Background: Craniosynostosis compromises the cranial vault volume, severely impede growth, and may lead to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Posterior cranial vault (PCV) distraction osteogenesis (DO) offers an excellent treatment opportunity for this condition. This article intends to describe the outcomes of PCV DO. Materials and Methods: Nine males and seven female children indicated for PCV DO were included in the study. The single vector distraction devices with quick-disconnect distraction rods, a type of miniaturized hardware, was used in all cases. Result: Seven of the 16 patients had a history of one or more prior cranioplasty. All reoperations in this series were performed for the indication of raised ICP including five of the scaphocephaly patients and the syndromic patients. Clinical signs of raised ICP were present in all patients with either measured raised intracranial pressure or those with clinical signs of raised ICP preoperatively. There was substantial decrease in the ICP postoperatively. Discussion: The outcomes of this study were encouraging. Placing the distractor stems as flat as possible against the outer layer of the cranial bone seems to be a very important maneuver. This keeps the distractor stem less proud and less likely to sustain future trauma. Removal of the distractor stems keeps the devices further away from the risk of later traumatic dislodgement. Moreover, miniaturized distractors allow precise control of the rate and the amount of distraction.

Introduction: Tissue engineering offers a simple, nonallergenic, and viable solution for the reconstruction of human tissues such as bone. With deeper understanding of the stem cell's pathobiology, the unique properties of these tissues can be effectively harnessed for the benefit of the patients. A primary source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for bone regeneration is from adipose tissue to provide adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). The interdependency between adipogenesis and osteogenesis has been well established. The objective of this article is to present the preliminary clinical observation with reconstruction of craniofacial osseous defects larger than critical size with ASC. Materials and Methods: Patients with large craniofacial osseous defects only were included in this study. Autogenous fat from the anterior abdominal wall of the patients was harvested from 23 patients, taken to a central tissue banking laboratory and prepared. All patients were reconstructed with ASCs, resorbable scaffolds, and growth factor as required. Vascularized soft tissue beds were prepared for ectopic bone formation and later microvascular translocation as indicated. Results: 23 ASC seeded resorbable scaffolds have been combined with rhBMP-2 and successfully implanted into humans to reconstruct their jaws except for three failures. The failures included one infection and two cases of inadequate bone formation. Discussion: The technique of ASC-aided reconstruction of large defects still remains extremely sensitive as it takes longer duration and is costlier than the conventional standard immediate reconstruction. Preliminary results and clinical observations of these cases are extremely encouraging. In future, probably with evolving technological advances, ASC-aided reconstruction will be regularly used in clinical practise.

Objective: The surgical exposure of dental implants can be performed by means of scalpel, punch, or, with less bleeding, by means of CO ₂ laser. Possible overheating of the peri-implant bone tissue should be avoided. The goal of this study was to examine the temperature changes on implants under CO ₂ laser irradiation (Luxar CO ₂ 20 SP laser from POLYMED, Glattbrugg, Switzerland). Study design: Straumann^® implants were irradiated with continuous wave (cw), continuous wave with super-pulse (cw/sp), and pulsed wave (pw). The irradiation power was 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 W and the irradiation times were 10, 20, 30, and 60 s. Similar temperature changes occurred in cw/sp mode and cw mode, but substantially higher temperatures appeared in pulsed wave mode. Results: The quickest temperature changes were observed with cw/sp irradiation (+0.5°C to +41.1°C, depending on the irradiation parameters). Beyond 20 s and 8 W irradiation, a rise exceeding 10°C on the implant surface was found. Conclusions: Implant diameter and length as well as the setting parameters of the CO ₂ laser (irradiation power, irradiation time, and irradiation mode) are important factors to consider so that risk-free implant exposure can be accomplished. Ignoring these factors causes a risk of pathological heating of the irradiated implants and thus the surrounding tissue, which can result in the loss of an implant.

Purpose: The purpose was to report the clinical experience with patients diagnosed with Condylar Hyperplasia (CH). Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with CH underwent condylar growth assessment using clinical and radiographic examinations. Seven patients with suspected active condyles underwent single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) examination. A total of patients with asymmetry and malocclusion were treated with orthognathic surgery. Three patients with intact occlusion; underwent inferior border osteotomy with nerve repositioning. All patients were followed up for 3 years without any complications. Conclusion: There is great diversity in the clinical and radiographic presentation in cases with CH. Assessment of condylar growth activity is the cornerstone in managing these cases. After that each case has its own diverse treatment plan to achieve a satisfactory facial symmetry.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to clinically and radiologically assess and compare the outcome of internal orbital reconstruction with an iliac bone graft and mandibular symphysis graft in orbital blow out fractures. Materials and Methods: Eight consecutive patients with unilateral orbital blow out fractures were enrolled in this prospective study. CT scan imaging and volumetric assessment of the orbit was done for all patients using GE Discovery VCT Workstation 4.4. Patients with defect of area less than 2 cm ² and orbital volume expansion of less than 4.7 cm ³ were treated with mandibular symphysis graft, in contrast the others were treated with a medial cortical graft from the anterior ilium. At each follow-up visit, globe posture, diplopia, and eye movements were assessed. Coronal and sagittal computed tomography and volumetric assessment were used to observe graft posture, bone defects and contour. Results: Group I cases showed that orbital volume changes of less than 2cm ³ can be effectively reduced. Group II cases showed that orbital volume changes of more than 4.5 cm ³ could not be effectively restored in spite of using large iliac graft. All eight patients had satisfactory correction of hypoglobus. Diplopia and ocular motility restriction resolved in all affected patients post operatively between 4 ^th day and 2 ^nd week. At 3-month follow-up, computed tomography demonstrated that the middle section of the orbital floor was well elevated in all 8 orbits. All grafts were still in situ, with density measured in Hounsfield units revealed that the Mandible Symphyseal graft was denser. Conclusion: The mandibular symphysis graft is a good, simple reconstructive option in small orbital floor defects with orbital volume change less than 4.71 ml. In larger defects with huge orbital volume changes that require more volume of graft, iliac graft is useful albeit, perfect, volumetric restoration is not always possible

Introduction: A number of materials are used as grafts in vestibuloplasty like mucosal and skin grafts with several advantages and disadvantages. To circumvent the disadvantages of these grafts, biological membranes such as amnion membranes are often recommended. Materials and Methods: The objective of this study was to clinically assess the vestibular sulcus depth in vestibuloplasty using Clark's technique with and without amnion as graft material. Twenty edentulous patients underwent mandibular labial vestibuloplasty using Clark's technique. Amnion was used as graft material in 10 patients (group I) and no grafts used in remaining 10 patients (group II). The vestibular depth was evaluated at time intervals of 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months, postoperatively. Results: Mean postoperative vestibular depth after 3 months in group I and II were 10.0 ± 3.13 mm and 7.8±0.63 mm, respectively. Mean of 2.2 ± 2.50 mm increase in depth was achieved after 3 months in Group I. Conclusion: Amnion graft is a viable and reliable option that promotes early healing and maintains postoperative vestibular depth.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report facial nerve injury following extraoral surgical approaches for the treatment of maxillofacial trauma, using the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (HBFNGS) as a means of classifying and measuring the degree and type of injury. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 100 consecutive cases of various maxillofacial trauma in which extraoral surgical approaches were used. Variety of surgical approaches such as coronal, preauricular, endaural, retromandibular, and submandibular approach and its modifications were used based on the anatomic location of the fracture and the accessibility required for its reduction and fixation. Facial nerve function of all patients was evaluated preoperatively and 24 hours after surgery. Patients who presented postoperative facial nerve injury were likewise examined using the HBFNGS at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: Of the 100 patients, temporofacial branch involvement was seen in 11 cases, whereas cervicofacial branch involvement was seen in 6 cases. Complete recovery of the temporofacial branches was seen in a period of 3-4 months; whereas cervicofacial branches recovered in 5-6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: The frequency of facial nerve injury was related to various surgical approaches in maxillofacial trauma. Facial nerve impairment was found to be temporary in all cases, although the recovery of cervicofacial branches took a longer time. Moreover, there is a need to standardize the reporting of facial nerve recovery.

Introduction: Secondary bone grafting of maxilla and residual alveolar clefts at the stage of transitional dentition was first introduced by Boyne and Sands. The aim of this prospective case control study was to clinically and radiologically evaluate the success rate of anterior iliac crest graft in primary alveolar cleft. Methods and Material: In this study we evaluated 10 patients who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting for various types of cleft palate with autologous iliac crest graft. Type of septum measured radiologically was taken as the outcome measure. Results: Postoperative radiographic evaluation revealed Type I inter alveolar septum in 7 cases (87.5%), with complete unilateral cleft lip, palate and alveolus. Non-eruption of canine occurred in 5 patients (50%). Periodontal Examination revealed presence of pocket formation (less than 4 mm) and Grade II mobility in 2 cases (20%). Conclusions: In conclusion, secondary alveolar bone grafting done during the time of transitional dentition, before the eruption of permanent canine is an excellent treatment modality.

