[Maxillo-facial prostheses: an issue in public health]. / La prothèse maxillo-faciale: un enjeu en santé publique.

BACKGROUND: Acquired or congenital loss of structure can cause facial deformity. This can destroy identity and lead to certain forms of exclusion. Surgical and sometimes prosthetic reconstruction is required. The Maxillofacial Prosthesis (P.M.F) can be defined as the art and science of artificial reconstruction of facial bones. There is a continual increase in patient demand for this type of prosthesis with the development of new materials, methodologies and techniques. METHODS: In Toulouse, the Rangueil University Hospital houses a maxillofacial prosthesis consultation facility linked to the Odontology Service. An exhaustive descriptive study carried out retrospectively on the basis of the files of all patients examined between July 1996 and July 2002 will provide us with an understanding of patient characteristics and also enable us to quantify the level of satisfaction of requirements for rehabilitation of these losses of maxillofacial structure. RESULTS: 215 patient files were processed between July 1996 and July 2002. Separating the patients by sex shows a male prevalence of 66%. An analysis of variations between male and female patients for different aetiologies shows that tumour pathologies are more common in men and that this distinction is all the more marked as regards traumatic facial injuries and in particular suicide attempts. In total, 401 maxillofacial prostheses were carried out, including 116 facial epitheses (new prostheses or renewal of prosthesis). CONCLUSION: Loss of facial structure, whatever its aetiology constitutes a real public health issue. The maxillofacial prosthesis will allow cancer monitoring of the site while at the same time offering out patient treatment. Above and beyond its crafted or empirical aspect, it should find its place in medicine thanks to the overall scope of the rehabilitation that it can offer from both an aesthetic point of view but also a the psychological one, but above all from a functional perspective.

[Predictive biochemical indicators of a postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula: a clinical study]. / Indicadores bioquímicos predictivos de fístula faringocutánea postlaringuectomía: un estudio clínico.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this clinical study was to determinate biochemical predictor indicators of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 100 patients with T2- 4 a laryngeal and piryform sinus carcinoma who underwent a laryngectomy. All patients were ASA 2-3. We studied serum albumin, protein serum level, cholesterol and lymphocites in each patient. These variables underwent statistical analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: 19% of the patients developed a postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula, with a long-stay of 25 days vs. 10 days of stay in patients without postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula. 7 postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula needed surgical repair. Low serum albumin (< 3.5 g/dL) and a low level of serum proteins (< 6.5 g/dL) were predictive indicators of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a low-level of serum proteins and albumin are predictive clinical parameters of postlaryngeal pharyngocutaneous fistula.

Indicadores bioquímicos predictivos de fístula faringocutánea postlaringuectomía: un estudio clínico / Predictive biochemical indicators of a postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula: a clinical study

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo será identificar posibles indicadores bioquímicos predictores de la aparición de fístula faringocutánea tras laringuectomía y revisar el tratamiento quirúrgico de este problema. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron 100 pacientes con carcinoma epidermoide T2-4 de laringe y seno piriforme clasificados como ASA 2-4 tratados mediante cirugía. Las variables estudiadas fueron la albúmina plasmática, las proteínas totales, el colesterol sérico y el número total de linfocitos. Se realizó estudio estadístico mediante Chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El 19% de los pacientes laringuectomizados presentaron fístula faringocutánea en el postoperatorio, con una estancia media hospitalaria de 25 días frente a 10 días en postoperatorio sin fístula postlaringuectomía. Fue necesario tratamiento quirúrgico del faringostoma en 7 de los 19 pacientes, que se realizó a los 25 días de la laringuectomía de media. Se identificó como marcadores bioquímcos predictivos de faringostoma proteínas totales <6,5 g/dL y albúmina plasmática <3,5g/dL (p < 0,05). El 45% de los enfermos presentaban un colesterol sérico <180. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados sugieren qué identificación prequirúrgica hipoproteinemia e hipoalbuminemia se asocian a alto riesgo de aparición de fístula faringocutánea tras laringuectomía (AU)

The aim of this clinical study was to determinate biochemical predictor indicators of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula. Patients and methods: We have studied 100 patients with T2- 4 a laryngeal and piryform sinus carcinoma who underwent a laryngectomy. All patients were ASA 2-3. We studied serum albumin, protein serum level, cholesterol and lymphocites in each patient. These variables underwent statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results: 19% of the patients developed a postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula, with a long-stay of 25 days vs. 10 days of stay in patients without postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula. 7 postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula needed surgical repair. Low serum albumin (< 3.5 g/dL) and a low level of serum proteins (< 6.5 g/dL) were predictive indicators of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that a low-level of serum proteins and albumin are predictive clinical parameters of postlaryngeal pharyngocutaneous fistula

[Funnel chest: filling technique with deep custom made implant]. / Pectus excavatum: technique de comblement par endoprothèse profonde sur mesure.

Through 97 patients over 9 years, the authors present a surgical treatment for "funnel chest" using custom-made silicone elastomer prothesis which are deeply placed, behind muscle and aponevroses. They justify the choice of this simple and non invasive technique, by the fact that this deformation is only morphological in most cases or even only inaesthetic with exceptional cardiac or pulmonary consequences. Patient's motivation being mainly due to psychological disconfort, the non invasive aspect of the technique leads them to choose surgery, particularly as results are good and complications seldom.

[Three-dimensional facial reconstruction of computerized tomography images by computer-aided design: example of an anthropologic study]. / Reconstitution faciale tridimensionnelle d'images tomodensitométriques par conception assisté par ordinateur: l'exemple d'une étude anthropologique.

Thanks to the medical scanning techniques and the reliability of some applications programs in 3D reconstruction, we are now able to explain an observation methodology based on the example of an anthropology study on Egyptian mummies'heads through a non-destructive proceeding. We have managed to demonstrate the exploration of the cervicofacial anatomy in the three dimensions of space and the possibility of dissociating the different anatomical tissues. The authors would like to point out the various consequences such a methodology may engender in any field.