Speech evaluation and dental arch shape following pushback palatoplasty in cleft palate patients: Supraperiosteal flap technique versus mucoperiosteal flap technique.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the maxillary dental arch shape and speech of cleft palate patients following pushback palatoplasty using either the supraperiosteal flap technique or the mucoperiosteal flap technique.

Patients: Sixty-two patients (29, cleft palate only; 33, unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate) operated on by the supraperiosteal technique and 47 patients (23, cleft palate only; 24 unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate) by the mucoperiosteal technique were reviewed in this study.

Study Design: Dental arch shape and speech proficiency at preschool and school age were evaluated in all patients.

Enhanced Bax in oral SCC in relation to antitumor effects of chemotherapy.

Background: Antitumor effects of chemotherapeutic agents are commonly associated with the induction of apoptosis. Bax belongs to the Bcl-2 family and induces apoptosis. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between enhanced Bax expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; cell lines and clinical cases) and the antitumor effects of chemotherapy.

Comparative histology of lymph nodes from aged animals and humans with special reference to the proportional areas of the nodal cortex and sinus.

Lymph nodes are composed of a lymphocyte-rich area or cortex (subdivided into the superficial and deep cortex and the medullary cord) and another, macrophage-rich area (incorporating the subcapsular and medullary sinuses). We measured the proportional area of the cortex in lymph nodes from aged experimental mammals (rats, guinea pigs, dogs and rabbits) and elderly Japanese humans. The cervical, axillary and inguinal nodes were generally richer in cortex tissue than the pulmonary regional and mesenteric nodes.

Variations in the tensor veli palatini muscle with special reference to its origin and insertion.

Objective: Previous research on the tensor veli palatini muscle (TVP) has produced conflicting descriptions of its functions and topographical relationships with other orofacial structures. The goal of this study was to describe the morphology of the TVP in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

Methods: One hundred nineteen sides of 77 human heads from donated cadavers were partially dissected under a binocular microscope.

Comparison of palatal sensitivity after treatment of cleft palate by a supraperiosteal or mucoperiosteal flap.

We compared palatal sensitivity after push-back palatoplasty in patients operated on with a conventional mucoperiosteal flap and with a supraperiosteal flap. We studied 37 patients, whose mean age was 18 years (range 11-28), with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate who required palatoplasty at our clinic; 18 patients had a supraperiosteal, and 19 a mucoperiosteal flap. Thresholds of palatal sensitivity were measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.