Journal Reviews
Occlusal splint, injections or arthrocentesis in myofascial pain
Facial pain is a fairly common complaint and may present in a myriad of symptoms. These patients present to both dentists and general practitioners and could end up referred to a number of specialists. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may originate from...
The lateral neck cystic mass – diagnostic dilemma
Solitary cystic masses in the lateral neck can present a significant diagnostic dilemma. These cystic masses often develop in young adults distinguishing a branchial cleft cyst from a cystic lymph node with imaging and even high-quality fine needle aspiration cytology...
Pedicle calcification an uncommon problem
Bony free flap reconstruction of the facial skeleton following ablative surgery is common. Replacement with like for like tissues to reduce morbidity and facilitate rehabilitation is accepted gold standard. Current microvascular flap transfers have success rates in excess of 90%...
When to treat a fractured mandible?
This is a prospective study from Brisbane of 215 patients with a total of 359 fractures of the mandible. Nine outcome variables were analysed with a further 19 included to adjust for potential confounding. Treatment delay was found not to...
Postoperative delirium
This is a retrospective study from Japan analysing 102 patients who underwent oral cancer resection and free flap reconstruction. Postoperative delirium occurred in a third of these patients. An increased risk was identified in those with high preoperative albumin, postoperative...
Total lower lip reconstruction: a review
Total or near total defects of the lower lip may result from trauma, cancer ablation or congenital causes. Defects usually involve the full thickness and include skin, muscle and mucosa. There are a number of techniques for the one stage...
SPECT scans not justified in growth of the mandibular condyle
This is a paper from Hong Kong of 200 patients between January 2011 and July 2013 who underwent SPECT bone scintigraphy for assessment of growth causing condylar hyperplasia and subsequent mandibular asymmetry. Thirty-four patients were found to have active growth...
Tranexamic acid and blood loss in bimaxillary surgery
This is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial from Thailand to clarify the most effective dose of Tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during a bimaxillary osteotomy. They confirmed that the dose of 10mg per kg is the most efficacious...
Blindness after orthognathic surgery
This is a case report and review of the literature of this rare, but well recognised alarming complication. The authors discuss the possible mechanisms, suggesting that it does not arise from a direct injury to the optic nerve and is...
Risk factors for loco regional recurrence for oral SCC
Over a quarter of a million cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are diagnosed annually worldwide with 128,000 registered deaths. In spite of much-improved anaesthetic and surgical techniques, survival rates have not improved much over the past three decades....
Dental implant rehabilitation in fibula free flaps
The fibula free flap was first described in 1975 and since then has gone on to become the gold standard technique for reconstruction of longer spans in the mandible or maxilla. It is a reliable flap that affords good quality...
Approach to the orbital floor, which is better?
During skeletal surgery sufficient exposure is key, often a direct approach through the overlying tissues is the easiest route. In the face, however, as the scar would be readily visible so approaches are designed to hide this. Surgical access to...
