Combined Endoscopic and Intraoral Approach or Intraoral Alone in Surgical Management of Odontogenic Sinusitis

The physiological behavior of paranasal sinuses depends on the potency of the ostiomeatal complex and on normal mucociliary function. The interruption of this delicate equilibrium can lead to pathological conditions such as sinusitis. Anywhere between 10% and over 25% of cases of maxillary sinusitis have an odontogenic origin, such as: dental infection; alveolar dental trauma; or iatrogenic causes, such as extractions, endodontic therapies, maxillary osteotomies or placement of endosseous implants. The resolution of sinus pathology is related to the resolution of odontogenic pathology. Aim: to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a combined oral and endoscopic approach in the treatment of chronic odontogenic sinusitis vs. oral dental management through a case control study. Materials and Methods: all patients showing signs and symptoms of odontogenic sinusitis with obliteration (appreciable radiopacity in CT) of unilateral maxillary sinus between January 2018 and September 2019 at Padua University Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. The exclusion criteria were: maxillary sinusitis without odontogenic origin, or resolution with a systemic antibiotic therapy; and presence of anatomical abnormalities that promote the onset of rhinosinusitis. The patients were divided into two groups: one group was treated with a combined surgical approach under general anesthesia (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery-FESS and simultaneous closure of oroantral communication with Bichat’s fat pad advancement); while the other group was treated only with an intraoral approach under local anesthesia and conscious sedation (closure of oroantral communication with Bichat’s fat pad advancement). The variable “success of the surgical procedure” in the two groups was compared by a Student test (with p < 0.05). Results: among the patients enrolled, 10 patients (aged between 42 and 70) made up the case group and the other 10 patients (aged between 51 and 74) constituted the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in success between the two groups (p < 0.025). Conclusions: according to this case study, an exclusive annotation invasive intraoral approach seemed to be comparable to the transoral endoscopic combined method. However, during diagnosis it is necessary and fundamental to distinguish between odontogenic and rhinogenic sinusitis in order for the resolution of odontogenic sinusitis to be achieved.

Immediate Mandibular Reconstruction Using a Cellular Bone Allograft Following Tumor Resection in a Pediatric Patient

Reconstruction of large segmental mandibular defects presents a challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, particularly in the skeletally immature pediatric patient. Autogenous bone graft is historically preferred; however, harvest of autograft requires a second surgical site, risking donor-site complications as well as the potential for long-term complications in the growing child. Here, we present the first known report of a pediatric patient who underwent immediate mandibular reconstruction of a 6.5-cm long segmental defect using a cellular bone allograft (VF-CBA) combined with custom-fabricated guides and plates following tumor resection. The use of VF-CBA, along with the custom guides and plates, eliminated the need for autograft harvest in a child, enabled an entirely intraoral approach, avoiding the creation of a cutaneous scar, and reduced the total operative time, resulting in a fast recovery and improved patient satisfaction. By 7 months postoperative, the patient’s mandible was fully healed with solid osseous consolidation. These results support VF-CBA combined with custom intraoral guides and plates as an effective treatment option for reconstruction of large segmental mandibular defects in a pediatric patient.

Implants displaced into the maxillary sinus, an endoscopic approach - a report of two cases

Accidental implant displacement into the maxillary sinuses and accompanying complications are well documented in the literature. Two surgical approaches have been suggested to remove the displaced implants and to handle the related complications: an intraoral approach and the nasal endoscopy. The intraoral approach is preferred in cases of absence of local infection, ostium obstruction, and oroantral communication needing to be closed. The nasal approach, besides retrieval of displaced implants, allows the treatment of any associated pathology and reestablishment of the mucociliary clearance as well as the natural ventilation through the ostium. This article reports two clinical cases of implant displacement in the maxillary sinus treated with a nasal endoscopy through the middle meatal meatotomy. This article reports two clinical cases of implant displacement in the maxillary sinus treated with a nasal endoscopy through the middle meatal meatotomy. Implants accidentally displaced can be avoided by a proper exploration of the preoperative x-ray, selecting an appropriate treatment plan, and esteeming the surgical skills. The most appropriate approach to handle these complications is close cooperation between oral surgeons and otolaryngologists.

