Transsphenoidal canal (large craniopharyngeal canal) and its pathologic implications.

A vertical conduit in the basisphenoid extending from the floor of the sella to the undersurface of this bone was observed in two children. There was no associated nasopharyngeal mass. A review of the literature on this defect and related subjects suggests a close relation between this lesion and transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele.

Mandibular reconstruction.

The stainless steel 316 mesh tray with cancellous bone offers a method of mandibular reconstruction which theoretically is appealing from the viewpoint of basic osseous healing. The results in fity-two patients at twenty different institutions indicates encouraging results. Further evaluation of this method is recommended.

Bone grafts in craniofacial surgery.

Bone grafting or bone replacement is an integral part of craniofacial surgery. Most craniofacial surgeons prefer the use of autogenous bone; however, there are exceptions to this, because some plastic surgeons prefer the use of alloplastic implants for replacement of parts or missing segments in the craniomaxillofacial skeleton. Inlay bone grafts are useful in osteotomies because they show little resorption. Onlay bone grafts contour and balance the face aesthetically and enable the surgeon to obtain refinement and fine-tuning in all types of craniofacial reconstruction. These grafts demonstrate more resorption than inlay grafts. However, the use of onlay grafts coupled with soft-tissue shifts of galea and muscle enable the craniofacial surgeon to achieve superior results over those of surgeons primarily concerned with jaw- or tooth-related movements that do not utilize primary bone grafting as a method of augmentation. Superior results today are obtained with various methods and techniques of bone grafting, some of which have been described in this article.

Three-dimensional CAT scan reconstruction--pediatric patients.

Pediatric craniofacial deformities are highly complex disorders. The development of high-speed computers and related software has recently permitted three-dimensional graphics reconstruction of these deformities based on CT and NMR scan data. Such three-dimensional reconstructions are highly useful in the diagnosis, preoperative planning, and postoperative assessment of these complex deformities.

Primary correction of the unilateral cleft lip nose: a 15-year experience.

This paper reviews a 15-year personal experience based on 400 unilateral cleft nasal deformities that were reconstructed using a method that repositions the alar cartilage by freeing it from the skin and lining and shifts it to a new position. The rotation-advancement lip procedure facilitates the exposure and approach to the nasal reconstruction. The nasal soft tissues are transected from the skeletal base, reshaped, repositioned, and secured by using temporary stent sutures that readapt the alar cartilage, skin, and lining. The nasal floor is closed and the ala base is positioned to match the normal side. Good subsequent growth with maintenance of the reconstruction has been noted in this series. The repair does not directly expose or suture the alar cartilage. Improvement in the cleft nasal deformity is noted in 80 percent of the cases. Twenty percent require additional techniques to achieve the desired symmetry. This method has been used by the author as his primary unilateral cleft nasal repair and has been taught to residents and fellows under his direction with good results. This technique eliminates the severe cleft nasal deformity seen in many secondary cases.

Porous hydroxyapatite as an onlay bone-graft substitute for maxillofacial surgery.

This paper chronicles 3 years of a continuing study comparing porous hydroxyapatite to autogenous bone grafts as onlays in maxillofacial surgery. Twenty-five patients, seen from June of 1984 to May of 1985, underwent onlay augmentation on various maxillary and mandibular locations. A total of 68 onlay augmentation sites comparing Interpore porous hydroxyapatite and autogenous bone were followed for 2 years or more. This long-term study compares these substances in radiologic longevity, histologic incorporation, clinical function, and aesthetic appearance.

The management of a child with a major airway abnormality.

A technique of guided blind intubation is reported utilizing a small-bore needle and guide wire passed transtracheally. The advantage of this technique is that because of the minimal trauma involved, it can be used in small infants as well as adults.

The effects of lip repair with and without soft-tissue undermining and delayed palate repair on maxillary growth: an experimental study in beagles.

