Maxillofacial Research Articles

Sinonasal adenocarcinoma presented as a giant anterior cranial fossa mass: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundIntestinal adenocarcinoma accounts for less than 0.1–4% of all malignancies in the region. It is common among woodworkers and leather workers. Sinonasal adenocarcinoma usually arises from the ethmoid sinus (40%) or nasal cavity (25%). Extension to nearby structures is common, but intracranial spread is very rare. These tumors are usually treated with surgery, with a reported 5-year survival rate of 59% to 80%.Case presentationThis is a 60-year-old Black African male patient who presented with globalized headache, nasal obstruction with snoring during sleep, anosmia, change in mentation, sometimes agitation and left-side visual loss of one-year duration with worsening his above symptoms over the last one month. He couldn’t smell soap bilaterally; in his left eye he could see only hand movement at nearly 30 cm. On brain magnetic resonance imaging, there was a T1 hypo- and T2 hyper-intense anterior cranial fossa mass arising from the left ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinuses and compressing the left optic structures, and brain computed tomography demonstrated heterogeneous hypo- to isodense mass. Complete tumor excision achieved and discharged with significant improvement and linked to oncology unit for radiotherapy.ConclusionThe management of these patients is multidisciplinary, involving neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, oncologists, and maxillofacial surgeons. Surgical resection is the main treatment strategy, followed by radiotherapy, particularly intensity-modulated therapy. Chemotherapy is used in highly advanced, metastatic, and unresectable tumors.

Perspective on Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: Foramen Tympanicum Defect.

Foramen tympanicum (FT) is a defect located anterior-inferior to the external acoustic meatus. We evaluated its prevalence, location, size, and relationship with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Cone beam computed tomography was performed for 200 patients who presented to the Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Dentistry Hospital. The location and size of the FT in the axial and sagittal planes were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the study parameters among age and sex groups. Patients with FT were reevaluated by two maxillofacial surgeons at the study centre. In total, 200 images from 400 joints were examined. Unilateral and bilateral FT (19 [9.5%] and 8 [4%], respectively) was detected in 35 (17.5%) images from 27 (13.5%) patients. Examinations were performed for TMJ disorders in 24 patients. Participants with bilateral defects had the highest rates of presence of sounds and ear pain on the left and right sides (p < .05). Foramen tympanicum can lead to TMJ disorders and spread of tumours or infections from the external auditory canal to the infratemporal fossa. The increased prevalence of such disorders in patients with bilateral FT suggests an association between them.

To what extent do oral and maxillofacial surgery residents suffer from imposter syndrome?

ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate frequency and severity of Imposter Syndrome (IS) in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents and identify factors associated with higher Clance Imposter Phenomenon Survey (CIPS) scores. Study DesignA cross-sectional study was performed with a survey including CIPS, demographic, and training program structure questions distributed to all OMS training programs and residents in the United States. Primary predictor variable was gender and main outcome variable was CIPS score. Statistical analyses were performed using linear regression in R v4.3.1; statistical significance was set to p-value < .05. Results175 OMS residents responded. The average CIPS score was 59.8 (IQR 52, 70). Statistically significant differences were found between average male and female resident scores (56.5 vs. 66.9; p<.001) and male and female single-degree residents (54.3 vs. 73.1; p<.001), but not for dual-degree residents (58.8 vs. 63.9; p=.35). ConclusionsThe average male resident experiences moderate IS, while the average female resident experiences frequent IS. Loss of significance between male and female dual-degree resident scores may be due to the completion of a doctoral degree, an internship, and/or dental board exams upon entering medical school, leading to more favorable accomplishment comparisons among medical school peers.

