Pediatric dysphagia overview: best practice recommendation study by multidisciplinary experts

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is no comprehensive and multidisciplinary recommendation study covering all aspects of pediatric dysphagia (PD). This study aimed to generate PD management recommendations with methods that can be used in clinical practice to fill this gap in our country and in the world, from the perspective of experienced multidisciplinary experts.

METHODS

This recommendation paper was generated by a multidisciplinary team, using the seven-step process and a three-round modified Delphi survey via e-mail. First, ten open-ended questions were created, and then detailed recommendations including management, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up were created with the answers from these questions. Each recommendation item was voted on by the experts as overall consensus (strong recommendation), approaching consensus (weak recommendation) and divergent consensus (not recommended).

RESULTS

In the 1st Delphi round, a questionnaire of 414 items was prepared based on the experts' responses to ten open-ended questions. In the 2nd Delphi round, 59.2% of these items were accepted as pre-recommendation. In the 3rd Delphi round, 62.6% of 246 items were accepted for inclusion in the proposals. The final version recommendations consisted of 154 items.

CONCLUSIONS

This study includes comprehensive and detailed answers for every problem that could be posed in clinical practice for the management of PD, and recommendations are for all pediatric patients with both oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia.

Comparison of different treatment techniques in the mandibular condyle fracture

BACKGROUND

Mandibular condyle fractures can be treated conservatively by intermaxillary fixation (IMF) or by open reposition and internal fixation. Although many studies have discussed for the optimal treatment method, the issue remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare conservative techniques in the mandibular condyle fractures.

METHODS

Twenty four unilateral condyle fracture patients aged between 18 and 48 years were treated according to one of three different modalities. Bracketing, arch bar or mini screw was applied to all non-surgery patients to obtain IMF. Eight patients were treated with only IMF meanwhile eleven patients were treated with one or double-sided amplifier occlusal splint according to the status of fractured segments, in addition to IMF. Remaining five patients have undergone open reduction and fractured segments immobilized with mini plates. Pre- and post-operative images were recorded with a computerized tomography device. Clinical and radiological examinations were performed by orthodontists and surgeons at baseline and at 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

The condyle lengths of the patients with unilateral fracture after recovery were compared with the unaffected side. The length between the most protruding point of the condyle and the mandible was measured and the length difference was only 5.94 mm in patients who were treated by IMF. The length difference of patients who used brackets and splints was 3.36 mm (p<0.05). The length difference of patients who were repaired by plate screws was 1.80 mm (p>0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups in the IMF, occlusal splint and IMF and mini plate groups, between the trauma side and the opposite side. None of the patients developed ankylosis, open mouth, limitation of mouth opening, facial asymmetry, laterognathia, and retrognathia. The occlusion of the patients who were not known to have pre-trauma occlusions were directed, repositioned and provided an appropriate occlusion.

CONCLUSION

The use of IMF with an occlusal splint is a more conservative and acceptable treatment modality than open reduction in selected cases.

3D evaluation of the effects of traumatic surgical techniques on Vomer bone volume and morphology in the treatment of lip and palate clefts

BACKGROUND

Cleft lip/palate (CLP) deformity is the most common congenital facial anomaly. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the changes in volume and shape of Vomer bone after CLP repair surgery.

METHODS

The images of a total of 30 patients aged between 9 and 12 years which were recorded with computed tomography were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: No syndrome, operated for unilateral CLP group (n=10), no syndrome, operated for bilateral CLP group (n=10), and control group (n=10) with no syndrome, no operation history, or no lip/palate deformities. Data of the patients were transferred to a software program and a new three-dimensional image was created for the Vomer.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in the Sella-Nasion lengths, Vomer base lengths, and Vomer vertical lengths among the three groups. However, the Vomer bone volume of the patients with bilateral CLP was found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group.

CONCLUSION

We can conclude that more bone formation may be observed due to the periosteal reaction following bilateral Vomer flap elevation or during maxillary growth, tension on the palatal flap may be increased new bone formation by pulling the bilateral Vomer flap if it is elevated and sutured palatal mucoperiosteal flap in the early period. Our findings have led us to the conclusion that size and volume of the Vomer bone can be significantly affected by environmental factors. According to the functional matrix theory, scar tissue formation and lack of Vomer-maxilla fusion cannot stimulate the further development of the anterior cranial bones, leading to shorter anterior cranial base.

Superficial musculoaponeurotic system flap for reconstruction of the intraoral defects

Intraoral tumors are the main causes of the intraoral and maxillofacial defects. Skin grafts and several soft tissue flaps can be used to reconstruct the intraoral defects including local, regional, and free flaps. Here we present a case of intraoral adenocystic carcinoma treated with segmental maxillectomy, resection of the parotid gland, and the buccal mucosa leaving a full-thickness intraoral defect. The defect was covered with a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) flap elevated using the preauricular incision. Reconstruction with SMAS flap for temporal defects and parotidectomy defects has been described in the literature. To our knowledge, the use of this flap for intraoral defects has not been reported. The proximity of the flap to the defect and ease of harvest in cases including total parotidectomy are few of the reasons we use and recommend this flap in reconstruction of intraoral defects.