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Mandibular fractures are the most frequent type of pediatric facial traumatic injury, but their treatment remains controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the surgical treatment and long-term outcomes of dentate mandibular fractures in children and adolescents.Patients with mandibular fractures in the dentate area who were surgically treated in the period from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020, were included. The following data were collected: age, gender, cause and mechanism of injury, fracture site and type, associated maxillofacial fractures, the timing of surgical treatment, Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS) score, surgical approach, number and thickness of plates, hospitalization stay and outcome. Patients were divided into three groups: deciduous (≤6 years, group A), mixed (7-12 years, group B), and permanent (13-18 years, group C) dentitions. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.During the study 91 patients (male: female ratio, 3.8:1), 4 in group A, 12 in group B, and 75 in group C, with 65 single and 52 double fractures were included. An intraoral approach was used in 87% of patients. In group C, 90% of patients were treated with fixation schemes consistent with those suggested in the literature for adults, versus 75% in groups A and B. Median follow-up time was 20 months. No tooth germ injury or facial asymmetry was observed and only six group C patients had post-operative malocclusions. Hardware removal occurred in 22% of the patients.This 20-year retrospective study shows that open reduction and internal fixation of pediatric dentate mandibular fractures caused no tooth germ damage or disturbances of mandibular growth in any dentition stage. Internal fixation schemes were similar to those used for adults, although it was necessary to adapt hardware size and position according to tooth and patient age.

The World Oral Maxillofacial Trauma (WORMAT) project was performed to analyze the causes and characteristics of maxillofacial fractures managed in 14 maxillofacial surgery divisions over a 1-year period.The following data were collected: age, sex, cause and mechanism of maxillofacial fracture, alcohol and/or drug abuse at the time of trauma, fracture site, Facial Injury Severity Scale score (FISS), associated injury, day of trauma, timing and type of treatment, and length of hospitalization. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.Between 30 September 2019 and 4 October 2020, 2,387 patients (1,825 males and 562 females [ratio 3.2:1], 47.6% aged 20-39 years [mean age 37.2 years, median 33.0 years]) were hospitalised. The main cause of maxillofacial fracture was road traffic accidents (RTA), which were statistically associated with male adults as like as assault, sport, and work (p0,05). Half of the fractures involved the middle third of the face, statistically associated with fall and assault (p0.05). Trauma in multiple locations was significantly associated with longer hospital stay (p0.05). The mean length of hospitalization was 3.9 days (95% Confidence Interval 3.7-4.2).This prospective, multicenter epidemiological study confirmed that young adult males were the ones most commonly affected by maxillofacial fracture. RTAs and assaults are statistically associated with the adult population, while falls are associated with females and older population.

Purpose: Intraoperative stabilisation of bony fragments with maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF) is an essential step in the surgical treatment of mandibular fractures that are treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The MMF can be performed with or without wire-based methods, rigid or manual MMF, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare the use of manual versus rigid MMF, in terms of occlusal outcomes and infective complications. Materials and methods: This multi-centric prospective study involved 12 European maxillofacial centres and included adult patients (age ≥16 years) with mandibular fractures treated with ORIF. The following data were collected: age, gender, pre-trauma dental status (dentate or partially dentate), cause of injury, fracture site, associated facial fractures, surgical approach, modality of intraoperative MMF (manual or rigid), outcome (minor/major malocclusions and infective complications) and revision surgeries. The main outcome was malocclusion at 6 weeks after surgery. Results: Between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022, 319 patients-257 males and 62 females (median age, 28 years)-with mandibular fractures (185 single, 116 double and 18 triple fractures) were hospitalised and treated with ORIF. Intraoperative MMF was performed manually on 112 (35%) patients and with rigid MMF on 207 (65%) patients. The study variables did not differ significantly between the two groups, except for age. Minor occlusion disturbances were observed in 4 (3.6%) patients in the manual MMF group and in 10 (4.8%) patients in the rigid MMF group (p > .05). In the rigid MMF group, only one case of major malocclusion required a revision surgery. Infective complications involved 3.6% and 5.8% of patients in the manual and rigid MMF group, respectively (p > .05). Conclusion: Intraoperative MMF was performed manually in nearly one third of the patients, with wide variability among the centres and no difference observed in terms of number, site and displacement of fractures. No significant difference was found in terms of postoperative malocclusion among patients treated with manual or rigid MMF. This suggests that both techniques were equally effective in providing intraoperative MMF.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:39:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 Background/Aims: Paediatric maxillofacial trauma accounts for 15% of all maxillofacial trauma but remains a leading cause of mortality. The aim of this prospective, multicentric epidemiological study was to analyse the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in paediatric patients managed in 14 maxillofacial surgery departments on five continents over a 1-year period. Methods: The following data were collected: age (preschool [0–6 years], school age [7–12 years], and adolescent [13–18 years]), cause and mechanism of the maxillofacial fracture, alcohol and/or drug abuse at the time of trauma, fracture site, Facial Injury Severity Scale score, associated injuries, day of the maxillofacial trauma, timing and type of treatment, and length of hospitalization. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: Between 30 September 2019 and 4 October 2020, 322 patients (male:female ratio, 2.3:1) aged 0–18 years (median age, 15 years) were hospitalized with maxillofacial trauma. The most frequent causes of the trauma were road traffic accidents (36%; median age, 15 years), followed by falls (24%; median age, 8 years) and sports (21%; median age, 14 years). Alcohol and/or drug abuse was significantly associated with males (p

