Traditional Versus Virtual Surgery Planning of the Fronto-Orbital Unit in Anterior Cranial Vault Remodeling Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Craniosynostosis correction surgery is a complex procedure, which involves complete dismantling and reassembly of the cranial vault components. The traditional planning method for these surgeries results in increased intra-operative time owing to its highly subjective nature. The advent of virtual surgical planning (VSP) platform has lead to a greater pre-operative insight and precision outcome in calvarial remodeling surgeries. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate intra-operative time and blood loss difference as a measure of surgical efficiency between VSP based template guided Anterior Cranial Vault Reconstruction (ACVR) with Fronto-Orbital Unit Advancement (FOUA) and the traditional surgeries. METHODS: Data were collected from patients who underwent ACVR with FOUA in our unit. Patients were divided into 2 groups, Template Fronto-Orbital Unit (TFOU) group and Non-template Fronto-Orbital Unit (NFOU) group. In TFOU group, Virtual planning along with fabrication of Template guide was carried out. Patients undergoing ACVR using traditional techniques were categorized as NFOU group. A comparative prospective analysis was carried out in terms of Intra-operative time duration and blood loss. Student 't' test was used to compare the means of the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were included in the present study. There were 5 control (NFOU) and 5 TFOU cases. There was a significant decrease in the operating time in TFOU group compared to the NFOU group. TFOU group also showed reduced intra-operative bleed compared to the NFOU group. CONCLUSION: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D modeling with prefabricated template guide augurs reliable outcomes and portends the possibility of lesser intra-operative time. It is a valuable tool, which offers enormous benefits in terms of precise pre-surgical planning with predictive results.

Modified Medial Ramus Retractor to Facilitate Horizontal Osteotomy During Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy Procedure.

Introducing a horizontal osteotomy is the first and a critical step in sagittal split ramus osteotomy procedure. Identification of the lingula and medial displacement of the vital structures entering the inferior alveolar foramen are of paramount importance in ensuring a risk-free placement of the medial cut with bur or a saw. Quite often, identification of lingula and retrolingular fossa can be an arduous task owing to the thickness of the internal oblique ridge. Hence, placement of horizontal osteotomy depends on the experience of the operator.Here, the authors describe a simple, low profile instrument that aids in the identification of the lingula as well as provide a posterior stop for horizontal osteotomy during the sagittal split ramus osteotomy procedure.

Fabrication of Patient Specific Titanium Implants for Correction of Cranial Defects: A Technique to Improve Anatomic Contours and Accuracy.

Hard tissue cranial defects may result from traumatic or iatrogenic etiology and warrants adequate reconstruction to provide protection to the underlying brain and cosmesis. Various techniques have been described in the literature for fabrication of patient specific titanium cranial implants. The process of fabrication of titanium patient specific implants (PSI) can be broadly classified into indirect and direct techniques. With the improvements in the medical imaging and computational modeling, direct technique of computer assisted prefabricated patient specific implants have gained popularity. However indirect method of PSI fabrication hold some specific advantage. Here we describe a technique for fabrication of titanium PSI by combining the principles of direct and indirect methods for reconstruction of cranial defects.

Custom made orthotic device for maintaining skull architecture during the postoperative period in infants undergoing craniosynostosis surgery.

AIM: To fabricate a cost effective, indigenous and simple orthotics helmet for post-operative cranial molding in patients with craniosynostosis surgery. METHODS: We present a case of 15 month old infant with secondary cranial vault deformity. Cranial vault remodeling surgery involving the posterior skull was planned and executed to increase the posterior gap, so that brain growth would be facilitated towards this empty space. Materials such as thermoplastic sponge, thermoplastic ionomer resin sheet, soft sponge and Velcro straps are used to fabricate a cranial orthotics helmet. RESULTS: We have successfully used the above materials to fabricate the orthotics helmet for post-operative cranial molding. CONCLUSION: The technique described in this article is simple and cost effective. It can be custom made according to the demands of the surgical technique and the type of synostosis. It favors an individualistic prognosis, and proves worthwhile as every synostosis requires a unique treatment plan. It is an excellent adjuvant to craniosynostosis remodeling surgery.

Subdural hygroma after craniosynostosis remodeling surgery.

