Long-term results of trismus release in noma patients.
Noma, also known as cancrum oris, is an infectious disease that results in a loss of orofacial tissue, due to gangrene of soft and bony tissue. It is especially seen in young children in the sub-Saharan region. Among the sequelae of patients who survive noma, trismus is one of the most disabling. This retrospective research studied the long-term results of trismus release in noma patients. Thirty-six patients could be traced in the villages and were included in the study. The mean mouth opening in this group was 10.3mm (95% CI: 7.0; 13.6mm) and the mean period after discharge from hospital was 43 months. Better mouth opening was observed in patients who continued physiotherapy after discharge, were older, and those with a 'soft' (vs. 'hard') inner and outer cheek on palpation. The result of trismus release in noma patients in the long term was extremely poor in this study.
Bisseling
P
P
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Bruhn
J
J
Erdsach
T
T
Ettema
A M
AM
Sautter
R
R
Bergé
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009625:Noma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult