Versatility of nasolabial flaps in oral cavity reconstructions.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the techniques involved and the results obtained witn nasolabial flaps in small and medium-sized defects of the oral cavity. The procedure is an easy resconstructive option with a high success rate and with very good aesthetic and functional outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 16 nasolabial flap reconstructions in 15 oncological patients with oral cavity defects undergoing single-stage surgical interventions. We evaluate the tumor type, its location, size, the resective and reconstructive techniques involved, as well as any complications. RESULTS: Out of 15 patients, 9 were male and 6 female, with ages ranging from 60-85 years. The primary tumor was located in the mandibular or maxillary gingiva in 7 patients, the lateral margin of the tongue in 5, the floor of the mouth in 3 and the mandibular symphysis in a single patient. The tumors were of a small to medium size. All patients underwent intraoral resections. In most cases, a cervical dissection was performed. All flaps were completed as single-stage surgical interventions, with 14 unilateral and 2 bilateral procedures. Five patients had received radiotherapy treatment for previous tumors. During the follow up period, which ranged from 4 months to 8 years, only one patient required their flap to be thinned, there were two incidents of surgical wound dehiscence, two hematomas and one orocutaneous fistula, none of which affected the survival of the flap. CONCLUSIONS: The nasolabial flap proves highly versatile in oral cavity reconstructions, coupled with a minimal morbidity of the donor region and good aesthetic and functional results. Its high vascularity allows for cervical dissections to be carried out or even for radiotherapy to be administered prior to it. It is straightforward, safe, and carrying it out as a single-stage intervention makes it the ideal surgical option for small to medium intraoral defects in edentulous patients with other comorbidities.

Predictable dental rehabilitation in maxillomandibular reconstruction with free flaps. The role of implant guided surgery.

The reconstruction of maxillomandibular defects secondary to oral cancer surgery, represent a great challenge for Maxillofacial surgeons. During the last decades the reconstructive surgery has experimented a big advance due to the development of the microsurgical techniques. At present, we are able to reconstruct complex defects using free flaps that provide both soft and bone tissue. Fibula, iliac crest and scapula free flaps have been the three classic options for the maxillomandibular reconstruction owing to the amount of bone that this flaps provide, allowing the posterior dental rehabilitation with implants. Today, our objective it is not only the aesthetic reconstruction, but also the functional reconstruction of the patients enhancing their life quality. Guided implant surgery in free flap reconstructed patients has become an essential tool, helping to define the exact position of the dental implant in the flap. In this way it is possible to look for the areas with better bone conditions, avoiding the osteosynthesis material used to fixate the flap with the native bone and deciding the best biomechanical option, in terms of number and situation of the implants, for the future dental prostheses. In summary, using the guided implant surgery, it is possible to design an exact and predictable dental implant rehabilitation in patients with oral cancer who are reconstructed with free microvascular flap, resulting in an optimal aesthetic and functional result.

Depth of Invasion: Influence of the Latest TNM Classification on the Prognosis of Clinical Early Stages of Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Other Histological Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), in its 8th edition, introduces modifications to the previous TNM classification, incorporating tumour depth of invasion (DOI). The aim of this research is to analyse the prognosis (in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival) of clinical early stage (I and II) squamous cell carcinomas of the oral tongue according to the DOI levels established by the AJCC in its latest TNM classification to assess changes to the T category and global staging system and to evaluate the association between DOI and other histological risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal observational study of a series of cases was designed. All patients were treated with upfront surgery at our institution between 2010 and 2019. The variables of interest were defined and classified into four groups: demographic, clinical, histological and evolutive control. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out and survival functions were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical significance was established for p values below 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included. The average follow-up time was 47.42 months. Fifteen patients presented a loco-regional relapse (24.59%) and five developed distant disease (8.19%). Twelve patients died (19.67%). Statistically significant differences were observed, with respect to disease-free survival (p = 0.043), but not with respect to overall survival (p = 0.139). A total of 49.1% of the sample upstaged their T category and 29.5% underwent modifications of their global stage. The analysis of the relationship between DOI with other histological variables showed a significant association with the presence of pathological cervical nodes (p = 0.012), perineural invasion (p = 0.004) and tumour differentiation grade (p = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed association between depth of invasion and perineural invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Depth of invasion is a histological risk factor in early clinical stages of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Depth of invasion impacts negatively on patient prognosis, is capable per se of modifying the T category and the global tumour staging, and is associated with the presence of cervical metastatic disease, perineural invasion and tumoural differentiation grade.

Long term results of reconstruction plates in lateral mandibular defects. Revision of nine cases.

OBJECTIVE: Although microsurgical bone transplant is still the gold standard, mandibular reconstruction plates (MRP) were for several years considered a fast and safe way to restore mandibular continuity without using a bone graft. New plate designs with locking screws have been recently introduced, and these may overcome some of the complications related to previous designs. We review the results of mandibular reconstruction plates in our institution from 1991 to 1995. METHODS: The records of nine cancer patients who underwent lateral mandibular resections (with preservation of both condyle and symphysis) followed by reconstruction with a mandibular reconstruction plate, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated between 1991 and 1995 with regular Synthes and Leibinger plates (without locking screws). Immediately after tumour resection, the bone defect was reconstructed with an MRP without bone grafting. Three cases required soft tissue coverage: two flaps and one buccal fat pad flap. RESULTS: There was immediate orocervical fistula in six cases, one of which required surgical closure; and late complications were common. One patient died due to distant metastasis 13 months after surgery without symptoms related to the plate. The remaining eight patients had their plates removed at between 9 and 52 months after reconstruction, due to screw loosening (four cases), plate exposure (one case), or both (three cases). CONCLUSION: Lateral mandibular reconstruction with non-locking screws and regular profile plates is no longer recommended. New plates with improved designs are currently available. Their low profile and locking screws are the usual characteristics of these new plates. More clinical experience is necessary before plate reconstruction can be recommended over microvascular bone transfer.

