Subcutaneous emphysema: how can we prevent and treat it?

Subcutaneous emphysema is described as an uncommon complication resulting from the passage of compressed air to the fascial planes and is associated, in dentistry, with restorative, endodontic treatments, periodontal surgery and extractions, the latter with a higher incidence. Early diagnosis, appropriate approach and ordering of imaging tests prevent secondary complications, such as local infection and progression to deep cervical and thoracic fascial spaces. Thus, the present clinical case reports the transoperative occurrence of subcutaneous emphysema during extraction of the lower third molar, its indicated treatment and how we can avoid this type of complication

Versatility of Buccal Pad of Fat in the Reconstruction of Oral and Maxillofacial Defects - A Review

BACKGROUND The maxillofacial region has several congenital and acquired defects. Because of its abundant blood supply and proximity to different intraoral abnormalities, the buccal fat pad flap (BFP) is a simple and reliable flap that can be used to repair a variety of these abnormalities. BFP has remarkable qualities as a scaffold and autogenous dressing in the healing of intraoral defects after excision of oral cavity intraoral lesions. Filling and allowing slippage of fascial spaces between muscles of facial expression, advancement of intermuscular motion, isolating mastication muscles from one another, counteracting negative pressure during suction in the newborn, protection and cushioning of neurovascular bundles from injuries are among the functions of BFP. It also has a dense venous network that facilitates exoendocranial blood flow via the pterygoid plexus. For many years, the BFP was considered a surgical annoyance due to its incidental encounter during various surgeries in the pterygomaxillary space or following injuries to the craniofacial region. However, various clinical applications of BFP have been introduced in recent years. We looked at BFP and its anatomical foundation, surgical procedures, and clinical applications in this review article. The surgical method is easy and effective in a wide range of clinical situations, including oroantral fistula closure, congenital defect rectification, Osteoradionecrosis treatment, and reconstruction of tumor or cyst defect. Thus BFP is a dependable flap that may be used in a variety of therapeutic conditions. KEY WORDS Buccal Fat Pad Flap; Oral Mucosa; Reconstruction; Defect.

Deep Space Neck Infections

Deep neck space infections are a common reason for otolaryngology consultation. The anatomic spaces and their relationships are complex, and inappropriately treated infections may pose life-threatening consequences. It is critical for the practicing otolaryngologist to understand the boundaries and contents of the fascial spaces, microbiology of involved organisms, clinical workup, indications for medical and surgical management, and potential complications. This review contains 15 figures, 3 tables and 25 references. Key Words: Nodes of Rouviere, Danger space, Ludwig’s angina, Lemierre syndrome, Cavernous sinus thrombosis, Necrotizing fasciitis, Bezold abscess

Patient-induced progressive facial subcutaneous emphysema masquerading as odontogenic abscess

Facial subcutaneous emphysema (SE) is an uncommon sequelae of dental procedures and often attributed to the use of high-speed air-driven handpieces during surgical extractions, forcing air through fascial spaces. Rarely have there been documented cases of patient-induced SE. In this case report, we present an 18-year-old woman who was referred to the emergency department with a 5-day history of progressive swelling and pain to her right cheek, following a prolonged, but simple extraction of tooth 18. While the dentist and emergency physicians were concerned about an infectious aetiology, history taking, clinical review and imaging corroborated the diagnosis of patient-induced SE secondary to habitual straw use. This report highlights the need for routine postextraction counselling of sinus precautions irrespective of extraction complexity. Additionally, emergency physicians should be aware of SE masquerading as other pathology, including odontogenic abscesses, allergic reactions, angioedema and gas-forming bacterial infections, such as necrotising fasciitis, to ensure appropriate treatment is provided to patients.

