Reconstruction of defects in the head and neck with free flaps: 20 years experience.

Between March 1982 and December 2002 we did a total of 534 reconstructions with free flaps from various donor sites for 529 patients. The jejunum was the donor site in 181 reconstructions (34%), followed by the radial forearm flap in 173 reconstructions (32%); 86% of the reconstructions were immediately after excisions. Surgical re-exploration was necessary in 37 patients (7%); the failure rate from necrosis of the flap was 5%. Factors associated with complications were American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class and age.

Epithelial malignancies of the salivary glands: clinical experience of a single institution-a review.

In this retrospective study we give a clinical review of our experience with different subtypes of salivary gland cancer. Between January 1983 and December 2002, a total of 155 patients with carcinomas of the salivary glands received initial treatment at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hanover Medical School. There were 79 (51.0%) adenoid cystic carcinomas, 42 (27.1%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 12 (7.7%) adenocarcinomas, 10 (6.5%) polymorphous adenocarcinomas and 12 (7.7%) other tumor entities of smaller number. Complete resection was reached for 63.5% of patients with high grade carcinomas and for 80.0% of patients with low grade carcinomas. 26.2% of patients with high grade carcinomas and 13.3% of patients with low grade carcinomas received postoperative radiation. Overall survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 65.9, 48.0 and 39.8% with significant difference for patients with high grade and low grade carcinomas. Histopathologic subtype, tumor stage and margin status significantly influenced prognosis. Statistically, we were not able to demonstrate a positive effect for postoperative radiation. In the future, patients with salivary gland carcinomas should be randomised for prospective multicentric clinical trials, which could provide reliable information about adjuvant treatment modalities and their results even for rare subtypes of salivary gland cancer.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck--a 20 years experience.

In this retrospective study we give a clinical review of our experience with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and compare our results with those reported in the literature. Between 1981 and 2000, 74 patients with this disease were treated at our department. Complete resection was reached in 45 cases. Fourteen patients received postoperative radiation. Local control rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 64%, 56% and 52% with a mean local control time of 11.1 years. Tumour size (P

[Congenital teratoma of the skull base: case report of an interdisciplinary treatment]. / Teratom der Schädelbasis bei einem Neugeborenen: Verlaufsbeschreibung einer interdisziplinären Behandlung.

Teratomas of the oropharynx are quite rare congenital tumors. Even more rare than oropharyngeal teratomas are those with additional intracranial extension. Reviewing the literature the prognosis of these cases has been poor. In the majority stillbirth or immediate postpartum death following respiratory obstruction is reported. We present a case of a congenital teratoma of the oral cavity with intracranial extension in a female neonate. After several intraoral tumor resections to establish secure airway in the postpartum period the total tumor resection had to be performed at the age of 6 month via a lateral transmandibular approach to the skull base. By using extraoral distaction devices the operation related microsomia of the mandible could be corrected at the age of 5 years. At 7 years follow-up the girl presented free of recurrence and without any neurological or functional deficits.

[Long-term results after velopharyngoplasty]. / Langzeitergebnisse nach Velopharyngoplastik bei Patienten mit Spaltbildungen des Gaumens.

BACKGROUND: Children with cleft palate frequently demonstrate speech and resonance disorders following primary cleft repair. In some patients no improvement can be achieved with conservative therapy and a velopharyngoplasty (VPP) may be indicated. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term results after VPP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were followed up on an average 9 years after VPP (mean age: 16+/-5 years). Apart from the phoniatric-pedaudiologic findings, the speech intelligibility and nasality were judged by speech pathologists and by laymen. The extent of the speech handicaps was evaluated with a questionnaire. The nasalance was measured with NasalView. The vowels, two test sentences, and three reading texts (LT(1-3)) were used as test materials. RESULTS: The phoniatric-pedaudiologic examination revealed a clear improvement of hearing, language, and speech function. Compared to the previous results, decreased nasality and improved ability in articulation were detected. The judgment of laymen was also positive. The speech intelligibility was mostly evaluated as favorable. A speech handicap was present in only a few patients. The evaluation using NasalView showed significantly increased nasalance values for the LT(2) ( p=0.030). Moreover there were lower nasalance values for all the reading texts compared to the control group (LT(1) p=0.257, LT(2) p=0.408, LT(3) p=0.187). CONCLUSION: A clear improvement can be achieved with VPP in patients with a high degree of therapy-resistant nasality. In many cases even normal colloquial language is possible. The evaluation of nasalance has proved to be successful for rating surgical outcome.

[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the major and minor salivary glands. Retrospective analysis of 74 patients]. / Adenoidzystische Karzinome der grossen und kleinen Speicheldrüsen. Retrospektive Analyse von 74 Patienten.