Craniosynostosis is defined as the premature fusion of the cranial sutures and can cause functional impairment or cosmetic deformity. Surgical techniques for the correction of craniosynostosis have changed overtime, as so have the intraoperative and postoperative complications. Extensive surgeries involving fronto-orbital unit repositioning and cranial vault remodeling are associated with various complications. Intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage, venous infarct, air embolism, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid leak, as well as meningitis are a few complications associated with cranial vault remodeling surgery. Postoperative complications can increase the morbidity and mortality associated with these procedures. Identification of the complications and their timely management should be a part of every craniofacial reconstruction team's training program.In this article, we report a case of subdural hygroma in an infant after cranial vault remodeling procedure. Subdural hygroma is a known complication following head injuries and represents 5% to 20% of posttraumatic intracranial mass lesions. However, subdural hygroma developing after a cranial procedure is rare and has not been reported in the literature. Identification of the complication, close monitoring of the change in subdural fluid volume, and tapping of the fluid through the craniotomy site if indicated form the mainstay of management of subdural hygroma that develops after cranial vault remodeling surgery.

Invasive aspergillosis presenting as swelling of the buccal mucosa in an immunocompetent individual.

Fungi are ubiquitous in nature but have low virulence and cause disease usually when the host defenses are compromised. Fungal infections of the central nervous system are rare and are usually seen in immunocompromised patients. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of central nervous system fungal infections in immunocompetent individuals. Intracranial fungal granulomas are rare space-occupying lesions. Among these, Aspergillus granuloma is the most common. Craniocerebral involvement by aspergillosis usually occurs via the hematogenous route or through contiguous spread from the paranasal sinuses. Predominant symptoms associated with cranial fungal granuloma include headache, vomiting, proptosis, and visual disturbances. Common signs include papilledema, cranial neuropathy, hemiparesis, and meningismus. We present a case of invasive Aspergillus granuloma in an immunocompetent individual, who presented with a palpable mass in the buccal mucosa following removal of an impacted mandibular third molar but with no other characteristic signs and symptoms of invasive fungal granuloma. To our knowledge, there is no documentation of aspergillosis presenting as a swelling in the buccal mucosa. Unexplained swellings in the buccal mucosa should be viewed with a high degree of suspicion and investigated thoroughly at the earliest.

Double-loop technique using titanium molybdenum alloy wire for fabrication of nasal stents in nasoalveolar molding therapy for cleft lip and palate patients.

This article presents a technique for fabricating a modified nasoalveolar molding appliance using 0.032-inch titanium-molybdenum alloy wire for nasal stents incorporating a double loop. The nasal stents are included in the acrylic molding plate at the time the appliance is inserted. The acrylic retention button used in a conventional appliance is replaced by a simple retention hook fabricated using titanium-molybdenum alloy wire. This technique is an effective alternative to a conventional appliance, and it simplifies the appliance-modification process during follow-up visits.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap donor site.

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is considered a workhorse flap in the reconstruction of head and neck defects after cancer ablative surgeries and remains one of the most widely used reconstructive options. Complications at the donor site after the use of this flap, although rare, do occur and are usually restricted to minor infections, hematoma, and seroma formation. Metastasis to the flap donor site is a rare complication with limited documentation. Metastasis at the donor site usually follows local recurrence at the primary site, supporting the probable hypothesis of re-establishment of lymphatic drainage to the primary site by the flap pedicle. Tumor implantation, although a probable cause for metastasis at the donor site, cannot be confidently distinguished from other mechanisms, such as hematogenous spread or lymphogenous metastasis. This report describes a case that supports a seeding or tumor implantation mechanism of metastasis exclusively.

Double-Loop Technique Using Titanium-Molybdenum Alloy Wire for Fabrication of Nasal Stents in Nasoalveolar Molding Therapy for Cleft Lip and Palate Patients.

This article presents a technique for the fabrication of a modified nasoalveolar molding appliance using 0.032-inch titanium-molybdenum alloy wire for nasal stents incorporating a "double loop." The nasal stents are included in the acrylic molding plate at the time of appliance insertion. The acrylic retention button used in a conventional appliance is replaced by a simple retention hook fabricated using titanium-molybdenum alloy wire. This technique can be used as an effective alternative to the conventional appliance, which also simplifies the appliance-modification process during follow-up visits.