Integra® Dermal Regeneration Template in Complex Scalp Reconstruction.

Background/Objectives: The need for surgical reconstruction of scalp defects following the excision of cutaneous skin cancers is an increasingly common procedure. Particular challenges arise when considering options for reconstruction of large defects not amenable to local skin flap coverage. The use of skin grafts poses the risk of donor site morbidity. This paper investigates the emerging use of Integra®, a synthetic acellular dermal regeneration template, as an alternative or adjunct to skin grafting in scalp reconstruction. Methods: The study presents a retrospective analysis of 101 patients who underwent Integra®-based reconstruction of scalp defects. Demographics, procedure details, complications, need for further surgery, and time to healing were evaluated. Results: The overall success rate of the one-stage Integra®-only procedure was 95%, with a minor complication rate of 30.7%. Anticoagulation medication was identified as an independent risk factor for post-operative infection, while previous head and neck radiotherapy and increased defect depth were associated with the requirement for a second-stage skin graft. Conclusions: These findings support the consideration of Integra® as a safe and viable alternative for both partial and full thickness scalp defects in a select cohort of complex highly co-morbid patients, reducing complications and the need for additional procedures.

A severe deep neck odontogenic infection not prioritised by the emergency department triage system and National Early Warning Score.

A 62-year-old man with a background of type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 5-day history of dental pain, progressive right facial swelling, trismus, dysphagia and voice changes. The oropharynx could not be directly examined completely due to trismus. The patient had a National Early Warning Score of 0 and so was triaged into the 'minors' section of ED. Following assessment by the on-call oral and maxillofacial surgeon, an urgent contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a large parapharyngeal collection, which required urgent anaesthetic and surgical intervention. The patient developed pulmonary complications postoperatively, but eventually made a full recovery.

An impalement injury to the oropharynx in a paediatric patient--a case report.

Impalement injuries of the oral cavity are common in children and potential for serious complications including internal carotid artery thrombosis which may go unrecogonised. We present a patient who suffered a penetrating injury in which an implanted foreign body was not detected despite the persistence of symptoms and repeated clinical examinations. We discuss the role of investigations and highlight the potential sequaele of these injuries with the aim of increasing awareness and so optimising patient management.