Reconstruction of oral soft-tissue defects following resection of oral carcinomas can be achieved using various techniques including microsurgical tissue transfer. However, there seems to be a role for regional or local flaps. Small to medium-size defects can be functionally reconstructed with the platysma myocutaneous flap as an excellent choice particularly in medically compromised patients not being eligible for free tissue transfer. The present paper reviews the indication, surgical technique, and complications following reconstruction of defects of the oral cavity with the platysma myocutaneous flap.
Objectives: Bisphosphonates (BP) are widely used in medicine for inhibiting bone resorption; however bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a major side effect of BP. To date, there have been no specific reports on the incidence of BRONJ among Koreans. This study investigated the preliminary results from a nationwide survey of BRONJ in the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) at individual training hospitals. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 OMFS departments (10 from dental schools, 4 from medical schools, and 1 from a dental hospital) participated in a multi-centric survey. This study assessed every BRONJ case diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2010. The patient age and BP type were evaluated. Results: A total of 254 BRONJ cases were collected. The majority of BRONJ cases were associated with oral BP therapy, while 21.8% of the cases were associated with intravenous administration. Alendronate was the drug most frequently related to BRONJ (59.2% of cases), followed by risedronate (14.3%) and zolendronate (17.0%). The average age of BRONJ patients was 70.0±10.1 years, with a range of 38-88 years of age. With the number of BP patients in Korea reported to be around 600,000 in 2008, the estimated incidence of BRONJ is at least 0.04% or 1 per 2,300 BP patients. Conclusion: The results suggest that the estimated incidence of BRONJ in Korea is higher than the incidence of other countries. Future prospective studies should be carried out to investigate the exact epidemiological characteristics of BRONJ in Korea.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effect of simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 43 patients (3 males, 40 females) whose symptoms had improved was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dong-A University Hospital between 2008 and 2010. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group A (17 patients with arthrocentesis and occlusal splints simultaneously applied), Group B (13 patients whose symptoms did not improve with occlusal splints, undergoing arthrocentesis after occlusal splint use for 8 weeks), and Group C (13 patients that only used occlusal splints). We compared these groups in maximum comfortable opening (MCO) and the visual analogue scale of pain and noise. Follow-up was performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: The improvement of symptoms was noted in all three groups, but Group A had a quicker improvement than the other groups, in terms of pain reduction and MCO increases. Conclusion: The simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splints can reduce patient discomfort more quickly.
Objectives: Full thickness skin grafts (FTSG) offer several advantages; they are esthetically superb, have less postoperative shrinkage, and offer minimal postoperative pain and scar formation at the donor site. As a donor site of FTSG, the groin offers a relatively large area of skin with high elasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate FTSG from the groin for reconstruction in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, 50 patients (27 males, 23 females) who received FTSG from the groin were evaluated for their operation records, clinical photography, and medical records. Results: The width of skin from the groin was distributed from 2-8 cm (mean: 5.1 cm) at the donor site, while the long axis length was distributed from 3-13 cm (mean: 7.4 cm). A high number of patients, 47 patients (94%) out of 50, showed good healing at the donor site. Wound impairment was seen in 3 patients (6%), minor wound dehiscence in 2 patients, and severe wound dehiscence in 1 patient. In the recipient site, delayed healing was observed in 2 patients (4%). Conclusion: FTSG from the groin to repair soft tissue defects in reconstruction surgery is a good method due to the relatively big size of the graft, decreasing morbidity at the donor site, and higher graft survival rates.
Dental implantation in the mandibular anterior region is considered a safe and reliable surgical procedure. On the other hand, several articles have reported that inadvertent hemorrhage of the sublingual artery can result in life-threatening airway obstruction. Surgical ligation under intubation or tracheostomy is the most widely used approach for controlling mouth floor bleeding in this highly vascular region. Nonetheless, surgically exploring the bleeding focus is difficult because of anatomical distortion followed by widespread edema and swelling. Since swelling of the mouth floor advances quickly, timely management is essential for favorable postoperative outcome. This paper reports a case of immediate hemorrhage control with angiographic embolization to perform rapid hemostasis before the ongoing swelling causes airway obstruction. Less invasive, angiographic embolization can prevent neurovascular damage during a surgical exploration of injured vascular structures on the mouth floor.
In dentistry, tissue expanders have been used to obtain sufficient soft tissue for alveolar bone augmentation in the severely atrophic ridge. Herein, we review two cases of soft tissue augmentation using a self-inflating tissue expander in patients in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital for bone graft and implant operations. The results of each patient were presented using pre-operative and post-operative radiographs and clinical exams. The results of our study indicate successful bone graft and implant surgery using a self-inflating tissue expander.
Osteochondroma is a common benign tumor of the axial skeleton, especially in the distal metaphysis of the femur and the proximal metaphysis of the tibia, that can occur on the facial skeleton (albeit rarely). Osteochondroma is differentiated from chondroma, osteochondromatosis and osteoma. Osteochondroma shows an irregular radiopaque lesion and chondromatic area surrounded by the osteoma. When it develops in the long bone, it has a marked tendency to occur at 10 to 20 years of age and ceases with the end of pubertal growth. However, when it develops in the mandibular condyle, it is prevalent in the third decade and continuous to develop. Tumors that develop in the long bone have a predilection for men, but tumors in the mandible have a predilection for women. In osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle, clinical features presented include occlusal changes, facial asymmetry, headaches, pain and joint noise on the temporomandibular joint, mouth opening limitations, and jaw deviation at the involved site. The first choice of treatment for the massive osteochondroma is surgical removal. A 70-year-old female patient with an osteochondroma on her right mandibular condyle visited our clinic. We surgically removed the mass with favorable results. It is presented here along with a review of literature on osteochondroma.