An Evidence-Based and Historical Review of the War Surgery of the Face and Jaws
By Darryl Chan Tong
War surgery of the face and jaws is a fascinating and complex area of surgery and medicine with a relatively short history of formal development as a specialty despite surgical procedures being performed on this area of the body over the centuries. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century when surgery was evolving into a science rather than a trade that literature was being published on aspects of face and jaw surgery as well as some of the innovative appliances or techniques. The First World War was the birth of the specialties of plastic and maxillofacial surgery and provided abundant clinical material for the surgical techniques and innovations that would subsequently evolve into the surgical principles taught to successive generations of surgeons, including those of today. Read More
Dr. McGrath Had an Outstanding Time at the British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting and Exhibition.
Here are a few photos of the trip!
British Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
(BAOMS) 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
Dr. Christopher McGrath will be attending the annual conference, which will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Center in Edinburgh, Scotland. The theme of the conference is “Crossing the Boundaries,” during which presenters will debate the benefits of face transplant versus those of stem cell rejuvenation, the importance of perforator flaps, and robotic surgery. The conference will feature 23 world-renowned speakers and 12 master classes, which will provide guidance in new practical procedures.
Patients who understand their injuries and the aims and potential of their treatment are likely to experience superior outcomes. We review the literature on positive, encouraging doctor–patient communication and the impact of health literacy and education on patient knowledge in medicine and surgery, with a particular emphasis on orthopaedic surgery. We also highlight methods of improving doctor–patient communication and patient knowledge. Read More
Click image above for more information about this event!
Evidence-Based Third Molar Surgery
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is an advocate for the practice of evidence-based medicine and dentistry. AAOMS strongly recommends that when considering treatment for patients, the oral and maxillofacial surgeon must apply pertinent available scientific data to each individual case, critically weigh treatment options, and choose a course of action that best fits the needs of the patient, while being mindful of the financial impact on the patient as well as the cost to society. The management of third molar teeth is a complex topic. Appropriate treatment options include removal, partial removal (coronectomy), or retention with subsequent clinical and radiographic surveillance and hygiene maintenance. Read More
Antimicrobials in Dentistry
In 1960, the editor of The Lancet wrote in an introduction to a series on the use of antimicrobials: “There are two things to borne in mind when prescribing antibiotics—the microbe and the environment.” The editor was predicting almost 50 years ago that excessive prescribing of antimicrobials could affect the selection of resistance; his fears have proved correct. The overuse of antimicrobials, particularly in medicine, dentistry, and agriculture, has led to many agents becoming relatively useless for simple infections due to the emergence of bacterial resistance. Read More
Surgical Management of Patients on Warfarin Sodium
Management of anticoagulated patients has changed significantly over the past 10 years. The change occurred after the introduction of the international normalized ratio (INR) in 1983. This method of reporting prothrombin time for anticoagulated patients has resulted in a decrease in the level at which hematologists and cardiologists keep their patients anticoagulated. Currently, patients are anticoagulated less for the successful prevention of thromboembolism. Recent recommendations are to keep patients anticoagulated to an INR no greater than 3.5. It has been proposed that the extraction of teeth can be performed with INRs of 4 or less. Therefore, the current trend is to maintain patients on their anticoagulation regimens without altering their warfarin dosages. Read More
Bisphosphonates, Oral Health, and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Bisphosphonates are a type of drug that limits bone-mass loss. They have proven successful in treating patients with osteoporosis, and studies have shown them to help prevent osteoporotic fractures in patients who have previously suffered fractures. In recent years, though, dental researchers have noticed a correlation between the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw and the use of bisphosphonates. Osteonecrosis is characterized by the breaking down of bone in the body’s joints as the result of reduced blood flow to those bones. For patients taking bisphosphonates, this condition often affects the jaw even though these drugs limit bone loss in other parts of the body. Read More