Evaluation of AI-generated responses by different artificial intelligence chatbots to the clinical decision-making case-based questions in oral and maxillofacial surgery

ObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the correctness of the generated answers by Google Bard, GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Claude-Instant, and Bing chatbots to decision-making clinical questions in the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) area. Study DesignA group of three board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons designed a questionnaire with 50 case-based questions in multiple-choice and open-ended formats. Answers of chatbots to multiple-choice questions were examined against the chosen option by three referees. The chatbots' answers to the open-ended questions were evaluated based on the modified global quality scale. A p-value under 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsBard, GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Claude-Instant, and Bing answered 34%, 36%, 38%, 38%, and 26% of the questions correctly, respectively. In open-ended questions, GPT-4 scored the most answers evaluated as grades “4” or “5,” and Bing scored the most answers evaluated as grades “1” or “2”. There were no statistically significant differences between the five chatbots in responding to the open-ended (P = 0.275) and multiple-choice (P = 0.699) questions. ConclusionConsidering the major inaccuracies in the responses of chatbots, despite their relatively good performance in answering open-ended questions, this technology yet cannot be trusted as a consultant for clinicians in decision-making situations. Clinical SignificanceThese results can affect the way that OMFS is practiced. By providing clinicians with access to AI-generated responses to clinical decision-making questions, we can help them make more informed and accurate decisions, which can lead to better patient outcomes.

Risk factor analysis for perioperative complications in impacted third molar surgery - a single center experience.

The surgical removal of impacted third molars is usually carried out by an oral/maxillofacial surgeon. Two specific risks of surgical removal of impacted third molars are oroantral communication (OAC) when extracting ​​upper third molars and hypesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) ​​when extracting lower third molars. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of complications in deeply impacted third molar surgery, to identify specific risk factors influencing the most common perioperative (OAC, IAN hypesthesia) and to compare these results with other studies. The clinical findings, digital panoramic radiographs, intra- and postoperative data of 80 patients with a total of 232 impacted third molars that had been subjected for tooth extraction, from December 2022 and August 2023, were collected and analyzed. Perioperative complications (IAN hypesthesia, OAC, hypesthesia lingual nerve, postoperative bleeding, postoperative infection) were identified. A risk analysis for OAC and IAN hypesthesia was performed regarding perioperative data. Overall, the rate of OAC for the right upper third molar was 12.8% and for the left upper third molar 15.6%. The complication rates regarding transient hypesthesia were 8.1% for the left IAN and 7.3% for the right IAN. The distance to maxillary sinus, the depth score according to Pell and Gregory, the bone coverage score, the operation time, the tooth's angulation and the type of surgeon (oral surgeon, DMD) were identified as significant risk factors for the occurrence of OAC. The minimum distance to IAN, the bone coverage score, the total operation time and the operation by an oral surgeon (DMD) were identified as significant risk factors for hypesthesia of the IAN. Next to the risk factors from above, the present study is one of the first showing that patients who were primarily operated on by an oral surgeon (DMD) and not a maxillofacial surgeon (MD, DMD) showed higher rates of OAC and IAN hypesthesia in impacted third molar extraction. The results of this study can serve as a baseline for further studies to investigate complication patterns in impacted third molar surgery.

Epidemiology of Craniomaxillofacial Fractures Over a 5-year Period at a Midwestern Level 1 Trauma Center Serving a Large Rural Population

Though the epidemiology of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) fractures has been well documented at urban hospitals, the characteristics of these fractures in rural hospitals have not been well studied. The purpose of this study is to report on the epidemiology of CMF fractures at a regional Level 1 trauma center serving a large rural population in central Illinois. This is a retrospective cohort study at a community-based regional tertiary referral center that serves a predominantly rural population. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with radiologically confirmed CMF fractures between 2015 and 2019. Patients with incomplete medical records were excluded. Predictor variables included demographics (age, admission source, race, and sex) and etiology of CMF fracture (assault/domestic violence, all-terrain vehicle/off-road, falls, farm-related, motor vehicle collisions, gunshot wound, and others). The primary outcome variable was the CMF anatomic location including nasal bone, orbit, mandible, malar/maxillary, and other CMF fractures. The covariates are not applicable. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize a sample of the population characteristics. Wilcoxon ranked sign tests and χ2 tests of independence were used to assess for statistically significant associations between select variables of interest. Statistical significance was defined as P<.05. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 2,334 patients presented to the emergency department with a CMF fracture. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final sample was composed of 1,844 patients for the management of 2,405 CMF fractures. The majority of patients were male(62.0%) and young adults (aged 18-39) had the highest number of CMF fractures (819) relative to all other age groups. The most common fracture etiology was fall(37.3%), and nasal bone fractures represented the most common fracture location(41.6%). χ2 analyses revealed statistically significant associations between the anatomic location of CMF fracture incurred, and differing categories of age, admission source, race, sex, and etiology. Our study shows that patients seen at our Midwestern Level 1 trauma center are more likely to present with nasal bone and malar/maxillary fractures due to falls. In studies based in urban centers, patients are likely to present with orbital and mandibular fractures due to falls and assault.

