Paolo De Angelis

Surgery-first orthognathic approach vs traditional orthognathic approach: Oral health-related quality of life assessed with 2 questionnaires

Introduction The purposes of the study were to investigate and evaluate the differences detected by the patients between the traditional orthognathic approach and the surgery‐first one in terms of level of satisfaction and quality of life. Methods A total of 30 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery for correction of malocclusions were selected and included in this study. Fifteen patients were treated with the conventional orthognathic surgery approach, and 15 patients with the surgery‐first approach. Variables were assessed through the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire and analyzed with 2‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance. Results The results showed significant differences in terms of the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (P <0.001) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (P <0.001) scores within groups between the first and last administrations of both questionnaires. Differences in the control group between first and second administrations were also significant. Questionnaire scores showed an immediate increase of quality of life after surgery in the surgery‐first group and an initial worsening during orthodontic treatment in the traditional approach group followed by postoperative improvement. Conclusions This study showed that the worsening of the facial profile during the traditional orthognathic surgery approach decompensation phase has a negative impact on the perception of patients’ quality of life. Surgeons should consider the possibility of a surgery‐first approach to prevent this occurrence. HighlightsBenefits of traditional orthognathic surgery and surgery‐first approach were studied.Self‐esteem, body image, level of satisfaction, and quality of life were compared.The results showed significant benefits with the surgery‐first approach.

Navigation System Approach in Zygomatic Implant Technique

Abstract In some patients, the resolution of severe maxillary atrophies can be hardly achieved without the use of zygomatic implants. Although many scientific studies have already demonstrated the excellent immediate stability in long term, the use of zygomatic implants is not yet widespread. Among the complications of this technique, the most threatening is the risk of damaging the eyeball or the maxillary nerve. The use of the navigator system as a surgical aid for implant placement allows to control, at any time, the position of the drill in the bone, avoiding any injury to ocular and nervous structures. The authors present a clinical report which shows a patient affected by a very severe form of post-traumatic maxillary atrophy that has been solved through the of zygomatic implants placement using the “Implant Bone Navigation” system. This procedure allows both to cut down the risks on ocular and nervous structures of the maxilla and also to reach excellent rehabilitation results in such severely compromised patients.

The Medical Legal Aspects of Surgery First and a New Model of Consent Form

AbstractThe introduction of “surgery first” has resulted in a new requirement to compare and resolve medical legal problems which previously did not exist in traditional orthognathic surgery. The first issue relates to the relationship between the doctor and the patient and, in particular, the need to create a new informed consent form for surgery first. The second problem that has arisen with the arrival of surgery first concerns the relationship between health workers, namely the surgeon, and the orthodontist. The authors of this article propose a new template for informed consent specifically created for surgery first and also a model for the new working relationship between surgeons and orthodontists which will facilitate and improve co-operation between them. This will improve results, and guarantee a greater level of protection for the surgeon. It will also enable the identification the individual responsibilities of each person.

Management of Single Uncomplicated Dental Extractions and Postoperative Bleeding Evaluation in Patients With Factor V Deficiency: A Local Antihemorrhagic Approach

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to analyze the management of single dental extractions and postoperative bleeding in patients with a diagnosis of factor V deficiency. A careful evaluation of each case will allow the team to categorize the risk and operate safely, minimizing the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications. If necessary, the oral-maxillofacial surgeon can choose to do so in collaboration with the hematologist on a case-by-case basis. PATIENTS AND METHODS The present retrospective study included 5 patients with mild congenital factor V deficiency who had undergone at least 1 dental extraction. Mouth rinse with tranexamic acid, nonresorbable sutures, and gelatin sponge packed in the alveolar socket were used to obtain hemostasis. No systemic therapies, such as fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate, or recombinant activated factor VII, were administered. RESULTS Twenty-five teeth were extracted. The factor V plasma levels ranged from 14.1 to 22.4%. Local antihemorrhagic treatments resulted in good hemostasis. No hemorrhagic complications or intraoperative or postoperative major bleeding was observed. CONCLUSIONS Dental extractions appear to be safe procedures for patients with mild factor V deficiency when a bleeding risk assessment has been performed in conjunction with a hematologist and an appropriate treatment protocol is followed. Our treatment protocol was found to be effective and well tolerated by all the patients.

