Merits of the free periosteal femoral condyle flap in the management of advanced mandibular osteoradionecrosis.

The management of advanced mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is poorly codified and requires repeated time-consuming, morbid surgical procedures. The free periosteal medial femoral condyle flap could be used for the management of extensive mandibular ORN with fracture, to avoid non-conservative surgery such as mandibulectomy. The purpose of this study was to report the authors' experience using periosteal flaps for advanced ORN and to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of these flaps in this context. A series of 10 patients who underwent bone revascularization with a free periosteal femoral flap for the management of advanced ORN (Notani class III) is reported. The onset of bone consolidation, length of hospital stay, duration of surgery, donor site morbidity, and the option of dental rehabilitation in the event of a successful outcome were assessed. Osteogenesis was observed in 70% of cases. Thirty percent of patients benefited from dental implant rehabilitation. The mean follow-up was 73.1 months. No patient experienced any sequelae at the flap harvest site. In the authors' opinion, the free periosteal medial femoral condyle flap appears to offer a therapeutic solution for patients with advanced stages of ORN.

Significant decrease of facial cellulitis admissions during COVID-19 lockdown in France: A multicentric comparative study.

During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, a lockdown was imposed in France during the first wave. An apparent decrease in incidence of cellulitis of odontogenic origin was noticed then. This study aimed to compare the incidence of cellulitis during this extraordinary period with the same period in 2018 and 2019, based on retrospective multicentric data. All maxillofacial surgery departments in French public hospitals were contacted. Responders were asked to include all patients admitted for the surgical drainage of a head and neck abscess of odontogenic origin during the first 2020 lockdown period, and in a similar time frame in 2018 and 2019 (control group), based on screening the French diagnostic and therapeutic classification of medical acts. We report a 44% significant nationwide decrease in the incidence of admissions for cellulitis. There were 187 patients in 2020 for 334 and 333 patients in 2018/2019 respectively. The reasons to explain this finding are hypothetical (organizational reasons leading to earlier management, patients' fear to seek for medical management, usual excess in surgical indications or concomitant decrease of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs delivery). Whatever the explanation, it would be of great interest to find it out in order to improve the prevention of cellulitis.

The external jugular vein axis: a new anatomical landmark for pre-operative prediction of the location of parotid gland tumours.

The relationships between parotid tumours and the facial nerve determine duration of surgical procedure and risks involved. As the division of the facial nerve is not visible using standard imaging techniques, other anatomical landmarks are used to determine the pre-operative location of tumours. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate reliability of the 'external jugular vein axis' compared with other landmarks generally used in imaging, such as the retromandibular vein, Conn's arc, the facial nerve line and the Utrecht line. Forty-eight pre-operative imaging exams of patients who underwent parotid benign tumour surgery between 2010 and 2016 were examined. We determined the location of tumour using the five markers. A pre-operative simulation was compared with the description given by the surgeon intraoperatively, in terms of sensitivity and specificity for each marker. External jugular vein axis and retromandibular vein are the most sensitive markers for locating suprafacial tumours (Se = 1). External jugular vein axis and Conn's arc are the most specific markers for locating suprafacial tumours (Spe = 0.92). External jugular vein axis is reproducible and present on all radiological sections, thereby overcoming any anatomical and nomenclature variations. This landmark appears to be the most representative marker of the dividing branches of the facial nerve.

Mechanical properties of fused sagittal sutures in scaphocephaly.

BACKGROUND: Craniosynostosis in newborns is caused by the premature closure of the cranial sutures leading to cranial vault deformity. It results in aesthetic imbalance and developmental disabilities and surgery is frequent during the first months of growth. Our study focused on scaphocephaly defined as the premature closure of the sagittal suture. We hypothesised that the effective mechanical properties of sutures were altered as compared to those of the parietal adjacent tissue considered as control. METHODS: The population consisted of seven males and four females (mean age 4.9 months). Sixteen suture samples and thirty-four parietal tissue samples were harvested during corrective surgery and investigated by using three-point bending tests to obtain the structure-stiffness of specimens. An energy model was used to derive the effective Young's modulus. A histological study complemented the experimental protocol. FINDINGS: Fused sutures were thicker than adjacent bone and the natural curvature of sutures did not influence the static mechanical response. The stiffness of stenotic sutures was significantly higher than that of the parietal bone. The effective Young's modulus of stenotic sutures was significantly lower than that of the parietal adjacent tissue. The parietal tissue showed a parallel bone architecture whereas the central stenotic tissue was disorganised with more vascularisation. INTERPRETATION: The stenotic suture differed in structural and mechanical terms from the adjacent bone during calvarial growth in the first year of life. Our study emphasised the alteration of effective tissue properties in craniosynostosis.

