SummaryWe report our experience with the use of Argon laser photocoagulation for the treat ment of recurrent trichiasis. A total of 28 lids (of 21 patients) with aberrant lashes were treated in our study. Each lash was treated with a beam of 50-200 micron (spot size), 0.2 s (time), and 1-1.2 Watt (power). Neither infiltration nor topical anaes thesia was used. The mean follow-up time was 6.57 months. Successful treatment with no evidence of recurrence was achieved in 67.9% of lids after one to two laser sessions. The remaining 32.1 % of the lids required three to four sessions to achieve no recurrence of the condition. There was a significant correlation between the number of aberrant lashes per lid and the number of required laser sessions. Com plete healing of the treated areas occurred within six weeks after treatment, with no vascularisation or distortion of the lid margin. Argon laser treatment appears to be a safe and effective alternative to the other recognised methods of therapy in selected cases.

sub-mandibular approach and a wire was placed at the angle of mandible to apply traction inferiorly. In all cases, vertical sub-sigmoid osteotomy was carried out with pre-plating prior to the delivery of the proximal ramus segment. The displaced condyle was delivered extra-corporeally and reduced into perfect anatomical reduction to the ramus. The condylar fragment is retrieved from the same incision. A suitable osteosynthesis bone plate was contoured and fixed to the condylar and ramus segment. The pre-plates were re-fixed to the ramus and the assembled osteotomised ramus and condylar segment were reinserted into the correct anatomical position with the meniscus and stabilised. Postoperatively, patients were not placed intermaxillary fixation. Patients were followed-up at one week, three weeks, six weeks, three months, one year, and yearly thereafter. The occlusion and function were commented on within the notes and the radiographs were checked for resorption. Patient interincisal distance was measured at follow-up and each of them was questioned for any daily pain or difficulty with day-to-day tasks (mastication) at six months. The follow-up period was 2-10 years. Table 1 shows that the vast majority of patients (81%) were involved in interpersonal violence compared to road traffic accidents (RTA) (14%) and sport (5%). It also highlights that in a total of 25 condylar fractures (over 21 patients) there is a success rate of 88%. The operative time varied between 45 minutes and 75 minutes with an average of 60 minutes for the procedure. The follow-up period was between two years and 10 years. In 18 cases, the occlusion and mandibular function was good. There was variable resorption of the condylar head in two cases. There was no correlation between the causes of the fractures and condylar resorption. One case had sustained a fracture of the osteosynthesis bone plate. There was no permanent facial nerve injury. Four out of 21 patients had temporary facial nerve weakness which resolved completely. The minimum normal interincisal distance classified as normal is 25 mm. The results show that three patients had an interincisal distance of <25 mm (13.5%). Three patients (13.5%) reported postoperative pain on a daily basis at six months. None of these patients had unsatisfactory postoperative radiographs. Only one of these patients reported reduced function, and he also had a reduced interincisal distance. Two patients (9%) reported reduced function at six months. Both of these had RESULTS

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract