Occupational maxillofacial fractures: a 3-year survey in central Switzerland

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine occupational facial fractures in central Switzerland. Concomitant injuries were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital in Berne provides a 24-hour maxillofacial trauma service for its population (1.6 million). The present study was comprised of 42 patients (8.4% of treated maxillofacial injuries) with occupational maxillofacial fractures registered at this unit between 2000 and 2002. Information on the topic of occupation, the cause of the accidents, and the topographic location of the fractures was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44.4 years, with a male to female ratio of 41:1. Sixty-nine percent of the injuries occurred in farm and forestry workers and in construction laborers during the summertime (33%). Workers in these occupations carried a 127-fold (farm and forestry workers) and a 44-fold (construction laborers) higher risk of incurring maxillofacial fractures than did service and office workers. Injuries were most frequently (43%) caused by a thrown, projected, or falling object. Eighty-two percent of the fractures occurred in the midface region and at the skull base. Fifty-nine percent of the patients had concomitant injuries. In 69%, surgery was necessary, the mean duration of their hospital stay being 4.8 days. CONCLUSION: The probability of sustaining work-related maxillofacial traumata is correlated to the nature of the occupation. Farm and forestry workers are at the highest risk, most frequently injured by being struck by an object or an animal. The introduction of personalized safety measures should become obligatory in high-risk occupations.

Short- and long-term skeletal relapse after mandibular advancement surgery

This study analyzes short- and long-term skeletal relapse after mandibular advancement surgery and determines its contributing factors. Thirty-two consecutive patients were treated for skeletal Class II malocclusion during the period between 1986 and 1989. They all had combined orthodontic and surgical treatment with BSSO and rigid fixation excluding other surgery. Of these, 15 patients (47%) were available for a long-term cephalography in 2000. The measurement was performed based on the serial cephalograms taken preoperatively; 1 week, 6 months and 14 months postoperatively; and at the final evaluation after an average of 12 years. Mean mandibular advancement was 4.1 mm at B-point and 4.9 mm at pogonion. Representing surgical mandibular ramus displacement, gonion moved downwards 2 mm immediately after surgery. During the short-term postoperative period, mandibular corpus length decreased only 0.5 mm, indicating that there was no osteotomy slippage. After the first year of observation, skeletal relapse was 1.3 mm at B-point and pogonion. The relapse continued, reaching a total of 2.3 mm after 12 years, corresponding to 50% of the mandibular advancement. Mandibular ramus length continuously decreased 1 mm during the same observation period, indicating progressive condylar resorption. No significant relationship between the amount of initial surgical advancement and skeletal relapse was found. Preoperative high mandibulo-nasal plane (ML-NL) angle appears to be associated with long-term skeletal relapse.

A systematic review of prophylactic antibiotics in the surgical treatment of maxillofacial fractures

PURPOSE: A systematic review was performed to find evidence for prophylactic administration of antibiotics in relation to treatment of maxillofacial fractures. METHODS: Four studies were retrieved that fulfilled most of the requirements of being randomized controlled clinical trials. RESULTS: An analysis of these studies showed a 3-fold decrease in the infection rate of mandibular fractures in the antibiotic treated groups compared with the control groups. A variety of antibiotics had been used with an apparently uniform effect. A "1-shot" regimen or a 1-day treatment course had a similar or perhaps even better effect than 7 days of treatment. No infections were related to condylar, maxillary, or zygoma fractures. CONCLUSION: A 1-shot or 1-day administration of prophylactic antibiotics seem to be the best documented to reduce infections in the management of mandibular fractures not involving the condylar region.

Seedling survival and growth of three ectomycorrhizal caesalpiniaceous tree species in a Central African rain forest

Tree recruitment is determined in part by the survivorship and growth of seedlings. Two seedling cohorts of the three most abundant caesalpiniaceous species forming groves at Korup, Cameroon, were followed from 1995/1997 to 2002, to investigate why Microberlinia bisulcata, the most abundant species, currently has very few recruits compared with Tetraberlinia korupensis and T. bifoliolata. Numbers of seedlings dying, and the heights and leaf numbers of survivors, were recorded on 30 occasions. Survivorship after 2.5 y was 30% for M. bisulcata and 59% for the similar Tetraberlinia spp. together. After 7 y the corresponding values were 4 and 21%. Growth of all species was slow for the first 4 y; but survivors of T. korupensis became 63% taller, as the other species stagnated, by 7 y. The poor recruitment of M. bisulcata was the result of its very low seedling survival. Within species, the tallest seedlings of M. bisulcata and T. bifoliolata, but medium-height ones of T. korupensis, survived longest. This was likely due to higher root allocation in T. korupensis. Seedling dynamics of M. bisulcata and T. korupensis over 7 y accorded well with relative abundances of adult trees; T. bifoliolata is predicted to recruit later.