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the epidemiology of maxillofacial trauma activity: a French multicentre comparative study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a major impact on medical and surgical activities. A decline in facial trauma incidence was noticed during the lockdown period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the decline in maxillofacial trauma in France during this particular period. A retrospective multicentre comparative study was initiated in 13 major French public hospital centres. The incidence of facial trauma requiring surgery during the first month of lockdown was compared to that during equivalent periods in 2018 and 2019. Differences in the types of trauma were also analysed. Thirteen maxillofacial departments participated in the study. A significant decline in maxillofacial trauma volumes was observed when compared to equivalent periods in 2018 and 2019 (106 patients compared to 318 and 296 patients, respectively), with an average reduction of 65.5% (P=0.00087). The proportion of trauma due to sports and leisure was reduced when compared to reports in the literature. As a consequence, in the context of a pandemic, the material and human resources related to this activity could be reallocated to the management of other pathologies that cannot be postponed.

[The role of new molecular tests in the diagnosis of melanoma in a setting of congenital nævus in an infant]. / Apport des nouveaux tests moléculaires dans le diagnostic d'un mélanome sur nævus congénital chez un nourrisson.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital and infantile melanomas are extremely rare. We report a case of a child presenting at birth with a giant congenital nevus complicated by melanoma and on long-term follow-up with exploration using new immunohistochemistry and molecular biology tools. OBSERVATION: A new-born girl presented at birth with a large congenital cervico-mandibular tumour with para-pharyngeal extension and underlying osteolysis. At 7 months, histology and immunohistochemistry of the operative specimen revealed nodules with atypical features (mitotic figures, necrosis and positive expression of KI67 and P53 in approximatively 50 % of the melanocytic nuclei). A diagnosis was made of infantile melanoma associated with congenital nevi. Repeated surgery and monitoring (clinical and imaging) were performed. At the age of 7 years, as there was no evidence of metastatic lesions, further analyses were performed on the initial operative specimen. Investigation of transcription factor expression using immunohistochemistry, comparative genomic hybridization and histology-guided mass spectrometry, although suspect, did not in itself support a diagnosis of melanoma. Finally, at the age of 7 years, hepatic and pulmonary metastases were reported. Despite combined immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab, the child died 5 months later. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the complexity of diagnosis of infantile melanoma and the risk of metastatic involvement long after the initial diagnosis. Diagnosis may be difficult and necessitates expert advice and the application of several recent methods to reach a conclusion and initiate appropriate treatment.

Outcomes of orbital decompression using surgical navigation in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy can result in proptosis. In such cases, orbital decompression surgery is often warranted to reduce the adverse impact on patient quality of life. Due to the anatomical complexity of the orbit, navigation can be of considerable assistance during orbital decompression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of using a surgical navigation device in orbital decompression surgery. A retrospective study was performed based on patients who underwent decompression surgery with (N+) or without (N-) a navigation device between 1997 and 2017. Included patients had undergone unilateral or bilateral orbital decompression by resection of the orbital floor and medial wall of the orbit. Criteria assessed were the presence of debilitating postoperative diplopia, postoperative proptosis reduction, symmetry of protrusion of the eyeballs, and the duration of surgery. Three hundred and fifty eyes were analysed (191 patients): 205 in the N+ group and 145 in the N- group. Use of the surgical navigation system resulted in a greater proptosis reduction, and this result was statistically significant for the right eyeball (P=0.03). The surgical navigation system had no effect on symmetry of protrusion of the eyeballs or on postoperative diplopia. Setting up the navigation device increased the duration of surgery by 40 minutes on average.

Temporomandibular joint arthroplasty for osteoarthrosis: A series of 24 patients that received a uni- or bilateral inter-positional silicone sheet.

