Faculty Bibliography

Efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in craniofacial fracture management is controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare evidence-based literature recommendations regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in facial fracture management with expert-based practice. A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify published studies evaluating pre-, peri-, and postoperative efficacy of antibiotics in facial fracture management by facial third. Study level of evidence was assessed according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery criteria, and graded practice recommendations were made based on these assessments. Expert opinions were garnered during the Advanced Orbital Surgery Symposium in the form of surveys evaluating senior surgeon clinical antibiotic prescribing practices by time point and facial third. A total of 44 studies addressing antibiotic prophylaxis and facial fracture management were identified. Overall, studies were of poor quality, precluding formal quantitative analysis. Studies supported the use of perioperative antibiotics in all facial thirds, and preoperative antibiotics in comminuted mandible fractures. Postoperative antibiotics were not supported in any facial third. Survey respondents (n = 17) cumulatively reported their antibiotic prescribing practices over 286 practice years and 24,012 facial fracture cases. Percentages of prescribers administering pre-, intra-, and postoperative antibiotics, respectively, by facial third were as follows: upper face 47.1, 94.1, 70.6; midface 47.1, 100, 70.6%; and mandible 68.8, 94.1, 64.7%. Preoperative but not postoperative antibiotic use is recommended for comminuted mandible fractures. Frequent use of pre- and postoperative antibiotics in upper and midface fractures is not supported by literature recommendations, but with low-level evidence. Higher level studies may better guide clinical antibiotic prescribing practices.

BACKGROUND:Little is known about the role of osteoclasts in cranial suture fusion. Osteoclasts are predominantly regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, both of which lead to osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival; and osteoprotegerin, a soluble inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B. The authors' work examines the role of osteoprotegerin in this process using knockout technology. METHODS:Wild-type, osteoprotegerin-heterozygous, and osteoprotegerin-knockout mice were imaged by serial micro-computed tomography at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 16 weeks. Suture density measurements and craniometric analysis were performed at these same time points. Posterofrontal sutures were harvested from mice after the week-16 time point and analyzed by means of histochemistry. RESULTS:Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the posterofrontal suture revealed reduced suture fusion in osteoprotegerin-knockout mice compared with wild-type and heterozygous littermates. Osteoprotegerin deficiency resulted in a statistically significant decrease in suture bone density in knockout mice. There was no reduction in the density of non-suture-containing calvarial bone between wild-type and osteoprotegerin-knockout mice. Histochemistry of suture sections supported these micro-computed tomographic findings. Finally, osteoprotegerin-knockout mice had reduced anteroposterior skull distance at all time points and an increased interorbital distance at the week-16 time point. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The authors' data suggest that perturbations in the expression of osteoprotegerin and subsequent changes in osteoclastogenesis lead to alterations in murine cranial and posterofrontal suture morphology.

The ElderSmile clinical program was initiated in northern Manhattan in 2006. ElderSmile is a comprehensive community-based program offering education, screening and treatment services for seniors in impoverished communities. Originally focused on oral health, ElderSmile was expanded in 2010 to include diabetes and hypertension education and screening. More than 1,000 elders have participated in the expanded program to date. Quantitative and qualitative findings support a role for dental professionals in screening for these primary care sensitive conditions.