A systematic comparison of bar-clips versus magnets.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Currently, which type of suprastructure is preferred when fabricating implant-retained craniofacial prostheses is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the best retention system (bar-clips versus magnets) for implant-retained craniofacial prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A systematic search of Medline/PubMed and Web of Science databases for clinical trials was conducted on implant-retained craniofacial prostheses published between 2005 and 2015. English-language studies that directly compared different types of retention systems or presented information on implant survival, periimplant soft tissue reactions, and prosthetic complications were included. Nonclinical studies were excluded to eliminate bias. RESULTS: A total to 173 studies were identified, of which 10 satisfied the inclusion criteria. In total, 492 participants were included in these studies. Four selected studies displayed detailed information with regard to the number of implant failures according to the retention system. As reported, 29 (18.2%) of 159 implants with magnets failed, whereas 25 (31.6%) of 79 implants with bars failed. Overall auricular superstructures showed the highest survival (99.08%). In addition, 55.4% of all participants in the selected studies showed grade 0 of periimplant soft tissue reactions. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic search for clinical studies resulted in few studies with a short-term follow-up and small number of participants. The limited data collected indicated that magnets show fewer complications than bar superstructures; however, no hard conclusions could be drawn. Further research, preferably in the form of clinical trials, is needed to validate these findings.

Facial reanimation with masseteric nerve: babysitter or permanent procedure? Preliminary results.

The authors are presenting a series of 10 cases of complete unilateral facial paralysis submitted to (I) end-to-end microsurgical coaptation of the masseteric branch of the trigeminal nerve and distal branches of the paralyzed facial nerve, and (II) cross-face sural nerve graft. The ages of the patients ranged from 5 to 63 years (mean: 44.1 years), and 8 (80%) of the patients were females. The duration of paralysis was no longer than 18 months (mean: 9.7 months). Follow-up varied from 6 to 18 months (mean: 12.6 months). Initial voluntary facial movements were observed between 3 and 6 months postoperatively (mean: 4.3 months). All patients were able to produce the appearance of a smile when asked to clench their teeth. Comparing the definition of the nasolabial fold and the degree of movement of the modiolus on both sides of the face, the voluntary smile was considered symmetrical in 8 cases. Recovery of the capacity to blink spontaneously was not observed. However, 8 patients were able to reduce or suspend the application of artificial tears. The authors suggest consideration of masseteric-facial nerve coaptation, whether temporary (baby-sitter) or permanent, as the principal alternative for reconstruction of facial paralysis due to irreversible nerve lesion with less than 18 months of duration.

Management of extensive osteoradionecrosis of the mandible with radical resection and immediate microvascular reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a severe and devastating late complication of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Management of ORN remains controversial and the current approach has been focused on debridement, systemic antibiotics, and eventually hyperbaric oxygen therapy for small and limited ORN. However, this conservative approach is ineffective in controlling extensive bone and soft-tissue necrosis. Microvascular composite flaps have been used in a variety of head and neck ablative surgeries but its use for the management of ORN has not been fully explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2002, 5 patients with refractory ORN of the mandible underwent radical resection and reconstruction with immediate microvascular-free fibular composite flap. All patients had been treated initially with conservative procedures and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. RESULTS: All patients had initially successful vascularized reconstruction by clinical examination with minimal postoperative morbidity. One patient had complete flap loss at 20 days due to orocutaneous fistula and infection. CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection followed by microvascular composite flap reconstruction is a reliable procedure in the management of patients with extensive ORN of the mandible.

Analysis of Swallowing After Retromolar or Oropharynx and Reconstruction with Myocutaneos or Microvascular Free Flaps

Objective: Evaluate swallowing in retromolar or oropharyngeal cancer patients submitted to surgical resection and microvascular free flap (MFF) or pedicled myocutaneous flap (MC) reconstruction. Study: Retrospective case series. Patients and methods:Eighteen previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the retromolar area or oropharynx submitted to surgical treatment and reconstruction between January. 2000 and July, 2003, were submitted to videofluoroscopic evaluation.The reconstruction was performed with MFF in 12 cases and MC in 6 cases. Parameters analyzed were: oropharyngeal motility alterations, stasis, laryngeal penetration and/or aspiration and dysphagia severity. Results: Oral phase was worsefor MC than for MFF patients, with premature bolus leakage (66.7% and 16.7%), increased oral transit time (66.7% and 16.7%), reduced anterior-posterior tongue movement (66.7% and 25%), nasal regurgitation (50% and 0%) and oral stasis (83.3% and 41.6%), respectively. In pharyngeal phase, results were similar in both groups. Main alterations in MFF andMC were, respectively, pharyngeal swallowing delay (83.3% and 100%), nasal regurgitation (58.3% and 83.3%), increased pharyngeal transit time (50% and 83.3%), reduced laryngeal elevation (41.7% and 66.7%), pharyngeal stasis (50% and16.7%) and laryngeal aspiration (50% and 66.7%). Conclusion: Oropharyngeal swallowing after retromolar or oropharyngeal cancer surgery seems to differ depending on the type of reconstruction. Microvascular free flaps seemed to allow a more efficient oropharyngeal deglutition.

