Facial Artery Perforator Flap for Perioral and Perinasal Oncologic Defect Reconstruction: Surgical Technique and Postoperative Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Facial artery perforator (FAP) flap is a versatile and reliable one-step facial reconstruction technique. However, its full potential remains underutilized due to a lack of clear guidelines and rigorous technique requirements. This study report the use of FAP flaps in our centre for the management of perioral and nasal oncologic defects, focusing on surgical technique performed and post-operative management. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent reconstruction with a perioral or perinasal FAP flap only following tumor resection over a 4-year period (n = 29). Parameters measured included flap survival, complication rates, surgical technique performed, and the need for touch-up procedures. Patients were grouped based on age, defect size, and location and outcomes were compared across these groups. RESULTS: The mean histological tumor defect area was 331 mm2. During at least 6 months of follow-up, no local recurrence was observed. Twenty-seven (93.1%) flaps survived completely. Major postsurgical complications occurred in seven (23.8%) patients, including complete flap necrosis (1), partial flap necrosis (1), flap collapse (1), venous congestion (1), wound dehiscence (1), and local infection (2). A higher complication rate was associated with nose tip defects (80.0% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.007). Touch-up procedures were more frequently required for reconstructions involving the nasal sidewall and dorsum (53.8% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, the FAP flap is highly effective for the reconstruction of the upper lip, nasolabial fold, and certain oncologic nasal defects. However, specific defect locations, such as the nose tip, may be associated with higher complication rates, necessitating careful patient selection and surgical planning.

Mechanical characterization of soft-tissue stiffness during mandibular distraction.

The purpose of this study was to determine the stiffness of mandibular soft tissues during mandibular distraction, from the perspective of improving distraction devices such as automated continuous distractors. Uncompleted osteotomy was performed on 11 fresh human hemimandibles via a greenstick fracture, to preserve the uplift of the internal periosteum of the mandibular corpus. In order to replicate continuous distraction, direct measurements were performed through a uniaxial quasi-static tensile test. For all specimens, linear regression was applied to the force-displacement curve for a force region of 10-20 N, and the slope extracted. The mean stiffness was estimated to be 9.12 ± 3.56 N/mm. This study is the first to measure directly the stiffness of the surrounding tissues of the human mandibular corpus, and paves the way to the design of a new generation of distractor devices.

Management after fibula free flap necrosis in maxillofacial reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Few articles discuss the management of a free fibula flap (FFF) necrosis in maxillofacial reconstruction. MATERIAL & METHODS: Between 2005 and 2020, 170 FFF were used for maxillofacial reconstruction at the University Hospital of Caen, among which 16 cases suffered total necrosis and flap removal. The authors categorized these 16 cases into three groups based on the proposed salvage treatment and analyzed the post-operative follow-up, including complications, length of hospital stay and delay in radiotherapy. RESULTS: In Group A, two patients underwent immediate reconstruction with a new free flap. There were no postoperative complications, and the average hospitalization duration after removal of the first flap was 10 days. In Group B, eleven patients underwent reconstruction with a pedicled musculocutaneous pectoralis major flap. These patients experienced numerous complications, with 73% of them requiring at least one additional surgery, and all of them had an indication for later FFF reconstruction. The average hospitalization duration in this group was 37 days. In Group C, three patients underwent conservative management with debridement and mucosal closure. Two of them experienced complications, and all of them underwent later FFF reconstruction. The average hospitalization duration in this group was 15 days. DISCUSSION: Based on our experience and the literature review, the use of an immediate new free flap appears to be the best approach after the removal of a FFF. This generates shorter healing times and shorter hospitalization stays, and this allows better results in terms of function and aesthetics. At least, this is the approach that causes the least delay for radiation therapy if indicated. The other approaches should only be proposed in case of patient's poor general condition or in case of refuse of the patient.

Interest of frozen section procedure in skin tumors other than melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Skin tumors are common. Recommended treatment in most cases is surgery, with margins adapted. Except in the case of simple resection and suture, it is necessary to know the status of the margins before reconstructing the defect. A one-stage technique is possible with frozen section analysis, which gives the surgeon an intraoperative assessment of resection quality. The aim of our work is to study the reliability of the frozen section procedure. METHOD: A retrospective study included 689 patients who underwent surgery for skin tumor (excluding melanoma) between January 2011 and December 2019 at the University Hospital of Caen, France. RESULTS: In 639 patients (92.75%), the frozen section analysis found healthy margins. There were 21 cases of discrepancy between the frozen section analysis and final histology. Infiltrating and scleroderma-like basal cell carcinomas showed a significantly higher frequency of affected margins on frozen section analysis (p < 0.001). The tumor size and location played a significant role in the margin status. CONCLUSION: In our department, the frozen section procedure is the reference examination indicating immediate flap reconstruction. The present study demonstrated its interest and overall reliability. However, it is to be used according to histologic type, size, and location.

