Migration of a foreign body (staple) from the oral floor to the submandibular space: case report

Radiographic grid for locating foreign bodies in maxillofacial emergency trauma

OBJECTIVES

The accurate localization of the foreign bodies (FBs) is essential. This work presents a new noninvasive technique for subcutaneous metallic FBs under a radiographic grid, a system that simplifies the localization of facial FBs removal using a grid with embedded reference points.

METHODS

This work designed a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of a radiographic grid on FBs removal surgery. All patients who met the inclusion criteria and attended the Hospital of Stomatology of China Medical University from January 2022 to June 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into grid and non-grid groups. The assessment of facial swelling, the primary indicator, was conducted on days 2 and 7 post-surgery. The variables were analyzed using the Student t test and a repeated-measures general linear model.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 20 patients, with 14 males (70%) and 6 females (30%), who had an average age of 30.30 ± 5.38. The average time of operation was 1.85 ± 0.66 h (range 0.7 to 3.2). In the present cases in this report, of the 20 patients' FBs, 14 were metal, 5 were glass, and 1 was residual root. And the FBs were surgically removed with no postoperative complications. Through comparison, it was found that the degree of swelling on day 2 postoperatively was significantly different between the grid group and the non-grid group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that a radiographic grid with mark points is a more efficient approach compared with traditional methods for FBs removal, and this surgical method is more accurate, fast and noninvasive.

An orthodontic bracket embedded in the medial pterygoid surface: a case report

There is a potential risk that orthodontic brackets can become dislodged into the aerodigestive tract. This case illustrates the management of an orthodontic bracket, which became embedded in the deep tissues of the oropharynx. We aim to highlight the potential risk misplaced dental instruments and materials pose, including that they may become embedded in the soft tissues of the throat and suggest that that this possibility should be considered when they cannot be localized.

Traumatic Foreign Body into the Face: Case Report and Literature Review

This paper describes a case of mouth opening limitation, secondary to a facial trauma by cutting-piercing instrument, whose fragments had not been diagnosed in the immediate posttrauma care. Description of an unusual surgical maneuver and a literature review are presented.

Management of Self-Harm Injuries in the Maxillofacial Region: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature

Clinicians face numerous challenges when managing psychiatric patients who self-inflict injuries within the maxillofacial region. In addition to a complex clinical examination, there are both surgical and psychiatric factors to consider, such as the risk of damaging vital structures, the exacerbation of the patient's psychiatric status, and the long-term psychosocial and esthetic sequelae. We present 2 cases of adolescents who repeatedly self-inflicted wounds and/or inserted foreign bodies (FBs) into the face, scalp, and neck. The different treatment modalities were based on full evaluation of the patient's clinical, medical, and diagnostic test findings coupled with a psychiatric assessment. The decision for conservative management or surgical intervention was made according to the presence and location of the FBs, degree of hemorrhage, signs and symptoms of infection, and unpleasant scars that could lead to long-term psychological impairment. In most cases, the FBs were removed and the wounds were toileted and closed under local or general anesthesia. We advocate a holistic approach via a multidisciplinary team, which is deemed essential to provide the highest quality of care for patients to reduce the risk of further relapses. Lastly, a satisfactory esthetic outcome is always paramount to achieve long-term psychological and physical welfare.

An orthodontic bracket embedded in the medial pterygoid surface: a case report

There is a potential risk that orthodontic brackets can become dislodged into the aerodigestive tract. This case illustrates the management of an orthodontic bracket, which became embedded in the deep tissues of the oropharynx. We aim to highlight the potential risk misplaced dental instruments and materials pose, including that they may become embedded in the soft tissues of the throat and suggest that that this possibility should be considered when they cannot be localized.

Short communications published online in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery during 2010-2011

The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BJOMS) publishes many types of papers including original articles, review articles, and short communications. Many of the latter are isolated case reports of rare or interesting diseases or of difficult or unexpected complications. While case reports are sometimes considered to be of little educational or clinical value, and as such do little to advance medical knowledge, they do have an important role, and many trainees begin their publishing careers writing such papers. There is increasing pressure for space in paper medical journals and, for this reason, some journals either limit or do not publish short publications in print copy but instead put them online. Using established criteria, we previously evaluated all 142 short communications published in the BJOMS during 2008-2009 and found that 48% of them had little or no educational value. As a result, the editorial board of BJOMS took the decision to publish most short communications online only. We have now analysed 48 short communications that were published online only during 2010-2011. Most (80%) were single case reports that covered virtually the whole remit of the specialty, and over half (56%) were published by authors based in the UK. While many of these papers did not add important new information to existing knowledge, these types of article are clearly of value both for trainees and for experienced surgeons. We think that these should continue to be supported as, in addition to their educational value, they are an excellent way for trainees to start to write.