Use of straight and curved 3-dimensional titanium miniplates for fracture fixation at the mandibular angle

PURPOSE: The aim of this follow-up study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a new type of 3-dimensional (3D) miniplate for open reduction and monocortical fixation of mandibular angle fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 20 consecutive patients, noncomminuted mandibular angle fractures were treated with open reduction and fixation using a 2 mm 3D miniplate system in a transoral approach. All patients were systematically monitored until 6 months postoperatively. Among the outcome parameters recorded were infection, hardware failure, wound dehiscence, and sensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve. RESULTS: The mean operation time from incision to wound closure was 65 minutes. Two patients had a mucosal wound dehiscence with no consequences. None developed an infection requiring a plate removal. All but 2 patients had normal sensory function 3 months after surgery. Plate fracture occurred in one patient in whom a preceding surgical removal of the third molar had been the reason for the mandibular fracture. In the absence of clinical symptoms, the patient declined plate removal. On final follow-up, fracture healing was considered clinically complete in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D plating system described here is suitable for fixation of simple mandibular angle fractures and is an easy-to-use alternative to conventional miniplates. The system may be contraindicated in patients in whom insufficient interfragmentary bone contact causes minor stability of the fracture.

Soft tissue profile changes following mandibular advancement and setback surgery an average of 12 years postoperatively

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess long-term changes in position of soft tissue landmarks following mandibular advancement and setback surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (14 women, 13 men; mean age, 36 years) who had undergone either mandibular advancement (15 patients) or setback surgery (12 patients), were available for a long-term follow-up an average of 12 years postoperatively. In all of these cases, lateral cephalometric radiographs taken immediately before operation, at 1 week, 14 months, and 12 years postoperatively, were studied. RESULTS: During the 14 months postoperatively, soft tissue chin and mentolabial fold followed its underlying hard tissue in all patients. A continuous skeletal relapse was observable 12 years after mandibular advancement, but soft tissue chin moved more in an anterior direction. After mandibular setback, soft and hard tissue landmarks remained almost unchanged. Over the entire observation period, a thickening of soft tissue at pogonion was generally seen, and particularly a thickening of the whole chin in the setback group. All patients showed a significant lengthening and thinning of the upper lip. In all except 2 males, the patient's body weight increased markedly. CONCLUSION: In contrast to the immediate postoperative stage, soft tissue changes observed an average of 12 years after the primary operation do not directly follow the movements of the underlying skeletal structure. The soft tissue profile changes observed over such a long term seem to be influenced not only by the underlying skeletal structure but also by other factors such as weight gain and aging process.

Alveolar distraction osteogenesis: a systematic review

This literature review was performed to analyse the outcomes of clinical studies of alveolar distraction osteogenesis (DO) listed by PUBMED between January 1996 and December 2006. A PUBMED search identified 128 articles on alveolar DO. Twenty articles covering 209 cases were analysed, considering location, device and procedural parameters, rate of augmentation, aspect of final implant placement and follow up. The mean latency period was 7.26+/-2.31 days, distraction rate 0.71+/-0.27 mm/day, rate of augmentation 6.88+/-2.52 mm and consolidation period 12.22+/-5.58 weeks. A total of 469 implants were placed and followed post loading for an average of 14.19+/-11.03 months, with a survival rate of 97%. Of the different procedural parameters, only the difference between mean consolidation period for failed (8.10+/-2.51 weeks) and successful (12.43+/-5.62 weeks) implants was statistically significant (P=0.01). Use of DO may be advantageous in terms of the success rate of implants placed in augmented sites, but there is still a lack of sufficient data based on long-term follow up. Future experimental studies should evaluate the application of different methods with a view to shortening the overall treatment period and improving the performance of implants placed in distracted alveolar ridges.

Pediatric craniofacial trauma

PURPOSE: Maxillofacial and skull fractures occur with concomitant injuries in pediatric trauma patients. The aim of this study was to determine the causes and distributions of maxillofacial and skull fractures as well as concomitant injuries of pediatric patients in Switzerland. Results were compared with worldwide studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 291 pediatric patients with maxillofacial and skull fractures presenting to a level-I trauma center over a 3-year span. Data concerning the mechanism of the accident and the topographic location of the injuries were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common causes were falls (64%), followed by traffic (22%) and sports-related accidents (9%). Fifty-four percent of the fractures occurred in the skull vault and 37% in the upper and middle facial third. One third of the patients (n = 95) suffered concomitant injuries, mostly cerebral concussions (n = 94). CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of craniofacial injuries is related to the specific developmental stage of the craniofacial skeleton. It is probable that national prevention programs will have a positive effect on reducing the incidence of falls. Standardization of studies is needed for international comparison.

