[Condylar remodelling after temporomandibular joint reconstruction with fibula free flap]. / Remodelage du condyle après reconstruction de l'articulation temporomandibulaire par lambeau libre de fibula.

AIM: Mandibular reconstructions with fibula free flap are commonly used in maxillo-facial surgery; termino-lateral mandibulectomy with reconstruction of the ramus and condylar unit is seldom used. Consequences on the temporomandibular joint remain unclear, and the type of reconstruction is still subject to controversy. METHODS: Six patients were followed after terminal mandibulectomy, reconstructed with fibular free flap. Evaluations of the results were made on functional and radiological criteria. RESULTS: No patient presented functional disturbances due to reconstruction. Remodeling of the neocondyle extremity was weak in adults but important in children, with modification of morphology and architecture of the condyle in children. DISCUSSION: Preservation of the disc is recommended. Many techniques are described to improve congruence, preservation and remodeling of the free extremity of the fibula flap. All give similar results. It seems that the real determinant factors on the quality of the result are age, presence of the disc or not, previous surgery performed, with or without radiotherapy.

["Double barrel" free fibula flap and vascular risk. A national investigation in France]. / Lambeau libre de péroné en « double barre ¼ et risque vasculaire. Enquête nationale.

INTRODUCTION: The free fibula flap is the most commonly used flap for mandibular reconstruction thanks to its multiple advantages. Its main drawback is the thin width of the bone section. The "double barrel" fibula flap is a solution to this problem allowing reconstruction of both basilar and alveolar ridges for a stable prosthetic dental rehabilitation. The authors wanted to assess its use, in France, to evaluate its reliability, and to determine its indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors sent a questionnaire to the 25 French Maxillo-Facial University Hospital Departments. Questions concerned the surgical technique, its indications, and the operative results, between January 2002 and December 2007. RESULTS: Out of the 18 teams who answered, 16 used a free fibula flap for mandibular reconstruction but only seven used the double barrel technique, for a total of 24 double barrel reconstructions. Only one total necrosis was reported. The indications for double barrel fibula flap were nearly all for corpus reconstruction and the operating overtime was less than one hour. DISCUSSION: The international literature review analysis gives results which compare to French ones, with a weak rate of necrosis despite the intermediate rectangular ostectomy. This technique may be recommended especially since it does not increase the operative time much and it improves dental restoration.

[Foreign body granuloma due to Horsley wax®]. / Granulome à corps étrangers sur cire d'Horsley®.

INTRODUCTION: Horsley wax® is an efficient bone haemostatic agent commonly used in bone surgery. But it is non resorbable and surgeons should be aware of possible complications, which can appear many years later. OBSERVATION: We report three cases of foreign body granulomas due to bone wax. A 14-years-old female patient with an Apert syndrome underwent Le Fort III osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis; 3 years later, an inflammatory granuloma appeared in the temporal area. A 23-years-old female patient, traffic accident casualty, complained about pain in the hip 1 year after undergoing cervical spine surgery with iliac bone graft. A 35-years-old female patient underwent rhinoplasty with anterior nasal aperture surgery. She presented with an inflammatory reaction requiring several subsequent surgeries. DISCUSSION: Using Horsley wax® must be performed according to recommendations so as to prevent inflammatory or infectious complications, and to allow good bone healing. Surgeons must mention its use in the surgical report to avoid a delayed diagnosis in case of complications. There are alternatives to bone wax but they are less effective.

[Benign cartilaginous tumors of the jaws]. / Tumeurs cartilagineuses bénignes des mâchoires.

Benign cartilaginous tumors are a rare entity in jaw bones. The histogenesis is still discussed but an embryological hypothesis is suggested. Chondroma, osteochondroma, chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma are the main benign maxillary cartilaginous tumors.

Gunshot wounds: two cases of midface reconstruction by osteogenic distraction.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the midface is a surgical challenge because of the aesthetic and functional implications that are characteristic of this area. METHODS: We describe two cases of reconstruction after gunshot wounds of the midface by a customized external ostegeognic device (OBL Laboratory). These two patients had mandibular reconstruction by osteogenic distraction by the same technic. RESULTS: Gunshot wounds cause considerable cutaneous, osseous and muscular damage. Reconstruction techniques have to reconstruct all those tissues. DISCUSSION: Reconstruction by osteogenic distraction allows the bone and soft tissues to be simultaneously expanded. This expansion decreases the patchwork effect of free flap reconstruction. An other advantage of reconstructing the soft tissues at the same time by osteogenic distraction is that subsequent bone grafts can be covered, reducing the risks of their exposure.

[The Antia-Buch flap technique in reconstruction of marginal ear defects]. / Le lambeau d'Antia-Buch dans la reconstruction des pertes de substance partielles de l'hélix.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of ear defect reconstruction using the Antia-Buch flap technique and to compare it to other techniques described in international literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 19 Antia-Buch flaps between November 1998 and November 2002: 15 cases after neoplastic treatment and four post-traumatic cases. Defect ranged between 15 and 40 mm. Between 30 and 40 mm, we used Fata's modification. The final assessment took into account patient satisfaction, cosmetic aspect of reconstruction assessed by the medical team, the presence of a notch at the helical rim and the degree of microtia. RESULTS: All ear reconstructions were successful. No complications were reported. Fata's modification was used for eight patients. All the patients were satisfied with the result in spite of a systematic microtia. The cosmetic aspect was considered as good for 16 patients, average for three. Nine patients presented with a notch at the helical rim. DISCUSSION: Reconstruction using the Antia-Buch flap is a simple and fast operative technique performed in a single operation under local anesthesia. It allows for a harmonious reconstruction of the helix and auricle with a tissue of same nature, and only a tiny cicatricial ransom, systematic microtia and frequent notch on the helical rim.