PURPOSE: In this study we give a clinical review of our experience with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and compare our results with those reported in the literature. PATIENTS: Between 1981 and 2000, 74 patients with ACC of the head and neck were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School. RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 58 years. There were 38 men and 36 women. The primary site was the parotid gland in 4 cases, the submandibular and sublingual gland in 21 cases, the lacrimal gland in 1 case, the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity and oropharynx in 44 cases, and the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus in 4 cases. There were 19 T1, 15 T2, 9 T3, and 31 T4 tumors with perineural invasion of 32 tumors. R0 resection was performed in 45 cases. Fourteen patients received postoperative radiation. There were only five N1 and two N2b necks. All patients were staged M0 at presentation. Local control rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 64%, 56%, and 52% with a mean local control time of 11.1 years. Tumor size ( p< or =0.001), margin status ( p< or =0.001), and perineural invasion ( p

Lateral Transmandibular Approach to the Skull Base in Children: Three Case Reports.

The choice of surgical approach to tumors of the cranial base in children is determined by strict criteria. The criteria include optimal visibility for the surgeon, minimal possible impairment of facial skull growth, and the preservation of motor and sensory nerve integrity. From 1993 to 1996, three children (6 years old, 22 months old, 6 months old, respectively) underwent surgery to resect cranial base tumors through a modified lateral transmandibular approach. In all three patients a preauricular incision with temporal and submandibular extensions was performed. After the mandible was prepared, an osteotomy was conducted cranially to the mandibular foramen. When the capitulum was temporarily disarticulated, wide access to the cranial base was provided and the tumors were resected. Two of these children were available for follow-up, and we continue to observe their development. Given the severity of their conditions, treatment yielded good results. Growth impairment of the mandible was corrected by the distraction osteogenesis technique.

[Effectiveness of neck dissection in metastasizing mouth carcinoma. Uni- and multivariate analysis of factors of influence]. / Effektivität der Neck dissection beim metastasierenden Mundhöhlenkarzinom. Uni- und multivariate Analyse von Einflussfaktoren.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oncologic effectiveness of radical and different types of modified neck dissections with preservation of n. accessorius, v. jugularis interna, and m. sternocleidomastoideus and to identify prognostic factors for regional control and survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. METHODS: This retrospective study included 373 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity who underwent 401 neck dissections between January 1986 and December 1995 at the Department for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hanover Medical School. RESULTS: The 5-year regional control was estimated at 87%. Relapse occurred only within the first 2 years after neck dissection. The number of positive nodes, metastases without lymphatic tissue, preparation of metastases from the carotid artery and cranial base, and preoperative radiochemotherapy were analyzed as prognostic factors with significant influence. The grade of metastases, extracapsular spread, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa, and postoperative radiation showed no prognostic significance. DISCUSSION: The comparison of recurrent metastases after radical and modified neck dissection demonstrated that as the extent of neck disease increased there was a tendency toward improved regional control after radical neck dissection.

Neck dissection in oral cancer--clinical review and analysis of prognostic factors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oncologic effectiveness of radical and different types of modified neck dissections with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve, internal jugular vein and sternocleidomastoid muscle and to identify prognostic factors for regional control and survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. This retrospective study included 373 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity who underwent 401 neck dissections between January 1986 and December 1997 at the Department for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hanover Medical School. The actuarial neck control rate after 5 years was estimated with 87%. Neck failure occured only within the first 2 years after neck dissection. The number of positive nodes, macroscopic extracapsular spread, peeling off metastases from carotid artery and cranial base and preoperative radiochemotherapy were significant prognostic factors. Grade of metastases, microscopic extracapsular spread, lymphangiosis carcinomatosa and postoperative radiation showed no prognostic significance. The comparison of neck failures after radical and modified neck dissection demonstrated a tendency to improved regional control after radical neck dissection with increasing extent of neck disease.

The scientific development of maxillofacial surgery in the 20th century and an outlook into the future.

Maxillofacial surgery is a relatively young speciality of medicine and it was not established as an organized specialty until the second half of the 20th century. At first it was supported by general surgeons with particular interest in this field, and also by inspired, extremely talented dentists. During the past few years modern techniques have brought decisive progress also in maxillofacial surgery, leading to rapid further development of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. The development of our specialty in the past century is discussed on the four main points of our scope, traumatology, orthognathic, cleft and tumour surgery. Considering the future prospects of our specialty one should realize that in the near future maxillofacial surgery will also be influenced by further medical-technical progress in the field of micro-robots, by percutaneous endoscopic techniques and by minimal invasive or laser surgery. Basic research will also cause a more profound change in our specialty, especially in the field of tumour therapy. Molecular biological research shows some good signs, which could already be transmitted to the prevention, diagnosis and also the therapy of tumours. In the field of tissue transplantation it is no longer utopia that autogenous tissue sampling can be almost completely be avoided. By further developing 'tissue engineering' it will be possible to cultivate bones as well as soft tissue with the aid of gene technology and transplant them into the face using relevant carrier substances. Altogether, the complexity of maxillofacial surgery in the coming century will increase, necessitating the best and widely trained maxillofacial surgeons for successful accomplishment.

