James C. Melville

A technique for the treatment of oral–antral fistulas resulting from medication-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla: the combined buccal fat pad flap and radical sinusotomy

OBJECTIVE Bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibodies directed at osteoclastic function are frequently used to treat postmenopausal and corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. They are also used in the treatment of certain metastatic malignancies. However, osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported after intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral use of these agents. More than 12 million Americans and another 20 million worldwide are thought to be taking a bisphosphonate. Exposed bone with oral-antral fistulas has been known to occur increasingly as a specific presentation of what is now termed medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) with a specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) code. Oral-antral communications caused by bisphosphonate concomitant with secondary sinusitis represent a unique treatment challenge for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate a simple but effective technique to treat oral-antral communications caused by MRONJ. STUDY DESIGN With the review and approval of the University of Miami Internal Review Board, we identified 23 patients who had undergone this surgical procedure. RESULTS We report a 100% resolution of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and sinusitis with repneumatization. CONCLUSIONS The buccal fat pad and radical sinustomy can be used as an effective and predictable technique for the resolution of oral-antral fistulas caused by MRONJ.

Reconstruction of a Post-Traumatic Maxillary Ridge Using a Radial Forearm Free Flap and Immediate Tissue Engineering (Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, and Cortical-Cancellous Bone): Case Report

The purpose of this article is to describe reconstruction of the maxillary alveolar ridge by use of a microvascular free flap combined with an immediate tissue-engineered bone graft. This novel surgical technique involved the use of a radial forearm free flap and immediate allogeneic avascular bone graft augmented with bone morphogenetic protein and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. A poly-d,l-lactic acid mesh was used as a containment unit for the bone graft. The patient was successfully treated with a viable radial forearm free flap for soft tissue and regeneration of bone with adequate height and width, which allowed the placement of 3 dental implants with excellent arch coordination. We believe this is the first published case describing such a technique to reconstruct the maxillary alveolus.

Reconstruction of Temporal Hollowing Defect With Anterior-Lateral Thigh Free Flap Following Resection of Recurrent Ameloblastoma of the Infratemporal Fossa and Right Mandible (a Case Report)

Recurrent invasive ameloblastoma of the infratemporal fossa is an uncommonly encountered phenomenon in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery and presents many surgical challenges for the practitioner. This case report describes a patient who underwent previous resection of a mandibular ameloblastoma with multiple recurrences. The patient was diagnosed with a recurrent ameloblastoma of the infratemporal fossa that was subsequently resected and reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free tissue transfer. There are few reported cases of recurrent ameloblastomas in the infratemporal fossa and none that describe surgical resection and reconstruction of such a lesion. Owing to the uniqueness of the surgical defect, an ALT flap was used to correct the temporal hollowing. There have been multiple reported cases of reconstruction of temporal hollowing defects using autogenous fat or allograft; however, none have described the use of a de-epithelialized ALT microvascular reconstruction of a temporal hollowing defect. This case report describes a unique clinical situation of surgical resection and reconstruction that resulted in a satisfactory outcome for the patient.

Initial Manifestation of Acquired Hemophilia A After a Routine Tooth Extraction. A Case Report and Literature Review

Although surgical treatment of patients on anticoagulation regimens is common practice among oral and maxillofacial surgeons, unexpected and unknown coagulopathies can have devastating and catastrophic consequences for the most routine of procedures. Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is an extremely rare life-threatening bleeding disorder characterized by autoantibodies directed against circulating coagulation factor VIII. The effects of AHA can produce catastrophic bleeding and hematomas. The effect of this uncontrolled hemorrhage after dentoalveolar surgery can mimic severe head and neck infection by causing dysphagia, odynophagia, and acute airway complications. This report describes the case of a 64-year-old woman who was diagnosed with AHA after routine extraction of the mandibular left third molar.