Apert syndrome: an informative long-term dentofacial outcome.

The management of patients with Apert syndrome (AS) is complex and reflects the multisystem disease as a result of premature fusion of cranial vault, cranial base and midface sutures as well as extremity anomalies characterised by syndactyly. Early cranial sutural fusion results in craniocerebral disproportion which can lead to crisis surgical intervention due to raised intracranial pressure, ophthalmic and compromised airway concerns. Childhood inventions are often determined by psychosocial concerns and adult surgical interventions are often determined by cosmetic concerns.

Long-term treatment outcomes from the perspective of a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The management of patients with orofacial cleft (OFC) often extends from diagnosis or birth well into adulthood and requires many different specialists within multidisciplinary teams (MDT). The aims of treatment are to restore form and function relating to hearing, speech, occlusion and facial aesthetics. People with OFCs that include the lip, alveolus and palate (cleft lip and palate (CLP)) require several different staged and coordinated surgical and non-surgical interventions, and the treatment pathway is associated with a heavy burden of care.

Efficacy of Transcaruncular approach to reconstruct isolated medial orbital fracture.

Background: Traditional approaches used to repair medial orbital wall fracture include transcutaneous incision such as advocated by Killian and Lynch, or coronal approach. Transcaruncular approach provides an anatomically safe and efficient alternative, allowing generous exposure without the cutaneous scar.

Methods: Patients presenting with medial orbital wall fractures were identified through the trauma database over a 5 year period.

Role of alcohol in maxillofacial fractures.

Background: Excessive consumption of alcohol results in impaired judgement and inappropriate behaviour, and is often a major contributor to interpersonal violence and motor vehicle accidents. This study examines the experience of a tertiary centre in alcohol-related facial fractures.

Methods: A retrospective database of patients presenting to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service at Christchurch Hospital (New Zealand) during an 11-year period was reviewed.

Comparison between interpersonal violence and motor vehicle accidents in the aetiology of maxillofacial fractures.

Background: Maxillofacial fractures commonly present to the emergency department, interpersonal violence (IPV) and motor vehicle accidents (MVA) being two of the main causes. There is a changing trend in these two aetiologies, which is reflected in a change in demographics, the pattern of fractures and the treatment of maxillofacial fractures.

Methods: A prospective database of patients presenting to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery service at Christchurch Hospital during an 11-year period was reviewed.

Head injury and associated maxillofacial injuries.

Aims: To review patients admitted with head injuries under a regional neurosurgical service, to document the incidence and features of associated maxillofacial trauma, and to assess any delay in referral to a maxillofacial surgeon for definitive management of facial injuries.

Methods: The details of all patients admitted under the neurosurgical service at Christchurch Hospital over the preceding 7 years (1995-2002) were reviewed via that department's database. The records of those patients noted to have a maxillofacial injury were requested, and the following data obtained: demographics, diagnosis, and mode of injury (including specific variables such as alcohol consumption and seatbelt usage in motor vehicle accidents).

Management of isolated orbital floor blow-out fractures: a survey of Australian and New Zealand oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Background: This is the first report of involvement of Australian and New Zealand oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the management of isolated orbital floor blow-out fractures and was conducted to obtain comparisons with the results from a recent similar survey of British oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was sent to all 113 practising members of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in April 2002 with a second mailout 1 month later.

Results: Sixty-nine per cent of the respondents were referred isolated orbital floor blow-out fractures for management, and just over half of these respondents estimated that 50% or more of the cases went to surgery.