Biomedical subjects

Yu-Ray Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Yu-Ray Chen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

A safe and effective way for reduction of temporomandibular joint dislocation.

Anterior dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a common problem which demands immediate reduction to relieve the discomfort. The most popular technique is to put the operator's thumbs over the molar teeth of the patient and push the dislocated jaw downward and backward. This maneuver takes a lot of effort and usually needs sedation. Failure to reduction is not uncommon. Furthermore, the physician has to take the risk of being bitten and disease transmission. A novel method for reduction of the dislocated TMJ via extraoral route is presented, based on the observation that once the mandible is dislocated anteriorly, the coronoid process and anterior border of the ramus can be palpated easily over the cheek. By applying steady pressure over this prominent part, the anteriorly dislocated mandible can be reduced easily. From May 2000 to July 2005, there were 7 anterior mandible dislocations treated successfully by this method in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. None of the patients need any adjuvant medication for sedation or relaxation. This technique is simple and effective, and the physicians are spared from the risk of bite trauma and unexpected disease transmission.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The volume of muscles of mastication in patients receiving mandibular contouring surgery: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: As the management of prominent mandibular angle and masseter muscle hypertrophy becomes increasingly popular, proper understanding of the volumetric component of the related structures becomes important but is currently lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scans of 18 female and eight male adult patients with square-face appearance were used for volumetric measurement of the osseous hemi-mandible, masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles. CT scans of 28 female and 17 male adult patients without square-face appearance were selected from the imaging laboratory archive to serve as controls. RESULTS: Compared with the sex-matched controls, the square-faced patients had significantly higher volume of the osseous hemi-mandible as well as the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles. There was no significant difference in the volume of the lateral pterygoid muscle between the two groups. This study confirms a significantly greater volume in the osseous mandible and masseter muscle in patients complaining of square-face appearance. The implication of this information on treatment is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Mandibular remodeling after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for prognathism of the mandible.

PURPOSE: To describe the postoperative remodeling changes in the mandible after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy to correct mandibular prognathism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for the correction of mandibular prognathism were studied for postoperative remodeling changes within the mandible. The 6-week, 1-year, and long-term postoperative cephalometric mandibular tracings of 12 patients were superimposed using the fixation wires as the stable reference points to demonstrate the specific locations of the intrabony remodeling. RESULTS: There was a general direction of remodeling at the condylion and gonion anteriorly and superiorly, while the B point and pogonion did not show much change in remodeling. At the condylion, 60% and 40% of the cases showed significant horizontal and vertical remodeling, respectively. At the gonion, 50% and 55% of the cases showed significant horizontal and vertical remodeling, respectively. No correlation was found between the remodeling changes at condylion and gonion and the surgical movement or relapse at B point and pogonion. There was a significant correlation between the observed horizontal relapse at gonion and the horizontal remodeling changes at this point showing that the postoperative displacement of this point is a result of both positional translocation and remodeling changes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that there are intrabony remodeling changes that occur in the mandible after sagittal split osteotomy and that these continue for a long period of time in some patients. This remodeling occurred more in the condylar and gonial areas, while the chin remained relatively stable.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Distraction osteogenesis in adolescents with maxillary arch deficiency and dental crowding: a 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the authors evaluated the long-term results after using anterior segmental osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis for the correction of sagittal maxillary deficiency associated with dental crowding. METHODS: Six young adolescents (four boys and two girls) underwent surgery and distraction at a mean age of 11.2 years (range, 10 to 12 years) and were followed up for 3 years. A tooth-borne distraction device was used for interdental distraction. The evaluation consisted of hard- and soft-tissue profile analysis and dental arch measurements before, immediately after, and 3 years after distraction. RESULTS: The results showed that the facial profile, the occlusion, and the dental crowding could be successfully corrected and that the results were stable after 3 years' follow-up. The mean facial convexity angle was changed from 1 to 8 degrees. The average advancement at point A was 4 mm and the SNA increased by an average of 4 degrees. Lengthening of the dental arch by an average of 4 mm created approximately 8 mm of new space, sufficient to resolve the dental crowding in all patients, thus avoiding an extraction of healthy teeth. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that anterior segmental maxillary osteotomy combined with distraction osteogenesis offers an alternative for the treatment of adolescents suffering from sagittal maxillary deficiency with dental crowding.