Does Maxillomandibular Fixation Technique Affect Occlusion Quality in Segmental LeFort I Osteotomy?

BackgroundSegmental maxillary osteotomies require precise occlusal control due to variability in individual segment positioning. The role of maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) technique on occlusal control has not been validated. PurposeThe purpose is to measure and compare the accuracy of occlusal positioning among MMF techniques. Study design, setting, sampleThis was a double-blinded in vitro study on experiment models to simulate a 3-piece LeFort I osteotomy. The models were constricted posteriorly and expanded using 3 different MMF techniques and compared to the unaltered baseline occlusion. Based on sample size calculation, 32 separate attempts were made for each MMF technique. Predictor variableThe predictor variable was MMF technique (brackets, MMF screws, embrasure wires). Main outcome variablesThe primary outcome variable was the visual occlusal analysis score (VOAS), a 1.00 to 4.00 continuous scale measuring the similarity of the achieved occlusion to the planned (control) occlusion assessed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist. High VOAS indicated greater occlusal accuracy, with 3.50 defined as the threshold for accuracy. The secondary outcome variable was the linear error of the achieved occlusion at the canine and first molar teeth, with lower error indicating greater accuracy. An a priori accuracy threshold of 0.5mm was set for this variable. CovariatesNone. AnalysesKruskal-Wallis test with post hoc testing was used to analyze the difference in the outcome variables of interest. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThirty-two attempts for each technique showed that brackets had higher VAOS than MMF screws and embrasure wires (median differences 1.49 and 0.48, P<0.001), and had lower linear occlusal error (median differences 0.35 to 0.99mm, P<0.001). Conclusions and RelevanceMMF technique influences the quality of occlusal control, with greater visual rating scores and lower linear errors seen with brackets than with embrasure wires or MMF screws.

Risk factors for post-extraction infection of mandibular third molar: A retrospective clinical study

Post-extraction infection is one of the most concerning complications of mandibular third molar extraction, which is the most common procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery. We investigated risk factors for post-extraction infection by retrospectively analyzing 2,513 teeth/cases of mandibular third molar extraction (1,040 males, 1,473 females) performed at a single medical facility in Kobe, Japan from January 2014 to May 2022. The predictive variables were categorized as patient attributes, health status, and anatomic, pathological, and operative variables that may be associated with post-extraction infection. The outcome variable was the post-extraction infection rate. The post-extraction infection rate was 5.73 % (144 of the 2,513 teeth), and the mean age of the patients with a post-extraction infection was 41.76 ± 16.8 years. Our analyses also revealed that the postoperative infection rate was significantly increased in patients aged ≥36 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following variables were significantly associated with post-extraction infection: preoperative antibiotic administration (odds ratio [OR] 4.68, p < 0.001), postoperative paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (OR 4.34, p < 0.001), intraoperative hemostatic procedure (OR 1. 74, p = 0.008), position of Pell and Gregory classifications (OR 1. 70, p < 0.001), Winter's classification (OR 1.28, p < 0.03), and age (OR 1.03, p < 0.001). Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of these risk factors.