PURPOSE: To evaluate mid-term results from using a silicone sheet for inter-positional arthroplasty in moderate or severe cases of osteoarthrosis of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). To also determine any remaining indications from this method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients that underwent surgery between 2008 and 2016. Pre- and post-operative mouth opening (MO), according to inter-incisal distance (mm) and pain score (PS: 0=no pain to 4=very severe pain) were recorded for 24 patients. Patients were divided according to thickness of the silicone sheet (group A: 1.0 mm, group B: 1.5 mm). RESULTS: The cohort included 22 females (92%). Mean age at surgery was 55 years±13 (26-80). Mean length of follow-up was 26 months±24 (6-80). Mean improvement in MO was 8.2 mm (+33%) and of PS was 1.7 (-68%). MO was not improved for two patients and worsened for one. PS score improved for all patients. No statistical difference was found between groups A and B. There was also a tendency for degradation of outcomes over time. CONCLUSION: The poor reputation of prosthetic discoplasty was not as evident in our series, even though anatomical and functional status seemed to deteriorate over time. This is because total-joint prosthetic replacement is often proposed instead. However, for elderly or fragile patients that have severe pain, and regarding cost-benefit aspects, conventional arthroplasty can still be discussed, especially since French national health-care insurance does not yet support TMJ prosthetic replacement for osteoarthrosis.

Relationship between facial nerve damage and transbuccal trocar placement: an anatomical cohort study.

The surgical treatment of ramus and mandibular angle fractures is typically performed by intraoral and transbuccal approaches. As these approaches may result in nerve damage, this anatomical study was performed to establish the relationship between the transbuccal trocar position and the likelihood of inducing facial nerve damage. Twenty dissections of the parotid regions were performed after a simulation of surgical approaches aimed at addressing mandibular condylar and angle fractures. Two trocar tubes, ramic and angular, were inserted and left in position throughout the dissection. This procedure allowed the qualitative relationship between the various tube positions and facial nerve damage to be analyzed. The potential risk of contact between the ramic trocar and the facial nerve branches was 90%, while the angular trocar was in contact in 45% of cases. There was no contact with the trunk, cervicofacial division, or temporofacial division of the facial nerve. The contacts occurred at the level of secondary division branches, particularly pronounced for superior and inferior buccal branches, despite the absence of macroscopically visible trauma. Based on these findings, it is proposed that trocars should be used in procedures aimed at addressing subcondylar or angle fractures of the mandible.

[Epidemiology of malformations associated with cleft lip and palate: a retrospective study of 324 cases]. / Épidémiologie des malformations associées aux fentes labiales et palatines à propos d'une étude rétrospective de 324 cas.

PURPOSE: Children with cleft lip and/or palate may have associated malformations, whether or not they are included in a syndromic form. This study's purpose was to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology and distribution of malformations and syndromes associated with these clefts. METHODS: Retrospective study of 324 patients with cleft lip or palate born between 1994 and 2011. The associated malformations were diagnosed during the 1st year of life. RESULTS: Cleft lip or labioalveolar clefts were less frequently associated with other malformations than cleft palate. These nonsyndromic malformations preferentially affected the urogenital and renal system in case of cleft palate (48.5%) and the cardiovascular system for clefts with a lip defect (30.5%). The syndromic forms were rare in the cleft lip and labioalveolar clefts (3.47%). In contrast, cleft palate appeared much more frequently included in a syndromic form, with 52 children out of 151 (34.4%). The Pierre-Robin sequence was the most frequent syndrome with more than 25% of the cleft palate population. The defect of the palate was associated with a higher rate of other malformations or syndromes (36.51% vs 29.9% for the entire population with a cleft) (n=324) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of malformations appears to be linked to the type of cleft. These findings underline the importance of conducting a systematic neonatal malformation workup in children born with clefts in order to diagnose abnormalities and organize effective and consistent management.

[Cross-hand replantation in bilateral upper limb amputation: An anatomical emergency]. / Réimplantation croisée de la main: urgence anatomique.

Bilateral amputations of upper limbs are excessively rare clinical situations. We report an exceptional clinical case of bilateral amputation of upper limbs at different levels: destruction of the right hand and left transhumeral amputation in a patient after an attempted suicide on train lines. This special situation led us to perform a cross-hand replantation of the left hand to the right forearm. Only 4 other similar cases have been published in the literature. Once the surgical indication had been formulated collectively, and taking into account all the ethical issues surrounding such a decision, we had to solve the issue of inverting anatomical structures in emergency. We have provided a detailed description of our surgical technique. The aim was to save at least one organ used for grasping. The result obtained is presented and reviewed.

