Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Laryngoscope. 2018 September 8; Volume 129 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1002/lary.27230
Shaye DA, Winters RD, Rabbels J, Adentunji AS, Magee A, et al.
Laryngoscope. 2018 September 8; Volume 129 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1002/lary.27230
Noma is a devastating and destructive disease of the face for which there is a dearth of information regarding surgical options. Herein, we describe the facial deformities and patient characteristics in a patient population affected by noma and the surgical approaches used in treatment.
Journal Article > Case Report/SeriesFull Text
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2020 August 12; Volume 114 (Issue 11); 812-819.; DOI:10.1093/trstmh/traa061
Farley ES, Amirtharajah M, Winters RD, Taiwo AO, Oyemakinde MJ, et al.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2020 August 12; Volume 114 (Issue 11); 812-819.; DOI:10.1093/trstmh/traa061
BACKGROUND
Noma is a rapidly progressing infection of the oral cavity frequently resulting in severe facial disfigurement. We present a case series of noma patients surgically treated in northwest Nigeria.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data (demographics, diagnosis and surgical procedures undergone) and in-person follow-up assessments (anthropometry, mouth opening and quality of life measurements) were conducted with patients who had surgery >6 mo prior to data collection.
RESULTS
Of the 37 patients included, 21 (56.8%) were male and 22 (62.9%) were aged >6 y. The median number of months between last surgery and follow-up was 18 (IQR 13, 25) mo. At admission, the most severely affected anatomical area was the outer cheek (n = 9; 36.0% of patients had lost between 26% and 50%). The most frequent surgical procedures were the deltopectoral flap (n = 16; 43.2%) and trismus release (n = 12; 32.4%). For the eight trismus-release patients where mouth opening was documented at admission, all had a mouth opening of 0–20 mm at follow-up. All patients reported that the surgery had improved their quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
Following their last surgical intervention, noma patients do experience some improvements in their quality of life, but debilitating long-term sequelae persist.
Noma is a rapidly progressing infection of the oral cavity frequently resulting in severe facial disfigurement. We present a case series of noma patients surgically treated in northwest Nigeria.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data (demographics, diagnosis and surgical procedures undergone) and in-person follow-up assessments (anthropometry, mouth opening and quality of life measurements) were conducted with patients who had surgery >6 mo prior to data collection.
RESULTS
Of the 37 patients included, 21 (56.8%) were male and 22 (62.9%) were aged >6 y. The median number of months between last surgery and follow-up was 18 (IQR 13, 25) mo. At admission, the most severely affected anatomical area was the outer cheek (n = 9; 36.0% of patients had lost between 26% and 50%). The most frequent surgical procedures were the deltopectoral flap (n = 16; 43.2%) and trismus release (n = 12; 32.4%). For the eight trismus-release patients where mouth opening was documented at admission, all had a mouth opening of 0–20 mm at follow-up. All patients reported that the surgery had improved their quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
Following their last surgical intervention, noma patients do experience some improvements in their quality of life, but debilitating long-term sequelae persist.