The goal of mandibular fracture treatment is to restore static and dynamic occlusal functions. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of these fractures can be associated with an intraoperative and/or postoperative maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF). The aim of this study was to analyse the use of perioperative MMF and its effects on occlusal outcomes in the management of mandibular fractures.This multicentric prospective study included adult patients with mandibular fractures treated with ORIF. The following data were collected: age, gender, pre-trauma dental status (dentate, partially dentate), cause of injury, fracture site, associated facial fractures, surgical approach, type of ORIF (rigid, non-rigid or mixed), thickness and number of plates, modality of intraoperative MMF (arch bars, self-tapping and self-drilling screws [STSDSs], manual, other) and duration of postoperative MMF. The primary outcome was malocclusion at 6 weeks and 3 months. Statistical analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test or chi-square test, as appropriate.Between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, 336 patients, 264 males and 72 females (median age, 28 years) with mandibular fractures (194 single, 124 double and 18 triple fractures) were hospitalized. Intraoperative MMF was performed in all patients. Osteosynthesis was rigid in 75% of single fractures, and rigid or mixed in 85% and 100% of double and triple fractures, respectively. Excluding patients who underwent manual reduction, postoperative MMF (median duration, 3 weeks) was performed in 140 (64%) patients, without differences by type or number of fractures (p0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of malocclusion in patients with postoperative MMF (5%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2-10%) compared to those without (4%; 95% IC, 1-11%) (p0.05).Postoperative MMF was performed in more than half of the patients despite adequate fracture osteosynthesis, with wide variability among centers. No evidence of a reduction in the incidence of postoperative malocclusion in patients treated with postoperative MMF was found.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe side effect caused by antiangiogenic antiresorptive drugs used to treat various oncological and non oncological diseases. The clinical and radiological characteristics of MRONJ depend on the type of causative drug, the time of administration, and its dosage. Proven systemic risk factors like anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, corticosteroid therapy, and chemotherapy in neoplastic diseases (e.g., high doses of methotrexate up to 30 mg daily) significantly increase the chances of acquiring MRONJ. The risk factors themselves can affect treatment outcomes. Although the main scientific societies have recently disseminated good practice rules on the patient’s prevention, diagnosis, and management, there are still no guidelines on shared therapeutic strategies. In general, if conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment is considered, including local debridement, osteoplasty, and marginal or segmental osteotomy. In literature, cohorts of heterogeneous patients with MRONJ have been analyzed for a long time, resulting in a lack of uniformity of information and difficulties interpreting the data. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons criteria, this retrospective study evaluates the surgical treatment outcomes of 64 patients with stage II-III MRONJ, evaluated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Turin (Italy). The first objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate treatment results for stages II-III in all cases; the second objective is to evaluate the same results by dividing the sample into different cohorts of patients: first, based on the underlying pathology, i.e., oncological and non oncological, and secondly, based on the drug or combination of drugs they took.

The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to analyze the epidemiology, patterns, and management of maxillofacial fractures due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) worldwide.Between Monday September 30, 2019 and Sunday October 4, 2020,1066 patients with RTAs related fractures were admitted to 14 maxillofacial surgery departments. The following data were analyzed: age, gender, mechanism of injury, alcohol or drug abuse at the time of trauma, maxillofacial fracture site, facial injury severity scale (FISS) score, associated injuries, day and month of trauma, time of treatment, type of treatment and length of hospital stay. Data were analyzed using bivaried and multivaried statistical analysis.Eight hundred seventy patients were male, and 196 were female. The most common mechanism of injury was motorcycle accidents (48%). More than half of the patients had fractures of the middle third of the maxillofacial skeleton. In total, 59% of the study sample underwent open reduction internal fixation. The median facial injury severity scale (3 points) and the medial hospital stay (3 days) were significantly lower in patients with seatbelts and helmet (P 0.001).This first prospective, multicenter epidemiological study shows that motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of RTAs related fractures, mostly in young males. Particularly in Australia and Europe, the incidence of RTAs was significantly lower. Moreover, this study found that the severity of maxillofacial lesions was significantly higher in patients without safety devices, with consequent longer hospital stay demonstrating the efficacy of road safety policies in preventing maxillofacial injury.

Purpose This retrospective study aims to define the optimal timing of the surgical treatment of orbital floor trapdoor fractures (OFTFs) in adults according to clinical and radiological findings. Methods From January 2006 to December 2020, 382 patients with isolated orbital floor fracture were admitted to the Division of Maxillofacial Surgery of Turin, Italy. The criteria for inclusion were age ≥ 16 years, preoperative computed tomography showing a linear (1a) or medial hinge fracture (1b), diplopia, and 6 months of follow-up data. Aetiology and mechanism of injury, presence of post-traumatic enophthalmos and oculocardiac reflex, time between trauma occurrence and surgery [stratified as 96 h (late treatment)], days of hospitalisation, and clinical outcomes were examinated. Results Twenty-four patients (18 males; mean age, 23.2 years) presented with OFTFs. The most common cause was sport injury (50%). Type 1a fracture was observed in eight patients (mean age, 19.5 years), type 1b fracture in 16 patients (mean age, 23.6 years). Urgent, early, and late treatments were performed in eight patients each. The mean time between trauma occurrence and surgery was 3,8 days (range: 0–17 days). Resolution of diplopia was observed 1 week after surgery in 10 patients, 1 month in 12. Diplopia persisted in 2 patient, both treated > 96 h after trauma. Conclusion Although the number of patients was too small to define a standard protocol, the authors recommend early treatment of adult OFTFs to promote complete resolution of diplopia.

Purpose The authors conducted a retrospective, multicenter study to investigate the differences in the fixation patterns, in terms of number and thickness of plates, between patients in whom a third molar (3M) was maintained or removed in the line of mandibular angle fractures. Materials and methods The study was conducted in 6 European level I and II maxillofacial trauma centers. Data were collected on patients ≥ 16 years of age who underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for mandibular angle fractures (MAF) from 2008 to 2018, in whom a 3M in the fracture line was present and who had a follow-up duration of 6 months. The study population was divided into 2 groups: patients treated with ORIF in whom the 3M was maintained (group 1) and those treated with ORIF in whom the 3M was extracted (group 2) during treatment. The 2 groups were compared for differences in the internal fixation pattern, specifically in terms of the number and thickness of the plates. Results A total of 749 patients with 774 MAF were collected. A total of 1,050 plates were placed: 849 were ≤ 1.4 mm thick (80.9%) and 201 plates ≥ 1.5 mm thick (19.1%). 548 patients were treated with ORIF and 3M maintained (group 1), and 201 treated with ORIF and 3M extracted (group 2). Statistically significant differences were seen in the number of ≤1.4 mm plates between the 2 groups for single undisplaced/displaced MAF(P value ≤ 0.5) and for undisplaced/displaced angle + parasymphysis/body fractures (P-value ≤ 0.5). Conclusions Analyses of data collected from 6 European maxillofacial centers indicated that the majority of surgeons of our sample perceived the MAF as being more unstable when removing the 3M during ORIF leading them to perform a rigid fixation in the angular region.

BACKGROUND/AIM Sports activities have become increasingly popular among amateurs and this has led to an increase in maxillofacial fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the management of amateur sport-related maxillofacial fractures and appropriate preventive measures. METHODS A trauma database was used to analyze 3231 patients with maxillofacial fractures admitted to the Maxillofacial Surgery Division of Citta della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy, from January 2001 to December 2019. Only patients with non-professional sports-related maxillofacial fractures were included. The following data were collected: age, gender, type of sport, mechanisms of injury, sites of fracture, Facial Injury Severity Scale, associated injuries, month of trauma, time to treatment, treatment, length of stay, and interval before return to sport. RESULTS There were 432 patients, 378 males and 54 females, with a mean age of 29.2 (5-76 years). Sport-related maxillofacial fractures' relative percent ranged from 11.1% in 2001 to 17.5% in 2019. Soccer was the most common cause of sport-related maxillofacial fractures (54.2%), and impact with a player/opponent was the main mechanism of injury (72%). An intentional violent act (player hit by a fist) was the cause of fracture in 8.5% of the soccer-related injuries. Fractures of the middle third of the face occurred in 61.2% of patients. Maxillofacial fractures were treated within 24 h in 25% of patients. There were 343 out of 412 patients who received open reduction and internal fixation (mean length of hospital stay: 3.7 days). There was no contraindication to resuming sport activities at 30/40 days after treatment, except for combat sports. CONCLUSIONS This study provided further evidence of a relative increase in sports-related maxillofacial fractures. Soccer is related to the majority of sport maxillofacial fractures. Adherence to the rules is necessary to limit violent acts that cause such injuries. In non-professional players, resumption of the full activity is allowed after 40 days for non-combat sports.

An osteoma is a benign, slow-growing, osteogenic neoplasm with a low recurrence rate that is typically characterized by the proliferation of a compact or cancellous bone. It can be peripheral, central, or extraskeletal. Usually asymptomatic, peripheral osteomas in the maxillofacial region commonly arise in the paranasal sinuses and mandible and rarely occur in the zygomatic arch, with only six previously documented cases in the literature. Here, we present the management of a solitary peripheral osteoma of the right zygomatic arch in a 72-year-old woman and a review of the literature.

Purpose The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the epidemiology, patterns, and management of maxillofacial due to road traffic accidents over a 17-year period. Methods Between January 2001 and December 2017, 2924 patients with maxillofacial fractures were admitted to the Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Turin, Italy.The following data were analyzed: age, gender, data of the trauma, alcohol and drug abuse, mechanism of injury, fracture site, facial injury severity scale, associated injuries, type of treatment, and length of hospital stay. Results Of the 605 patients included in the study, 419 were male and 186 were female (ratio, 2.2:1). The most common mechanism of injury was car accidents (62.6%).More than half of the patients had fractures of the middle third of the maxillofacial skeleton.Associated injuries were detected in 172 (45.5%) patients. In total 5.3% of patients did not undergo surgery. The average hospital stay was 7.3 days. Conclusions This study shows an important reduction in maxillofacial fractures following road traffic accidents since the turn of the new millennium. At least in north-western Italy, road safety policies implemented in the last 30 years seem to have affected the behavior of motorists and motorcyclists.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe side effect caused by antiresorptive antiangiogenic medication for different pathologies. Although the main factors that seem to increase the risk of ONJ have been identified and the main scientific societies have recently disclosed rules of good behaviour regarding prevention, diagnosis and patient management, there are still no guidelines on therapeutic strategies to be adopted. In general, if conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment is considered, including local debridement, osteoplasty, and marginal or segmental osteotomy. To date, in literature, cohorts of heterogeneous patients with MRONJ have been analysed for a long time, with a lack of uniformity in information and difficulties in interpreting data. This retrospective study evaluates the results of surgical treatment of 62 patients with stage II-III of MRONJ according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons criteria, evaluated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, in the University of Turin (Italy), by subdividing patients into different cohorts firstly according to the primary pathology, i,e. oncological and non-oncological, and secondly, according to the drug or combination of drugs taken.

