The Different Surgical Approaches to Maxillofacial Reconstruction after Ballistic Trauma.

Background: Ballistic trauma to the face is a challenge, combining complex bone injury with severe soft tissue loss. The various surgical methods available are influenced by the extent of injuries. This study compares different operative modalities and their outcomes with different variables, aiming to define the ideal therapeutic approach. Methods: We retrospectively compared reconstructive modalities used to treat facial ballistic trauma cases at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, for a 12-year span. Statistical analysis was used to determine correlation between several factors and satisfactory results. Results: Eighteen patients were included, with varying degrees of bone and soft tissue loss. After conservative debridement, fractures were treated by different modalities: open reduction and internal fixation, maxillomandibular fixation, and osteosynthesis with a reconstruction plate. Although primary closure was sufficient in 10 cases, severe loss of tissues was reconstructed with a fibular free flap in five cases, radial free forearm flap in two cases, and free parascapular flap in one case. Two others received an iliac bone graft as secondary reconstruction. The average follow-up was 2.45 years. Most cases achieved good aesthetic and functional results after several secondary operations, with few late complications. Early reconstruction and younger patients were associated with better outcomes. Conclusions: We favor early debridement and reconstruction. Free flaps were ideal for extensive tissue loss. Bone grafting was needed secondarily. A single surgical procedure seldom led to satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes, and secondary operations were inevitable.

Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. It's the second leading cause cancer men in death. Prognostic tests based on molecular and biomarker analysis of tumor tissue may improve risk stratification of prostate cancer 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a search on Pubmed for PC biomarkers, 72 papers responded to the objectives and will be included in the review. RESULTS: A plethora of biomarkers are predictive for the prognosis of PC and its response to certain therapies, while others, once thought to be indicative of prognosis in PC, were not. CONCLUSIONS: This study can help in the development of diagnostic and prognostic tests of PC and contribute to the ongoing research into already existing tests.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer in a Lebanese experience: in all aspects.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary tract and the 11th most frequent cancer worldwide. BC is the 2nd most common cancer in Lebanon in men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After searching for patients records in the pathology and oncology database, we identified those who underwent a cystectomy between 2017 and 2019 in our hospital, Hotel Dieu de France - Beirut. We selected for the study the patients who have undergone a cystectomy for MIBC. We excluded patients who initially had a pelvic tumor, or a prostate cancer invading the bladder, and patients with absent medical record from the study. We also noted the gender of the patients, if they are smokers and the number of pack years at the time of diagnosis, as well as their age, the histological type of the tumor, its stage according to the TNM classification and its grade. We also noted whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy was taken by the study 's subjects. RESULTS: The total number of patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria was 38. The median age of the population was 66 (± 10) years and the median number of pack years at diagnosis was 60 (± 36). 79% of study 's patients were males and 21% were females. Regarding the tumor 's histological type, the urothelial type predominated with 92% while the remaining 8% were of the squamous type. Regarding treatment modalities, only 20% of patients in the study received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before cystectomy. 80% of patients underwent a cystectomy directly without neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. No patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. Among the 7 patients, 2 patients (29%) presented a pathological complete response (pCR; equivalent to pT0N0M0). 14% had a pT3 stage post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 43% had a pT4 stage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We can note a reluctance of urologists at our institution to prescribe neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It would therefore be interesting to extend the study to the national level with a larger number of patients, as well as to evaluate survival in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, especially in those presenting a pCR. Our study can serve as a point of change in the practice of urologists in Lebanon regarding BC.