Reanimação da face na cirurgia da parótida com sacríficio do nervo facial / Facial reanimation in parotid surgery with facial nerve sacrifice

A principal modalidade terapêutica para os tumores da parótida é a ressecção parcial ou total da glândula, cuja execução pode levar à lesão inadvertida ou secção deliberada de ramos ou do próprio tronco do nervo facial, com prejuízos funcionais, estéticos e psicológicos importantes. Para minimizar tais problemas várias técnicas foram desenvolvidas na tentativa de reconstituição da mímica facial. A escolha da técnica a ser utilizada depende de fatores gerais relacionados ao paciente, bem como locais, observados durante a cirurgia e da experiência do próprio cirurgião. Dentre estas técnicas destacam-se a reanimação regional através de procedimentos estáticos, como o uso de pesos de ouro e aneis palpebrais para reanimação da palpebra e da transposição muscular para reanimação bucal, até técnicas de reabilitação neuromuscular como a técnica "Cross-Face", a substituição ("Crossover") e o uso de enxertos para o nervo facial. A pesar de não haver unanimidade quanto a técnica a ser utilizada em cada caso, observamos preferência pelas técnicas de reabilitação neuromuscular, mesmo com maior tempo para recuperação, por poderem proporcionar aparência facial simétrica no repouso, bem como movimentos voluntários e até involuntários. O uso da radioterapia após enxertos do facial ainda é controverso, havendo tendência contudo a admití-la como terapia complementar também nesses casos.

Análise prospectiva das fraturas faciais no período de um ano do Hospital da PUC-CAMPINAS

Objetivo: O objetivo da presente pesquisa é relatar a experiência dos autores traçando um perfil epidemiológico das traumas de face, analisando os resultados obtidos por meio de um estudo prospectivo de 95 casos, dando ênfase a variáveis como gênero, faixa etária, etiologia e distribuição totpográfica das fraturas, comparando os achados clínicos com outros estudos da literatura. Método: Por meio de análise prospectiva dos pacientes vítimas de traumatismo facial atendidos ou encaminhados à unidade de emergência do Hospital da PUC-CAMPINAS, foram analisados os dados de 95 pacientes com fratura de ossos da face, atendidos no período compreendido entre abril de 2007 a março de 2008, com base em um protocolo específico de atendimento do Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica - PUC-CAMPINAS. As seguintes variáveis foram analisadas: sexo, idade, etnia, mecanismo de trauma, co-morbidades (alcoolismo e tabagismo), uso de cinto de segurança e/ou capacete e localização da fraturas. Para classificação das fraturas, os ossos foram anatomicamente divididos em terço superior (osso frontal), terço médio (nariz, complexo naso-etmoido-orbitário e órbito-zigomático-maxiliar) e terço inferior (mandíbula). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação oftalmológica e/ou neurocirúrgica especializada quando necessário e realização de exame de imagem para diagnóstico e planejamento terapêutico. Resultados: O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido (70 casos - 73,6%). A faixa etária variou de 1 ano a 84 anos, com média de 34,8 anos. Quanto à etnia, maior incidência entre pardos (39 casos - 41%), seguida de brancos (34 casos - 35,7%), negros (20 casos - 21%) e mestiços (2 casos - 2,1%)...

Comparação entre os retalhos microcirúrgicos antebraquial e lateral do braço em reconstruções de boca e orofaringe / Comparison between the forearm and lateral arm flaps for microsurgical reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx

Introdução: A reconstrução microcirúrgica de tecidos moles após ressecção de neoplasias de boca e orofaringe tem impacto significativo na qualidade de vida do paciente. Dois retalhos freqüentemente utilizados são o antebraquial e o lateral do braço. Objetivo: Comparar a evolução do leito receptor e da área doadora em pacientes submetidos a um desses dois retalhos. Pacientes e Método: Estudo retrospectivo com análise de 31 pacientes submetidos aos retalhos previamente descritos. Resultados: Houve predomínio do gênero masculino (56%). A idade média foi de 56,5 anos. Vinte e dois pacientes (71%) foram submetidos à reconstrução com retalho lateral do braço. Houve diferença significativa no tempo de uso de sonda naso-enteral (p=0,037) e no tipo de fechamento da área doadora do retalho (p<0,001). Discussão: Os retalhos, apesar de similares, têm indicações distintas em nosso serviço. Consideramos o retalho lateral do braço como primeira escolha para reconstrução de defeitos de tamanho médio de tecidos moles em boca e orofaringe. Conclusão: Consideramos que os retalhos antebraquial e lateral do braço são seguros e adequados para reconstrução de boca e orofaringe.

Introduction: the microsurgical reconstruction of soft tissues after ablative surgery of oral cavity/oropharynx neoplasms impacts on the patients´ quality of life. Two frequently used options are the forearm and the lateral arm flaps. Objective: to compare the evolution of the receptor and donor sites. Patients and Methods: retrospective study of 31 patients submitted to one of the previously mentioned flaps. Results: Most patients were male (56%). The mean age was 56.5 years old. Twenty-two patients (71%) underwent the reconstruction using the lateral arm flap. There was a statistically significant difference in the duration of enteral tube use (p=0.037) and the closure of the donor area (p<0.001). Discussion: although similar, the flaps have distinct indications in our service. We consider the lateral arm flap as the first choice in medium sized soft tissue defects of the oral cavity/oropharynx region. Conclusion: We consider both flaps to be reliable and adequate for oral cavity/oropharynx reconstruction.