[Study of renal veins by multidetector-row computed tomography scans]. / Étude radiologique des variations anatomiques des veines rénales par scanner multidétecteurs en coupes fines.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of renal vein variants. To investigate the distribution of renal veins. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed spiral computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen performed during a two-month period. The same protocol was used for all CT scans: same multidetector-row CT scanner (Siemens(®)), 1 to 2-mm section thickness, injection of intravenous iomeprol. The study group included 121 patients, aged 21.7 to 93.4 years (mean age 60.9 ± 15.4 years). The sex ratio was 2/1, with 80 men and 41 women. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of the study group (88 patients) had no variants of the renal veins. Indeed almost 40% (48 patients) had one artery and one vein on each side, with typical course, and 33% (40 patients) had course and/or number variants of the renal arteries. Variants of the right renal vein consisted in multiple veins in 20.6% (25 cases). We detected no case of multiple left renal veins, but we described variations of its course in 9.1% (11 cases): 5 cases of retroaortic left renal vein (4.1%) and 6 cases of circumaortic left renal vein (5%). Three of these 11 patients had an associated double right renal vein. The probability to have a right renal vein variant was significantly higher than a left one (OR = 2.6, P = 0.01). And we found a significantly higher risk of having a venous variant in women (OR = 2.4, P = 0.04). We detected no case of inferior vena cava variant. CONCLUSION: In our study, prevalence of a circum- or retroaortic left renal vein appeared higher than previously reported in the literature (9.1%). Knowledge of anatomical variants of renal vasculature is crucial and this study puts the emphasis on variations of course and number of renal vessels. Those variations are not so uncommon and should be known by radiologists and also by surgeons. Their knowledge has major clinical implications in practice and it contributes to the safety of renal and retroperitoneal surgery.

Z-plasty lengthening of the flexor digitorum profundus at the wrist (zone 5) for the treatment of jersey finger: anatomical study and evaluation of advancement obtained.

AIM: The aim of this study was to conduct an anatomical evaluation of advancement obtained from Z-plasty lengthening of the flexor digitorum profundus at the wrist (zone 5) for the treatment of jersey finger. INTRODUCTION: The avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus from its distal insertion, or jersey finger, is an injury commonly missed in the accident and emergency department. Typically, after 3 weeks, the retracted tendon stump prevents direct reinsertion of the tendon. Sawaya et al. have proposed a treatment involving a zone 5 Z-plasty lengthening on the fourth finger. We conducted an anatomical study to evaluate the tendon advancement that could be obtained in the long digits using this method. METHOD: Tendon avulsion was recreated in 17 fresh cadaver hands by severing the flexor digitorum profundus from its distal insertion. A 3-, 4- or 5-cm Z-plasty was performed at the wrist and, after section of the vinculum breve, the advancement was measured with wrist extension at 0°. RESULTS: A total of 68 tendon reconstructions were performed. The mean advancement obtained was 1.5 cm (max: 2.5 cm; min: 0.5 cm), 2.3 cm (max: 3.2 cm; min: 1.3 cm) and 2.5 cm (max: 3.5 cm; min: 1.7 cm) for 3-, 4- and 5-cm Z-plasties, respectively. Tendon advancement in the ring finger and middle finger was limited by the lumbrical (2 cases) or by synovial adhesions in the carpal tunnel (16 cases). There was no such limitation for the index finger. DISCUSSION: Advancement of the flexor digitorum profundus by a 4-cm Z-plasty at the wrist seems to be a useful technique for reinsertion of a retracted tendon. The best results were obtained in the index finger. This technique could be considered as an alternative to palliative surgery or a tendon graft. In the other fingers, the fact that advancement was limited due to Verdan's quadriga effect and synovial adhesions highlights the significance of the relationship between the tendons themselves and with their environment on the physiology of finger flexion.