Stability of soft tissue profile after mandibular setback in sagittal split osteotomies: a longitudinal and long-term follow-up study

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to conduct a long-term prospective follow-up on the stability of soft tissues after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) with rigid internal fixation to set back the mandible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients (6 females, 11 males) were re-examined 12.7 years (T5) after surgery. The precedent follow-ups included: before surgery (T1), 5 days (T2) after surgery, 6.6 months (T3) after surgery, and 14.4 months after (T4) surgery. Lateral cephalograms were traced by hand, digitized, and evaluated with the Dentofacial Planner program (Dentofacial Software, Toronto, Canada). The x-axis for the system of coordinates ran through Sella (point 0) and the line NSL -7 degrees. RESULTS: The net effect of the soft tissue chin (soft tissue pogonion) was 79% of the setback at pogonion. At the lower lip (labrale inferior) it was 100% of the setback at lower incisor position. Point B' followed point B to 99%. Labrale inferior and menton' also showed a significant backward, as well as a downward, movement (T5 to T2). Gender correlated significantly (P = .004) with the anterior displacement of point B' and pogonion' (P = .012). The soft tissue relapse 12.7 years after BSSO setback surgery at point B' was 3% and 13% at pogonion'. CONCLUSION: Among the reasons for 3-dimensional long-term soft tissue changes of shape, the surgical technique, the normal process of human aging, the initial growth direction, and remodeling processes must be considered. Growth direction positively influenced the long-term outcome of setback surgery in female compared with male patients because further posterior movement of the mandibular soft tissue occurred.

Stability after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy setback surgery with rigid internal fixation: a systematic review

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate relapse and its causes in bilateral sagittal split setback osteotomy with rigid internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature research was done in databases such as PubMed, Ovid, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar Beta. From the original 488 articles identified, 14 articles were finally included. Only 5 studies were prospective and 9 retrospective. The range of postoperative study records was from 6 weeks to 12.7 years. RESULTS: The horizontal short-term relapse was between 9.9% and 62.1% at point B and between 15.7% and 91.3% at pogonion. Long-term relapse was between 14.9% and 28.0% at point B and between 11.5% and 25.4% at pogonion. CONCLUSIONS: Neither large increase nor decrease of relapse was seen when short-term values were compared with long-term. Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular setback in combination with orthodontics is an effective treatment of skeletal Class III and a stable procedure in the short- and long-term. The etiology of relapse is multifactorial: the proper seating of the condyles, the amount of setback, the soft tissue and muscles, remaining growth and remodeling, and gender were identified. Age did not show any correlations. To obtain reliable scientific evidence, further short- and long-term research of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy setback with rigid internal fixation should exclude additional surgery, ie, genioplasty or maxillary surgery, and include correlation statistics.

Reconstruction of the palatal aponeurosis with autogenous fascia lata in secondary radical intravelar veloplasty: a new method

Velopharyngeal insufficiency in cleft patients with muscular insufficiency detected by nasendoscopy is commonly treated by secondary radical intravelar veloplasty, in which the palatal muscles are reoriented and positioned backwards. The dead space between the retro-displaced musculature and the posterior borders of the palatal bone remains problematic. Postoperatively, the surgically achieved lengthening of the soft palate often diminishes due to scar tissue formation in the dead space, leading to reattachment of the reoriented muscles to the palatal bone and to decreased mobility of the soft palate. To avoid this, the dead space should be restored by a structure imitating the function of the missing palatal aponeurosis. The entire dead space was covered using a double layer of autogenous fascia lata harvested from the lateral thigh, which should allow sufficient and permanent sliding of the retro-positioned musculature. A clinical case of a 9-year-old boy who underwent the operation is reported. Postoperatively, marked functional improvements were observable in speech assessment, nasendoscopy and nasometry. The case reported here suggests that the restoration of the dead space may be beneficial for effective secondary palatal repair. Fascia lata seems to be a suitable graft for this purpose.

Policy of routine titanium miniplate removal after maxillofacial trauma

PURPOSE: The literature shows that hardware removal rates after the fixation of maxillofacial fractures with miniplates are not insignificant. The aim of the present survey was to clarify the policies of Finnish oral and maxillofacial consultants for the removal of titanium miniplates after the treatment of facial fractures in adults. Additional aims were to clarify the factors influencing plate removal policy in general, and the reasons for routine plate removal in particular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons responded to a questionnaire about miniplate removal policy after treating 5 types of simple, noncomminuted fractures. RESULTS: Overall, routine plate removal was uncommon. However, 12 consultants (46.2%) routinely removed the plate after treating mandibular angle fractures, and simultaneously extracted the third molar because of an increased risk of infection. Most respondents (88.5%) stated that clinical experience guided their plate-removal policy. A policy of routine plate removal was most infrequent among the consultants who had the most experience. CONCLUSIONS: The literature provides no definitive answer to the question of whether routine removal of miniplates could or should be indicated, and in what situations. Considering the fairly significant frequency of plate-related complications in general and infection-related complications in particular, long-term follow-up after treatment is indicated.