Identification of novel CBFA1/RUNX2 mutations causing cleidocranial dysplasia.

Core binding factor A1 (CBFA1/RUNX2) is a runt-like transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation. Haplotype insufficiency causes cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a syndrome featuring supernumerary tooth buds, delayed tooth eruption, patent fontanels, Wormian bones, short stature, dysplasia of the clavicles, growth retardation and hypoplasia of the distal phalanges. We identified novel CBFAI/RUNX2 mutations after PCR and direct sequencing of patient leukocyte DNA. In family 1 mother and son are affected by CCD. Both carry the missense mutation R190W (CGG > TGG). This nucleotide change introduced a BsmI restriction site, which was used to independently confirm the mutation. It was absent in healthy members of the family. Family 2, in which father and daughter are affected by CCD, shows a deletion of nucleotide C821. This deletion causes a frameshift mutation with premature stop after the insertion of 18 aberrant amino acids. Healthy family members did not have this mutation. The clavicular dysplasia was more pronounced with the R19OW mutation, while the bone density was markedly reduced in individuals with either mutation, suggesting a previously underemphasized increased risk for osteoporosis in CCD.

[Tumor surgery]. / Tumorchirurgie.

Surgery is still the primary therapeutic approach in treatment of tumors in the head and neck area, dating back to the early nineteenth century. More than 150 years ago, hemimaxillectomies and mandibular resections as well as hemiglossectomies were already performed by leading surgeons. The block principle we are now following dates back to Crile, who also established the principle of cervical lymph node dissection. Ablative oncologic surgery has always been closely linked with plastic and reconstructive surgery, rendering radical surgical interventions possible without disfiguring patients. The development of facial reconstructive surgery proceeded in stages, in the first instance as secondary reconstruction using tube pedicled flaps. The change to the concept of primary reconstruction occurred via arterialized skin flaps and myocutaneous flaps to the widely accepted and performed free tissue transfer. Free bone grafting, inaugurated earlier and still representing the majority of bone grafting, has been supplemented for certain reconstructive purposes by free vascularized bone transfer from various donor sites. Although the five-year-survival rate of carcinoma of the oral cavity has remained unchanged in the past 30 years, distinctive improvements in tumor surgery can be recorded. This is primarily based on improved diagnostics such as modern imaging techniques and the refinement of surgical techniques. The DOSAK has worked out distinctive guidelines for effective ablative oncologic surgery. Surgical approaches offering wide exposure and carrying low morbidity play a decisive role in radical resections. For this reason, midfacial degloving offers an essential improvement for the resection of midface tumors, especially from an aesthetic point of view. Tumors situated deep behind the viscerocranium at the skull base can be clearly exposed either through a lateral approach following a temporary osteotomy of the mandibular ramus or a transmandibular, transmaxillar, or transfacial approach with minimal morbidity. Concerning the concept of neck dissection, radical techniques are more and more abandoned in favor of a more conservative procedure. Actual inquiries concerning present surgical procedures as to the surgical strategy in "N(o)-neck" or marginal and segmental resection in mandibular adherent carcinomas demand scientific clarification.

Lesions of the inferior alveolar nerve arising from endodontic treatment.

A lesion of the IAN following endodontic treatment of the lower molars and premolars is not a rare event and presents an uncomfortable situation both for the dental surgeon and the patient. Injury can result on the one hand by direct intrusion of the instrument through the apex into the mandibular canal, and on the other by the filling material which becomes forced into the mandibular canal. In the latter case, a nerve lesion will only result when the filling material contains neurotoxic substances such as paraformaldehyde. With a direct lesion or when forcing of resorbable filling material into the mandibular canal is suspected, one should first employ a wait-and-see approach, because usually the only nerve damage is in the form of neuropraxy or axonotmesis for which there is a high rate of spontaneous regeneration. However, if neurotoxic filling material is introduced into the direct vicinity of the nerves, the mandibular canal should be opened and the filling material should be removed as early as possible. If the filling material is forced directly within the endoneurium between the nerve bundles, the damaged nerve sections must be resected and bridged using transplants from the sural or greater auricular nerves.

[The Stromeyer hook. Life and work of the man behind the eponym]. / Stromeyer-Haken. Leben und Werk des Mannes hinter dem Eponym.

