Replacing tracheostomy with overnight intubation to manage the airway in head and neck oncology patients: towards an improved recovery.

In maxillofacial head and neck oncology, tracheostomy is often used to secure the airway, but not without risk. This study compared the existing practice of two units: one where tracheostomy was routinely done with one where overnight intubation was used. From both units we retrospectively analysed 50 consecutive patients who had intraoral resection, neck dissection, and microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer.

Dynamic reanimation for facial palsy: an overview.

Facial paralysis can have a profound effect on the patient from both an aesthetic and functional point of view. The symptoms depend on which branch of the nerve has been damaged and the severity of the injury. The purpose of this paper is to review currently available treatments for dynamic reanimation of a damaged facial nerve, and the goals are a symmetrical and coordinated smile.

First do no harm: should routine tracheostomy after oral and maxillofacial oncological operations be abandoned?

Tracheostomy is traditionally used to secure the airway after major oral and maxillofacial oncological operations. In our unit, as an alternative, patients are intubated overnight without tracheostomy. We reviewed the case notes of 55 patients who had had a major intraoral resection, neck dissection, and reconstruction with a free flap.

Ocular findings in patients with orbitozygomatic complex fractures: a retrospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of ocular injuries and clinical ocular signs in patients with orbitozygomatic fractures of varying severity, presenting to a regional oral and maxillofacial surgery service.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients presenting to Limerick Regional Hospital (Limerick, Ireland) with orbitozygomatic fractures from January 1998 to December 2004. Patients with panfacial fractures and those with isolated zygomatic arch fractures were excluded.