Plunging Ranula as Initial Manifestation of HIV-AIDS: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Ranulas are defined as the extravasation of mucus into an intraoral cystic cavity produced by an injury to the excretory ducts or the acini of the sublingual gland. Plunging ranulas are generated when the salivary collection penetrates the mylohyoid through a dehiscence of its fibers, invading the submandibular space. The close relationship between these lesions and HIV-AIDS infection has been reported since 2004, with a 75.88% rate of positive cases. The objective of this article is to present the management of patient with a plunging ranula, which made it possible to address the diagnosis of HIV-AIDS. Case Report: A 28-year-old male patient presented with a painless and fluctuating swelling in the laterocervical space and the floor of the mouth, which produced dysphagia and dyslalia. Serological tests for HIV were carried out and had a reactive result. Surgical treatment was performed via intraoral approach, with a favorable evolution at 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Ranulas, and particularly plunging ranulas, should be considered in the group of oral lesions associated with HIVAIDS infection, as they may even be the initial manifestation of the disease.

Compound Odontoma Removed by Endoscopic Intraoral Approach: Case Report

A 12-year-old Japanese boy was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a radiopaque area on the left side of the mandible. Radiographic and computed tomographic examinations revealed a radiopaque lesion located on the lingual side, along with permanent tooth eruption. Several small tooth-like structures were noted within the lesion and the mandibular left second premolar was inclined in a mesial direction. An odontoma was clinically diagnosed and surgical removal by an endoscopic intraoral approach under general anesthesia was planned. Reports of oral surgery using an endoscopic approach have been presented, though none for an odontoma. With the expectation that removal of the odontoma would improve dentition in this case, we planned future management. A minimally invasive surgical removal procedure by an endoscopic intraoral approach from the lingual side was performed and good early recovery was noted. The resected tumor consisted of several small tooth-like structures. Histopathological diagnosis was a compound odontoma. One-year follow-up findings showed that the post-surgical course was good.

Rehabilitation of severely atrophic mandible: A 3-year Follow Up Protocol.

Severe bone atrophies are considered a challenge in the rehabilitation process. In clinical situations involving excessive vertical bone deficiency in edentulous mandibles, there is risk of fracture and frequently the need for an approach that involves highly complex procedures. In this context, simultaneous three-dimensional bone reconstruction associated with rigid fixation is a viable alternative to optimize longevity and avoid failures in these cases. This clinical case report presents a technique for reconstruction of severely atrophic mandibles in an elderly female patient to allow the implant-supported prosthesis protocol. The placement of immediate implants was possible by using an intraoral approach for fixation of a titanium plate, followed by guided bone regeneration in association with rhBMP-2, deproteinized bovine bone mineral and titanium mesh in a one-stage surgical procedure. There are no reports in the literature with this approach for treating of severely atrophic mandibles. These association of techniques was shown to be predictable after three years of follow-up. Therefore, this protocol provides safe supported-implant prosthesis rehabilitation for patients with severely atrophic mandible.

Endoscopically Assisted Marginal Mandibulectomy Using an Intraoral Approach Alone for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Posterior Mandibular Gingiva: A Technical Note

Study Design: Technical note. Objective: Marginal mandibulectomy is a surgical procedure for treatment of mandibular gingival tumors. The intraoral approach to the posterior region of the mandible for marginal mandibulectomy is difficult due to limited access and operating field visibility; the conventional surgical procedure may require some skin incisions. This report discusses the effectiveness of endoscopic assistance in marginal mandibulectomy. Methods: This article describes endoscopically assisted marginal mandibulectomy using an intraoral approach alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the posterior mandibular gingiva. Results: The advantages of this surgical method are twofold: (1) superior visibility to the lower edge of the mandible without any skin incision; and (2) safe surgical confirmation of important anatomy on the buccolingual side (e.g., mental foramen, lingual nerve, mandibular foramen, and neurovascular bundle). This minimally invasive approach without any skin incision, as well as the superior visibility of the operating field, are important advantages of endoscopically assisted marginal mandibulectomy that cannot be obtained by other surgical methods. Conclusions: Endoscopically assisted marginal mandibulectomy using an intraoral approach alone may be useful because it avoids damage to facial skin and improves safety by employing an enlarged bright field.