Georg Friedrich Stromeyer (1804-1876) is generally known as one of the founders of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery and also made many contributions to modern military medicine. Furthermore, every oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Germany knows him because of the "Stromeyer hook", which is used for elevation of zygomatic arch fractures. This special aspect as well as Stromeyer's biography is presented in this article from the history of medicine.

A retrospective study of hearing, speech and language function in children with clefts following palatoplasty and veloplasty procedures at 18-24 months of age.

Many cleft palate teams currently schedule palatoplasty and veloplasty within the child's first year of life. At Hannover Medical School, palatoplasty and veloplasty are performed at approximately 18-24 months of age. It was questioned which speech and language outcome was achieved and whether it may be influenced by: (1) type and extent of the clefts; (2) velopharyngeal inadequacy; and (3) hearing disorders. A retrospective evaluation of data collected from 1985 to 1993 was performed summarizing receptive and expressive speech and language skills of 370 children aged 4.5 years. Cleft types were unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, 30.0%), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP, 28.7%), cleft hard and soft palate (CP, 21.6%), cleft soft palate (cleft velum, CV, 10.8%), cleft lip and alveolus (CLA, 5.8%) and submucous clefts (SUB, 3.2%). n = 86 had constant normal hearing, and n = 284 had conductive hearing loss > 20 dB (500-4000 Hz). Severe developmental phonology errors were found in 30-50% of children with repaired cleft palate and in less than 8% of patients with CLA and SUB. Posterior compensatory misarticulation was below 15% in the groups UCLP, BCLP, CP, CV and SUB. Nasal resonance and air emission was nearly normal in CLA, but was increased in 27% to 38% of the other cleft types. Children with conductive hearing loss had significantly more and severely affected phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary, language comprehension, and auditory perception than normal hearing children. Findings indicated that speech and language function in CLP patients were predominantly related to the hearing status.

[Modern principles in treatment of complex injuries of the facial bones]. / Moderne Prinzipien in der Behandlung komplexer Gesichtsschädelverletzungen.

Concepts in the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures have changed over the last 15 years. Modern imaging techniques have become a central part in establishing a proper diagnosis. Advanced life support and intensive care medicine allow for early primary fracture treatment. The former principles of minimal exposure of bone fragments using small incisions have been replaced by principles from reconstructive craniofacial surgery comprising extensive subperiosteal dissection, exposure of all fracture lines, open reduction and rigid internal fixation. Missing bony structures are replaced primarily by autogenous bone grafts. Using these concepts, most late esthetic and functional sequelae of facial fractures can be diminished remarkably.

Current principles in microsurgical nerve repair.

Micronerve reconstruction of motor and sensitive nerves in the head and neck area currently has an established range of indications. Surgical procedures always follow a strict order, beginning with external neurolysis. In cases of complete separation of the nerve stumps or when tensionless coaptation of nerve ends can not be achieved, nerve grafts from suitable donor sites, for example the sural nerve, have to be interposed. Good functional results can be obtained following reconstruction of motor nerves, as with the accessory or the facial nerve. In contrast, reconstruction of sensory nerves has a lower success rate but very often leads to a subjective improvement of symptoms for the patient. In long-standing facial palsy with atrophy of the facial musculature, neurovascularly reanastomosed muscle grafts offer a good option.

Preoperative radiochemotherapy and radical surgery in comparison with radical surgery alone. A prospective, multicentric, randomized DOSAK study of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oropharynx (a 3-year follow-up).

A multicentric, randomized study of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and the oropharynx has been undertaken by DOSAK. The results after radical surgery alone have been compared with the results of combined preoperative radiochemotherapy followed by radical surgery. Patients with primary (biopsy proven) SCC of the oral cavity or the oropharynx with tumor nodes metastasis (TNM) stages T2-4, N0-3, M0 were included in the study. A total of 141 patients were treated by radical surgery alone, whereas 127 patients were treated by radical surgery preceded by preoperative radiochemotherapy. The preoperative treatment consisted of conventionally fractioned irradiation on the primary and the regional lymph nodes with a total dose of 36 Gy (5 x 2 Gy per week) and low-dose cisplatin chemotherapy with 5 x 12.5 mg cisplatin per m2 of body surface during the first week of treatment. Radical surgery according to the DOSAK definitions (DOSAK, 1982) was performed after a delay of 10-14 days. During the follow-up period, 28.2% of all patients suffered from locoregional recurrence, and 27.2% of the patients died. The percentages were higher after radical surgery alone for locoregional recurrence (31% and 15.6%) and for death (28% and 18.6%). The life-table analysis showed improved survival rates of 4.5% after 1 year and 8.3% after 2 years in the group of patients treated with combined therapy. The demonstrated improvement appeared to be significant with the Gehan-Wilcoxon test as well as with the log rank test below a P value of 5%.