Child↗

PubMed2006

Frontal sinus fractures: a treatment algorithm and assessment of outcomes based on 78 clinical cases.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this article were to retrospectively review frontal sinus fractures at the authors' center, to assess the final outcomes, and to establish a treatment algorithm. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 78 consecutive frontal sinus fractures treated by the same surgeon between January 1, 1994, and January 1, 2002. RESULTS: In this study, 57.7 percent of fractures occurred as a result of motorcycle accidents and 75.6 percent of those patients were not wearing helmets at the time of injury. The use of helmets did not significantly affect the fracture pattern. Frontal sinus fractures were commonly associated with orbital fractures (71 percent), intracranial injuries (39 percent), and severe ophthalmic injuries (26 percent). Associated injuries were more common when the fractures involved the posterior tables. The method of management comprised four groups: no surgical intervention (n = 6), open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior table with sinus preservation (n = 40), partial sinus obliteration (n = 18), and cranialization (n = 14). The complication rate was 16.7 percent (n = 13), including postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks (n = 6), wound infections (n = 4), meningitis (n = 1), sinusitis (n = 1), and pyomucocele (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of the nasofrontal duct and persistence of cerebrospinal fluid leaks are two key determinants of the treatment algorithm. The amount of displacement of the posterior table has not been found to be a key determinant of the need for surgical intervention. When the sinus is to be obliterated, partial obliteration can achieve a good result, with limited sinus complication and minimal donor-site morbidity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The inter-relationship between mandibular autorotation and maxillary LeFort I impaction osteotomies.

The purposes of the present investigation were to: 1)locate the instantaneous rotation center of mandible autorotation during maxillary surgical impaction; 2) identify the discrepancies between the resultant mandibular position following by maxillary surgical impaction and presurgical predictions, which use the radiographic condylar center as the rotation center for mandibular autorotation; and 3)find the interrelation between the magnitude of maxillary surgical impaction and the sagittal change of mandible. Ten patients underwent maxillary LeFort I impaction without concomitant major mandibular ramus split osteotomies were included. The preoperative (T0) and postoperative (T1) lateral cephalograms were used to evaluate the surgical changes and locate the center of rotation of mandibular autorotation with Reuleaux method. Prediction errors were measured by comparing the predicted (Tp) and postoperative (T1) cephalometric tracings. The magnitude of the maxillary surgical impaction was compared to the positional changes of mandible after mandibular autorotation with correlation and regression analysis. The results demonstrated that the centers of mandibular autorotation located 2.5 mm behind and 19.6 mm below the radiographic condylar center of the mandible in average with large individual variations. By using the radiographic condylar center of the mandible to predict the mandibular autorotation would overestimate the horizontal position of chin by 2 mm and underestimate the vertical position of chin by 1.3 mm following an average of 5 mm surgical maxillary impaction. The magnitude of maxillary impaction was highly and positively correlated to the horizontal displacement of chin position. The rotation centers of mandibular autorotation following by maxillary LeFort I impaction osteotomies might not usually locate at the radiographic condylar center of the mandible also with large individual variations in their positions. Surgeons and orthodontists should be aware of the horizontal and vertical discrepancies of chin positions while planning a two-jaw surgery by using the radiographic center of mandibular condyle as the rotation center in mandibular autorotation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for correction of mandibular prognathism: long-term results.