[Improving the accuracy of the preoperative planning of mandibular osteogenic distraction by an external custom-made device]. / Optimisation du transfert de planification de la distraction ostéogénique mandibulaire par dispositif externe sur mesure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the predictability of virtual surgical planning of mandibular reconstruction by osteogenic distraction (OD) with a custom-made osteogenic distraction device (DEOS) after ballistic trauma and to make recommendations to mitigate potential sources of discrepancy. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 12 patients who were victims of facial mandibular ballistic trauma and were reconstructed with osteogenic distraction with a DEOS device. Postoperative images were compared to the planned situation by means of several measures made in two plans : distraction plane and frontal plane. RESULTS: The mean bone loss was 54.2mm. The anteroposterior difference was systematically inferior or equal postoperatively (10.8mm). The interrami angle difference in the frontal plane was positive, with an average of 4.8°. There was a significant negative correlation in univariate analysis between the antero-posterior difference measurement and the difference of the interrami angle in distraction. CONCLUSION: A significant difference between the planning and postoperative results was shown, explained by the device being too adjustable leading to the loosening of the locking screws of the device. A static analysis showed that there are significant rotational forces at the carriages, which can lead to the loosening of the locking elements. It is then proposed that the device be optimized by customization of some elements.

Embryological approach to philtral hair sparsity in bilateral cleft lip deformities.

OBJECTIVE: In bilateral cleft lip cases, surgeons have long known that the medial nasal prominence or prolabium is devoid of muscle. Despite cheiloplasty restoring orbicular muscle continuity, moustache hair growth is less developed on the philtral skin. We sought to understand this hair disparity. BASIC PROCEDURES: The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search using reference materials on the physiological and pathological development of the face in utero and the PubMed database using the keywords 'embryology', 'bilateral cleft lip' and 'hair'. MAIN RESULTS: In bilateral cleft lip, the normal fusion between the maxillary and intermaxillary process does not occur, and the migration of cranial neural crest cells (CNCC) is disturbed. CNCCs from different locations and with different myoblastic differentiation potential are arrested on each side of the cleft. Therefore, a reduced concentration of myoblasts and myocytes as well as hormone receptors in the medial process could hinders the normal physiological development of the different layers of the philtral skin and especially the skin appendages. CONCLUSION: Philtral hair sparsity in patients with bilateral cleft lip can be explain by a defect in the migration of CNCCs to the prolabium, whose cells are not able to develop hair follicles, due to a disruption of the exchange of Wnt/ß-catenin, EDA, and or Noggin signals and due to the absence of androgen receptor.

Towards an evolution in ambulatory surgery for orbital floor repair? Our experience over a period of 11 years.

INTRODUCTION: Orbital floor fracture repair is a complex surgery with intra-orbital hematoma being the most feared complication as it can lead to visual loss if not treated in good time. This is why currently patients are monitored for almost 48 hours as inpatients. The purpose of this study was to find out if orbital floor repair surgery could be safely undertaken as a day case by reviewing the experience of the last 11 years at the Caen University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, monocentric study was conducted at the Caen University Hospital. All patients undergoing orbital floor reconstruction in a trauma setting from January 2008 to December 2019 were included. RESULTS: Of the 130 included patients, none presented a post-operative complication such as intra-orbital hematoma. 3 patients had their surgery performed as a day case. DISCUSSION: In the literature, more and more surgeons are proposing orbital floor fracture repair to be undertaken as day case. Indeed, the theoretical risk of intra-orbital hematoma is greater within the first 6 hours after surgery and can persist up to 10 days postoperatively. Provided patients meet the classic criteria for outpatient surgery, and are provided with a precise post-operative care protocol. Under these conditions, orbital floor fractures may be repair in ambulatory surgery.

Rerouting the internal thoracic vessels as recipient vessels in head and neck reconstruction: Comparison of two anatomic approaches.