Effect of Surgery First Orthognathic Approach on the Temporomandibular Joint: A Clinical Evaluation

Introduction: Correction of severe malocclusions with skeletal discrepancies requires orthodontic treatment in combination with orthognathic surgery. Even though conventional orthognathic surgery (COS) is a common and well-accepted approach its influence on the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is still debated. Recently with the introduction of surgery first approach, a different timing for the management of dentoskeletal imbalances has been proposed. The present study is aimed at assessing the relationship between surgery first approach and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Methods: The study sample consisted of 24 patients who were selected to be treated with surgery first approach. Clinical follow-ups after surgery were performed every week for the first month, at 3 months, 6 months, and at 1 year. A radiological follow-up was performed at 1 week and at 1 year after the operation with a panorex and a latero-lateral teleradiograph. To assess the effect of surgery first approach on the TMDs signs and symptoms, a clinical assessment was performed 4 days before surgery (T1), 6 months after surgery (T2), and 1 year postoperatively (T3). Results: The results of the authors’ study show that pain assessment revealed a general improvement of this symptom in correspondence to TMJ and masticatory muscles except in the masseter and neck region. Also joint noises, TMJ functioning, migraine, and headache underwent a considerable improvement. Conclusion: Surgery first approach is an innovative orthognathic procedure and, by undergoing surgery first approach, patients with pre-existing TMJ dysfunction may experience a significant improvement or even resolution of the TMDs signs and symptoms.

Alveolar Ridge Split Technique Using Piezosurgery with Specially Designed Tips

The treatment of patients with atrophic ridge who need prosthetic rehabilitation is a common problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Among the various techniques introduced for the expansion of alveolar ridges with a horizontal bone deficit is the alveolar ridge split technique. The aim of this article is to give a description of some new tips that have been specifically designed for the treatment of atrophic ridges with transversal bone deficit. A two-step piezosurgical split technique is also described, based on specific osteotomies of the vestibular cortex and the use of a mandibular ramus graft as interpositional graft. A total of 15 patients were treated with the proposed new tips by our department. All the expanded areas were successful in providing an adequate width and height to insert implants according to the prosthetic plan and the proposed tips allowed obtaining the most from the alveolar ridge split technique and piezosurgery. These tips have made alveolar ridge split technique simple, safe, and effective for the treatment of horizontal and vertical bone defects. Furthermore the proposed piezosurgical split technique allows obtaining horizontal and vertical bone augmentation.

Bone flap technique for impacted teeth extraction and bone cysts removal

AbstractThe treatment of cystic lesions and the extraction of impacted third molars are 2 of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The surgical treatment of cysts of the jaws can consist of a cystectomy, a cystotomy, or a staged combination of the 2 procedures. The surgical techniques developed for the extraction of impacted third molars are: coronectomy, orthodontic extraction, and surgery using intraoral or extraoral methods. There are various complications related to both surgical treatments. With regards to these complications, authors’ department has developed a new surgical technique based on a previously described technique, which provides better support to the mucoperiosteal flap and improves bone regeneration after healing. Additionally, authors’ goal was to reduce the risk of nerve injury, which has been achieved thanks to a direct visualization of the inferior alveolar nerve as well as cystic lesion or the dental element. The surgical procedure described produces major advantages over the traditional alternatives, despite needing a longer operation. This technique is particularly useful in the treatment of cystic lesions that have caused considerable bone loss. It can also be utilized for cysts or impacted dental elements strictly linked to the inferior alveolar nerve.

Evaluation of Soft Tissue Profile Change Following Bi-maxillary Surgery in Dento-skeletal Class III by Photogrammetric Analysis

3D analysis allows for simulation of orthognathic surgery and prediction of aesthetic and functional outcomes. Our study aims to find common and repeatable parameters on the behaviour of soft tissues following bone movement by preand post-treatment by photogrammetric analysis. Three representative patients who underwent bimaxillary surgery of advancement/retrusion of the jaws for correction of class III dento-skeletal malformation were presented. By overlapping pre-operative and post-operative 3D photos we obtained colour and millimetric maps that allowed the objective appreciation of facial soft tissues modification in all planes of the space after orthognathic surgery. Original Research Article Torroni et al.; BJMMR, 15(2): 1-11, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.25350 2 The study disclosed interesting insight into the soft tissue behaviour following orthognathic surgery and highlighted the possibility to draw reliable dissipation curves of facial skin after orthognathic surgery. This study also provided the base for future development of 3D images analysis (3D VTO) to plan and predict aesthetic outcomes of patients with dento-skeletal malformation.