Objectives: Understanding the lingual nerve’s precise location is crucial to prevent iatrogenic injury. This systematic review seeks to determine the lingual nerve’s most probable topographical location in the posterior mandible. Materials and Methods: Two electronic databases were searched, identifying studies reporting the lingual nerve’s position in the posterior mandible. Anatomical data in the vertical and horizontal dimensions at the retromolar and molar regions were collected for meta-analyses. Results: Of the 2,700 unique records identified, 18 studies were included in this review. In the vertical plane, 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0%-21.7%) and 6.3% (95% CI, 1.9%-12.5%) of the lingual nerves coursed above the alveolar crest at the retromolar and third molar regions. The mean vertical distance between the nerve and the alveolar crest ranged from 12.10 to 4.32 mm at the first to third molar regions. In the horizontal plane, 19.9% (95% CI, 0.0%-62.7%) and 35.2% (95% CI, 13.0%-61.1%) of the lingual nerves were in contact with the lingual plate at the retromolar and third molar regions. Conclusion: This systematic review mapped out the anatomical location of the lingual nerve in the posterior mandible, highlighting regions that warrant additional caution during surgeries to avoid iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries.
Germectomy is a surgical method most typically performed in young adults. The indications for treatment are controversial. The purpose of this review was to determine the correct indications for germectomy and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. We reviewed the surgical techniques (anesthetic methods, patient preparation, and flap designs) and complications. Germectomy for orthodontic purposes is a common indication for surgical removal of tooth germ among young patients. Several studies have supported removal at an earlier age to produce fewer surgical complications. Several surgical techniques have been described in the literature.
Objectives: Surgical extraction of maxillary third molars is routine in departments devoted to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Because maxillary third molars are anatomically adjacent to the maxillary sinus, complications such as oroantral fistula and maxillary sinusitis can occur. Here we explore the factors that can cause radiographic postoperative swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa after surgical extraction. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of patients who underwent maxillary third-molar extraction. Preoperative panoramas, Waters views, and cone-beam computed tomography were performed for all patients. The patients were divided into two groups; those with and those without swelling of the sinus mucosa swelling or air-fluid level in a postoperative Waters view. We analyzed the age and sex of patients, vertical position, angulation, number of roots, and relation to the maxillary sinus between groups. Statistical analysis used logistic regression and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 91 patients with 153 maxillary third molars were enrolled in the study. Variables significantly related to swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa after surgical extraction were the age and the distance between the palatal cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the maxillary sinus floor (P<0.05). Results of the analysis show that the relationship between the CEJ and sinus floor was likely to affect postoperative swelling of the maxillary sinus mucosa. Conclusion: Maxillary third molars are anatomically adjacent to the maxillary sinus and require careful handling when the maxillary sinus is pneumatized to the CEJ of teeth.
Objectives: This study investigated causative strains and their antibiotic sensitivity in patients who were hospitalized for maxillofacial odontogenic infections at a tertiary center in South Korea over the past 10 years with the aim of providing guidelines for the selection of appropriate empirical antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Patients with head and neck fascial space abscesses due to odontogenic infections who underwent incision and drainage surgery with pus culture tests between 2013 and 2022 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dankook University Hospital were included. The bacterial isolates and antibiotic sensitivity of each strain were analyzed for 2013-2022, 2013-2017, and 2018-2022. The affected fascial spaces were classified into primary, secondary, and deep neck spaces. Results: In the 192 patients included in this study, 302 strains were detected. Viridans streptococcus had the highest frequency (51.7%), followed by Prevotella spp. (16.9%), Staphylococcus spp. (5.6%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.6%). The identification rate of viridans streptococcus significantly increased from 41.8% in 2013-2017 to 60.9% in 2018-2022. Viridans streptococcus showed an antibiotic sensitivity of 80.5% to ampicillin; the sensitivity to penicillin antibiotics decreased over the study period. Antibiotic susceptibility was approximately 94% for third-generation cephalosporins. K. pneumoniae , which was identified at a high percentage in patients with deep neck space infection, showed increasing antibiotic resistance to most antibiotics over the study period. Conclusion: Viridans streptococcus was identified in head and neck fascial space abscesses with the highest frequency. Empirical antibiotics should be effective against this strain; penicillin antibiotics are considered inappropriate. For effective treatment of deep neck space abscesses, bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests performed as soon as possible are essential.