[Reconstruction of oral mucosa with a micro-vascularized fascia-cutaneous flap from the forearm]. / Reconstrucción de la mucosa yugal mediante colgajo microvascularizado fasciocutáneo antebraquial.

Epidermoid carcinoma of jugal mucosa is an aggressive tumor. Its treatment is based on broad excision and reconstruction in order to avoid fibrosis and restriction of mouth opening. Neck dissection and radiotherapy are indicated in selected cases. We display our experience with microvascularized flaps with the aim of preventing the flaws. We reconsider 8 patients (representing 10 flaps) handle in our Department. Besides we discuss other therapeutic alternatives after the growth's removal. The conclusion reached is that the mucovascularized forearm flaps give a great quantity of thin tissue and therefore so results to be the best option for the reconstruction of the jugal mucosa.

Osteochondroma of coronoid process: a rare etiology of jacob disease.

Jacob disease is a rare entity consisting of the formation of a pseudojoint between the inner surface of the zygoma and the coronoid process. This requires constant contact between the two implicated surfaces. It can be achieved by two mechanisms: one by an enlarged coronoid process and two by an anterior displacement of the coronoid process caused by a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Although von Langenbeck described coronoid process hyperplasia in 1853, Oscar Jacob was the first author to describe the pathology in 1899. Since then, only a few cases have been published in the literature. The authors report a rare case of Jacob disease caused by an osteochondroma of the coronoid process, which is even less common, and review the literature.

Clinical, radiological and therapeutic features of keratocystic odontogenic tumours: a study over a decade.

Factors associated with the potential for recurrence of keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) still remain to be clearly determined and no consensus exists concerning the management of KCOT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different clinical factors associated with KCOT and its treatment methods. A retrospective review was performed of 55 cases treated from 2001 to 2010. Of the 55 cases, 27% were associated with an impacted or semi-impacted tooth. The majority of the lesions (82%) were located in tooth-bearing areas, and the overall mandibular to maxilla ratio of tumour occurrence was 5:1. The treatment options included enucleation, marsupialisation, or peripheral ostectomy, with or without the use of Carnoy´s solution. Recurrence was found in 14 cases (25%). No significant association was seen between recurrence and age, symptomatic cases, location of the lesion, or unilocular or multilocular appearance. The recurrence rate was higher in the group with tooth involvement, more marked in cases with third molar involvement. Statistical analysis showed a significant relation between recurrence and the type of treatment, with higher rates in cases treated with enucleation associated with tooth extraction. In our series, those cases with a closer relation with dental tissues showed a higher risk of recurrence, suggesting the need for a distinct classification for peripheral variants of KCOT. Key words:Keratocystic odontogenic tumour, Odontogenic keratocyst, Odontogenic cysts, Keratocyst, Carnoy's solution.

Transfusion Requirements in Microsurgical Reconstruction in Maxillofacial Surgery: Ethical and Legal Problems of Patients Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses.

Objective To study transfusion requirements in patients with cancer undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery and to discuss surgical and anesthetic strategies to reduce blood loss when the patient is a Jehovah's Witness. Material and Methods A descriptive study to expose the percentage of blood transfusions performed in patients with cancer undergoing microsurgical reconstructions in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of the referred hospital in the past 9 years. Results Two hundred thirty-seven microsurgical reconstructions were performed in head and neck tumors between January 2001 and December 2009. Statistical analysis shows a significant decrease (p = 0.035) in the number of patients needing transfusions patients in recent years. Conclusions The treatment of patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses is an ethical and moral dilemma for the clinician and in particular for surgeons.

Rhytidectomy approach for surgical treatment of branchial cyst.

Surgical treatment of benign diseases of the neck produces a cervicotomy scar. A modified rhytidectomy incision has been used since 2003 in our department in selected cases of parotid gland tumours. However, there is no mention in bibliography about using facelift approach for treatment of cervical diseases. We have operated on three patients with brachial cysts using this technique. We introduce a clinical case of a 28-year-old woman with a right cervical swelling at the level of the anterior side of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This technique allows a wide surgical approach. There is no donor-site morbidity, minimum additional operating time, hidden scar and no extra cost, and patients are very satisfied with the results.

Bronchial impaction of an implant screwdriver after accidental aspiration: report of a case and revision of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Adverse outcomes resulting from aspiration or ingestion of instruments and materials can occur in any dental procedure. Clinical manifestation depends on the location, the obstructive potential of the foreign body, and the temporal factor since the accidental incident. Accidental inhalation of dental appliances can be an even more serious event than ingestion and must always be treated as an emergency situation. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the suspicion of ingestion of a screwdriver implants. In spite of the clinically asymptomatic presentation, chest radiography in posteroanterior and lateral projections showed a radiopaque dental instrument impacted on the right main inferior bronchus. Rigid bronchoscope was successful to remove the dental instrument under general anesthesia, and the patient was discharged 24 h later. CONCLUSION: Aspiration and ingestion of dental foreign objects are infrequent, but they can occur at large multidisciplinary dental procedures. These episodes have the potential to result in acute medical and life-threatening emergencies since the beginning of the event or at a late stage in proceeding in the underdiagnosed patient. Prevention of such incidents is, therefore, the best approach via the mandatory use of precautions during all dental procedures, and in case of suspicion with no retrievable material, patient must always be submitted to a radiographic study.