Introduction: The inappropriate use of antibiotics has contributed to a worldwide problem of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of present study is to assess the most common microorganisms causing orofacial infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility to routinely used antibiotics in this part of India. Materials and Methods: Sixty eight patients with orofacial infection were selected on the basis of a series of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples were collected under aseptic conditions and subjected to culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Descriptive statistics were provided. Results: A total of 64 aerobic and 87 anaerobic strains were isolated. The predominant bacteria were Streptococci viridans (64%), Prevotella (43%), Peptostreptococcus (26%), Porphyromonas (7%), and Fusobacterium (14%). The isolated strains seemed to be highly sensitive to the routinely used antibiotics such as amoxicillin - clavulanate and amoxicillin alone, clindamycin, and levofloxacin. In contrast, more resistance to erythromycin was observed. Conclusion: Amoxicillin still possesses powerful antimicrobial activity against major pathogens in orofacial odontogenic infections. Amoxicillin/clavulanate and clindamycin would also be advocated as being useful alternatives for the management of severe orofacial infections. However, the findings of this study indicate that erythromycin is of questionable benefit in the treatment of severe orofacial odontogenic infections.

Purpose: To document a clinically relevant position of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in complete dentate south Indian patients in the age group of 20-29 years using cone beam computerized tomograms. Materials and Methods: The investigators used a cross-sectional study design and a study sample of subjects who had a radiographically identifiable IAN canal with complete set of 28 permanent teeth excluding 3 ^rd molars. Predictor variables were age, tooth position, and side. Outcome variables were the linear distances between the buccal and lingual aspect of the IAN canal, buccal and lingual cortical thickness, IAN canal diameter, and the superior aspect of the IAN canal from the periapex of first and second mandibular molar. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test were performed. P value of ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The study sample was composed of 10 male and 10 female patients with a mean age of 24.2 ± 3.00 years. On average, the lingual cortical thickness was 1.68 mm at 1 ^st molar and 1.44 at 2 ^nd molar level. Gender and side influenced the outcome with varying statistical significance. Conclusions: The range of linear dimension of mandibular canal, cortical bone thickness, and distance between tooth apex and IAN canal have been presented for the South Indian population in the age group of 20-29 years. The implications of the findings will influence on the course of surgery. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate the findings of this study.

A congenital teratoid tumor arising and protruding through the mouth is classified as epignathus or fetus in fetu. On review of literature, we found various reports of midline mandibular and lower lip cleft associated with flexion contracture of neck, midline cervical cord, but there is only one report of association with midline dermoid. We present an unusual case of midline cleft of mandible with an epignathus. A 2.3-kg male child, delivered transvaginally in the 38 ^th gestational week, was referred to us for management of a large irregular growth hanging outside the mouth. On examination, he had a wide median cleft of the mandible with tongue adherent to the "V"-shaped defect in the area of lower lip. A midline irregular mass of size 12 Χ 8 Χ 5 cm with variegated consistency was arising in the midline from the floor of the mouth between the tongue and lower lip. X-ray and computed tomography scan showed a rounded soft tissue mass arising from the alveolus with multiple calcifications within it along with a large triangular calcification and absence of hyoid bone. The mass was excised by mobilizing the tip of tongue. Staged repair was planned for the defect in the mandible. Unfortunately, the baby succumbed postoperatively to complex congenital heart disease. Histopathology was suggestive of epignathus. We discuss hereby the embryology and current management strategies of the problem.

Alar rim defects are most commonly acquired as a result of trauma, burns, tumor excision or sometimes accompanying craniofacial clefts. However, isolated congenital alar defects are extremely rare occurring in about 1 in 20,000 to 40,000 live births. We are presenting a case report of an isolated congenital cleft of the alar rim. The defect was closed by the use of a rotation advancement full-thickness flap. With this technique, both symmetry and desired thickness of the nostrils were achieved. The skin color and texture of the alar rim were good with minimal scars.

We report a rare case of a patient of Seckel syndrome having cleft palate born to nonconsanguineous married parents. This 8-year-old male child underwent successful palatoplasty under general anesthesia. Till date there are approximately 60 cases of Seckel syndrome reported in the literature. The syndrome which has autosomal recessive inheritance is characterized by Intra Uterine Growth Retardation, microcephaly, dwarfism, and bird-like face. The associated features of the syndrome and technical details of surgery and anesthesia are discussed.

