• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.226-231
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• 2001

Modified surgical technique for transposition of the inferior alveolar nerve followed by immediate placement of endosseous implants in mandibles with moderate to severe atrophy are presented. Five transpositions of the inferior alveolar nerve together with the installation of 10 implants were performed in four patients. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 17 months, with a range of 8 to 20 months. All implants with functioning pontics remained stable, with no mobility or symptoms of pain and infection during the follow-up period. Neurosensory evaluation was performed using the two-point discrimination test. Two patients had objective neurosensory dysfunction at postoperative, but all the nerve function were reported as normal by the patients 4 months postoperatively.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars to be extracted. The impacted teeth were removed and the wound margins were approximated and sutured with black braided silk. The suture material was removed on day 3 on one side and on day 7 on the other. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire after the removal of the suture material on each designated day. Results: Regarding overall clinical symptoms, the mean VAS scores of male and female participants on day 3 were not significantly different from those on day 7. A significant difference was found in female participants, in that overall daily activity was better on day 7. There were significant differences in the ability to smile and laugh in both sexes and the ability to chew in the male participants was better on day 7. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the patient's pain and quality of life between suture removal on day 3 or on day 7 following surgery to remove impacted lower third molars.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2021

Objectives: Hyaluronoglucosaminidase (hyaluronidase) increases the local intercellular permeability of the peripheral lymphatic channel and capillaries, which may help reduce edema. In the present study, the effects of hyaluronidase on postoperative edema and pain reduction were evaluated. Materials and Methods: The study included 38 patients who underwent guided bone regeneration (GBR) surgery before implantation. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=20) or the test group (n=18). Hyaluronidase was injected into the GBR site of subjects in the test group. Postoperative edema was evaluated by measuring the distance between specific facial landmarks immediately after surgery (T1) and 2-4 days after surgery (T2). The degree of pain at T2 and at 10-14 days after surgery (T3) was assessed. Results: In the test group, the degree of swelling was lower than in the control group, however, only two measurements, from the tragus to the mouth corner and from the outer canthus to the mouth corner, showed statistically significant differences (P=0.012 and P=0.001, respectively). The anti-edema effect of hyaluronidase was more effective in the maxilla than in the mandible. In the maxilla, the percentage of facial swelling was significant for three measurements. However, in the mandible, the percentage of facial swelling was significant for only one measurement. Low levels of pain that were similar at T2 and T3 were reported in both groups. Conclusion: The results indicate the degree of swelling was lower in the test group and hyaluronidase appeared to be more effective in the maxilla. The degree of pain reduction was similar between groups. Further in vivo and randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2022

Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and disabling joint disease in the world. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) exercise is a widely used treatment and could be a beneficial and long-term tool for treating TMJ OA. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of therapeutic exercise in the conservative treatment of TMJ OA. Materials and Methods: A single-group experimental pre-post test was performed. We included patients who met the diagnostic criteria for TMJ OA. Outcome variables were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), functionality (Helkimo index), and structural changes (ultrasound). Follow-up periods were at months 1, 3, and 6. The intervention included a home-based program with thermotherapy, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise during the entire follow-up period. Results: We included 15 patients and 26 joints, all women with a median age of 57 years (range, 49-62 years). Median change in pain intensity on joint palpation, mouth opening, and at rest at the first month was 47.5 mm, 51 mm, and 60 mm, respectively, and 48 mm, 49.5 mm, and 42.5 mm, at six months (P=0.001). The Helkimo index showed significant improvement in medians from baseline severe dysfunction (17 points) to minimal dysfunction at three and six months (2 points) (P=0.001). Ultrasound showed improved disc position. Conclusion: This study demonstrated significant improvements in pain, function, and joint disc position and represents a valuable tool for the long-term treatment of patients with TMJ OA.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.309-312
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• 2016

Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) must undergo corrective surgeries during infancy and early childhood. Many patients with CLP undergo orthognathic surgery during their childhood for correction of skeletal asymmetries or pharyngoplasty with a pharyngeal flap to improve the quality of speech and velopharyngeal function. During orthognathic surgeries, nasotracheal intubation is performed under general anesthesia. In our case report, the patient had undergone palatoplasty and pharygoplasty previously. During the orthognathic surgery, a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided nasotracheal tube was inserted through the pharyngeal flap ostium; however, active bleeding occurred in the nasopharynx. Bleeding occurred because the flap was torn. After achieving hemostasis, the surgery was completed successfully. Thus, if a patient may show the potential for velopharyngeal port obstruction, nasotracheal intubation should be performed with utmost care.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.317-320
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• 2016

