Preoperative Ultrasound-Guided Trigeminal Nerve Block in Orthognathic Surgery: A Prospective Study About Its Efficacy of Intraoperative Anesthetic Dosage and Postoperative Analgesia

Perioperative Nerve Blockade Reduces Acute Postoperative Pain after Orthognathic Surgery

Background

The role of perioperative pain management is not only to reduce acute postoperative pain (POP) but also to prevent chronic POP. It would be important to know the usefulness of nerve blockade for perioperative management. However, it has not been extensively studied in orofacial surgery. The objective of the study was to investigate whether perioperative nerve blockade reduces acute POP after orthognathic surgery.

Methods

Patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery were retrospectively reviewed ("preblock group": the nerve blockade was performed before emergence from general anesthesia, and "no preblock group": the nerve blockade was not performed before emergence from general anesthesia). The visual analog scale (VAS; 0-100 mm)-POP intensity, the VAS-POP areas under the curves (VASAUCs (mm × day)) in addition to VASAUCs for postoperative hours 6 (VASAUC_6), 12 (VASAUC_12), 18 (VASAUC_18), and 24 (VASAUC_24), the analgesic requirement period (day), and the number of days with pain (day) were analyzed. Data are presented as median (interquartile range) values.

Results

Fifty-six patients (preblock group, 22; no preblock group, 34) were included (21 males, 35 females; age: 22.0 [21.0-28.0] years). VASAUC_6, VASAUC_12, VASAUC_18, and VASAUC_24 in the preblock group were significantly smaller than those in the no preblock group (3.5 [2.0-7.2] vs. 7.4 [5.1-10.0], p = 0.0007; 9.5 [6.4-13.7] vs. 15.0 [7.2-22.9], p = 0.042; 15.7 [10.3-23.1] vs. 29.3 [18.9-37.2], p = 0.0002; and 17.6 [12.7-27.2] vs. 39.5 [22.9-46.9], p = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VASAUC, the analgesic requirement period, and the number of days with pain (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Perioperative nerve blockade reduces POP after orthognathic surgery, especially for the acute postoperative period.

Outpatient orthognathic surgery: a prospective study of predictive factors for the length of hospital stays

OBJECTIVES

Transitioning from non-outpatient orthognathic surgery to outpatient surgery is a new challenge, and it is essential to target the eligible population as precisely as possible. Several authors describe series of outpatient orthognathic surgery but do not include the reasons for their success or failure. The main aim of this study was to identify the factors significantly associated with "successful" outpatient orthognathic treatment. The secondary objective was to determine the factors significantly associated with prolonged hospital stays (≥ 2 nights).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study including patients undergoing orthognathic surgery was conducted over a period of 1 year. We recorded the prognostic factors that contributed to successful outpatient treatment and prolonged hospital stays. These factors were evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were included, and the success rate of treatment was 65%. The variables that were isolated by multivariate analysis were: patients over the age of 22, procedures ending before 1 pm, brief operations, the absence of both postoperative vomiting and the administration of morphine.

CONCLUSION

Patient selection, organisation of outpatient facilities and anaesthetic protocols contribute to the development of outpatient orthognathic surgery. These initial considerations provide a framework for our practice, but the considerations that predict the failure of outpatient surgery will need to be clarified.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Orthognathic surgery can be performed on outpatient basis in selected cases. Age, the operative time, procedure end time, postoperative vomiting and the administration of morphine are associated with the success of outpatient care.

Three-dimensional mapping of the greater palatine artery location and physiology

OBJECTIVE

To develop a novel technique for localizing and reconstructing the greater palatine artery (GPA) using three-dimensional (3D) technology.

METHODS

A miniaturized intraoral ultrasound transducer was used to imaging landmarks including the GPA, gingival margin (GM), and palatal masticatory mucosa (PMM). A 5-mm-thick solid hydrogel couplant was integrated to replace traditional ultrasound gel and avoid bubbles when moving the transducer.

RESULTS

A panorama image provided the relative localization of landmarks including the GPA, PMM, and hard palate. Short- and long-axis imaging of GPA was performed in five subjects including 3D mapping of GPA branches and surrounding tissues in a volume of 10 mm × 8 mm × 10 mm. Full-mouth Doppler imaging was also demonstrated on both the dorsal and ventral tongue as well as buccal mucosa and sublingual region on two subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study can measure the vertical distance from the GM to the GPA and depth from PMM to GPA and visualize the GPA localization in a 3D manner, which is critical to evaluate the available volume of palatal donor tissues and avoid sectioning of GPA during surgical harvesting of the tissues. Finally, the transducer's small size facilitates full-mouth Doppler imaging with the potential to improve the assessment, diagnosis, and management of oral mucosa.

Overview of Ultrasound in Dentistry for Advancing Research Methodology and Patient Care Quality with Emphasis on Periodontal/Peri-implant Applications

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, cross-sectional imaging technique emerging in dentistry. It is an adjunct tool for diagnosing pathologies in the oral cavity that overcomes some limitations of current methodologies, including direct clinical examination, 2D radiographs, and cone beam computerized tomography. Increasing demand for soft tissue imaging has led to continuous improvements on transducer miniaturization and spatial resolution. The aims of this study are (1) to create a comprehensive overview of the current literature of ultrasonic imaging relating to dentistry, and (2) to provide a view onto investigations with immediate, intermediate, and long-term impact in periodontology and implantology.

METHODS

A rapid literature review was performed using two broad searches conducted in the PubMed database, yielding 576 and 757 citations, respectively. A rating was established within a citation software (EndNote) using a 5-star classification. The broad search with 757 citations allowed for high sensitivity whereas the subsequent rating added specificity.

RESULTS

A critical review of the clinical applications of ultrasound in dentistry was provided with a focus on applications in periodontology and implantology. The role of ultrasound as a developing dental diagnostic tool was reviewed. Specific uses such as soft and hard tissue imaging, longitudinal monitoring, as well as anatomic and physiological evaluation were discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Future efforts should be directed towards the transition of ultrasonography from a research tool to a clinical tool. Moreover, a dedicated effort is needed to introduce ultrasonic imaging to dental education and the dental community to ultimately improve the quality of patient care.