This is a case report of Eagle's syndrome due to osseous metaplasia of the stylohyoid apparatus treated conservatively by injection of a local anesthetic - steroid combination. The incidence, etiopathogenesis, classification, clinical picture and various approaches to treatment of ossified stylohyoid ligament associated with Eagle's syndrome have been discussed. Anterolateral glossodynia, which is a previously unreported finding in Eagle's syndrome, and its possible etiology, has also been discussed.

The formation of calcific concretions in the salivary duct or glands is a common disorder, especially in the submandibular glands. Most of the salivary calculi are small in size, in contrast to those that reach several centimeters, which are reported as megaliths or giant calculi in the literature. They may occur in any of the salivary gland ducts but are most common in Wharton's duct and the submandibular gland. This report presents clinical and radiographical sign of an unusually large sialolith. There was painless swelling on the floor of the edentulous mouth and patient was unaware of it. Radiographical examination revealed large irregular radio-opaque mass superimposed on right canine and premolar areas. This case report describes a patient presenting with an unusually large submandibular gland duct sialolith, the subsequent patient management, the aetiology, diagnosis and its treatment.

Dystrophic calcification is deposition of calcium salt in degenerated tissues in the presence of normal calcium and phosphorous metabolism. It usually occurs in injured tissues. The condition may be associated with a variety of systemic disorders. The pathophysiology is still unclear. The case of a 17-year-old boy with dystrophic calcifications over the right masseter muscle is presented here with review of literature. Calcified nodules were surgically excised via an intraoral approach.

Tumors occurring in the infratemporal region present a surgical challenge and access osteotomies of the facial skeleton is the answer to access these deeply situated, inaccessible tumors of the head and neck. Various approaches have been devised for their better exposure and it is our expertise as maxillofacial surgeons to provide surgical access by transmaxillary, transzygomatic and transmandibular approaches. We followed this concept in our institute and report here two case reports. The first is a 45-year-old female who presented with right facial pain and temporal swelling due to schwannoma in the right infratemporal region extending into middle cranial fossa. This was jointly treated by a team of neurosurgeons, maxillofacial surgeons and ENT surgeons by right temporal craniotomy, right transmandibular and transzygomatic approach. The second is a rare tumor occurring in a 26-year-old male with the chief complaint of right frontal headache and diplopia. The tumor was excised via access through the zygomatic arch and lateral orbital wall; diagnosed later as Rosai Dorfmans disease. No recurrence was seen at follow-up period of 2 years. These approaches help to reduce the surgical morbidity. Thus, oral and maxillofacial surgeons form a vital role in the multidisciplinary approach to provide access to difficult anatomic locations.

The calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was first delineated in 1962. It is a rare developmental odontogenic cyst with notable presence of histopathological features which include a cystic lining demonstrating characteristic "Ghost" epithelial cells with a propensity to calcify. In addition, the COC may be associated with other recognized odontogenic tumors. This gives rise to a spectrum of variants of COC according to clinical, histopathological, and radiological characteristics. Very few reports have actually captured the actual transformation while most reported cases are documents of co-existing lesions. This article presents one such entity, where the asymptomatic presentation misled the diagnosis and on histopathological examination revealed the COC with areas suggestive of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor.

The occurrence of complex odontomas is not considered to be rare in the jaws. But the occurence of large odontomas obscuring the maxillary sinus, or erupting into the oral cavity are considered to be rare. The prognosis is good with surgical excision and recurrence is nil. Most of the times the surgical site can be closed primarily, but sometimes requires local flaps to achieve tension free closure. Here, we report such a case treated by surgical excision trans orally followed soft tissue defect reconstruction with pedicled palatal island flap.

Tumors of accessory parotid gland are considered in the differential diagnosis of a mid cheek mass. Parotidectomy is the procedure of choice. All pathological types of parotid main gland tumors occur in the accessory parotid gland also. Presenting as a mid cheek or infrazygomatic mass, the tumors of this accessory parotid gland are notorious for recurrences, if adequate margins are not achieved. We describe two such cases of such a tumor. 40-year-old male with a slowly progressive mid cheek mass was operated by a mid cheek incision. Histopathology of the tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. Facial nerve paresis recovered complelety in 6 months. A 52-year-old female with progressive mid cheek mass who underwent parotidectomy and neck dissection by a modified Blair's incision was diagnosed with extranodal marginal zone lymphoma with focal transformation to a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy with CHOP regime was initiated. There was no recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. Lymphoma of accessory parotid gland is a very rare tumor. Standard parotidectomy incision is advocated to prevent damage to facial nerve branches.