Purpose The aim of this survey was to investigate the surgical management of bilateral mandibular angle fracture (BMAF) in Europe. Methods Data were collected from 2008 to 2018 on patients ≥ 16 years of age who underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for BMAF with a third molar in the fracture line. The study was conducted at 6 European trauma centers. The following data were recorded: sex, age, cause of the fracture, type of fracture (nondisplaced, displaced, comminuted), type of approach (intraoral, transbuccal, or extraoral), thickness of the plate (≤1.4 mm or ≥1.5 mm), number of plates, cause of plate removal, and third molar extraction status. Results 25 patients with BMAF (24 males, 1 female, 17 to 83 years old [mean: 28.2 years]) were collected. The main cause of BMAF was assault, and the main surgical approach was intraoral. The most common types of BMAF were displaced + undisplaced (11 patients), displaced + displaced (7 patients), undisplaced + undisplaced (6 patients), and comminuted + comminuted (1 patient). Osteosynthesis was performed with 2 ≤1.4 mm plates on 1 angular fracture and 1 ≤1.4 mm plate on the other fracture in 11 patients, 1 ≤1.4 mm plate on both angular fractures in 6 patients, 1 ≥1.5 mm plate on both fractures in 5 patients, and 2 ≤1.4 mm plates on both fractures in the remaining 3 patients. Out of 25 patients with BMAF, 7 third molars were extracted during ORIF. Among these patients, angular fracture fixation was performed in 3 cases with 1 ≥1.5 mm plate and in 4 patients with 2 ≤1.4 mm plates. Conclusions This retrospective multicenter survey indicates a trend of treating with open reduction and rigid internal fixation at least 1 angular fracture of BMAF and those cases requiring extraction of the third molar in the line of fracture.

An epithelioid hemangioma is a very rare lesion arising from vascular structures. We encountered 2 cases in atypical locations, one in the orbital and the other in the nasal region. We performed preoperative angiography in addition to the diagnostic imaging recommended in the literature. Angiography highlighted the lesions well, and in one case, it was possible to embolize the arterial trunk of a high-flow lesion. Angiography underscored how such lesions may differ from the vascular perspective, emphasizing the importance of histology in correct diagnosis. Management of both hemangiomas yielded good functional and cosmetic outcomes with no disease recurrence.

In severe orbital fractures, restoration of orbital shape and volume is required to avoid diplopia and posttraumatic enophthalmos. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between navigation-aided and conventional techniques for complex unilateral orbital fractures using titanium mesh.The outcomes and the computed tomography-measured orbital volume of two groups of orbital complex unilateral reconstruction cases were compared. The study group consisted of a consecutive cohort of unilateral severe orbital fracture that underwent surgery with the aid of a Brainlab navigation system. A historical control group was composed of consecutive operations performed immediately before the beginning of navigation system use. A total of 55 operations were then identified and studied for patient characteristics, diplopia and globe position, preoperative and postoperative orbital volumes, complications, need for revision surgery, and the surgeon's performance.Postoperative diplopia severity was lower in the study group than in the control group. Orbital volume analysis showed that reconstructed orbital volume in the study group was closer to unaffected orbital volume compared with the control group. Significant orbital volume reduction in the reconstructed orbit could be achieved in the study group, and there was no significant reduction in the control group compared with the unaffected side. The globe projection was higher compared with the preoperative situation in the study group than in the control group. The navigational platform could also contribute to reduce the learning curve.This study demonstrated that computer-assisted techniques improve outcomes compared with conventional techniques.Therapeutic, III.

We describe here a peculiar case of a 30-year-old woman presenting with an orbital trapdoor fracture. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance images are provided to explain the mechanism of the injury.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with anterior bifocal mandibular fractures and to discuss the management of this peculiar type of trauma. Methods: From the systematic computer-assisted database that has continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures, only patients admitted with anterior bifocal bilateral mandibular fractures between 2001 and 2011 were considered. Patients were contacted, and they were invited to volunteer for a clinical follow-up examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Forty dentate patients with anterior bifocal bilateral mandibular fractures (without the presence of further mandibular fractures) were included in the study. Nineteen patients with dislocated anterior segment underwent surgical intervention within 12 hours from hospital admission in the emergency department, whereas 21 patients with nondisplaced mandibular fractures were surgically treated in the elective operating room within 72 hours. Only 3 patients underwent tracheostomy. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with 2.0- and 2.4-mm plates via intraoral approach, except for patients with submental or submandibular facial lacerations. Conclusions: Anterior bifocal bilateral mandibular fractures may involve a challenging management because they can compromise the upper airway. Accurate reduction and internal fixation of these fractures have been critical to restoring form and function of the mandible. The upper airway management and securing always take first, but a prompt surgical intervention of dislocated fractures avoids upper airways impairment.

