Arpan Tahim

The 100 Most Cited Articles in Facial Trauma: A Bibliometric Analysis

PURPOSEnThe number of citations an article receives has been used as a marker of its influence within a surgical specialty. Currently, there is limited citation analysis in oral and maxillofacial trauma surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the 100 most cited articles in facial trauma surgery and their characteristics.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnArticles were identified from the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information using the Thomson Reuters Web of Science search engine. All articles until 2015 were included. Then, the 100 most cited articles were assessed for title, author, journal, country of origin, and number of citations. A citation index (number of citations received per year) also was calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe 100 most cited articles in facial trauma received 9,933 citations (range, 66 to 297). They were published from 1942 through 2008, with 1990 through 1999 being the commonest decade. Articles were cited on average 4.6 times per year. Articles were published in 28 different journals, with impact factors ranging from 0.94 to 35.3. Most articles were observational research studies.nnnCONCLUSIONnThese findings reflect the attention that articles have received during the past half century in oral and maxillofacial trauma research, shedding light on often-read articles in this field. In addition to current bibliometric indices, it could provide a useful evidence base for facial surgeons, represent key educational material for aspiring trainees, and be used to help guide future research efforts.

Open Access Publishing: A Study of Current Practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Research

IntroductionOpen access (OA) publication has become an increasingly common route for dissemination of scientific research findings. However, it remains a contentious issue with continued debate as to its impact on the peer-review process and a potential change in the quality of subsequent evidence published. There is little research that looks into OA in oral and maxillofacial surgery.MethodsWe investigated the OA policy in the 30 relevant journals listed in the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge journal citation report, comparing bibliometric data and quality of evidence produced in journals offering OA and those with subscription-only policies.Results3474 articles were graded for evidence level and the results correlated to journal OA status. 76.7 % of journals offered authors OA services. There was no difference between impact factor, self-citation rate, total citations or quality of evidence between OA and subscription journals.DiscussionThese findings should send clear messages to both clinicians and researchers and should re- assure readers that scientific findings that are disseminated in open access form do not differ in quality to those in subscription-only format. It should reinforce that open access formats are a credible way to display research findings in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

An intra-oral approach to facial skin lumps—a move towards scarless surgery

IntroductionThe aim of surgical management of benign facial skin lumps is to remove the lesion in its entirety, with minimal damage to adjacent tissue structures, while maintaining facial aesthetics. A method to achieve these goals is to remove peri-oral lesions in the labial and buccal zones via an intra-oral approach. We report an extended cases series of facial skin lumps that were excised using an intra-oral approach.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent excisions of benign cutaneous lesions on the face via an intra-oral approach. Patient demographics, indication for surgery and complications were noted.ResultsForty-seven lesions were excised over a 15-year period. Indications for surgery included benign lesion with minimal skin involvement, risks of keloid/scar hypertrophy and cosmetic factors. Lesions were predominantly epidermoid cysts and lipomas. Mean follow-up was 2.9xa0years with a 6.4% recurrence rate and 2.1% rate of haematoma and transient facial nerve weakness.DiscussionThere are established techniques to remove facial skin lumps. We believe that in selected cases, an intra-oral approach to such lesions, particularly in cases with high risk of scar pathology or where there is strong patient preference, may be an important tool in the oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s armamentarium.

How far reaching is our research? An analysis of the journals in which oral and maxillofacial surgery research is cited

In this study we investigate the five most cited articles in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BJOMS). Articles cited were usually published in other OMFS journals (40%) or dentistry journals (32%). The mean (SD) SCImago Journal and Country Rank, (SJR) (an interface to access the bibliometric database of journals) for cited papers was 0.64 (SD=0.56). Nearly one third of citations were of research in OMFS and dentistry, suggesting its relevance to the wider academic community.

Why worry about bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw? A guide to diagnosis, initial management, and referral of patients

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a chronic condition of the oral cavity resulting in mucosal ulceration and exposure of underlying necrotic bone, and the ensuing secondary complications. As a relatively newly recognised condition, the epidemiology of BRONJ is poorly described. In a 2012 position statement by the UK Faculty of General Dental Practice, an estimated incidence of 10 patients per year per million population was stated.1 This would indeed classify it as a rare condition, with a GP expecting to see only a handful of cases in their career. However, with increased numbers of patients on bisphosphonate (BP) therapy, all GPs should be aware of the risk factors for BRONJ and the pre-assessment advice they give to patients commencing BP therapy.nnBPs inhibit the action of osteoclast cells, decreasing bone turnover and increasing bone density.2 The mechanism by which BPs cause osteonecrosis is not proven but is probably due to a combination of decreased bone remodelling, poor wound healing, and an antiangiogenic effect leading to ischaemic changes and subsequent necrosis in response to a local traumatic insult.2nnThe main indications for the use of BPs are for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis, steroid-induced osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and the complications of metastatic bone lesions and multiple myeloma, namely, hypercalcaemia and bony pain. It is outside the scope of this article to discuss BP …

Launch of British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons book: Important oral and maxillofacial presentations for the primary care clinician-educating and promoting our specialty to general practitioners across the UK

t e are delighted to inform colleagues about a new book unded by theBAOMS,which is to be launched at theGeneral ractitioners’ Conference, Harrogate, in October 2016. After unprecedented collaboration and support from the oyal College of General Practitioners, a book entitled mportant oral and maxillofacial presentations for the priary care clinician’ (Fig. 1) is about to be distributed free of harge to each of the 9500 general practices in the UK. An lectronic version is also being sent to all 50,000 GPs. Two opies of wall posters to complement it will also be delivered o each practice, and these group together all the algorithms ontained in the book to help to manage oral and maxilloacial conditions. The project has been funded by the 2016 AOMS Presidents’ Fund. We should not underestimate the fact that oral and maxllofacial conditions that present to general practice can be hallenging to identify and manage, given the relatively limted training provided in this area when compared with that iven to other specialties, and the huge number of medical onditions that GPs are expected to know about. The aim of his unique book, therefore, is to present both the common nd less common conditions in logical, themed chapters, and lso to try to demystify our specialty and illustrate the many ervices that we can provide. There are eight chapters, starting with examination of the ral cavity, followed by oral ulceration, patches and lumps of he oral mucosa, lumps on the face, restricted movement of he jaw, facial pain, and lumps in the neck. The book contains oxes headed “ask, look, and sinister features” in each chapter Fig. 2), with subsequent algorithms that are designed to help