Donor-Site Morbidity Following Free Fibula Flap Harvest for Mandibular or Maxillary Reconstruction in Pediatric Patients.

INTRO AND AIM: The morbidity at the donor-site in the free fibula flap is a well-studied fact in the adult population, but in children, there are few reports of the long-term adverse effects at the donor site. In this study, we evaluate donor-site morbidity, complications, and functional outcome in pediatric patients undergoing free fibula flap harvest for mandibular or maxillary reconstruction, and the relation between pain and walking abilities. METHODS: A retrospective study of 22 pediatric patients undergoing free fibula flap harvest for mandibular and maxillary reconstruction between 2003 and 2014 was conducted. A certified point evaluation system was used, analyzing several factors like pain, walking ability, restriction in activities, gait alteration, paresthesia, and cosmetic appearance, and the relationship between variables. RESULTS: Mean age follow up of patient was 8.5 years (range 2-13 years). Pain was reported in 27% (n = 6), paresthesia and numbness 9% (n = 2), walking ability alteration in 50% (n = 11), restriction in activities in 18% (n = 4), gait alteration in 23% (n = 5), and cosmetic appearance alteration in the 14% (n = 3). We compare the pain and the gait alteration and did not find any relation between pain and gait alteration (P = 0.6016) and there was no relation between restriction in activities and walking ability (P = 0.1455). CONCLUSION: Free fibula flap is the gold standard for head and neck reconstruction, but the morbidity at the donor site, especially in a growing child, should not be ignored or minimized when counseling patients and their families.More studies, with more population and with a long-term follow-up should be carried out to determine the impact on the daily activities on the pediatric population.

Aplicaciones de la impresión 3D en cirugía plástica reconstructiva / Use of 3D printing in reconstructive plastic surgery

Resumen La impresión 3D es una tecnología interesante en constante evolución. También conocida como manufactura aditiva, consiste en la conversión de diseños digitales a modelos físicos mediante la adición de capas sucesivas de material. En años recientes, y tras el vencimiento de múltiples patentes, diversos campos de las ciencias de la salud se han interesado en sus posibles usos, siendo la cirugía plástica una de las especialidades médicas que más ha aprovechado sus ventajas y aplicaciones, en especial la capacidad de crear dispositivos altamente personalizados a costos accesibles. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, el objetivo del presente artículo es describir los usos de la impresión 3D en cirugía plástica reconstructiva a partir de una revisión de la literatura. Las principales aplicaciones de la impresión 3D descritas en la literatura incluyen su capacidad para crear modelos anatómicos basados en estudios de imagen de pacientes, que a su vez permiten planificar procedimientos quirúrgicos, fabricar implantes y prótesis personalizadas, crear instrumental quirúrgico para usos específicos y usar biotintas en ingeniería tisular. La impresión 3D es una tecnología prometedora con el potencial de implementar cambios positivos en la práctica de la cirugía plástica reconstructiva en el corto y mediano plazo.

Abstract 3D printing is an interesting technology in constant evolution. Also known as additive manufacturing, it consists of the conversion of digital designs into physical models by successively adding material layer by layer. In recent years, and after the expiration of multiple patents, several fields of health sciences have approached this type of technology, plastic surgery being one of the medical specialties that has taken advantage of its benefits and applications, especially the ability to create highly customized devices at low costs. With this in mind, the objective of this work is to describe the uses of 3D printing in reconstructive plastic surgery based on a literature review. The main applications of 3D printing described in the literature include its ability to create anatomical models based on patient imaging studies, which in turn allow planning surgical procedures, manufacturing custom implants and prostheses, creating surgical or instrumental simulators, and using bioinks in tissue engineering. 3D printing is a promising technology with the potential to cause positive changes in the field of reconstructive plastic surgery in the short and medium term.

Changes in Electrical Activity of the Masseter Muscle and Masticatory Force after the Use of the Masseter Nerve as Donor in Facial Reanimation Surgery.

Introduction The masseter nerve has been used as a donor nerve for facial reanimation procedures due to the multiple advantages it offers; it has been generally considered that sacrifice of the masseter nerve does not alter the masticatory apparatus; however, there are no objective studies to support this claim. Objective To evaluate the impact that the use of the masseter nerve in dynamic facial reconstruction has on the electrical activity of the masseter muscle and on bite force. Materials and Methods An observational and prospective longitudinal study was performed measuring bite force and electrical activity of the masseter muscles before and 3 months after dynamic facial reconstructive surgery using the masseter nerve. An occlusal analyzer and surface electromyography were employed for measurements. Results The study included 15 patients with unilateral facial paralysis, with a mean age of 24.06 ± 23.43. Seven patients were subjected to a masseter-buccal branch nerve transfer, whereas in eight patients, the masseter nerve was used as a donor nerve for gracilis free functional muscle transfer. Electrical activity of the masseter muscle was significantly reduced after surgery in both occlusal positions: from 140.86 ± 65.94 to 109.68 ± 68.04 ( p = 0.01) in maximum intercuspation and from 123.68 ± 75.64 to 82.64 ± 66.56 ( p = 0.01) in the rest position. However, bite force did not show any reduction, changing from 22.07 ± 15.66 to 15.56 ± 7.91 ( p = 0.1) after the procedure. Conclusion Masseter nerve transfer causes a reduction in electromyographic signals of the masseter muscle; however, bite force is preserved and comparable to preoperative status.

Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle Direct Neurotization.

Direct muscle neurotization has been proved to be a feasible technique for facial reanimation microsurgical procedures. Direct muscle neurotization is performed by implanting the interposition nerve graft directly into the substance of the muscle. The authors present the case of a 36-year-old male patient with upper eyelid dysfunction secondary to facial trauma. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle was macroscopically unaffected; however, neurophysiological test proved a selective denervation of the CN III motor branch to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. Direct muscle neurotization was performed by means of 2 separate nerve procedures. The authors have made follow-up for 3 months after surgery. The authors have noted development of upper eyelid movement meaning adequate function of the neurotized muscle. The authors believe that this procedure could be integrated into the surgical options to treat selective nerve injuries should the right patient is encountered.

Digital Reconstruction with a Nonfrozen Osteotendinous Allograft, Nerve Allografts, and Autogenous Radial Free Flap.

A 21-year-old man underwent amputation of his second to fifth fingers at the proximal phalanx level on the right hand. The third and fourth fingers were reconstructed with 2 toe-to-hand free transfers. The fifth digit was reconstructed with a nonfrozen osteotendinous allograft, nerve allografts, and autogenous radial free flap without immunosuppression. The patient was lost to follow-up for 19 years. He received no rehabilitation. He reported that he had experienced no adverse reactions to the materials or the graft, or infection, or fractures. No additional surgical procedures were performed. Today, the digit is functional and has acceptable aesthetic appearance. This outcome is similar to those obtained in digits reconstructed with frozen osteotendinous allografts and autologous cutaneous covers and opens the possibility for future research.

Ascending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Mediastinal infections usually originate from postoperative complications or in a descending manner from a cervical infectious process; few reports have emerged describing an ascending trajectory. A 56-year-old woman with a Huang class 1 left emphysematous pyelonephritis was referred due to a progression of an ascending necrotizing mediastinitis. A left posterolateral thoracotomy was performed, drainage and thorough lavage were carried out with a successful outcome. We believe this is the first reported case of ascending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to an emphysematous renal infection.

[Giant Amyand hernia]. / Hernia de Amyand gigante.

The finding of the appendix inside an hernial sac is called "Amyand hernia": The global incidence is 0.28 to 1%. Clinical manifestations are the presence of an inflamed inguinal mass, tense, hypersensitivensible, with variable size, non-reducible, and associated to abdominal pain, vomit and very rarely true appendicitis manifestations. Surgical treatment depends on the case presentation and the intraoperative findings. We present a case of a giant Amyand's hernia successfully treated with surgery by performing the hernia repair with Bassini technique and transherniotomy appendectomy.

Hernia de Amyand gigante / [Giant Amyand hernia].

The finding of the appendix inside an hernial sac is called "Amyand hernia": The global incidence is 0.28 to 1

. Clinical manifestations are the presence of an inflamed inguinal mass, tense, hypersensitivensible, with variable size, non-reducible, and associated to abdominal pain, vomit and very rarely true appendicitis manifestations. Surgical treatment depends on the case presentation and the intraoperative findings. We present a case of a giant Amyand’s hernia successfully treated with surgery by performing the hernia repair with Bassini technique and transherniotomy appendectomy.

The role of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase in the induction of immune tolerance in organ transplantation.

The aim of this review is to present current information on transplantation research regarding the role of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase in immune regulation. We present the basic mechanisms by which the enzyme is expressed, followed by tryptophan catabolism that leads to midg1 phase arrest and apoptosis. Other effects proposed, although not yet completely proven and generally accepted, include T-cell development suppression, secretion of regulatory cytokines such as IL10, and generation of new T regulatory cells. Clinical studies are being performed worldwide; thus, our goal is to focus on the clinical potential relevance of the enzyme rather than a presentation on a molecular basis so that health care providers concerning transplantation are aware of this promising field in immunology and therapeutics. We do emphasize the fact that information regarding the role of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase in human beings is still scarce.

[Keratoconus in allergic patients. A report of three cases]. / Queratocono en pacientes alérgicos. Comunicación de tres casos.

Keratoconus is a disease that causes variable degrees of vision loss. Some patients need to undergo corneal transplantation due to disease severity. The development of keratoconus has been strongly associated to allergic and dermatologic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Keratoconus is a poorly diagnosed condition and as it is of utmost importance to identify it at an early stage, we present three cases of patients with the disease with multidisciplinary management. We emphasize the importance of referring these patients for their subsequent evaluation by specialists.