Primary sarcomas of the major salivary glands are rare and appear to originate from undifferentiated pluripotential mesenchymal cells. They must be distinguished from malignant supporting tissue neoplasms that secondarily involve the glands by direct extension or metastasis. Multidisciplinary management of head and neck soft tissue sarcomas is still controversial. We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the submandibular gland in a 95-year-old man who was treated with excision of the right submandibular gland, extended to the surrounding tissues, without neck dissection. The patient tolerated the treatment well. Twenty-four months after surgery, the patient was doing well without any evidence of locoregional or distant disease. Surgery is the cornerstone of the management of leiomyosarcomas of the salivary glands. Wide surgical excision with histologically proven tumor-free margins was an appropriate treatment that may guarantee prolonged survival.

– Background: The prevention of dental injuries during full-contact sports such as rugby is extremely important. Wearing a mouthguard can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of orofacial injuries, but it is not always used as athletes find it difficult to tolerate. The purpose of the present study was to determine the awareness and the extent of mouthguard use in a sample of young rugby athletes in the North West of Italy. Material and Methods: The athletes of four amateurs rugby teams based in the Province of Turin, Italy completed a questionnaire about playing history, current use and type of mouthguards, disturbs associated with mouthguard use, and general attitudes towards mouthguards. Results: Only 53.85% of the subjects reported wearing their mouthguard all the time both during training and games. The most commonly reported problem associated with using a mouthguard was the discomfort on speech, followed by difficulty in closing lips, adversely affected breathing, adversely affected swallowing and slipping sensation. A statistically significant association between patients

Purpose Orbital trapdoor fractures are pure orbital floor fractures with herniation and entrapment of the orbital contents, leading to restricted eye movement and diplopia. Trapdoor fractures in children have been discussed widely in published reports; however, the treatment policy and outcome remain controversial, although early treatment has been advocated. Our retrospective study analyzed the long-term results of pediatric patients undergoing surgery for trapdoor fractures to determine the outcome in relation to the type of fracture and the timing and technique of intervention. Patients and Methods The present study included 24 patients (age range 6 to 16 years) who underwent surgery for trapdoor fractures from 1998 to 2007. The demographic, etiologic, radiologic, and surgical findings, interval between trauma and surgery, surgical techniques, and complications were recorded. Diplopia, ocular motility, dysesthesia, and scar quality were recorded at follow-up. Results The follow-up duration averaged 36 months. At follow-up, 1 (8.3%) of 12 patients who underwent surgery within 24 hours (urgent treatment) had residual diplopia. In contrast, 3 (37.5%) of 8 patients who underwent surgery 24 to 96 hours (early treatment) and 4 (100%) of 4 who underwent surgery after 96 hours (late treatment) had diplopia. No sensory deficit of the skin or unesthetic eyelid scar was noted. Conclusions We found a correlation between the outcome and the timing of surgery for trapdoor fractures in the pediatric population. The success rate was significantly better when the fractures were treated within 24 hours of the injury. The results of the present study have strengthened the assertion that trapdoor orbital fractures pose a true surgical emergency.

In this prospective study, we used the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) to evaluate the outcome of the healing process of posttraumatic and surgical facial scars that were treated with self-drying silicone gel, by both the patient and the observer. In our division, the application of base cream and massage represents the standard management of facial scars after suture removal. In the current study, 15 patients (7 men and 8 women) with facial scars were treated with self-drying silicone gel that was applied without massage, and 15 patients (8 men and 7 women) were treated with base cream and massage. Both groups underwent a clinical evaluation of facial scars by POSAS at the time of suture removal (T0) and after 2 months of treatment (T1). The patient rated scar pain, itch, color, stiffness, thickness, and surface (Patient Scale), and the observer rated scar vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, pliability, and surface area (Observer Scale [OS]). The Patient Scale reported the greatest improvement in the items color, stiffness, and thickness. Itch was the only item that worsened in the group self-drying silicone gel. The OS primarily reported an improvement in the items vascularization, pigmentation, and pliability. The only item in the OS that underwent no change from T0 to T1 was surface area. The POSAS revealed satisfactory healing of posttraumatic and surgical facial scars that were treated with self-drying silicone gel.

The mandibular angle is a frequent site of fracture. It is a weak zone that is more exposed to fractures than other areas of the mandibular bone. The presence of incompletely erupted third molars is associated with a further increased risk of angle fractures. Our objective was to evaluate and discuss the surgical outcomes of a group of patients with bilateral mandibular angle fractures.In our study, patients with bilateral mandibular angle fractures surgically treated from January 1, 2001, to June 30, 2009, at the Division of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Turin were retrospectively analyzed. A combined transbuccal and intraoral approach or an intraoral approach only was adopted.Eight patients (7 men and 1 woman) underwent surgery for bilateral mandibular angle fractures. Good to satisfactory reduction of the fractures was obtained with both surgical techniques. Good to fair restored occlusion was observed postoperatively in all patients.Successful treatment of bilateral mandibular angle fractures may be achieved via different techniques. Superficially impacted third molars seem to be associated with an increased risk of angle fractures. Bilateral angle fractures are an ideal model to study the biomechanical pathogenesis of angle fractures.

The presence of deeply horizontally impacted lower second and third molars is unusual. The arrested eruption of the lower second and third molars can determine disturbances of mastication and aesthetics. Moreover, an increased risk of caries in the distal side of the first lower molar is possible. Different therapeutic approaches could be proposed for second and third molar impaction and malposition. In this article, we report the management and the outcome of the surgical treatment of a patient with impacted mandibular second and third molars.