PURPOSE: To identify the long-term maxillomandibular changes after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism using bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent BSSO to setback the mandible and had cephalometric radiographs taken preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 1 year, and long-term follow-up (mean, 28 months). The cephalograms were traced and measured to determine the operative and postoperative changes. Correlation analyses were performed to see the relationship between the magnitude of setback and the amount of long-term postsurgical change at B point and pogonion. RESULTS: The mean surgical setback was 8.2 mm at B point and 8.8 mm at pogonion. The mean long-term horizontal relapse was 2.3 mm (28.0%) at B point and 3.0 mm (34.1%) at pogonion. Out of 20 patients, 12 (60.0%) relapsed horizontally greater than 2 mm at B point and 13 (65.0%) at pogonion. The mean vertical surgical changes showed downward displacement of B point (2.3 mm) and pogonion (2.0 mm). The mean long-term vertical relapse was 1.6 mm (69.6%) at B point and 1.7 mm (85.0%) at pogonion. CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between the magnitude of setback and the amount of relapse at B point and pogonion. However, there was significant correlation between the magnitude of vertical, downward surgical displacement and the amount of vertical relapse at B point and pogonion. The majority of the maxillofacial changes occurred within 1 year postoperatively.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

The medial surface of the mandible as an alternative source of bone grafts in orthognathic surgery.

A technique of harvesting bone grafts from the medial surface of the angle of the mandible during a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy procedure is described. In 20 patients who underwent mandibular setback for the correction of class III dentofacial deformities, bone grafts were harvested from the medial mandibular angle and used for simultaneous augmentation of the midface or for interpositioning and stabilization of the maxilla after LeFort I maxillary anterior or inferior repositioning. The mean postoperative follow-up was 6 months (range, 3-12 months). No complications occurred, and postoperative morbidity was similar to that encountered by patients who undergo sagittal split osteotomy without bone harvest. The technique described shows that the medial mandibular angle is a suitable donor site for membranous bone grafts in patients who undergo sagittal split osteotomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Silicone augmentation rhinoplasty in an Oriental population.

Aesthetic augmentation rhinoplasty is gaining in popularity among Oriental populations. Despite being widely criticized in the literature, silicone implants remain the most commonly used as a result of their ease of application and lack of donor site morbidity. The authors present 355 consecutive Chinese patients who underwent silicone augmentation rhinoplasty from January 1999 to April 2003. During a mean follow-up period of 160 days, 28 patients (7.9%) developed major complications that required either removal or revision of the implant. The patients who had received the largest volume implants had the highest extrusion and infection rates, indicating that overaugmentation is the main cause. The authors hypothesize that the lower complication rates in Oriental compared with white populations is primarily the result of structural differences in the soft tissue envelope of the nose. In our series of patients, nasal augmentation with silicone implants proved to be effective and safe.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Volumetric change of the muscles of mastication following resection of mandibular angles: a long-term follow-up.

Mandibular angle resection is an accepted procedure for the correction of square face appearance due to mandibular angle prominence. Long-term follow-up of the changes in volume that occurs in the muscles of mastication and osseous structures has been inadequate in the literature. In this study, 3-dimensional computed tomography data were used to extract the mandible, masseter, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles for assessment of the volumetric changes that took place after angle reduction in 7 patients (14 hemimandibles) with an average age of 24.9 years and a mean follow-up time of 4.5 years. All measurements were performed twice to assure accuracy, with a difference of 1.2 +/- 1.1% noted. The hemimandible volume was reduced by 12.6% immediately after the reduction procedure and 8.2% at final follow-up. Osseous regeneration was observed as thickening of the bone and partial regrowth of the angles. None of the 14 hemimandibles had a complete return of the preoperative angular shape. The volumetric changes that occurred in the muscles of mastication were inconsistent among the patients. The masseter muscle was reduced by 5.2%, the medial pterygoid muscle was reduced by 14.4%, and the lateral pterygoid muscle was increased by 5.7% at final follow-up. The medial pterygoid muscle change was more significant than that of the masseter muscle (P = 0.00361). The objective findings of this study were not in agreement with the conventional thought and clinical impression that the masseter muscle becomes atrophic after mandibular angle resection. Only a slight reduction occurred in some patients in the volume of the muscles, with some actually displaying a slight increase. The end result was a satisfactory esthetic outcome for the patients in the long term despite the minor changes in muscle volume and slight bony regeneration that occurred.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Unusual late vascular complications of sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus.

