Resection margin as a predictor of recurrence at the primary site for T1 and T2 oral cancers. Evaluation of histopathologic variables.

Objective: To establish whether histopathologic variables other than the pathologist's statement of complete excision predict recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma at the primary site and therefore indicate local postoperative radiotherapy.

Design: Retrospective analysis of clinical data and review of slides of resection specimens.

Setting: Tertiary care, hospital-based clinic.

Premature aging of the face after orthognathic surgery.

Attention is drawn to premature aging of the face after orthognathic surgery. Three examples are given of patients of around 30 years or over in whom maxillary excess was reduced. Suggestions for prevention of this (rare?) complication are made.

The case for postoperative orthodontics in orthognathic surgery.

In patients with orthognathic problems, in whom a combination of surgery and orthodontics is required, it seems to us better to defer orthodontic treatment until after surgery has been completed and a possible relapse tendency has petered out. This conclusion is reached on the basis of arch instability and the incidence of root resorption as reported in the orthodontic literature. The soundness of "permanent retention" after orthodontic therapy is questioned.

Serious circulatory disturbance after Le Fort I osteotomy. A case report.

Severe impairment of the blood supply occurred in a patient who underwent a Le Fort I type osteotomy in which the fragment was displaced in a cranio-dorsal direction. Necrosis with sequestration of the torus palatinus present and some permanent parodontal damage ensued. Alternative procedures and management of developing circulatory impairment during surgery are discussed.