Therapeutic reassessment of impacted or transposed teeth

Impacted or transposed teeth present a common yet challenging issue in dentistry. These conditions occur when teeth fail to erupt properly or emerge in abnormal positions within the dental arch. This article explores the evolving landscape of therapeutic strategies for impacted or transposed teeth, emphasizing a multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontists, oral surgeons, and other dental specialists, clinicians can tailor treatment plans to address individual needs and optimize outcomes. Therapeutic reassessment of impacted or transposed teeth represents a paradigm shift in modern dentistry, emphasizing personalized care, minimally invasive techniques, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Orthognathic surgery: a significant tool for reassessment

More than 15years of experience in orthodontic-surgical collaboration has allowed the authors to identify some situations in which a new perspective is needed. Although it may seem easy to refer a patient to a maxillo-facial surgeon in cases of major dysmorphoses, this can lead to yet other dilemmas: a loss of results at the end of a developmental growth stage, an adult requesting a return to treatment after a camouflage orthodontic treatment or a non-cooperative child in an interceptive and preventive treatment phase. Then, a comprehensive process of reassessment becomes compulsory. In the form of an editorial, this article describes various cases encountered in the authors' practice. The aim is not to point out the imperfections of our humanity, but simply to open our eyes to diagnostic elements that are missed, whether in the initial phase or during reassessment. As it is far from ideal to keep offering similar therapies that lead to the same pitfalls, it is time for a shift in the paradigm.

Fully digital occlusion planning in orthognathic surgery – A crossover study

Orthognathic surgery enables patients with severe jaw malocclusions to normalise their chewing function and, as such, to improve their quality of life. Over the last few years, digitalisation has been set in motion by intraoral scanners and the improvement of planning software in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Previous studies based on plaster cast models showed that the virtual occlusion based on digitally scanned models can be comparable to conventional methods. This retrospective crossover study aimed to prove that the virtual occlusion finding with the IPS CaseDesigner® (version 2.3.5.2, KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany) is accurate enough to use intraoral scans exclusively. Materials and methodsA total of 23 orthognathic surgery patients receiving an intraoral scan for their treatment were included in this study. Two experienced maxillofacial surgeons haptically performed the occlusion finding on three-dimensional (3D) stereolithographic models using the fully digital pathway. One surgeon repeated the procedure a second time to evaluate intra-observer variability. The study aimed to show the difference between these two planning methods by upholding the surgical accuracy of less than 2 mm in translation and 2° in rotation. The conventional haptic occlusion was set as a reference throughout the whole study. The data were tested with a one-sample Wilcoxon test for the fit into the surgical accuracy. ResultsThe difference between the virtual and conventional groups was significantly smaller than the surgical accuracy (all p < 0.001). Both translational movements (anterior/posterior (median 0.51 mm [0.28, 0.88]), left/right (median 0.46 mm [0.20, 0.87]), cranial/caudal (median 0.37 mm [0.11, 0.69])) and rotations (Roll (median 0.71° [0.29, 1.35]), Pitch (median 0.72° [0.29, 1.44]), Yaw (median 1.09° [0.33, 1.60])) were in the range of surgical accuracy (2 mm/2°). The most significant differences were found in the anterior/posterior translation (median 0.51 mm [0.28, 0.88]) and the Yaw rotation (median 1.09° [0.33, 1.60]). ConclusionThese results demonstrate that the entirely virtual workflow in orthognathic surgery, including intraoral scanning and the virtual semi-automatic occlusion finding, represents a reliable and state-of-the-art alternative to the conventional haptic method.

Brain abscess originating from odontogenic maxillofacial fascial space abscess : report of two cases

Brain abscesses caused by dental infections are rare but potentially fatal infections with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, but diagnosing them is not straightforward. Various mechanisms exist through which oral bacteria can spread to the central nervous system, with hematogenous dissemination being considered the most important pathophysiological mechanism. In this report, two cases of brain abscess originating from maxillofacial fascial space infec-tion will be presented. In the first case, the infection originating from the right side secondary to the left brain abscess, and in the second case, the infection originating from the left side led to a secondary infection in the left brain abscess. In both cases, the source of the infection was traced back to dental issues. The patients showed improvement through long-term high dose antibiotic therapy and surgical treatment by oral &amp; maxillofacial surgeon and neurosurgeon.

Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw – 2024 Update

As the global number of patients with osteoporosis and malignant diseases such as breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer increases every year, there is an associated rise in the use of antiangiogenic medications and antiresorptive medications. With increasing frequencies in the use of antiangiogenic and antiresorptive medications, there is an associated increase in the number of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) cases reported from patients. MRONJ has emerged as a significant comorbidity in cancer patients treated with antiangiogenics or high doses of potent antiresorptive agents, such as bisphosphonates (BPs) or denosumab. MRONJ first emerged from BP-treated cancer patients who presented with a spectrum of dental problems, including delayed wound healing following a dental extraction or oral surgery, exposed bone, soft tissue infection and inflammation, anesthesia, paresthesia, odontalgia, sinus pain, and aching bone pain in the mandible, which continues to be a significant source of problems for dentists, physicians, and patients today. A significant number of MRONJ cases secondary to osteoporosis have also been reported in osteoporotic patients receiving antiresorptive medications. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has established diagnostic standards for MRONJ based on pharmacological history, clinical signs, and radiographic findings. However, as the expertise and knowledge base for MRONJ continues to evolve, revisions and refinements for MRONJ pathogenesis and treatment strategies are necessary to reflect the current research status of the disease correctly. This review highlights current scientific information associated with MRONJ to identify and summarize preventative measures, and treatment interventions for reading the impact of this debiliating disorders.

Machine learning-based decision support system for orthognathic diagnosis and treatment planning

BackgroundDento-maxillofacial deformities are common problems. Orthodontic–orthognathic surgery is the primary treatment but accurate diagnosis and careful surgical planning are essential for optimum outcomes. This study aimed to establish and verify a machine learning–based decision support system for treatment of dento-maxillofacial malformations.MethodsPatients (n = 574) with dento-maxillofacial deformities undergoing spiral CT during January 2015 to August 2020 were enrolled to train diagnostic models based on five different machine learning algorithms; the diagnostic performances were compared with expert diagnoses. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. The adaptive artificial bee colony algorithm was employed to formulate the orthognathic surgical plan, and subsequently evaluated by maxillofacial surgeons in a cohort of 50 patients. The objective evaluation included the difference in bone position between the artificial intelligence (AI) generated and actual surgical plans for the patient, along with discrepancies in postoperative cephalometric analysis outcomes.ResultsThe binary relevance extreme gradient boosting model performed best, with diagnostic success rates > 90% for six different kinds of dento-maxillofacial deformities; the exception was maxillary overdevelopment (89.27%). AUC was > 0.88 for all diagnostic types. Median score for the surgical plans was 9, and was improved after human–computer interaction. There was no statistically significant difference between the actual and AI- groups.ConclusionsMachine learning algorithms are effective for diagnosis and surgical planning of dento-maxillofacial deformities and help improve diagnostic efficiency, especially in lower medical centers.

Categorizing temporomandibular joint arthroscopic procedures for a better clinical practice and teaching

ObjectiveTo provide some clarity to the confusion in the terminology used to classify arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement (ID) and osteoarthrosis (OA). Material and methodsThe author introduces a new method for categorizing TMJ arthroscopic procedures more accurately, intending to establish a reference point from which further clinical series may built their analyses. ResultsSix categories are proposed for establishing a clear distinction among performed arthroscopic procedures: Level Ia, arthroscopic lavage (AL); Level Ib, arthroscopic lysis and lavage (ALL); Level Ic, ALL “needle-therapy”; Level IIa, simple operative arthroscopy (OA); Level IIb, advanced OA; and Level III, OA with discopexy. Several arthroscopic procedures, such as lysis of adherences, coblation of the retrodiscal tissue, anterior myotomy of the lateral pterigoid muscle, or discopexy, are classified in each category depending on the need (or not) to use of one or two working cannulas. ConclusionTeaching and training of maxillofacial surgeons in the acquisition of the skills to perform arthroscopy should be based on a step-by-step approach following this proposed classification. Besides, future clinical series on arthroscopy of the TMJ for the treatment of ID and/or osteoarthrosis may benefit from a clear distinction of the performed arthroscopic procedure in terms of evaluating outcomes and complications.