Intraoperative or early postoperative vascular complications are not uncommon problems in sagittal split osteotomies of the mandibular ramus; however, reports of late complications are considerably rarer. Here, we present two patients who sustained late vascular complications after the sagittal split osteotomy. The first patient had a delayed bleeding, which presented itself as a rapidly expanding swelling of the left cheek from the left external carotid artery 18 days postoperatively. During exploration, a 2 mm laceration of the external carotid artery located just proximal to the bifurcation of the internal maxillary artery and the superficial temporal artery was successfully repaired. The prominent bony spike of the cut end of medial cortex of the set-back mandibular ramus was found against the arterial wall and could possibly have caused the progressive necrosis of the wall with subsequent spontaneous rupture. The second patient suffered from a mild noise in the right ear 2 weeks after the initial surgery; however, a pre-auricular arteriovenous fistula between the right external carotid artery and the external jugular vein was discovered 1 year postoperatively. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography, and the lesion was treated successfully by therapeutic embolization at that time. To avoid vascular injury, sufficient protection of the soft tissue during exposure of the mandibular ramus is mandatory. In addition, the direction of the cut of medial cortex is suggested to avoid the cranialward inclination that creates a sharp, bony end against the artery. Awareness of the possible late vascular complications to facilitate early detection and management is also important.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Intracranial space, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid volume measurements obtained with the aid of three-dimensional computerized tomography in patients with and without Crouzon syndrome.

OBJECT: The authors attempt to provide a standard for volumes of the intracranial space, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in healthy control individuals by using in vivo three-dimensional (3D) computerized tomography (CT) data and to compare these data with those obtained from a group with Crouzon syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-seven individuals underwent 3D head CT scanning for nonintracranial-related disease to produce a set of normal volumes for the intracranial space, brain, and CSF. Prediction limits of 95% were obtained to provide a range of acceptable volumes throughout the growing period and early adulthood. Eleven patients (seven boys and four girls, age range 2.2 months-13.4 years) with Crouzon syndrome underwent identical measurements, which were compared with those of the control patients. The control group comprised 35 boys and 22 girls who ranged in age from 0.26 months to 24.4 years. Intracranial space and brain volume showed a progressive increase with age, with three different slopes from birth to adulthood. Male patients were found to have larger volumes than female patients in the same age group. Volume patterns for CSF were not significantly different within a given age or sex. Six patients with Crouzon syndrome had intracranial and brain volumes within the 95% prediction limit, three patients measured above the limit, and two measured below. CONCLUSIONS: A standard for volumes of intracranial space and structures provides a guideline for the evaluation of patients with intracranial disease. Volumes in patients with Crouzon syndrome can be matched to their normal age- and sex-matched counterparts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Tongue-lip adhesion in the management of Pierre Robin sequence with airway obstruction: technique and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Airway obstruction and feeding difficulty can occur in patients born with Pierre Robin sequence. In select patients with pronounced micrognathia, surgical intervention to relieve the airway obstruction is necessary. The surgical indications and appropriate surgical procedure continue to have a great deal of controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience of tongue-lip adhesion in the management of upper airway obstruction associated with Pierre Robin sequence. METHODS: From March 1995 through May 2002, a total of 14 patients with Pierre Robin sequence, who were admitted to the pediatric neonatal intensive care unit either with prolong intubation, poor body weight gain, or repeated airway infection, underwent tongue-lip adhesion (TLA). The operation was performed by raising mucosa flaps and approximated the muscles between tongue and lower lip. Retention sutures were used. The patients were evaluated for clinical responses. RESULTS: Our successful rate with tongue-lip adhesion was 70%. Ten of the 14 patients showed clinical improvements including extubation of the endotraccheal tube, body weight gain, return for home care, reduced episodes of respiratory infection, and improvement in O2 saturation and blood gas. The surgical procedure was simple to perform without major complications. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective review showed that with a thorough preoperative airway evaluation, TLA could be successfully used to treat select patients with Pierre Robin sequence suffering from severe upper airway obstruction. Thus, TLA should be first considered when surgical relief of airway obstruction is indicated and when obstruction is limited to the classic tongue base obstruction type.