One-step primary reconstruction for complex craniofacial resection with PEEK custom-made implants.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of large craniofacial defects has largely improved since custom-made implants have been developed in the past decade. For large lesions in fronto-orbital region (such as osteomeningioma), we applied a simple and reliable protocol to perform optimal primary reconstruction with PEEK (polyetheretherketone) specific implant at the same time of the resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our protocol is based on virtual preoperative surgery with a planned bone resection that allows engineering of a specific implant to accurately fit to the defect during the surgery. Thus tumour removal and optimal immediate reconstruction are performed easily in a single-step procedure. The use of navigation is required to perform accurate resection according to the planning. We report our experience in five patients requiring complex orbito-frontal reconstruction. RESULTS: Planned resection was always achieved with accurate placement of the implant. Optimal orbital reconstruction is allowed and permits exophthalmos correction and orbital contour symmetry. No major complication was observed. CONCLUSION: We provide a simple one-step technique to reconstruct the orbit while achieving symmetric cosmetic and functional results, reducing operative time and avoiding donor site morbidity.

Radiological anatomical study of the origin of the uterine artery.

PURPOSE: To clarify the origin of the uterine artery and quantify its anatomical variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study based on dissections, intraoperative findings and retrospective analysis of arteriograms. Thirty female cadavers were dissected and bilaterally observed, with a total of 60 origins visualised. Fifty laparotomies were carried out during the treatment for pelvic neoplasms (100 origins observed) and 34 arteriograms performed for uterine fibroid embolisation were studied (58 origins visualised). RESULTS: In total, 218 origins of the uterine artery were visualised. The uterine artery originated from a common trunk with the umbilical artery in 80.7% of cases. It arose separately from the internal iliac artery in 13.16% of cases and directly from the superior gluteal artery in 3.51% of cases. It branched from a common trunk with the internal pudendal artery in 1.75% of cases, whereas arose separately from the obturator artery in 0.88% of cases. CONCLUSION: The uterine artery arose from a common trunk with the umbilical artery in the majority of the Caucasian population. Surgeons and radiologists should be aware of this mode of branching to facilitate surgery and interventional radiology and improve the safety of these procedures.

[Custom-made implants for craniofacial reconstruction]. / Les implants sur mesure en reconstruction craniofaciale.

The development of computer-aided design (CAD) technologies applied to biomaterials has allowed designing patient-specific implants perfectly adapted to the area to rebuild, and ensuring an easier, less invasive, and optimal reconstruction of the craniofacial skeleton. Custom-made implants, originally developed for the reconstruction of large cranial vault defects, were used to optimize cosmetic results, avoiding the morbidity related to donor site bone harvesting, or preventing frequent asymmetrical result due to peroperative biomaterial design. These implants thus proved very useful for facial skeleton reconstruction including for the orbital region. The preoperative computerized simulation made in collaboration with manufacturers allows optimizing reconstructions specifically for each patient.

[Septic pseudarthrosis of the mandible and endodontic treatment]. / Pseudarthrose septique mandibulaire et traitement endodontique.

INTRODUCTION: Septic pseudarthrosis of the mandible is an uncommon complication with several etiologies. The presence of a tooth next to a fracture site is one of the etiological factors. Conservative management of a tooth in or near the mandibular fracture site is often the issue when treating fracture of a toothed part. OBSERVATION: A 49 year-old male patient was hospitalized in our department for a bifocal fracture of the mandible (right parasymphysis and left sub-condylar). An open reduction internal fixation with plates and screws was performed. The immediate postoperative period was uneventful except for persistent tooth pain in the parasymphyseal fracture site. At 1 postoperative month, the fracture site was stable and signs of consolidation were documented by the panoramic view. A dentist performed root canal treatment on tooth 42, 8 weeks after surgery, because of recurrent complaint by the patient. At 6 months, clinical and radiological examinations revealed mandibular pseudarthrosis. DISCUSSION: This type of pseudarthrosis case is relatively infrequent. It occurs after endodontic treatment of a healthy tooth close to the fracture site (performed after the physiological delay before bone healing). The bacterial colonization of the fracture site could be related to this endodontic treatment. This case raises questions on the need for endodontic treatment of a tooth near a mandibular fracture site.

[Nose surgical anatomy in six aesthetic subunits]. / L'anatomie chirurgicale du nez en six sous-unités esthétiques.

The nose is a complex entity, combining aesthetic and functional roles. Descriptive anatomy is a fundamental science that it can be difficult to relate directly to our daily surgical activity. Reasoning in terms of aesthetic subunits to decide on his actions appeared to us so obvious. The aim of this paper is to resume the anatomical bases relevant to our daily practice in order to fully apprehend the restorative or cosmetic procedures. We discuss the limits of the systematization of these principles in nasal oncology.