Temporalis muscle resuspension using titanium miniplates and screws: technical note.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique for and results of using titanium miniplates and screws for resuspension of the temporalis muscle after osseous detachment during cranial procedures requiring exposure of and access to the frontotemporoparietal region. METHODS: Thirty-four patients, who were being treated with various cranial procedures, underwent resuspension of the dissected temporalis muscle, using 1.5-mm or 1.3-mm titanium plates and screws, after bone flap replacement. RESULTS: The temporalis muscle was successfully and securely resuspended in all cases, using the plates and screws. There were no infections, muscle tears, dislodgement, fractures, or temporal hollowing in any of the cases. In four cases that required re-exploration, the muscle was observed to be rigidly fixated and scarred to the bone. CONCLUSION: The use of titanium plates and screws is a safe, simple, successful alternative for reattachment of temporalis muscles for patients undergoing cranial procedures.

Bone induction using demineralized bone in the rabbit femur: a long-term study.

While traditional bone grafting is the standard for replacement of segmental bony defects, alternative options (avoiding morbidity of autologous grafts) are attractive and continue to be sought. This study attempted to determine whether demineralized bone powder could be used reliably to replace a significant bony deficit at a weight-bearing site. The long-term functional characteristics of this induced bone were analyzed to determine whether it maintained its strength and shape and reacted normally to physiologic stress over an extended period of time (12 months). In 55 New Zealand White rabbits, a 1-cm length of femur was removed (approximately 20 percent of the total length of the rabbit femur). The femur was then reconstructed with a titanium mandibular plate, leaving the gap intact. In 38 of the animals, this gap was filled with demineralized bone powder in an attempt to induce bone to form across the defect. In group 1 (n = 23), the mandibular plate remained in place for the duration of the study (12 months). In group 2 (n = 15), the plate was removed 8 weeks after placement of the demineralized bone powder, and the animals were followed for an additional 12 months. In group 3 (n = 10), nothing was placed within the bony gap. In group 4 (n = 7), the gap was repaired with autologous bone graft. All the animals that received demineralized bone powder completely filled the osteotomy gap with new bone within 6 to 8 weeks after implantation. None of control group 3 formed bone across the gap (p < 0.001). Eighty-six percent of control group 4 (autologous bone graft) successfully formed bone across the osteotomy gap. In addition, 90 percent of control group 3 had hardware failure within 8 weeks after surgery compared with 0 percent (0 of 38) of the group that received demineralized bone powder (p < 0.001). In group 1, analysis after 12 months revealed that the bone formed ultimately became thin and easily fractured, most likely because of shielding from stress loading by the mandibular plate. In contrast, in group 2 (in which the plate was removed after 8 weeks), the bone remodeled and hypertrophied in response to the physiologic stress of weight bearing and at the end of the 12-month period was essentially identical to normal femur. In certain circumstances, reconstruction of bony defects using bone-induction techniques may be as good as autologous bone grafting, with the advantage of limiting the donor-site morbidity for the patient.

Outcome analysis of reduction mammaplasty.

In an attempt to obtain objective analysis of outcome in reduction mammaplasty patients, a retrospective study was done for women having elective bilateral reduction mammaplasty. Participants were chosen from a pool of over 200 consecutive reduction mammaplasty patients at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Of those eligible for inclusion, 72 met the criteria and were available for long-term follow-up. These patients answered a panel of questions regarding weight change, brassiere size, exercise, activity level, symptoms, and a personal appraisal of appearance. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the change in each variable in relationship to the time of surgery, i.e., before surgery, 6 months after surgery, and at the present time. The findings revealed a significant stable reduction of breast mass. The women reported a significant reduction of symptoms that had been associated with their macromastia. They also reported a significant increase in exercise and other physical and social activities.

The use of demineralized bone powder in an onlay graft model.

Demineralized bone powder has been shown previously to successfully induce bone formation. The purpose of this study was to use demineralized bone powder in an onlay graft situation using implantable molds. Demineralized bone powder was placed within a mold and rigidly attached to the frontal bones of 30 New Zealand White rabbits by screw fixation. Periosteum was not closed over the mold. A control group had the mold placed without demineralized bone powder used. After 12 weeks of growth, the animals were sacrificed and the frontal bone was analyzed for bone growth using standardized histology and fluorescent microscopy. One hundred percent of the animals (30 of 30) that received demineralized bone powder underwent bone growth in the precise shape of the mold (p < 0.001). There was no new bone development in the control group (n = 8). Placement of larger molds duplicated these results (n = 20) with a 650 percent increase in frontal bone thickness within 12 weeks after placement of demineralized bone powder. This model mimics onlay bone grafting, and perhaps this technique may replace onlay grafting or alloplastic implantation in certain circumstances, avoiding the extra morbidity and donor-site defects associated with bone grafting.

Tumescent infusion for liposuction: a practical method and pressure delivery system.

To facilitate tumescent liposuction, a pressure infusion technique is necessary. We have devised a new technique for anesthetic solution infusion-a pressure infusion bag along with an automatic low-pressure tourniquet pump-that can generate sustained and significant volume infusion. This system is readily available, requires a minimal capital outlay, and is economically advantageous to our patients.

Splenic torsion in the presence of renal agenesis.

A 14-year-old male with left renal agenesis presented with a history of intermittent abdominal pain for over 1 year. At laparotomy, the cause was found to be splenic torsion. The case is presented with a literature review. A theory of the cause is also presented based on the regional anatomy and embryology.

Usefulness of endoscopy in craniofacial trauma.

To determine the extent of endoscopy utilized in craniofacial trauma, a questionnaire was mailed to 400 surgeons in the United States. A 40% response was obtained; 21.3% of the surgeons stated that they had used endoscopy to treat facial fractures; 33% of them had been in practice for 6 to 10 years, and 47% of those who had used endoscopy in craniofacial trauma were in full-time private practice. In facial fractures, endoscopes were used primarily to treat Le Fort fractures (55.9%), followed by zygomatic arch fractures (52.9%). Lack of accompanying instrumentation, such as appropriate drills, to use with the endoscope via small openings was cited as a significant problem; 46% of the respondents were unable to resolve it. Most respondents (55.6%) felt that if proper accompanying instrumentation were to be developed, endoscopes would become an integral component in the management of craniofacial trauma.

BoneSource solidification: a comparison between water and sodium phosphate as the solvent.

The purpose of this study was to determine the solidification rates for BoneSource (hydroxyapatite cement) mixed with sterile water versus BoneSource mixed with 0.25 ml of sodium phosphate. The average time for cure for BoneSource mixed with sterile water was 99 minutes, with a SD of 5.3 minutes. The average time for cure for BoneSource and sodium phosphate was 43 minutes, with a SD of 3.6 minutes (P < 0.0003). The average temperature for BoneSource in sterile water was 19.1 degrees C with a SD of 0.082, and the average temperature of BoneSource in sodium phosphate was 20.1 degrees C, with a SD of 0.1. Therefore, sodium phosphate shows that there is a significantly decreased amount of time required to solidify BoneSource and it remains isothermic throughout this reaction.

Free fibular transfer in a growing individual (long-term results).

We present a case report of a 4-year-old in whom the distal fibula and epiphyseal plate had been traumatically destroyed. A free vascularized epiphyseal transfer using the ipsilateral proximal fibula was performed which provided good bony stability at the ankle, as well as excellent long-term growth characteristics. We demonstrate immediate postoperative results, as well as long-term (5 years) follow-up.