Our Summary

This research paper discusses the increasing importance of global collaborations in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) - surgeries on the mouth, jaws, and face. The researchers wanted to understand the extent and effectiveness of these collaborations between wealthier, high-income countries (HICs), and poorer, low or lower middle-income countries (LICs/LMICs).

They conducted a review of academic articles from 1996 to 2020 about these collaborations. After narrowing down their search, they found 71 articles that described 81 unique global OMS academic collaborations.

The United States was the most common high-income country involved in these collaborations, and most of the low-income countries were in Africa. The majority of these collaborations focused on improving the surgical capacity in LICs/LMICs.

This review serves as a useful resource for understanding where more efforts are needed to improve surgical capacity in poorer countries. It also provides a foundation for future research on this topic, and acts as a guide for individuals looking to get involved in global OMS.

FAQs

  1. What is the main focus of global collaborations in oral and maxillofacial surgery?
  2. Which countries were most commonly involved in the global OMS academic collaborations according to the research?
  3. What time period did the review of academic articles about global OMS collaborations cover?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about maxillofacial surgery is to follow all pre-operative and post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon. This includes avoiding certain medications, following a specific diet, and maintaining good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of complications and promote faster healing. It is essential to communicate any concerns or questions with the surgical team to ensure the best possible outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for maxillofacial surgery include those with:

  1. Facial trauma: This includes injuries to the face, such as fractures of the jaw, cheekbones, or eye sockets, that require surgical intervention to repair and restore function.

  2. Jaw deformities: Patients with conditions such as a misaligned bite (malocclusion), underdeveloped or overdeveloped jaws, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders may benefit from maxillofacial surgery to improve their facial aesthetics and function.

  3. Cleft lip and palate: Individuals born with cleft lip and palate may require multiple surgeries throughout their life to correct the deformity and improve speech, feeding, and overall quality of life.

  4. Oral cancer: Patients with oral cancer may need maxillofacial surgery to remove tumors, reconstruct the affected area, and restore function and appearance.

  5. Sleep apnea: Maxillofacial surgery, such as jaw advancement surgery, may be recommended for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who have not responded to other treatments.

  6. Orthognathic surgery: This type of surgery is performed to correct severe bite problems, facial asymmetry, and other skeletal abnormalities of the jaws and face.

  7. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Patients with TMJ disorders that do not respond to conservative treatments may benefit from maxillofacial surgery to alleviate pain and restore normal jaw function.

Overall, maxillofacial surgery is recommended for patients with a wide range of conditions affecting the mouth, jaws, and face that require surgical intervention to improve function, aesthetics, and quality of life.

Timeline

Before maxillofacial surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms or issues with their mouth, jaws, or face that require surgical intervention.
  2. Patient consults with a maxillofacial surgeon for evaluation and diagnosis.
  3. Pre-operative assessments, including imaging scans and blood tests, are conducted to determine the best course of treatment.
  4. Patient discusses treatment options, risks, and benefits with the surgeon and decides to proceed with surgery.
  5. Surgical planning and preparation, including obtaining necessary consent and scheduling the procedure, take place.

After maxillofacial surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes the surgical procedure under anesthesia.
  2. Post-operative care, including pain management and monitoring for complications, is provided by medical staff.
  3. Patient is discharged from the hospital and given instructions for at-home care and follow-up appointments.
  4. Patient may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the days following surgery.
  5. Over time, the patient’s symptoms improve, and they begin to see the desired results of the surgery.
  6. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon are scheduled to monitor healing and address any concerns or complications that may arise.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about maxillofacial surgery include:

  1. What specific procedure are you recommending for me and why?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and post-operative care needed?
  4. Are there any alternative treatment options available for my condition?
  5. What is your experience and success rate with this type of surgery?
  6. Will I need to see any other specialists before or after the surgery?
  7. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  8. How much will the surgery cost and will my insurance cover it?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or restrictions I need to be aware of before or after the surgery?
  10. What can I expect in terms of pain management during the recovery process?

Reference

Authors: Guntaka PK, Harris JA, Niedziela CJ, Bass M, Afshar S. Journal: Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Oct;51(10):1362-1369. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2022.04.006. Epub 2022 May 12. PMID: 35568657