A rare case of fibrous dysplasia in the mandible: a case report

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign fibro-osseous lesion of the bone which can be monostotic FD and the polyostotic form. Polyostotic FD with café-au-lait spots of the skin and hormonal imbalances is called McCune–Albright syndrome. Besides, Mazabraud syndrome is characterized by polyostotic FD and intramuscular myxomas. FD has its onset during childhood or early adolescence and usually occurs within the first or second decade of life.&#x0D; The mode of presentation of the FD of the jaw ranges from asymptomatic to dental anomalies, pain, and facial asymmetry. Given the clinical history and radiological assessment, cystic lesions have some important differential diagnoses which range from cystic ameloblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cyst, and odontogenic keratocyst.&#x0D; Case report: This presents a 19-year-old female who presented to the maxillofacial surgeons’ clinic with a referral from a peripheral hospital. Her major complaint was right-sided facial swelling which was noticed 4 years before the presentation. A plain radiograph revealed an expansile lesion of the mid-right mandible appearing as a well-outlined, fairly oval multiloculated cystic radiolucent mass with multiple internal septations. A preliminary diagnosis of a complex cystic right jaw mass with benign features was made with possible differential diagnoses such as ameloblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cyst, and odontogenic keratocyst were suggested as possible differential diagnoses. Finally, she had an excision biopsy with a histological diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia. The outcome of the surgery was satisfactory at one year review.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Y.L. Shevchenko as a person and his attitude to dentistry and maxillofacial surgery

The purpose of the study is to share personal impressions about the prominent organizer of military and practical healthcare, former Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Professor Y.L. Shevchenko, as well as his attitude and contribution to dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.&#x0D; Material and methods. When writing this article, we used exclusively our personal memories from communication with Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Y.L. Shevchenko.&#x0D; Results. You can read about the professional and social activities of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the State Prize of Russia, Professor, Colonel-General of the medical service, retired Yuri Leonidovich Shevchenko in many publications. Y.L. Shevchenko made a major contribution to the creation of a territorial health system (practical and military), focusing on aspects of economics and health management, as well as in the formation of the national health insurance system and much more. This article highlights the personal qualities of this respected scientist, clinician, organizer of military and practical healthcare, as well as a public figure, emphasizes his humanity, respect for teachers and subordinates, as well as dedication to his work, his understanding and importance of the tasks facing dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. The contribution of Y.L. Shevchenko to dentistry was noted, as well as the perpetuation of the memory of outstanding military maxillofacial surgeons and dentists.&#x0D; Conclusions. Personal communication with the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Y.L. Shevchenko, has always been pleasant and productive for the author. Such Teachers as Professor Y.L. Shevchenko can be considered the STANDARD OF MAN AND HUMANITY.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Availability of Specialist Training and Different Training Pathways across Africa.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is the surgical specialty concerned with the treatment of a broad range of conditions that affect the head, face, mouth, neck, and jaw. In Africa, there is a paucity of information about the specialist training available to aspiring African Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. This paper aimed at shedding light on the available OMFS specialist training programmes and training pathways across Africa. The authors searched on PubMed, AJOL, and Google Scholar using the keywords "Africa," "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery," "Residency," "Postgraduate," and "Education" and the individual African countries in English and official languages from inception till July 11, 2022. The authors utilised a questionnaire to interview native oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dentists in African countries where there were no published data on OMFS specialist training. A total of 21 (38.8%) African countries had OMFS specialist training programmes (n = 69). The duration of training varies between 2 and 7 years. The number of training programmes per country ranges between one and thirteen. Countries with the most training programmes for OMFS in Africa are Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Algeria. Northern Africa and Central Africa had the most and least numbers of specialist training programmes in OMFS, respectively. There remains a disparity in the number of specialist training programmes available to aspiring African Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as compared with other parts of the world. This paper is intended to function both as a means of advocacy to increase funding and resources in support of the infrastructure and development of facilities for African OMFS specialist training programmes and also serve as a valuable reference for future research in OMFS.