A 47-year-old woman was referred for surgical treatment of osteomyelitis of the mandible. She had already undergone three previous surgeries. Pre-anesthetic airway evaluation predicted a difficult airway, due to the thin, retro-positioned mandible, tongue, and atrophic changes in the lips and soft tissue. We inserted packing gauzes in the buccal mucosa for easier mask fitting and ventilation. During direct laryngoscopic intubation with a nasotracheal tube (NTT), fracture of a thin mandible can easily occur. Therefore, we used a fiberoptic bronchoscope to insert the NTT. After surgery, we performed a tongue-tie to protect against airway obstruction caused by the backward movement of the tongue during recovery. The patient recovered without any complications. We determined the status of the patient precisely and consequently performed thorough preparations for the surgery, allowing the patient to be anesthetized safely and recover after surgery. Careful assessment of the patient and airway prior to surgery is necessary.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.305-308
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• 2018

An 87-year-old woman was referred for the extraction of residual teeth and removal of tori prior to prosthetic treatment. After surgery under general anesthesia, the surgical tape was removed to detach the bispectral index sensor and the hair cover. After the surgical tape was removed, skin injury occurred on the left side of her face. After epidermis repositioning and ointment application, a dressing was placed over the injury. Her wound was found to have healed completely on follow-up examination. Medical adhesive related skin injury (MARSI) is a complication that can occur after surgery and subjects at the extremes of age with fragile skin are at a higher risk for such injuries. Careful assessment of the risk factors associated with MARSI is an absolute necessity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.295-300
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• 2016

Submucosal infiltration and the topical application of epinephrine as a vasoconstrictor produce excellent hemostasis during surgery. The hemodynamic effects of epinephrine have been documented in numerous studies. However, its metabolic effects (especially during surgery) have been seldom recognized clinically. We report two cases of significant metabolic effects (including lactic acidosis and hyperglycemia) as well as hemodynamic effects in healthy patients undergoing orthognathic surgery with general anesthesia. Epinephrine can induce glycolysis and pyruvate generation, which result in lactic acidosis, via ${\beta}2$-adrenergic receptors. Therefore, careful perioperative observation for changes in plasma lactate and glucose levels along with intensive monitoring of vital signs should be carried out when epinephrine is excessively used as a vasoconstrictor during surgery.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2018

Background: Third molar extraction is associated with considerable pain and discomfort, which is mostly managed with oral analgesic medication. We assessed the analgesic effect of benzydamine hydrochloride, a topical analgesic oral rinse, for controlling postoperative pain following third molar extraction. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 patients divided into two groups, for extraction of fully erupted third molar. Groups A received benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash and group B received normal saline gargle with oral ibuprofen and paracetamol. Oral ibuprofen and paracetamol was the rescue analgesic drug in group A. Patients were evaluated on the $3^{rd}$ and $7^{th}$ post-operative days (POD) for pain using the visual analogue score (VAS), trismus, total number of analgesics consumed, and satisfaction level of patients. Results: The VAS in groups A and B on POD3 and POD7 was $4.55{\pm}2.54$ and $3.95{\pm}1.8$, and $1.2{\pm}1.64$ and $0.95{\pm}1.14$, respectively and was statistically insignificant. The number of analgesics consumed in groups A and B on POD3 ($5.25{\pm}2.22$ and $6.05{\pm}2.43$) was not statistically different from that consumed on POD7 ($9.15{\pm}5.93$ and $10.65{\pm}6.46$). The p values for trismus on POD3 and POD7 were 0.609 and 0.490, respectively and those for patient satisfaction level on POD3 and POD7 were 0.283 and 0.217, respectively. Conclusions: Benzydamine hydrochloride oral rinses do not significantly reduce intake of oral analgesics and are inadequate for pain relief following mandibular third molar extraction.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2013

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare, benign disease found in metaplastic cartilaginous nodules within the synovial membrane. The etiology of SC is not well-known, but it may be associated with trauma, chronic abnormal loading, or inflammatory joint disease. It is often found in knee, elbow, ankle, and shoulder joint but rarely in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area. SC of TMJ frequently appears in middle age and more often in females. Clinical symptoms include periarticular swelling, pain, crepitus, and limitation of joint motion. The most common feature is a radiographic finding of loose bodies in the joint. Irregularity of joint space and condylar head is also observed. Treatment involves the surgical removal of synovium and loose bodies. The prognosis is good, with low postsurgical recurrence rate. Functional improvement of the joint and pain relief are noted in many patients. Malignant transformation of SC has not been recorded. In this study, we report a 54-year-old female patient who experienced discomfort on the right TMJ with SC on the area but made a satisfactory recovery after surgery.