Impact of virtual surgical planning and three-dimensional modeling on time to surgery in mandibular reconstruction by free fibula flap.

PURPOSE: Mandible reconstruction using a free fibula flap (FFF) is preferably performed with virtual surgical planning (VSP) to potentially improve functional and aesthetic outcomes. However, VSP is time-consuming. This study aims to assess the impact of VSP on time to surgery (TS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent FFF for oral cavity cancer between 2007 and 2020 were included. Time to surgery (from the date of the first consultation to the surgery date) was compared between patients without VSP and with VSP. In our department, VSP and 3D modeling were performed by an external engineering laboratory. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five patients were included retrospectively. VSP was utilized for 90 patients (55%). The mean time to surgery was 31 ± 16 days for patients undergoing conventional surgery without VSP and 44 ± 19 days for patients with VSP (p < 0.001). No clinical or tumoral characteristic were associated with a TS extended, except for the utilization of VSP (p < 0.001). By constituting groups of 25 consecutive patients, there is no difference in TS between the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of VSP significantly increased the time to surgery in our study, unrelated to clinical differences or year of surgery. This delay may have an impact on oncologic outcomes, so it should be considered in the care organization for each patient. Implementing new procedures to reduce this difference is warranted.

Pharyngeal diverticulum: Iatrogenic complication of anterior cervical spine surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia is a common presenting complaint and can often be due to pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, including Zenker's diverticulum. Iatrogenic pharyngeal diverticulum, occurring after anterior cervical spine surgery, is a rare cause of dysphagia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 51-year-old man, with a history of anterior cervical fusion about ten years previously, who complained of chronic dysphagia and disabling episodes of aspiration. Anterolateral pharyngeal diverticulum in contact with the cervical screw plates was diagnosed on barium swallow and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. DISCUSSION: Pharyngeal diverticulum differs from Zenker's diverticulum in terms of its position and its origin. It may occur early or late after anterior cervical spine surgery. Treatment consists of endoscopic or open surgery via a neck incision. In our case, appropriate treatment allowed complete resolution of the patient's symptoms with no complications following rigorous postoperative surveillance.

Multidisciplinary surgical management of an unusual penetrating foreign body of the face.

INTRODUCTION: Facial injuries by penetrating foreign body are unusual and require specific multidisciplinary surgical management. CASE REPORT: This case report concerns a 20-year-old man who experienced a penetrating injury by a piece of wood to the face and describes the surgical approach to remove the wood and repair the injury. The foreign body had penetrated the infratemporal fossa, with an entry wound situated below the right eye and an exit wound in the neck, in contact with the left internal carotid artery. An adapted surgical strategy was necessary in view of the site of the foreign body. The internal carotid artery was controlled in order to follow the foreign body as far as its entry into the base of the skull. The proximity of the eye and carotid and jugular vessels and the deep penetration of the foreign body required the participation of interventional radiologists, head and neck and vascular surgeons and ophthalmologists. DISCUSSION: The site of the foreign body, precisely determined preoperatively, justified management by a multidisciplinary team to ensure rapid extraction, while limiting the risk of additional lesions. With a follow-up of 6 months, the patient did not present any sequelae of his facial injury.