INTRODUCTION: The vessel-depleted neck situation is a challenge for the surgeon in search of suitable recipient vessels for microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. The internal thoracic vessels (ITVs) have proven useful as "rescue" recipient vessel resource. The objective of this report is to assess the feasibility of using ITVs by rerouting the pedicle for free flap reconstruction of the head and neck by comparing two different approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two surgical approaches were assessed: the classical one is parasternal, but cardiac surgeons commonly use median sternotomy. We conducted an anatomical study, comparing on the same subject the lengths and diameters of both internal thoracic artery (ITA) and internal thoracic vein (ITV) at the sixth, fifth, and fourth intercostal spaces (ICSs) through parasternal approach on one side and by median sternotomy on the other side. RESULTS: The study was performed on 13 subjects. We found a superiority of length of the ITVs with the median sternotomy approach. Regarding the mean length of the ITA, the sternotomy approach allowed a significant greater length with 119/89/67 mm, compared with parasternal approach with 91/62/42 mm, respectively at the sixth, fifth, and fourth ICS (p<0.001). Similarly, we observed a significant greater length of the ITV with 116/85/63 mm versus 89/62/42 mm (p<0.001). The mean arterial and venous diameters were 2.9 mm and 2.1 mm in the sixth ICS, 3.3 mm and 2.3 mm in the fifth ICS, and 3.9 mm and 2.9 mm in the fourth ICS, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results help to guide the choice of surgical approach and the level of harvesting.

Retrospective study of long-term hard and soft tissue stability after advancement genioplasty with the use of rigid osteosynthesis.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate long-term stability of rigid osteosynthesis in the context of advancement genioplasty. Bone stability was defined as a long-term bone loss of less than 2 mm. Measurements were performed on lateral cephalograms, in the sagittal and vertical planes, at three times: preoperative (T0, less than one month before surgery), early postoperative (T1, at least one month post-operatively) and late postoperative (T2, at least one year after surgery). 25 patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up of 3.47 years (range 1-9.42 years). The mean sagittal bone advancement at T1 was 4.06 mm ± 1.34, with a bone loss of 0.65 mm at T2 (p = 0.001). The mean vertical bone movement was 1.25 mm ± 0.47 at T1, with a relapse at T2 of 0.34 mm (p = 0.27). The soft-to-hard tissue ratio was 78% in the sagittal plane. Rigid osteosynthesis offers long-term stability, with very little change in clinical outcome, in advanced genioplasty.

Focus on the use of maxillomandibular fixation in mandibular fracture oseosynthesis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of three methods of isolated mandibular fracture intraoperative reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This 6-year retrospective study included patients with isolated extra-articular mandibular fractures who would benefit from osteosynthesis. The endpoint was postoperative occlusion according to the type of intraoperative immobilization: screws, arch, or manual reduction. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included, with 233 fractures. Forty-five patients underwent manual reduction without maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF), 51 MMF with screws, and 49 MMF with arch, with 11.1%, 5.9% and 4.1% of patients in these groups experiencing postoperative malocclusion, respectively. The overall malocclusion rate was 6.9%. There was no significant difference among the 3 methods according to univariate statistical analysis (p = 0.42) or after comparing MMF (grouping screws and arches) to manual reduction without MMF (p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: This study did not show a significant difference between the different methods of intraoperative reduction of isolated extra-articular mandibular fractures, even though intraoperative MMF was much more commonly used for complex fractures. However, there is a non-significant tendency to get a better post-operative occlusal result with MMF, which remains the reference traitement. Intraoperative manual reduction without MMF may be used within trained teams in some instances.

Hallermann Streiff syndrome: Cranio-facial manifestations systematic review and report of two cases.

Hallermann Streiff syndrome (HSS) is a rare congenital abnormality with about 200 case reports in the literature. Its etiology is unknown although it may be due to a sporadic mutation. Diagnosis is based on the association of craniofacial malformation, dental abnormalities, hypotrichosis, atrophy of the skin, proportionate nanism, congenital cataract and bilateral microphtalmos. Cranio-facial deformities are the main signs detected and the most easily recognizable. We report cranio-facial and oral signs from a systemic literature review, and illustrate our findings with two of our patients diagnosed with HSS. Common cranio-facial manifestations are craniofacial malformation with a « parrot beak ¼ nose, micrognathia, aprominent skull, sutures closing anomaly, malocclusion, dental anomalies, eyebrows and eyelash lack and atrophy of the nose skin. Knowledge of these signs should allow for early diagnosis and adequate treatment and follow up.

