• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2000

Penetrating injuries in the head and neck region are not common but can pose difficult situations to manage properly. In small cross-sectional area, the neck housed many vital structures, such as carotid artery, internal jugular vein, cervical spines, esophagus, laryngotracheal complex and nerves. Because each vital structure is located within the fascial compartments, bleeding into these closed spaces can give rise to compression of surrounding structures, which may result in compromised airway. Therefore, management of the penetrating injuries should be based on the fully understanding of anatomical relationships, accurate clinical examinations, a careful history taking and the proper treatment planning. We present two cases of penetrating injuries in the head and neck region and discuss on the clinical considerations for the proper management with the literature review.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.262-269
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• 2023

Objectives: Anterior maxillary sinus wall fractures are common in all types of maxillofacial trauma. They can result in various complications, including injury to the surrounding nerves. Owing to its anatomy, trauma to the maxillary antrum can result in injury to the middle superior alveolar nerve (MSAN) and the anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN). The purpose of this study is to evaluate neurosensory deficits (NSD) present in maxillary gingiva, incisors, and premolars after injury to the anterior wall of the maxillary antrum. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 39 patients sustaining unilateral fractures of the anterior maxillary sinus wall. Clinical neurosensory tests including two-point discrimination and fine touch discrimination were performed to classify the extent of nerve injuries as mild, moderate, severe, or anesthetic. Additional temperature discrimination and pulpal sensibility tests (electric pulp testing and cold testing) were carried out. A comparison of radiographic fracture patterns and severity of nerve injury was done. Testing was carried out immediately after trauma and at 2-month follow-up. Results: More than half of the patients assessed in the study group presented with NSD of the teeth and gingiva after trauma. The incidence of deficits varied with the type of test used to measure them. Most frequently, patients presented with both loss of two point as well as fine touch discrimination thresholds. Severe nerve injuries were associated with loss of temperature discrimination clinically and displaced fractures radiographically. There was no significant relationship between the recovery of pulpal and gingival sensation. The patterns of injury and recovery in ASAN and MSAN were similar. Conclusion: NSD after trauma to the maxillary antrum is relatively common. Clinical loss of temperature discrimination and radiographic signs of fracture lines passing through the canalis sinuosus are predictors of persistent and severe oral NSD.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 2023

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, which is important in the metabolism of purines. Prevalence of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is 1:100,000 to 1:380,000 live births, and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome mainly affects males. It is characterized by neurologic dysfunction, uric acid overproduction, and cognitive and behavioral disturbances. The self-mutilation is the most distinctive symptom in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, appearing about 1 year of age. It is expressed as persistent bites in the oral mucosa, tongue, lips, and fingers, which leads to the total or partial destruction of the affected tissues. Several medical and dental management methods might be performed in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome patients. Dental approaches to prevent injuries caused by self-mutilation include treatments with oral appliances such as mouth guards or lip bumpers, extraction, and orthognathic surgery. This report described two brothers with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, who injured themselves on oral tissues. The methods of tooth reduction and extraction were performed to prevent injuries caused by self-mutilation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.497-504
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• 2011

Purpose: Patients who had a subcondylar fracture with a displaced or deviated condylar segment were treated with a retromandibular approach (RMA) or an endoscope-assisted transoral approach (EATA) in our department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The clinical results of the approaches were compared. A comparative study of specific approaches for subcondylar fractures has not been published before in Korea. Methods: Twenty-one patients with subcondylar fractures of the mandible were included. Ten patients were treated with the retromandibular approach and 11 were treated with an endoscope-assisted transoral approach. We examined patient age, gender, fracture sites, classifications, period of maxillomandibular fixation, facial nerve (FN) or greater auricular nerve (GAN) injuries, maximal mouth opening, deflection, occlusal changes, number of plates, follow-up period, and other complications. Preoperative computed tomography and pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up panoramic views were taken of each patient. Results: Mean maximal mouth openings were similar between the two approaches. FN and GAN injuries were more frequent in the RMA group but the deflective rate with mouth opening was higher in the EATA than that in RMA group. Two cases of post-operative infection occurred in the EATA group, and occlusal changes were observed in one case for both approaches. Conclusion: The RMA offers more direct access and visualization of the surgical field but it can cause scars and retractive injuries of the FN and GAN. But, EATA did not result in consequent nerve injuries or scars postoperatively, but unfavorable fractures such as $medial$ $override$ condyles were more difficult to reduce endoscopically. Except cases of an expected difficult reduction, the treatment of choice for a displaced subcondylar fracture may be an EATA.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2018