Summary Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is an uncommon benign bony lesion that occurs in the mandible and maxilla. The clinical behaviour of CGCG ranges from a slow-growing asymptomatic swelling to an aggressive lesion that presents pain, local bone destruction, root resorption and tooth displacement. Therapeutic options have varied greatly over the years. Non-surgical treatments with alpha interferon (α-IFN), calcitonin and corticosteroids have been described and their benefits may be worthy of consideration. Surgery is considered the traditional treatment and it is still the most accepted one, however in the literature not all authors agree on the type of surgery which should be performed. Although en bloc resection provides the lowest recurrence rate, only a few single case reports describe the use of this technique followed by reconstruction with autogenous bone grafts. The authors report their experience with en bloc resection of 18 wide CGCGs which had not been previously treated medically. Immediate reconstruction was carried out for all cases and in one, a fibula free flap was used to reconstruct the mandible. No recurrence was observed. After complete healing of the graft, prosthetic rehabilitation via implants was performed. This allowed the best functional and aesthetic results.

Background Chemodectomas of the head and neck are tumors that originate from the neural crest. The authors report a case of carotid body tumor with chronic hypoxia secondary to congenital cyanogenic cardiac malformation, radiologically and surgically treated. Methods and Results A 37-year-old woman presented 1-year history of a slow-growing right lateral-cervical swelling. Radiologic examination led to a suspicion of carotid body tumor. Her history revealed thoracic situs solitus and a complex congenital heart disease. She was hospitalized for a selective angiography of the cervical vessels. Twenty-four hours later, the tumor was completely removed under local anesthesia. One year later, there were no signs of recurrence, and the patient showed a correct hemodynamic compensation. Conclusions The choice of surgical resection with selective preoperative embolization, which induced the obliteration of the feeder vessels, devascularizing the tumor and avoiding significant intraoperative bleeding, was successful. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008

By analyzing sports-related maxillofacial fractures, we sought to describe preventive measures and recovery times until sporting activities could be resumed. Between January 2001 and December 2006, 1241 patients were hospitalized as a result of maxillofacial fractures. The patients with sports-related maxillofacial fractures were analyzed based on age, sex, type of sport, injury mechanism, trauma site, presence of associated fractures, hospitalization, treatment method, and recovery time until the resumption of sporting activities. One hundred thirty-eight patients (11.4%) sustained sports-related maxillofacial fractures: 121 males and 17 females (ratio 8:1), aged between 11 and 72 years. The sport producing the greatest number of injuries was soccer (62.3%), followed by skiing (14.5%), and horseback riding (6.5%). The injuries involved mainly the middle third of the face (71.6%), and the mandible was the most affected site (27.2%), followed by the maxillary-zygomatic-orbital complex (25.9%). Treatment was surgery in 93.5% of the patients, with an average hospitalization period of 3.5 days. The protocol created to manage the follow-up of maxillofacial injury patients advised resuming sports activities at least 40 days after the trauma, except in the case of combat sports, when a period of 3 months was required. Although the results of this study indicate a reduction in the total incidence of sports-related maxillofacial injuries, they also show an alarming secondary increase in trauma resulting from the most popular sport in Italy-soccer. Therefore, stricter regulations are needed to discourage violent play, rather than relying on the use of protective equipment. Moreover, patients should be advised when they can resume sports activities, particularly in the case of professionals and semiprofessionals.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to present and discuss the results of a European multicentre prospective study about pediatric maxillofacial trauma epidemiology during a year.Study DesignThe following data were recorded: gender, age, etiology, site of fracture, date of injury. Of the 3396 patients with maxillofacial fractures admitted within the study period, 114 (3.3%) were children aged 15 years and younger, with a male/female ratio of 2.6:1. Mean age was 10.9 years. Most patients (63%) were aged 11-15 years.ResultsThe most frequent cause of injury was fall (36 patients). Sport injuries and assaults were almost limited to the oldest group, whereas falls were more uniformly distributed in the 3 groups. The most frequently observed fracture involved the mandible with 47 fractures. In particular, 18 condylar fractures were recorded, followed by 12 body fractures.ConclusionsFalls can be acknowledged as the most important cause of facial trauma during the first years of life. The high incidence of sport accidents after 10 years may be a reason to increase the use of mouthguards and other protective equipment. Finally, the mandible (and in particular the condyle) was confirmed as the most frequent fracture site.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to present and discuss the demographic characteristics and patterns of assault-related maxillofacial fractures as reported by a European multicenter prospective study.Study DesignDemographic and injury data were recorded for each patient who was a victim of an assault.ResultsAssaults represented the most frequent etiology of maxillofacial trauma with an overall rate of 39% and the values ranging between 60.8% (Kiev, Ukraine) and 15.4% (Bergen, Norway). The most frequent mechanisms of assault-related maxillofacial fractures were fists in 730 cases, followed by kicks and fists. The most frequently observed fracture involved the mandible (814 fractures), followed by orbito-zygomatic-maxillary complex fractures and orbital fractures.ConclusionsOur data confirmed the strong possibility that patients with maxillofacial fractures may be victims of physical aggression. The crucial role of alcohol in assault-related fractures was also confirmed by our study.