Classification of postoperative edema based on the anatomic division with mandibular third molar extraction

Purpose Several investigations have been performed for a postoperative edema after extraction, but the results have been controversial due to low objectivity or poorly reproducible assessments of the edema. The aim of this study was to suggest a classification and patterns of postoperative edema according to the anatomical division associated with extraction of mandibular third molar as a qualitative evaluation method. Methods This study was conducted forty-four mandibular third molars extracted and MRI was taken within 48 h after extraction. The postoperative edema space was classified by MRI (one anatomic component—buccinator muscle—and four fascial spaces—supra-periosteum space, buccal space, parapharyngeal space, and lingual space), and evaluated independently by two examiners. The inter-examiner reliability was calculated using Kappa statistics. Results The evaluation of buccinator muscle edema showed good agreement and the fascial spaces showed constant high agreement. The incidence of postoperative edema was high in the following order: supra-periosteum space (75.00%), buccinator muscle (68.18%), parapharyngeal space (54.55%), buccal space (40.91%), and lingual space (25.00%). Conclusion Postoperative edema could be assessed clearly by each space, which showed a different tendency between the anatomic and fascial spaces.

Maxillofacial Radiology 186

Infection of the jaws that could be life-threatening within a few days due to spread of bacteria into perioral fascial spaces. Discuss the clinical and radiological features and what is your provisional diagnosis?

Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve - A Surgical Challenge

Both the cases discussed here had right sided NRLN, out of which one had associated aberrant right subclavian artery. None had iatrogenic nerve palsy. Dissection was difficult as during the routine procedure of dissection, the nerve was not found in its usual route and was found that the right laryngeal nerve was not recurrent and originated directly from the vagus nerve. The non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare embryologically derived variant of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and is found in 0.25 to 0.99% of patients who undergo thyroid surgery. On the right side, NRLN is found in 0.3% to 0.8% of patients and it is extremely rare on the left (0.004%).[1-2] The right NRLN is found to be associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery (86.7%) In experienced hands, meticulous dissection in the region of the tracheoesophageal groove will result in identification of RLN. In any case, if the nerve is not seen / found longitudinally along the tracheoesophageal groove, then dissecting transversely along the fascial spaces between the carotid sheath and the larynx, will allow identification of the presence of NRLN. Recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve that is associated with both motor function and sensation of the larynx. It supplies all the intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid muscles. The non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is a rare embryologically derived variant of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and occurs in 0.25 to 0.99% of patients who undergo thyroid surgery and was first reported by Steadman in 1823.[3] on the right side, NRLN is found in 0.3% to 0.8% of patients and on the left side, it is extremely rare (0.004%).[1-2] The right NRLN is found to be associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery (86.7%).[1],[4] The NRLN is usually an unexpected surgical discovery, specifically during thyroidectomy. Hence, adequate anatomic knowledge of the normal course and variations/types of NRLN, and careful dissection during surgery is necessary to prevent iatrogenic injury to the nerve. We are reporting two cases of NRLN, which were identified while performing total thyroidectomy in patients diagnosed with papillary ca thyroid.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF FASCIAL STRUCTURES IN INFRAHYOID NECK DURING PRENATAL HUMAN ONTOGENESIS

Fascia and fascial spaces of the neck remains a controversial morphological question, which requires in-depth study, especially in the focus of prenatal morphogenesis. We have examined specimens of human embryos, prefetuses and fetuses in order to study the development and topographic-anatomical features of the neck fascial structures at different stages of human prenatal development. For this purpose, a set of microscopic methods (three-dimensional reconstruction, series of histological sections examination) for embryos (8.0-13.0 mm PCL (parieto-coccygeal length) and prefetuses (14.0-80.0 mm PCL) was used; macroscopic examination for fetuses’ specimens (80.0-230.0 mm PCL). It was found that at the end of the embryonic period of development, there are rudiments of the larynx and pharynx, which are not delimited; precrusors of vascular and nerve trunks of the neck are already present. In the prefetal we may observe change from the bilaminar to multilaminar fascial morphology. The definitive structure of fascial structures may be found in fetal stage of human ontogenesis. It is important that at fetal stage, fascial leaves tend to fuse in areas that contact with the periosteum or in the fascial spaces that do not yet contain adipose tissue yet.