Norman J. Betts

Modification of the sinus lift procedure for septa in the maxillary antrum.

The sinus lift procedure with bone grafting was introduced by Tatum in 1975, ’ who described an alveolar crestal approach. Boyne and James were the first to describe the lateral osteotomy.2 Since this description in 1980 the lateral approach has been modified several times.3‘5 The technique of sinus lift may be difficult if aberrant sinus anatomy, such as a septum of the sinus floor, is encountered during surgical exposure. Radiating septa of varying sizes can form from the sinus floor in the intervals between adjacent teeth.6 These septa divide the sinus into two or more cavities.’ The septa are usually knife-edged and extend from the inner to the outer walls, reinforcing the osseous architecture of the antrum.8 The incidence of antral septa is unknown. Jensen and Greer infrequently encountered “abnormal sinus variations” in 15 patients who had 26 antral grafts.’ However, it is our personal experience that sinus septa are encountered during approximately 20% of sinus elevation procedures. If septa are not identified prior to the initiation of the sinus lift procedure, extreme difficulty may be encountered when attempting to infracture and elevate the bony window. Also, because the sinus membrane is strongly adherent to the septa, elevation without perforation may be difficult. 3,9 In addition, because a septum can divide the sinus into two separate compartments, opening into only one cavity may not allow adequate access for bone grafting. This report describes a modification of the standard sinus lift procedure when sinus septa are encountered.

Single dose and multidose analgesic study of ibuprofen and meclofenamate sodium after third molar surgery

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of meclofenamate sodium with ibuprofen after dental impaction surgery. This study was double-blind and used a unique methodology. Patients (N = 254) were first randomized into the single dose phase of the study that included placebo, meclofenamate 50 mg, meclofenamate 100 mg, ibuprofen 200 mg, and ibuprofen 400 mg, followed by a 7-day multidose phase in which patients in the placebo group were rerandomized into one of the active treatment cells. In the single dose phase, all active treatments were significantly more efficacious than placebo for every summary analgesic measure. A positive dose-response was seen for both active drugs with meclofenamate 100 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg exhibiting the greatest efficacy for pain relief, pain reduction, time to remedication, and overall evaluation. Side effects were reported by 26 patients. They were evenly distributed among treatment groups with headache and drowsiness being the most common. During the multidose phase, there were only small differences in efficacy measures among active treatment groups. However, meclofenamate produced a higher incidence of stomach cramps and diarrhea than did ibuprofen (8.8% and 7.2% versus 0.8% and 0.8%). This study indicates that higher doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most effective immediately after surgery and that lower doses of these drugs can be used after the first postoperative day. The side effect profile of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics is best observed with the use of a multidose study design.

Multiple central giant cell lesions with a Noonan-like phenotype

A small number of patients with the phenotypic features of Noonan syndrome have also developed giant cell lesions of the jaws similar to those seen in cherubism. This case report describes an individual with the features of the recently described Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome. Previously reported cases and issues relative to diagnosis and management are considered.

Evaluation of topical viscous 2% lidocaine jelly as an adjunct during the management of alveolar osteitis

PURPOSE This study evaluated the efficacy of topical viscous 2% lidocaine jelly for the alleviation of pain experienced during the instrumentation of mandibular third molar extraction sites diagnosed with alveolar osteitis and for pain relief during the postinstrumentation period. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty adult patients with a diagnosis of alveolar osteitis in a mandibular third molar extraction site were included in this prospective, double-blind study. Each patient had their sutures removed, the socket irrigated, and 2% lidocaine jelly placed on the tip and side of the tongue to blind the patient against the test substances. The subjects were then randomly distributed into two groups. Group 1 had a nonactive jelly base placed into the socket 2 minutes prior to the placement of a standard obtundant dressing. Group 2 had viscous 2% lidocaine jelly placed into the socket in the same manner. Patients subjectively quantified their pain intensity pretreatment, during instrumentation, immediately postmanipulation, at 5-minute intervals to 30 minutes, and at 45 and 60 minutes. They also subjectively quantified their pain relief at each of the time intervals following instrumentation. RESULTS There was no statistical difference between the pretreatment pain experienced by both groups. The use of 2% lidocaine jelly had a measurable (P = .056), but not statistically significant, effect on pain due to instrumentation. At every time interval thereafter, the use of 2% lidocaine jelly elicited a statistically significant (P < .05) decrease in pain perception, and a statistically significant increase in pain relief when compared with the inactive jelly. CONCLUSION Topical viscous 2% lidocaine jelly is a useful adjunct during the treatment of alveolar osteitis, especially in the early (< or = 60 minutes) postinstrumentation period.