Does anesthesia duration or number of cases per patient predict safety events?

The need for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia is increasing, with varying needs between patients. Mortality has been found to be a rare event in these patients; however other perioperative events can and do occur. Previous studies have established increased incidence of perioperative events with younger, sicker children, and longer anesthetics, however, no studies to date have evaluated if the incidence of perioperative events is more closely associated with one long anesthetic or multiple anesthetics per patient. To evaluate the association of perioperative events related to single anesthetic duration or number of anesthetics per patient for dental rehabilitation. After Children's Wisconsin Human Research Protection Program determined this quality activity did not meet the definition of human subjects research, we performed an epidemiologic observational evaluation by extracting all dental related cases (dental alone or with oral surgeon vs. dental with other specialties) with an associated general anesthesia encounter from Children's Wisconsin electronic data warehouse from June 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. These cases occurred at a free-standing children's hospital or associated pediatric-only ambulatory surgery center. The risk of perioperative safety events was analyzed for previously identified risk groups such as American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), patient age, anesthesia case time with the addition of number of dental cases per patient. In this study, 8468 procedures were performed on 8082 patients. Of this cohort, 7765 patients underwent one procedure for dental care while 317 patients underwent a total of 703 dental-related procedures, ranging from two to five procedures per patient. Multivariable logistic regression identified increased risk of perioperative events in patients with ASA-PS 3 (n = 1459, rate 1.78%, p value .001, OR 5.7, CI 2.1-15.5) and ASA-PS 4 (n = 86, rate 5.8%, p < .001, OR 17.2, CI 4.4-67.3), anesthesia duration (p < .001, OR 1.46, CI 1.21-1.76), but no increased risk with number of anesthetics per patient (p value .54, OR 0.81, CI 0.4-1.61). Limiting dental care under general anesthesia to multiple short cases may decrease the risk of perioperative events when compared to completing all treatment in one long operative session.

Synthetic biomaterials based on hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate: analysis of current clinical trials

Introduction To date, a wide variety of synthetic materials, including metals, polymers and ceramics, have been proposed and used as a substitute for bone grafts in the field of traumatology/orthopedics, neurosurgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS). However, the most studied materials are calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC), in particular hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, as well as their mixtures, called byphasic calcium phosphates. This interest stems from the fact that the main component of bone is the apatite mineral calcium phosphate. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate are among the most commonly used and effective synthetic substitutes for bone grafts. They have not only osteoconductive properties, but also osteoinductive. These properties, combined with cell-mediated resorption, ensure complete regeneration of bone defects. This study will analyze existing clinical trials, registered on the clinicaltirals.gov website, on the use of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate in the field of traumatology and orthopedics, neurosurgery and OMFS.Aim To identify the potential for clinical use, as well as possible side effects, of CPC as a replacement for bone grafts.Materials and methods The search strategy was to use material from the clinicaltrials.gov website, which focused on key terms such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, traumatology and orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, neurosurgery, bone, и diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Results and discussion As of November 2022, there were approximately 85 clinical trials with hydroxyapatite application, approximately 49 clinical trials with tricalcium phosphate, and approximately 16 clinical trials with the hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate combination. Most of the studies were Phase 1-2, Phase 2, or Phase 4. Most focused on tibial trauma therapy, osteoporosis/osteopenia, alveolar bone resorption, and spinal surgery. It was found that full results were published only in 3, 7 and 2 clinical trials on the use of hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate and their combination, respectfully. All clinical trials had similar preparation methods and all of those clinical trials produced positive results without serious side effects.Conclusion There is a wide potential for clinical use of CPC as synthetic bone graft substitutes without reports of serious side effects. Many preclinical and clinical studies are currently underway on the use of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, and their future results will further explore their clinical potential.