Cleavage lines in the oral mucosa and oral scars

Previously published data on the mucosal cleavage lines were compared with data on the formation of scar tissue after palatoplasty and it was found that, in the palate and surrounding tissues, scar formation is light when incisions are parallel to the long axis of the cleavage lines but severe when incisions are made at right angles to the cleavage lines. A few cases were also found where jaw movement was severely restricted because of the formation of hypertrophic scar between the upper and lower alveolar ridges. It is therefore desirable that surgical incisions in thepalate and surrounding tissues be made parallel to the long axis of the mucosal cleavage lines.

Treatment of restricted jaw movement due to scars after palatoplasty

In order to correct the condition or restricted jaw movement due to hypertrophic scar tissue after palatoplasty, the scar is first cut laterally. After cutting away the scar tissue from under the mucosa and suturing the incision longitudinally, a drastic improvement in free faw movement is obtained.

Sinus arrest following diuretic therapy in a patient with myxedema and hypertension

A 65-year-old female patient suffering from hypertension and myxedema due to chronic thyroiditis developed anginal attacks under trichlormethiazide therapy. The ECG revealed a SA block with reciprocal beats and aberrant ventricular conduction in a form of bigeminy. Upon substitution of desiccated thyroid for the antihypertensive drug, the anginal attacks subsided, the conduction disturbances disappeared and the blood pressure returned to normal without hypotensive treatment. This observation suggests that replacement therapy should precede diuretics in hypertensive patients with myxedema.