Mark F. Devlin

Facial symmetry in unilateral cleft lip and palate following alar base augmentation with bone graft: a three-dimensional assessment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of bone grafting using a corticocancellous block of iliac crest to reconstruct the support for the deformed, volume-deficient alar base in treated patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). The main outcome being measured was nasal symmetry. Design: This was a prospective study using a noninvasive three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry system (C3D) to assess the position of the alar base. Images were captured immediately preoperatively and at 6 months following the augmentation of the alar base with a block of bone graft. These images were used to calculate facial symmetry scores and were compared using a two sample Students t test to assess the efficacy of the surgical method in reducing facial/nasal asymmetry. Patients: This investigation was conducted on 18 patients with one patient failing to attend for follow-up. The results for 17 patients are presented. Results: Facial symmetry scores improved significantly following the insertion of the bone graft at the deficient alar base (p = 0.005). Conclusions: 3D stereophotogrammetry is a noninvasive, accurate, and archiveable method of assessing facial form and surgical change. Nasal symmetry can be quantified and measured reliably with this tool. Bone grafting to the alar base region of treated UCLP patients with volume deficiency produces improvement in nasal symmetry.

Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting (CLEFTSiS) 2000–2004

Objective To determine whether alveolar bone graft outcomes for unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate patients have continued to improve since the reorganization of cleft services in Scotland in 2000. Design Retrospective analysis of postoperative anterior occlusal radiographs. Patients and Participants: Eighty-one of 106 patients who were eligible for alveolar bone grafting between 2007 and 2010 had suitable postoperative radiographs available. Interventions Twenty-seven percent of the patients (n = 22) had presurgical orthodontic intervention. All patients underwent alveolar bone grafting with bone harvested from the iliac crest. Main Outcome Measures The Kindelan bone-fill index was used to evaluate success. Weighted kappa statistics were used to assess intra- and interobserver reproducibility. A comparison was made with results from 2000 to 2004 to assess any improvement. Chi-square tests (or Fisher exact test) were used to determine whether outcomes differed depending on the laterality of the cleft, use of presurgical expansion, or age at bone grafting. Result Interobserver scoring agreement was good (weighted kappa = .383). Intraobserver reproducibility was greater (weighted kappas of .835 and .620). Success was achieved in 99% of bone grafts, compared with 76% in the period from 2000 to 2004 (P < .001). There was no statistically significant relationship between the laterality of the cleft (P = 1.000), use of presurgical expansion (P = 1.000), or age at time of bone grafting and outcome (P = .259). Conclusion Scottish secondary alveolar bone graft outcomes improved during 2007 to 2010 in comparison to the 2000 to 2004 results.

Prospective study of morbidity associated with open reduction and internal fixation of the fractured condyle by the transparotid approach

We present a summary of a prospective study of 50 consecutive cases into the morbidity associated with open reduction and internal fixation of the fractured mandibular condyle through the transparotid approach. It is acceptably safe, and the data can now be presented to patients to help them make an informed choice about options for treatment.

Reducing the need for general anaesthesia in children: use of LAT gel in treating facial lacerations

Facial lacerations in children are common emergencies that often require debridement and closure under general anaesthesia because of poor cooperation by the patient. General anaesthesia in children is not without risk so any technique that avoids its use is beneficial. LAT gel (lidocaine, adrenaline, and tetracaine) is a topical anaesthetic, which is ideal for suturing facial lacerations in children. In our experience its use has resulted in the effective treatment of these injuries, and has reduced distress and discomfort, and the need for hospital admission and general anaesthesia.

Reliability of the Kindelan scoring system for alveolar bone grafting with and without a pre-graft occlusal radiograph in patients with cleft lip and palate

We aimed to compare the reliability of the Kindelan system using one postoperative radiograph to assess the success of alveolar bone grafts with the use of two occlusal radiographs (before and after operation). This retrospective reliability study took place at Glasgow Dental Hospital cleft unit, and two examiners scored 84 radiographs two weeks apart. The sample was taken from a database of patients having alveolar bone grafts between 2007 and 2010. They had an upper anterior occlusal radiograph taken before the graft and another at a mean of 6 months (range 3-12 months) postoperatively. Kappa scores were used to measure intraobserver and interobserver agreement. Intraexaminer agreement ranged from good to very good using one or two radiographs, and interexaminer agreement ranged from moderate to good for both systems. Reliability when scoring with either one or two radiographs was similar, and ranged from good to very good.

Trainees’ perceptions of UK maxillofacial training

Training is a central component of the work of many units around the UK. Many changes to the way that junior doctors are trained have taken place over the past few years and maxillofacial surgery, of all the surgical specialities, has perhaps undergone the most far-reaching. A postal survey of 93 maxillofacial specialist registrars (SpRs) in all regions of the UK was carried out, of whom 81 (87%) responded. The aim was to seek their views on subjects directly related to the quality of, and access to, training. Information was gathered on age of trainees, entitlement to annual and study leave, certification for Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and office and research facilities.

The Sepsis Syndrome in Odontogenic Infection

Odontogenic infection is a common cause of sepsis in the head and neck. Infection frequently spreads in a predictable pattern within the fascial spaces of the neck and can result in airway compromise. Often the condition results in significant morbidity and a prolonged hospital stay. In this study, we assessed the incidence of sepsis syndrome in patients presenting to a regional maxillofacial unit with odontogenic infection. Six months of prospective data were collected, with sixty-seven patients included. The focus of infection was mandibular in 70.1% and maxillary in 29.9%. The mean length of stay was four days and 61.2% of patients were diagnosed with sepsis syndrome on admission. This group remained in hospital significantly longer than non-sepsis syndrome patients (sepsis=4.7 days, non-sepsis=2.9 days. p=0.0145.) The site of infection was not a significant factor in the development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

A sample method of measuring bone graft volume, technical note

A simple method of measuring the volume of cortico-cancellous bone grafts is described. The method is quick and reliable. Only materials readily available in the operation theatre are used.

Cleft lip and palate with associated digital and cardiac anomalies: a new dominant orofacial clefting syndrome?

Introduction Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a feature of more than 200 recognized syndromes. Dinno (1987) described a three-generation of a family with a combination of cleft lip and palate, prominent eyes and congenital heart disease, but since then there has been a paucity of reports of patients with a similar combination of features. We now describe a father and son with cleft lip and palates, atrial septal defects and unusual thumbs, and propose that this is a distinct autosomal dominant syndrome.

Another danger of mobile phones

A 26-year-old male was referred from Accident and Emergency (A&E) claiming to have been struck on the left side of his face, and eye, with an assailant using a mobile phone as a weapon. He was alert, orientated and complaining of pain together with numbness in the distribution of the left infraorbital nerve. He had restricted upward gaze and diplopia. A CT scan confirmed the presence of an orbital floor blow-out fracture (Fig. 1a). The fracture was treated uneventfully by orbital floor reconstruction with calvarial bone (Fig. 1b). Any hard object can be used as a weapon, and as numbers of mobile phones increase (among the younger generation in particular) we may encounter a particular pattern of injury caused by these objects. A suitable name for the syndrome of orbital fracture caused by assault with a mobile phone might be: Negative Orbital Kinetic Injury or Accident? We leave colleagues to decide upon mnemonic suitability.