This report presents a clinical case of trauma due to assault with a knife, and describes the importance of using the correct imaging modality in cases of facial penetrating trauma involving the superficial and deep anatomical planes. Penetrating wounds in the maxillofacial region are rare and poorly reported, but can result in serious complications that are difficult to resolve and may compromise the patient's quality of life, especially when large blood vessels or other vital structures are involved. Thus, it is essential to determine the extent of the affected blood vessels and the proximity of the retained object to the anatomical structures. In this case, digital subtraction angiography was the imaging modality chosen. The use of appropriate imaging examinations allows a proper map of the surgical field, reducing the chances of vascular damage during the surgical procedure.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.233-240
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• 2019

Trigeminal nerve injury as a consequence of lower third molar surgery is a notorious complication and may affect the patient in long term. Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) injury result in different degree of neurosensory deficit and also other neurological symptoms. The long term effects may include persistent sensory loss, chronic pain and depression. It is crucial to understand the pathophysiology of the nerve injury from lower third molar surgery. Surgery remains the most promising treatment in moderate-to-severe nerve injuries. There are limitations in the current treatment methods and full recovery is not commonly achievable. It is better to prevent nerve injury than to treat with unpredictable results. Coronectomy has been proved to be effective in reducing IAN injury and carries minimal long-term morbidity. New technologies, like the roles of erythropoietin and stem cell therapy, are being investigated for neuroprotection and neural regeneration. Breakthroughs in basic and translational research are required to improve the clinical outcomes of the current treatment modalities of third molar surgery-related nerve injury.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.118-125
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• 2016

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with altered sensation and/or pain, and to determine outcome predictors affecting persistent neuropathy. Methods: Patients who complained an altered sensation or pain following trigeminal nerve trauma were involved in this study. To determine outcome predictors affecting persistent neuropathy, the patients were divided into two groups; transient vs. persistent, and the clinical phenotypes are compared between groups. Data were analyzed with t-tests, chi-square, and multiple regression analyses with 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 significance level. Results: A total of 111 patients were included: 23 with transient and 88 persistent groups. The panoramic result and pin-prick test score were statistically different between the groups. Radiating symptoms after blunt and pinprick stimuli were also significantly different between groups. The results revealed that the presence of a neurologic lesion in the panoramic view result, reduced sensation in the pinprick test, and radiation in the pinprick test could affect the persistent group. Conclusions: The presence of a neurologic lesion in panoramic view result and reduced sensation and radiating symptoms in the pin prick test would be defining features of one of the main clinical features of persistent neuropathy. These features could serve as outcome predictors diagnosing the permanent nerve injury in trigeminal nerve.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.296-302
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the oral injury experiences of sport players in a bid to raise awareness of the gravity of problems related to oral injuries and the necessity of mouth guards geared toward preventing mental, physical and economic loss triggered by oral injuries. The subjects in this study were 290 sport players. After their oral injury experiences and use of mouth guards were checked, the following findings were given: 28.6 percent had suffered an oral injury. But just 33.8 percent received education about how to cope with an oral injury. 93.4 percent had never used a mouth guard, and only 25.9 percent felt the need for that. And just 28.3 percent had an intention to use it. felt the need for that. And just 28.3 percent had an intention to use it. Concerning the impact of gender, the female players used more mouth guards. The players didn't use mouth guards a lot regardless of oral injury experiences and education about that, and there was no change in the way they looked at mouth guards, either. The findings of the study illustrated that sport players as well as non-players weren't aware of the importance of mouth guards, though sport players were exposed to the danger of an oral injury all the time. Not only players but non-players should learn about the seriousness of an oral injury, and the necessity of oral guards should be stressed to prevent it.

• 대한치과보철학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2003

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2012

Peripheral nerve injuries in the oral and maxillofacial regions require nerve repairs for the recovery of sensory and/or motor functions. Primary indications for the peripheral nerve grafts are injuries or continuity defects due to trauma, pathologic conditions, ablation surgery, or other diseases, that cannot regain normal functions without surgical interventions, including microneurosurgery. For the autogenous nerve graft, sural nerve and greater auricular nerve are the most common donor nerves in the oral and maxillofacial regions. The sural nerve has been widely used for this purpose, due to the ease of harvest, available nerve graft up to 30 to 40 cm in length, high fascicular density, a width of 1.5 to 3.0 mm, which is similar to that of the trigeminal nerve, and minimal branching and donor sity morbidity. Many different surgical techniques have been designed for the sural nerve harvesting, such as a single longitudinal incision, multiple stair-step incisions, use of nerve extractor or tendon stripper, and endoscopic approach. For a better understanding of the sural nerve graft and in avoiding of uneventful complications during these procedures as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the related surgical anatomies with their harvesting tips are summarized in this review article.