Correction of lip and nasal deformities in bilateral cleft operated with Le Mesurier procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral cleft lip surgery recently evolved with the generalization of cheilorhinoplasty replacing cheiloplasty alone. The aim of this study was to analyze lip and nasal deformities of bilateral cleft lip operated on with the Le Mesurier procedure, and then to evaluate possible secondary surgical solutions used in our Cleft Center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 39 patients born between 1991 and 2009 with a bilateral cleft all type included (isolated lip, lip and alveolar, associated or not with a cleft palate), all treated at the Caen University Hospital with a Le Mesurier procedure for the primary cleft lip closure. We studied population characteristics, the number of secondary surgical procedures for lip and nasal deformities. We analysed therapeutic approaches of the different secondary surgical procedures used and their morphological results. RESULTS: 85% of patients needed at least one secondary surgical procedure, 28% two procedures, 15% three procedures and 8% four or more procedures. Median age at secondary surgery was 6,8. 79% had a "scar repositioning", 33% managed the vermilion, 18% a restoration of the volume of the lip, 12% a philtral tissue sacrifice, 9% a procedure on Cupid's bow, 24% a surgery for nasal tip projection, 45% a columella lengthening and 58% a reposition of the alar base. DISCUSSION: Le Mesurier procedure for bilateral clefts leads to deformities that require secondary surgical procedures. We propose an algorithm to manage loop scar in this procedure.

Labiomental sensation after segmental mandibulectomy and inferior alveolar nerve preservation for osteoradionecrosis.

Advanced mandibular osteoradionecrosis requires a segmental mandibulectomy with reconstruction using a free fibular flap. The conservation of labiomental sensation by lateralization of the inferior alveolar nerve is unusual during a segmental mandibulectomy. A protocol for the evaluation of labiomental sensation has been created for the clinical follow-up of operated patients. The patients included were patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis who underwent a segmental mandibulectomy with reconstruction by free fibular flap and whose pre-operative labiomental sensation was preserved. All patients were followed-up by the same examiner and operated on by the same surgeon. The neuro-sensitive examination analyses the different forms of sensation at 1 week and at 12 months postoperatively. Between May 2017 and May 2018, 3 consecutive patients were assessed. The results of the labiomental sensitive evaluation using our evaluation protocol attest to the preservation of labiomental sensation. The operating time was increased by an average of 35 min per surgical procedure. The conservation and re-routing of the inferior alveolar nerve in segmental mandibulectomy with fibula free flap reconstruction in patients with osteoradionecrosis allows for the preservation of labiomental sensation, which improves the quality of life of patients. Our protocol can be used in all surgical procedure that affect sensibility.

Management of non-syndromic craniosynostoses in France in 2015: A national survey.

PURPOSE: Craniosynostoses are managed by surgical and anaesthetic teams in specialist centres. Despite the availability of international guidelines, the perioperative management of craniosynostoses remains highly variable between centres. The aim of our study was to describe the different protocols for the management of non-syndromic craniosynostoses in France in 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study consisted of a survey about the protocols of pre-operative, per-operative and post-operative management of craniosynostoses. The survey was sent to the departments in French university hospitals that perform this surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen departments out of twenty replied to the survey. Sixteen departments organised multi-disciplinary meetings. The most frequent preoperative imaging requested was a Computed Tomography. More than half of the centres organised a follow-up until early adulthood. CONCLUSION: This study showed a great variability in the management of craniosynostoses. A recommendation from the study is to establish a scientific committee of practitioners in order to establish a standardised protocol. In addition, this study showed the need to create a specific section in the French rare diseases database (CeMaRa) for craniosynostoses.

REAL-WORLD CLINICAL EVALUATION AND COSTS OF TELEMEDICINE FOR CHRONIC WOUND MANAGEMENT.

BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds are frequent, affect quality of life, and increase care costs. Telemedicine provides potential for effective wound care management, especially for the monitoring of complex wounds at home. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to determine the clinical effects and costs of telemedicine for the follow-up of complex chronic wounds from the perspective of the public health insurance. The study ran over a period of 9 months. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, pragmatic, open-label, observational study and carried out a cost-effectiveness analysis. A total of 116 patients with chronic wounds were assigned to their choice of two groups: telemedicine (N = 77) and traditional follow-up (control; N = 39). The primary outcome was the time to healing. Secondary outcomes included percentage of wounds reaching target objective, percentage of wounds healed completely, outpatient care costs, travel costs, and hospitalizations. RESULTS: Time to healing was shorter in the telemedicine group than in the control group (137 versus 174 days; p .05). Outpatient care and hospitalization costs were not significantly different. The main results in terms of economic savings were medical transport costs reimbursed by the French public health insurance, which were significantly lower in the telemedicine group. Telemedicine costs were found to be €4,583 less per patient compared with standard practice over 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: This trial suggests that telemedicine saves travel costs and results in a shorter healing time than traditional follow-up.

