Risk Factors Associated with Occult Nodal Metastasis and Outcomes for cT1-2N0 Maxillary and Mandibular gingival Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: This study aims to identify the rate of occult nodal metastasis (ONM), risk factors associated with ONM, and compare regional recurrence (RR), 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) in patients treated with elective neck dissection (END) versus expectant management (OBS) for primary T1-T2 gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) of the maxilla and mandible.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted and included patients from 2014 to 2021 who were treated at a tertiary referral center.

Results: Twenty patients underwent END and 36 were managed expectantly, with a mean follow-up period of 28 months.

Supplemental Regional Block Anesthesia Reduces Opioid Utilization Following Free Flap Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Regional anesthesia has been shown to effectively manage acute pain and reduce opioid utilization in the early postoperative period following colorectal, orthopedic, and thoracic surgeries. The same effect, however, has not been demonstrated in major head and neck surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether supplemental regional anesthesia reduces opioid utilization following microvascular free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity.

Segmental mandibular reconstruction in patients with poor lower extremity perfusion, vessel-depleted necks and/or profound medical frailty.

Purpose Of Review: Options for segmental mandibular reconstruction in patients poorly suited to undergo fibula free flap (FFF).

Recent Findings: Although FFF is the current 'gold standard' for segmental mandibular reconstruction, other reconstructive options must be considered when FFF is contraindicated or disfavoured and/or patient frailty precludes a lengthy anaesthetic. In addition to various nonvascularized and soft tissue only reconstructions, excellent osseous free flap alternatives for functional segmental mandibular reconstruction may be employed.

Current Practices in Microvascular Reconstruction by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Purpose: Microvascular free tissue transfer (MFTT) is a reliable reconstructive option with variation in perioperative care and a general lack of clinical practice guidelines. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons' (OMSs) current MFTT perioperative practices in the United States have not been described. This study describes these practices including surgeon practice environment, operative practices, perioperative management, and success.

Impact of Fibromyalgia Phenotype in Temporomandibular Disorders.

Background: Mounting evidence suggests that central nervous system amplification, similar to that seen in fibromyalgia (FM), contributes to the pain experience in a subset of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients with TMD completed the 2011 FM survey questionnaire, a surrogate measure of "centralized" pain. The influence of centralized pain on TMD pain, dysfunction, and disability was assessed dichotomously by determining the incidence of FM-positive cases in the sample and by using FM survey scores as a continuous measure of "fibromyalgia-ness" ("FM-ness").