Summary Introduction During the last 10 years, intermaxillary fixation using intraoral cortical bone screws has been introduced for the treatment of mandibular fractures. The aim of this work was to evaluate the indications and possible complications of this method. Materials and methods Sixty-two patients with mandibular fractures, treated by intermaxillary fixation using these screws, were evaluated by preoperative and postoperative panoramic radiographs. Clinical testing was carried out for vitality and abnormal mobility of teeth adjacent to the site of screw insertions. To evaluate the efficacy of this method, different factors were considered such as possible iatrogenic dental injuries, loss, breakage or screw cover by oral mucosa and postoperative occlusion. Results The most important complication was iatrogenic damage to dental roots (1.5%), 4.9% of the screws were covered by oral mucosa and 1.9% were lost, while none were broken. Malocclusion was observed in one patient (1.6%) and lack of consolidation of a displaced fracture of the mandibular body in another patient. Conclusions Use of intraoral cortical bone screws for intermaxillary fixation is a valid alternative to arch bars in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Iatrogenic injury to dental roots is the most important problem of this procedure, but can be minimized by an experienced surgeon.

In the maxillofacial region, subcutaneous emphysema, which occurs after fractures of the pneumatic paranasal sinuses, is a common finding in a maxillofacial surgeon's daily practice. Pneumomediastinum secondary to these fractures is a less frequent event, however, without thoracic or abdominal injuries. The authors report a case of severe subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum that occurred after fractures of the nasal bones and medial orbital wall. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of mediastinal emphysema are discussed.

This report describes an unusual case of bilateral buccal bifurcation cyst in a 9-year-old patient, presenting as a slight expansion in the mandibular body region in correspondence with the first permanent mandibular molar bilaterally.

BACKGROUND The aim of this article was to present our experience in the management of pathologic mandibular fractures. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 14 patients with pathologic mandibular fractures associated with osteoradionecrosis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, benign/malignant lesions, osteomyelitis, idiopathic, or iatrogenic etiology. Data collected included age, sex, etiology, site, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS Five patients had iatrogenic fractures, 3 patients had osteomyelitis, 2 had benign cystic lesion, and the remaining 4 had primary squamous cell carcinoma, histiocytosis, multiple myeloma, and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, respectively. Eleven fractures of 14 were treated using a 2.4-mm mandibular plate. CONCLUSIONS Pathologic mandibular fractures may be challenging to treat because of their different etiology and peculiar local and general conditions, often requiring a more rigid fixation. In patients with poor medical conditions, simpler and more limited options may be preferred.

Nasolabial cysts are uncommonly diagnosed nonodontogenic soft tissue lesions located close to the nasal alar region of the face, presenting as extraosseous swelling in the region of the nasolabial fold. Nasolabial cysts are likely to remain undetected unless and until they become infected or are associated with facial deformity. Histologically, it is lined with nonkeratinized squamous epithelium or, more frequently, with respiratory-type cylindrical epithelium with goblet cells. The aim of this article was to present and discuss the surgical management of a case of nasolabial cyst and to briefly review the literature.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is a rare chronic benign lesion of the oral mucosa. Clinically, it may mimic squamous cell carcinoma as well as other malignant lesions. Most cases of TUGSE are reactive. A case of TUGSE of the retromolar region is reported. An asymptomatic ulceration with indurated borders, limited to the gingiva, was localized in the right retromolar region. An incisional biopsy was taken. Six weeks after the biopsy, the residual ulceration spontaneously disappeared. After 6 months of follow-up, the lesion had not recurred.Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia can be interpreted as a subset of lymphoproliferative disorders.A malignant lymphoid proliferation should be suspected when atypical histologic findings and monoclonality are observed. Given the benign nature of TUGSE, overtreatment should be prevented in patients affected by this disease.

Maxillofacial fractures and associated lesions following airbag deployment were studied in six patients who suffered frontal or fronto-lateral car crashes. Installation of airbags in motor vehicles has reduced the morbidity and the mortality following motor vehicle accidents, but the appearance of new types of trauma directly related to airbag deployment raise questions about the potential danger of these devices when used improperly. The results of this limited study suggest that airbag injuries can be aggravated if: (1) seat belts are not worn; and (2) if the driver's chest is too close to the steering wheel as can easily happen with small people (in our study, two women). There needs to be a way of disconnecting the system.

Peripheral osteomas are benign, slow-growing osteogenic tumors that are caused by centrifugal growth of the periosteum and develop as masses attached to the cortical plates.The pathogenesis of osteomas is unclear, and embryologic, traumatic, inflammatory, metaplastic, and genetic causes have been proposed. A solitary peripheral osteoma of the jaws is uncommon.The purpose of this paper is to present a peculiar case of mandibular peripheral osteoma with a particular radiographic superimposition that stress the importance of clinical and CT findings.

The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence, characteristics, and correlations between maxillofacial fractures and dental injuries in patients who were treated at a first-level trauma center in a metropolitan center in northwest Italy in the last 11 years. Between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2011, 2,110 patients with maxillofacial fractures were admitted. Only dentulous patients with complete clinical records who presented with associated dental injuries were included in this study. Data on the age, gender, mechanism of injury, damaged tooth, type of dental injury, site of facial fractures, and concomitant injuries were recorded. On the whole, 267 patients (13.1 %), mainly males aged 20–29 years, presented with 759 dental injuries associated with maxillofacial fractures, especially following motor vehicle accidents. The maxillary teeth, most often the anterior elements with decreasing involvement from the incisors to the molars, were the teeth most frequently damaged overall. The main types of dental trauma in patients with maxillofacial fractures were luxations and dental fractures. Our findings show that patients with mandibular fractures were statistically and significantly associated with dental injury, and the teeth in the upper jaw were the most frequently injured teeth, exhibiting mainly luxations and crown fractures. Confirmation of the predominant impact site in patients with dental injuries associated with maxillofacial fractures comes from the 177 lacerations noted in the chin and lip regions in 267 patients.