The contribution of telemedicine to humanitarian surgery.

Telemedicine enables us to push back the geographical and interactive boundaries of medicine. With a role in humanitarian missions, it is particularly pertinent at two key stages: the preparation phase, and at postoperative follow-up after the mission. It is our intention to describe our experience of telemedicine within a humanitarian context. Four teleconsultations were organized between departments of maxillofacial surgery in Caen (France) and in Bamako (Mali). 21 patients were assessed regarding their care. The preparation phase, taking place several weeks before the mission, allowed us to meet the patients preselected by Prof Traore. We were also able to review imaging, such as previous X-rays or preoperative CT scans. After discussion between the two teams, a decision on the coordination of patient care was reached, namely surgery performed by Prof Traore and the local team in Bamako, or surgery during the next mission to Ouagadougou. Several weeks after the mission, patients attended postoperative consultation by means of teleconsultation. This covered wound assessment, management of complications, and scheduling of follow-up surgery. The benefits of telemedicine in humanitarian projects are manifold: real-time exchange of specialist skills with Malian colleagues, collective therapeutic decisions, academic value, and anticipation of anesthetic and surgical needs before missions.

Impact of early intravelar veloplasty at six months on mandibular growth in patients with Pierre Robin Sequence.

Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) combines mandible microretrognathia, asynchronism of the pharynx and tongue, glossoptosis and, in some cases, cleft palate. Its principal functional consequences are respiratory and feeding problems during the neonatal period. In this study, we focused on the impact of early closure of the cleft at six months on mandibular growth in patients with PRS. We performed a retrospective study of 15 patients followed for PRS and undergoing surgery performed by the same senior surgeon (HB) at our cleft center between 2005 and 2012. These patients underwent early closure of the cleft (at a mean age of 5.87 months) by intravelar veloplasty, as described by Sommerlad. Only one article with exploitable data analyzing facial and mandibular growth in a cephalometric study of children with PRS has been published. The children in this series, constituting the control group for our study, underwent veloplasty between the ages of 12 and 18 months, often accompanied by labioglossoplasty, and the cephalometric study was carried out between the ages of four and seven years. We compared this control group in which surgery was performed at 12-18 months with our series of children undergoing surgery at six months, in a cephalometric study based on teleradiographic profile measurements performed between the ages of four and seven years. We found that early closure of the cleft soft palate yielded results identical to those for the control group in terms of mandibular growth, without the need for labioglossopexy. Finally, early intravelar veloplasty led to early functional improvement in terms of speech and phonation.

Congenital Midline Upper Lip Sinuses: 3 Rare Cases.

Congenital sinuses of the upper lip are rare congenital malformations. There have been only 40 cases described in the literature. We report 3 cases of congenital midline upper lip sinus in Caucasian children. Two of those lesions were associated with other anomalies (complete cleft palate and hemifacial macrosomia or submucous cleft palate with bifid uvula). The pathophysiology remains unexplained yet. Congenital upper lip sinuses can be considered as possible microforms of cleft-lips. Associated anomalies are frequent and must be sought. The treatment is a full excision of the sinus tract and of the skin around the punctum in order to avoid risks of recurrence.

Cleft palate caused by congenital teratoma.

A cleft palate results from incomplete fusion of the lateral palatine processes, the median nasal septum and the median palatine process. This case report describes a rare case of congenital teratoma originating from the nasal septum that may have interfered with the fusion of the palatal shelves during embryonic development, resulting in a cleft palate. An infant girl was born at 40 weeks of gestation weighing 3020 g with a complete cleft palate associated with a large central nasopharyngeal tumour. Computed tomography (CT) of the head showed a well defined mass of mixed density. The tumour was attached to the nasal septum in direct contact with the cleft palate. A biopsy confirmed the teratoma. Tumour resection was performed at 5 months, soft palate reconstruction at 7 months and hard palate closure at 14 months. There was no sign of local recurrence 1 year later. Most teratomas are benign and the prognosis is usually good. However, recurrence is not rare if germ cell carcinomatous foci are present within the teratoma. For these reasons, we advocate the use of a two-stage procedure in which closure of the cleft palate is postponed until histological examination confirms complete excision of the teratoma.