Airway Obstruction↗

PubMed2005

Cephalometric craniofacial characteristics in patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

BACKGROUND: The sequelae of temporomanibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis include limitation of jaw movement, interference of oral function and affects on the craniofacial growth. Analysis of the craniofacial form of TMJ ankylosis offers guidelines for managing this disease. METHODS: Forty-five patients with intraarticular TMJ ankylosis were collected from the files at the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center. There were 21 male and 24 female patients, aged 3 to 47 years. Thirty-seven patients were unilaterally affected and eight had bilateral involvement. Patients were grouped according to gender and age. Both the medical history and onset of the disease were investigated in all patients. The pretreatment lateral cephalograms were used for analysis. The variables were compared with the Chinese norms with corresponding sex and age groups. RESULTS: The etiology included 48.9% facial trauma history, 17.8% traumatic delivery or birth injury, 15.6% middle ear or dental infection, 2.2% chronic arthritis and 15.6% unknown causes. The onset of mouth opening limitation was under 16 years of age. The average total mandibular length was less than the norm by 30 mm. Each patient presented with a mandible that had backward rotation with chin recession. Accentuated antegonial notch and inferiorly located condyle were observed on the affected side. The maxilla was shorter and the ANB was larger than the norm by 10 degrees but the overbite and overjet were within normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: The facial growth was severely disturbed in terms of dimension, morphology and direction of growth in patients with TMJ ankylosis. Better management of mandibular fractures, good infection control and early treatment intervention are ways to reduce the influence on craniofacial growth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Cranial repair using BMP-2 gene engineered bone marrow stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Bone grafts, allografts, and biocompatible artificial bone substitutes all have their shortcomings when used for the repair of cranial bone defects. Tissue engineered bone shows promise as an alternative for the repair of these defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were separated from iliac crest aspirates and expanded in a monolayer culture 1 month before implantation. These MSCs were then infected with replication-defective adenovirus-human BMP-2 genes 1 week before implantation. Bilateral critical-size cranial defects were created in the animal with removal of osteoinductive periosteum and dura. MSCs were mixed with alginate UP (ultrapure) to form MSC/polymer construct. MSCs used for the control site were infected with adenovirus beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). After 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 months, five rabbits from each experimental group were sacrificed and the cranial defect site was examined by histology study. RESULTS: Near-complete repair of the large size cranial defects using the tissue engineered MSC/alginate construct was observed. The H&E stain and von Kossa's staining should better regenerate bone at the experiment site. A statistically significant difference in bone formation was noted by 3D CT imaging at 3 months post-BMP-2 treatment of the cranial defects (0.79 +/- 0.06 versus 0.47 +/- 0.05 cm(2), P < 0.001) but not at 6 weeks (0.36 +/- 0.04 versus 0.33 +/- 0.03 cm(2), P = 0.347). CONCLUSIONS: Near-complete repair of large cranial defects can be achieved using tissue engineered bone. The use of newly developed polymers as well as the integration of the stem cell concept with gene medicine is necessary to attain this goal.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2004

Craniofacial deformity in patients with uncorrected congenital muscular torticollis: an assessment from three-dimensional computed tomography imaging.