Undermining of the soft tissue on the surface of the maxilla at the time of cleft lip repair remains a controversial issue in cleft management. Using 64 eight-week-old beagles, we tested the hypothesis that lip repair with soft-tissue undermining contributes more to maxillofacial growth aberrations than lip repair without these additional procedures. Animals were assigned to four groups: unoperated controls, unrepaired controls, and two experimental groups (with and without undermining). Defects simulating cleft of the lip, alveolus, and palate were surgically created in the unrepaired and experimental animals. At 36 weeks of age, 11 measurements were made directly on the cleaned maxillae. Analysis revealed that all groups with surgically created defects were significantly different from normal; however, animals with undermining exhibited the greatest group deviation from normal. These findings reaffirm our earlier conclusions that undermining of the soft tissue on the surface of the maxilla is detrimental to maxillofacial growth.

Relationship between the sequence of lip and palate repair and maxillary growth: an experimental study in beagles.

The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between varying sequences of lip and palate repair and maxillary growth. To investigate this problem, an experimental study using beagles was conducted to assess the influence of three different sequences of lip and palate repair. The first sequence constitutes the commonly accepted approach of lip repair first, palate repair second. The second sequence was reversed: palate repair first, lip repair second. The third sequence consisted of simultaneous lip and palate repair. Using 70 eight-week-old beagles, we tested the following hypothesis: The sequence of lip repair first and palate repair second is less detrimental to maxillary growth than the other two sequences. The animals were assigned to two control groups (unoperated and unrepaired animals) and three experimental groups, in which three different sequences of repair were executed. Upon sacrifice, 11 maxillary variables were measured directly from cleaned skulls and analyzed by univariate and multivariate techniques. The most important finding from this analysis is that the commonly accepted sequence of cleft lip and palate repair (lip first, palate second) is less detrimental to maxillary growth than repairing the palate first and the lip second or simultaneous closure of both defects.

Distraction osteogenesis of costochondral neomandibles: a clinical experience.

Distraction osteogenesis quickly has become a mainstay in the treatment of craniofacial syndromes with mandibular hypoplasia. We report on a series of eight patients undergoing distraction osteogenesis of neomandibles constructed with costochondral grafts. The length of distraction, resting phase between distraction and device removal, and complication rate were significantly greater in the rib-graft distraction group when compared with our series of native mandibular distraction patients (n = 21 devices). Most complications were minor, including pintrack infection and hardware failure; however, major complications included fibrous union and facial nerve praxia. Secondary procedures have been able to be performed successfully on previously distracted rib grafts as well.

Long-term outcome of extensive skull reconstruction using demineralized perforated bone in Siamese twins joined at the skull vertex.

The successful use of cortical demineralized perforated bone in the treatment of extensive skeletal defects in children is exemplified by this case involving Siamese twins joined at the skull vertex. Four years following extensive skull reconstruction using demineralized perforated bone, an examination revealed successful calvarial reconstruction in one twin. The other twin required additional implants of demineralized perforated bone to fill in defects. However, a histologic examination taken following this additional procedure revealed that these implants neither caused tissue reaction over a 4-year period, nor showed signs of resorption. Bony remodeling and new bone formation were in progress. Compared with other bone substitutes, demineralized perforated bone has proven to be effective in the treatment of large skull defects in children.

A comparative study of facial growth following lip and palate repair performed in sequence and simultaneously: an experimental study in beagles.

This study was designed to assess the effects of the commonly accepted sequence of cleft lip and palate repair on subsequent maxillofacial growth and to compare these effects with those resulting from simultaneous lip and palate repair. Using 62 eight-week-old normal beagles, we tested the hypothesis that sequential repair (lip first, palate second) of surgically induced lip and palate defects is less detrimental to maxillofacial growth than simultaneous repair of both surgically created defects. Animals were assigned to one of four groups: two control groups (unoperated and unrepaired) and two experimental groups. Defects simulating cleft of the lip, alveolus, and palate were surgically created in the unrepaired controls and in the experimental animals. In one experimental group, the lip and palate defects were repaired immediately and simultaneously. In the other experimental group--simulating current clinical practice--the lip defect was repaired first at the time that it was created, while closure of the palatal defect was delayed 4 weeks. After the animals were killed at 36 weeks of age, 11 maxillary variables were measured directly from cleaned skulls and analyzed by using univariate and multivariate techniques. Animals that had lip and palate defects closed in sequence had less severe maxillofacial aberrations than animals with simultaneously closed defects. Sequential closure of the defects also had identifiable effects on maxillofacial form. The growth aberrations observed among animals with sequential closure, however, are primarily attributable to surgical creation of the defects and not to the surgical repair. Delaying palate repair is less traumatic to the subsequent growth of the maxillary complex than simultaneous repair of lip and palate defects.

