusion and satisfactory oral function were achieved. ( info) |