The status of implant training in oral and maxillofacial surgery residency programs

PURPOSE The results of a survey concerning the status of oral and maxillofacial surgery resident training in oral implantology are discussed. RESULTS The results demonstrate that oral and maxillofacial surgery residents are exposed to a variety of implant types and systems, with most implant surgery being performed in association with intravenous sedation. The number of implants placed by each resident during training varied greatly. CONCLUSION Most program directors believe that the implantology training of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents is superior or comparable to that of periodontal graduate students. However, this survey suggests that certain aspects of residency training in implantology, such as the performance of sinus lift procedures and participation in implant research, may require more emphasis.

A dose-ranging study of bromfenac sodium in oral surgery pain

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of five graded doses of bromfenac sodium in patients experiencing moderate to severe pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molar teeth. STUDY DESIGN The study employed a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, 8-hour, inpatient evaluation period. The treatment groups included placebo (n = 21) and bromfenac (n = 102) at dosage strengths of 5 mg (n = 21), 25 mg (n = 20), 50 mg (n = 20), 100 mg (n = 20), and 200 mg (n = 21). Patients ingested a dose of study medication when their postsurgical pain reached a moderate or severe intensity. Pain intensity and pain relief were rated at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes and then hourly for the remaining 6 hours. Efficacy and safety variables were analyzed by means of analysis of variance and chi-squared tests where appropriate. RESULTS At all doses, bromfenac exhibited statistical superiority (p < 0.05) to placebo, with all but the 5-mg dose being significantly more efficacious for every summary analgesic measure (3- and 8-hour sum pain intensity difference and sum pain analog intensity difference, total pain relief, peak effects, sum of pain half gone, and global evaluation). Peak analgesic effects did not increase beyond those provided by the 25-mg dose of bromfenac, although both the 100- and 200-mg bromfenac doses provided a more rapid onset and a longer duration of analgesia than either the 25- or 50-mg dosage strengths. The most common side effects reported were headache, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness; the incidence in the bromfenac group was no different from that in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Bromfenac is a safe and efficacious analgesic, with a threshold dose of 5 mg and a positive dose-response up to 25 mg for peak effects and 100 mg for total analgesic activity.

Changes in nasal and labial soft tissues after surgical repositioning of the maxilla

Accurate prediction of postsurgical function and esthetics of the nose and upper lip requires an understanding of the relationship between maxillary surgical movement and soft tissue change. Thirty-two patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomies, some with concomitant mandibular procedures. Preoperative, postoperative, and 1-year postsurgical data derived from cephalometric and nasolabial cast analysis were compared to assess skeletodental changes, soft tissue changes, and stability. A multiple stepwise regression (including age, gender, alar cinch suture, V-Y closure, and contouring of the anterior nasal spine as variables) indicated that accurate prediction equations could be formulated, particularly if the patients were grouped by vector-specific maxillary movements. In general, the base of the nose widened in all patients regardless of the vector of surgical maxillary movement. An associated shortening of the nose was found. The nasolabial angle decreased or remained constant in most patients. The upper lip widened and lengthened at the philtral columns. Narrow noses widened more than did broad noses and alar cinch suturing widened the alar base even more. Results indicated that soft tissue changes associated with maxillary surgery may be more affected by the position of the soft tissue incision and methods used in closure than by the surgically induced hard tissue change.