The early vascularization of onlay bone grafts.

On the basis of this work, several conclusions may be drawn. (1) Autogenous iliac crest onlay bone grafts in the rat vascularize as early as 3 days. (2) The presence or absence of periosteum transferred with the graft has no significant effect on the rate of vascularization. Neither was a difference noted when grafts were placed above or below the host periosteum. (3) The onlay bone grafts in this study appeared to be revascularized by vessel ingrowth. (4) Factors other than the ones controlled in this experiment may influence rate, quantity, and quality of the vascularization of bone grafts.

Growth status of children treated for unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Cephalometric distances, angles, and proportions were evaluated for 32 children 5 to 8 years of age treated for unilateral cleft lip and palate. The children were age and sex matched with untreated controls with normal skeletal relationships. The unilateral cleft lip and palate sample was treated by the same surgeon and orthodontist using the same techniques and appliances. Measures of overall facial proportions, facial convexity, and prognathism were not significantly different between the two groups. The primary group differences pertain to the posterior aspect of the maxilla, which is vertically short in the unilateral cleft lip and palate sample. Horizontally, the maxilla of the unilateral cleft lip and palate children was significantly longer, producing a steeper palatal plane. In addition, the zygoma and orbits of unilateral cleft lip and palate children were somewhat retruded; the posterior cranial base and total mandibular length also were longer in the unilateral cleft lip and palate children.

A comparative study of the effects of biodegradable and titanium plating systems on cranial growth and structure: experimental study in beagles.

An experimental study was conducted in beagles to assess the effects of biodegradable and titanium plating systems on cranial growth and structure. Forty-eight 9-week-old purebred beagles were used in this study. To avoid any effects of sexual dimorphism, we used only female beagles. The animals were divided in three groups: sham-operated controls, n = 16; beagles implanted with commercially available titanium plates and screws, n = 16; and beagles implanted with biodegradable plates and screws, n = 16. The biodegradable plating system developed by Storz Instrument Company (St. Louis, Mo.) for use in the craniofacial skeleton does not require another procedure to remove plates and screws once the healing process is completed. To assess the dynamics of changes in cranial growth under the influence of two different plating systems, we conducted two identical studies during two different time periods: 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Using two different time frames allowed us to assess changes in the biodegradable material and in the bone and soft tissue surrounding this material. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the gross cranial structure among the three groups. This finding suggests that the biodegradable plating system has no adverse effect on cranial growth. The material does resorb and/or disintegrate between 6 and 12 weeks after insertion. The rate of resorption is approximately 5.3 microns per day. The bone and soft tissue surrounding the biodegradable implant exhibited very limited inflammation and foreign body reaction. Bony overgrowth was frequently found over the plating system.

Lamellar split osteotomy: a new craniofacial technique.

Craniofacial osteotomies have by convention been bilamellar translocations of the entire substance of the dysmorphic bone. This approach limits the surgeon by reducing the stable bone mass available for fixation, creating dependence on concave surfaces. Most important, it changes the bony topography that determines the preoperative plan. This paper presents a new craniofacial concept and technique used in 26 patients with various dysmorphic syndromes who were reconstructed by performing a lamellar split osteotomy. This technique maintains the internal lamella in its native position, thereby allowing it to act as a reference for the bony topography and providing a stable facial framework for rigid fixation. This interlamellar osteotomy has led to improved aesthetic results in the orthomorphic reconstructions of congenital and other deformities. It can be used in any aesthetic patient in whom contour changes or augmentation of form is desired. It is recommended as a preferred method for achieving quantitative contour improvement in patients over 3 years of age.