Congenital muscular torticollis is caused by idiopathic fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle that restricts movement and pulls the head toward the involved side. Deformation of the craniofacial skeleton will develop if the restriction is not released and result in aesthetic and functional problems. The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional computed tomography imaging for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the craniofacial deformity in a series of patients with uncorrected congenital muscular torticollis, and to assess age as a precipitating factor for severity of the deformity. A total of 14 patients from 1 month to 24 years of age were included. The skull images were rotated into standard orientation and reconfigured for evaluation of the cranium, endocranial base, and facial skeletal structures. The midlines of cranial base and facial bone, angle of midline deviation, width of each hemicranium and hemiface, and the orbital index were defined and measured. The results showed that the cranium and cranial base deformation took place as early as in infant stage, with the most prominent change occurring in the posterior cranial fossa. Facial bone asymmetry started to appear after 5 years of age, at which time the mandibular and occlusal abnormalities were observed. The deformity of the orbits and maxilla occurred at an older age, characterized by the deviation and decreased vertical height on the affected side. The severity of the observed deformities increased with age. The angle of midline deviation was 2.48 +/- 1.68 degrees in the cranial base and 3.26 +/- 3.28 degrees on the facial bone. Both of the midline deviations were significantly correlated with age. Compared with the contralateral side, the width of the ipsilateral posterior hemicranium was longer (54.36 +/- 6.72 mm versus 50.81 +/- 6.55 mm), and the width of the ipsilateral lower hemiface was shorter (35.30 +/- 7.27 mm versus 43.49 +/- 11.34 mm). Both differences were statistically significant. Measurement of the orbital index demonstrated a significantly flatter orbit on the ipsilateral side (89.48 +/- 0.11 versus 92.74 +/- 0.08). This study showed that the cranium and cranial base deformity occurred early in patients with uncorrected torticollis, while the facial bone deformity occurred in childhood stage. The cranial and facial deformity became more severe with age. Early release of the muscle restriction is advised to prevent craniofacial deformation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Strategies for a successful corrective Asian blepharoplasty after previously failed revisions.

Asian blepharoplasty, although a common procedure, has a relatively high rate of complications. Subtle imperfections and more serious iatrogenic complications often require immediate attention by the aesthetic surgeon. After attempted correction of the deformities, residual problems or new ones can arise. Blepharoptosis, supratarsal depression, an excessively high or low crease, a short or discontinuous crease, multiple creases, and asymmetric creases are the most commonly encountered complications that require special attention in this group, which has already undergone more than one surgical procedure. Between January of 1996 and December of 2002, 168 Asian blepharoplasty revisions were performed by one surgeon (S. H.-T. Chen); of these, 36 patients (21 percent) had previously undergone failed revisions. This subgroup of patients consisted of six with blepharoptosis, six with asymmetrical eyelid creases, three with supratarsal depressions, three with high creases, two with short creases, and 16 with combinations of these deformities. The results were graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor, based on the symmetry of the eyelids, palpebral fissures, crease heights, lengths, shapes, eyelid fullness, and overall aesthetics of the final outcome. A survey was performed of patient and surgeon satisfaction and factored into the grading system. With an average follow-up period of 16 months (6 to 60 months), 22 patients (61 percent) were found to have excellent results, 10 (28 percent) had good results, two (5.6 percent) had fair results, and two (5.6 percent) had poor results. Corrective procedures after failed revision Asian blepharoplasty require special strategic considerations because of the presence of extensive scarring and inadequate skin, muscle, and preaponeurotic fat and because of the occasional presence of dehiscence of the levator aponeurosis. By using careful preoperative evaluation, accurate measurements, precise preoperative planning, intraoperative fat repositioning or grafting, skin excision or redraping, and proper placement of anchoring sutures, successful outcomes can be achieved. The authors evaluate the outcomes and detail the surgical procedures that were used to achieve successful outcomes in this particularly challenging group of patients.

Asian People↗

PubMed2004

Outcome for traumatic optic neuropathy--surgical versus nonsurgical treatment.

This study was performed to identify factors that can affect the final outcome and to recognize the proper management for patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). This retrospective study included 42 consecutive patients with TON after maxillofacial trauma. Megadose methylprednisolone was administered to all patients during the first 3 days after diagnosis. Twenty-four patients received treatment with megadose steroids combined with optic nerve decompression and the remaining 18 with megadose methylprednisolone alone. Initial visual acuity (IVA) was the statistically significant factor affecting the outcome of TON (P = 0.006 for improvement rate). Patients treated within 7 days after injury had a better improvement degree, P = 0.056. Patients in a surgical group with an IVA of no light perception (NLP) had a better improvement rate and degree (31.3%; 59.34 +/- 22.18%) than those in nonsurgical group (0%, 0%; P = 0.272). Initial visual acuity is the critical factor that affects the outcome of TON. Surgical optic nerve decompression is considerable in maxillofacial trauma patients with an IVA of NLP.

Adolescent↗