Objectives: Orthognathic surgery is a corrective intervention for maxillofacial deformities. Bleeding is a major concern for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Various agents, such as hemocoagulase, tranexamic acid, and aprotinin have been developed to reduce intraoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the effects of hemocoagulase and tranexamic acid, as well as their simultaneous use, to reduce bleeding during orthognathic surgery. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who had undergone simultaneous orthognathic surgery of the maxilla and mandible between January 2013 and September 2022 and were classified into three groups based on drugs administered: hemocoagulase (Botropase), tranexamic acid, and a combination of both drugs. We recorded patient age, sex, weight, blood loss, and duration of surgery. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels were measured before, immediately after, and one day after surgery. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in blood loss, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or platelet levels between any of the groups. There were no differences in the drug effects between Le Fort I and bilateral mandibular sagittal split osteotomies, with or without double genioplasty. However, there were significant reductions in RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels during genioplasty. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid, hemocoagulase, and their combination had similar efficacy in patients who underwent Le Fort Ⅰ and bilateral mandibular sagittal split osteotomies with and without genioplasty.
Objectives: This case series aims to introduce the nasal floor approach for extracting inverted mesiodens. Materials and Methods: Through a retrospective chart review between January 2022 and February 2023, we included the mesiodens patients using nasal floor approach, and analysis the location of mesiodens from the anterior nasal spine (ANS), total operation time, and complications. Results: Each mesiodens was located 10 to 12 mm from the ANS and was covered with a cortical layer of the nasal floor. All mesiodens were successfully extracted without exposing the adjacent incisors or nasopalatine nerve within 30 minutes from draping to postoperative dressing. Conclusion: The nasal floor approach is an efficient extraction method that reduces bone removal and prevents anatomical damage while removing the mesiodens just below the nasal floor bone.
Re-ankylosis is a common postoperative complication of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis surgery. Various surgical options to prevent reankylosis, both with and without interpositional material, have been discussed in the literature. However, no standardized protocol has been suggested for management or prevention of TMJ ankylosis. This paper discusses the probable causes behind TMJ re-ankylosis and presents a case of unilateral TMJ re-ankylosis, which was managed by gap arthroplasty using an autologous abdominal dermal fat graft as an interpositional material and closely monitored for signs of relapse. Autologous fat graft acted as an effective barrier between the glenoid fossa and mandibular condyle, thus preventing dead space, hematoma and heterotrophic bone formation. A brief review of the literature and update on TMJ re-ankylosis are also presented.
A midline or median cleft lip is rare, and a midline cleft associated with a unilateral cleft and a proboscis-like structure is rarer still. We present a case managed at our center in which a 5-year-old male had a median cleft of the upper lip with an associated ‘proboscis’ and a microform unilateral cleft lip.
Lesch–Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1) gene. This syndrome is characterized by excessive production of uric acid, mental retardation, self-mutilation, choreoathetosis, and spasticity. The most distinctive symptom is compulsive self-mutilation. For patients with LNS, different methods have been tried to reduce self-biting behaviors including restraints, behavioral treatment, medications, deep brain stimulation, tooth extraction and botulinum toxin A injection. In this report, we present a case of LNS undergoing cheiloplasty due to self-mutilation and tooth extraction of the left deciduous maxillary canine.
Schwannomas exhibit histopathological variation that leads to diagnostic dilemmas, although less frequent in the oral cavity. We describe a case with unique histopathology and no relevant clinical history that adds to the breadth of literature on the diversity presented by Schwannoma. A 60-year-old female patient presented with a small dome-shaped, asymptomatic swelling on the alveolar ridge 6 years in duration. Histopathologically, it showed rich cellular pathology with a unique arrangement of tumor cells forming irregular rosettes. Each rosette presented with a central core of fibrincollagenous material and the tumor cells were arranged on the periphery, exhibiting epithelioid change with evidence of mild cellular and nuclear pleomorphism. On immunohistochemical evaluation, the cells were strongly and diffusely positive for S-100 and negative for Ki-67. A diagnosis of benign Schwannoma with a rosette-like arrangement with epithelioid change was made. The case report emphasizes the risk of misdiagnosis and the importance of awareness regarding rare histopathological variants of Schwannoma.