Cranioplasty in the growing canine skull using demineralized perforated bone.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that demineralized perforated bone matrix implant from canine skull and tibia induces new bone formation within the calvarial defect comparable with the bone induced by autogenous graft. We also were interested in determining whether demineralized perforated bone matrix implants from membranous bone have greater osseoinductive capacity in the calvarial area than demineralized perforated bone matrix implants from endochondral bone. Forty 12-week-old purebred beagles were used. Group I consisted of animals with unrepaired surgically created calvarial defects healed by secondary intention (n = 10). Group II consisted of animals with surgically created calvarial defects in which the bone was removed and replaced with an autograft (n = 10). Group III consisted of animals with surgically created calvarial defects in which the bony defect was closed with a demineralized perforated bone matrix implant obtained from beagle calvaria (n = 10). Group IV consisted of animals with surgically created calvarial defects in which the bony defect was closed with a demineralized perforated bone matrix implant obtained from beagle tibia (n = 10). The two control groups (I and II) allowed us to isolate the inductive capacity of demineralized perforated bone matrix implants and compare it with the healing of the bone defects left unrepaired or repaired with calvarial autografts. Animals were sacrificed after 8 and 12 weeks. In the present study we were able to verify that demineralized perforated bone matrix implants are well accepted in the calvarial defects with little tissue reaction and remarkably little osteoclastic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The physical attractiveness of facially deformed patients before and after craniofacial surgery.

The present experiment investigated whether the physical attractiveness of craniofacially deformed children and adolescents could be improved by surgical procedures. Twenty patients between the ages of 5 months and 17 years were randomly selected from patient files. Patient diagnoses included facial clefts, hypertelorism, Treacher Collins syndrome, and craniofacial dysostosis (Crouzon's and Apert's syndromes). Rigorously standardized photographs of patients taken before and after surgery were shown to 40 "naive" raters ranging in age from 17 to 52 years. Raters analyzed the photographs with regard to global physical attractiveness. These ratings indicated that the patients' physical attractiveness was reliably (62 percent) improved following surgery. The results are discussed in light of recent evidence that untreated craniofacial patients may be at risk for psychosocial disorders and in terms of the growing evidence of the importance of physical appearance for the development of cognitive and social-emotional competence. In addition, a standardized assessment system is described that can be used to facilitate the compilation of actuarial data predicting surgical outcomes. Finally, the importance of empirically evaluating the effectiveness of surgical procedures and practitioners on a continuing basis is emphasized.

Emotional and behavioral reactions to facially deformed patients before and after craniofacial surgery.

The present experiment investigated whether observers' emotional and behavioral reactions to facially deformed patients could be substantially improved by surgical procedures conducted by well-trained specialists in an experienced multidisciplinary team. Also investigated was the hypothesis that emotional states mediate the effects of physical attractiveness and facial deformity on social interaction. Twenty patients between the ages of 3 months and 17 years were randomly selected from over 2000 patients' files of Kenneth E. Salyer of Dallas, Texas. Patient diagnoses included facial clefts, hypertelorism, Treacher Collins syndrome, and craniofacial dysostoses (Crouzon's and Apert's syndromes). Rigorously standardized photographs of patients taken before and after surgery were shown to 22 "naive" raters ranging in age from 18 to 54 years. Raters were asked to predict their emotional and behavioral responses to the patients. These ratings indicated that observers' behavioral reactions to facially deformed children and adolescents would be more positive following craniofacial surgery. Similarly, the ratings indicated that observers' emotional reactions to these patients would be more positive following surgery. The results are discussed in terms of current sociopsychologic theoretical models for the effects of attractiveness on social interaction. A new model is presented that implicates induced emotional states as a mediating process in explaining the effects of attractiveness and facial deformity on the quality of social interactions. Limitations of the current investigation and directions for future research are also discussed.

Combined report of problems and complications in 793 craniofacial operations.

We report the experiences in 6 major craniofacial centers, with similar teams but in different parts of the world, in a total of 793 craniofacial operations. The mortality rate was 1.6%. Complications developed in 16.5% of the cases (including infections in 4.4%). This surgery has many potential advantages, not least of which is its psychosocial effects on previously disfigured patients. Certain problems seem inherent, however, for there are not yet any satisfactory solutions to them. Some of the factors that reduce morbidity and improve results include the use of hypotensive anesthesia, a reduction in operating time, rigid stabilization of the mobilized bones at the end of the operation, a diminution in the number of incisions, and extensive antibiotic therapy.