This report describes an unusual case of trilobate Stafne bone cavity in a 72-year-old male asymptomatic patient, presenting as a radiolucency in the left mandibular body with an irregular peripheral border and a central area of reduced density on panoramic radiograph.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to analyze the etiology and patterns of soft-tissue facial lacerations associated with maxillofacial fractures and to identify associations between facial lacerations and underlying fractures. METHODS: Of 1960 patients who had been admitted for maxillofacial fractures between 2001 and 2010, only patients with complete clinical records presenting with facial lacerations were considered for this study. Facial lacerations were classified according to the MCFONTZL system. RESULTS: Of the 1960 patients admitted with maxillofacial fractures, 637 had 836 associated facial lacerations. Motor vehicle accidents and falls were responsible for most injuries to patients with facial lacerations. According to etiology, fractures resulting from work-related accidents more frequently produced associated lacerations.For all causes of injury, more facial lacerations were observed over the "T" area formed by the upper orbit and forehead, nose, upper and lower lips, and chin. Lacerations and maxillofacial fractures were more frequently localized to the middle third of the face, followed by the inferior third.There was a strong association between lacerations and fractures in the chin region, considering both symphyseal and parasymphyseal fractures (direct trauma) and condylar fractures (indirect trauma). CONCLUSIONS: An association between facial lacerations and underlying maxillofacial fractures was observed, particularly in the inferior orbital area and over the zygoma, mandible, and chin. Language: en

PURPOSE:: Concussion is a common issue in most contact sports, such as rugby, being one of the most troublesome injuries facing the sports medicine physician. The aim of this article was to survey the knowledge and beliefs concerning concussion in a sample of young rugby athletes in the northwest of Italy. METHODS:: The athletes of 4 amateur rugby teams completed a questionnaire about their knowledge about the signs and symptoms of concussion and of return-to-play strategies and protocols. RESULTS:: Twenty-five athletes reported that they had not been informed by anyone about symptoms of concussion and its consequences. Among these, 7 players thought they could return to play immediately after a concussion during the very same match. CONCLUSIONS:: The surveyed group in this study presented a general lack of knowledge of concussion. Rugby athletes and coaches must be made aware about signs and symptoms of concussion to suspect this injury. It would be desirable that rugby players are educated regarding the potential risks of playing while symptomatic. Language: en

There is no consensus about the surgical treatment of odontogenic myxoma. The aim of the current study was to present our experience and discuss the surgical management and outcome in 10 patients diagnosed with odontogenic myxoma.A retrospective review of charts of patients who were surgically treated for odontogenic myxoma was performed. Patients were recalled, and eventual recurrences were investigated.Eight lesions were mandibular, whereas 2 were maxillary. In 3 patients, enucleation and curettage was performed. Instead, in the remaining 7 patients, segmental resection and immediate reconstruction were decided. At follow-up, no patient showed recurrence of the lesion.Our protocol is to perform conservative surgery by enucleation and curettage when lesions were smaller than 3 cm, whereas a segmental resection with immediate reconstruction is preferred in patients affected by bigger tumors. Long-term follow-up is required, in particular when conservative surgery is preferred.

Epidermoid cysts are rare, slow-growing, benign, developmental cysts that are derived from abnormally situated ectodermal tissue. Epidermoid cysts may grow anywhere on the body and about 7% of them are located in the head and neck. In literature, very few epidermoid cysts have been reported in the temporal region. Histopathologically, they are lined with plain stratified keratin-producing squamous epithelium, although in some cases part of the lining is made up of mucous secreting and ciliated epithelium. This may suggest an endodermal rather than an ectodermal origin. We present and discuss the management of a patient presenting a posttraumatic epidermoid cyst of the temporal region.

The removal of mandibular third molars is probably the most frequently performed procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and it is the most common surgical procedure associated with lingual nerve deficit. Lingual sensory impairment remains a clinical problem in oral and maxillofacial surgery and has serious medical and legal implications. In fact, damage to the lingual nerve is a common cause of litigation in dentistry. The purpose of this article was to review the literature about lingual nerve deficit following mandibular third molar removal and discuss the associated medicolegal aspects.

The aim of this study was to report our experience in treating patients affected by spreading odontogenic infections and to discuss their management and outcome.Demographic and clinical information was collected from hospitalized patient records. Decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was calculated for 45 randomly selected patients. Statistical analysis was used to search for associations among multiple variables.Statistical analysis of the variance by univariate test found significant associations between a longer hospital stay and patients30 years old (P.05) and patients with the presenting symptoms of dysphagia and/or dyspnea (P.05). Statistical analysis using Fisher exact test found significant associations between patients with a DMFT index10 and female patients (P.05), patients30 years old (P.005), and a hospital stay4 days (P.0005).Rapid resolution of the infection was appreciated when removal of the cause, drainage of the infection, and intravenous antibiotics were performed.