[Maxillary sequelae in cleft patients. Causes of maxillary hypoplasia and possible prevention]. / Les séquelles maxillaires dans les fentes labioalvéolopalatovélaires. Analyse des causes de la rétromaxillie et réflexions sur sa prévention.

Maxillary hypoplasia is frequently observed in cleft patients. Although maxillary retrusion can be a syndromic outcome, the growth failure is also a consequence of the primary surgery of the palate, alveolar cleft, or lip. In this article the authors analyze the impact of primary surgery on the maxillary growth failure and discuss on how to prevent this complication.

[Salivary nitrates. New perspectives concerning the physiological function of saliva]. / Les nitrates salivaires. Nouvellesperspectives concernant les fonctions physiologiques de la salive.

For many years, nitrate ions have been thought to be "toxic agents", but scientific reality seems very different. The source of nitrate ions is double: exogenous and endogenous, and the metabolism of nitrates is partly salivary. The strong concentration of nitrate ions in saliva has many beneficial physiological effects. Salivary nitrate has anti-infectious effects on the oral cavity and all along the digestive tract. They give cardiovascular protection, are instrumental in the adaptive relaxation of the stomach by acting on smooth stomach muscles and have a protective action on the gastric mucosa.

[Nasal reconstruction with a three-staged forehead flap: assessment of 16 cases]. / Reconstruction nasale par lambeau frontal en trois temps: évaluation de 16 cas.

INTRODUCTION: We report our experience in 16 patients with a three-staged forehead flap, described by Millard (1974) and Burguet (1992) for nasal reconstruction. We wanted to determine whether the three-stage procedure improves the quality of the final aesthetic result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent forehead flap nasal reconstruction between June 2002 and February 2005. Reconstruction was performed in three stages, a first stage for the transfer of the forehead flap on the nose, a second stage where the pediculized forehead flap was thinned (day 15) and a third stage for division of the pedicle (day 30). The quality of the final aesthetic result of nasal reconstruction was evaluated 6 months postoperatively, by the patient (patient's satisfaction with the nasal reconstruction [4 points]) and by the surgical team according to the thickness of the flap (3 points), integration of the scars (1 point), color of the flap (1 point) and the redefinition of the natural contour of the nose (1 point). A final 10-point score was used to assess the quality of the result: very good (score above 8), good (score from 7 to 8), average (score from 5 to 7) and poor (score less than 5). RESULTS: Sixteen nasal reconstructions were followed to completion. Outcome was considered very good in ten (62.5%), good in three (18.7%) and fair in three (18.7%). DISCUSSION: Use of the three-stage procedure for forehead flap nasal reconstruction improved the contour of the flap by aggressive defatting of the still pediculized flap, and thus improving the final aesthetic result. Traditionally two stages are used for frontal flaps, with pedicle division at the first stage. This refinement must not be excessive because of the risk of necrosis, the frontal flap often requiring latter defatting. In the three-stage technique thinning is performed at the second stage on a vascularised, bipediculized flap, which makes it possible to obtain the desired refinement without excessive vascular risk.

[Anhidrotic ectomermal dysplasia (AED): four cases]. / La dysplasie ectodermique anhydrotique: présentation de quatre observations.

INTRODUCTION: Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (AED) or Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome is a rare, hereditary genodermatosis, classically X-linked recessive disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] We report the cases of 3 children and a male adult. RESULTS: The mode of diagnosis, the clinical signs and the therapeutic option are detailed. DISCUSSION: AED is characterized by a malformative state derived from the ectodermal layer of the embryo which results in the triad: anhidrosis (or hypohidrosis), hypotrichosis, anodontia (or hypodontia). Hypohidrosis causes thermoregulation disorders, which in the infant, can be life threatening. It is important to recognize the affection early to avoid accidents of hyperthermia. Once the diagnosis is established, family investigations are necessary to determine whether it is a family form or a new sporadic case. Carrier mothers must be informed of the high risk recurrence for future male infants. Symptomatic maxillo-facial treatment strives to improve masticatory function and facial growth and thus limit the psychological impact and improve patient comfort.

[Detection of the sentinal node in squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Preliminary study]. / Détection du ganglion sentinelle dans les carcinomes épidermoïdes de la cavité buccale et de l'oropharynx. Etude préliminaire.

INTRODUCTION: The sentinel lymph node is defined as the first relay of the lymphatic drainage of the tumor. Isotopic detection of the sentinel lymph node and absence of its metastatic invasion should theoretically be predictive of total drainage of the tumor. The goal of this study was to evaluate sentinel lymph node detectability by lymphoscintigraphy in N0 and/or N1 squamous-cell carcinoma of oral cavity and oropharynx and to determine its negative predictive value. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Lymphoscintigraphy was used for sentinel lymph node detection. The procedure required peritumoral injection of technicium-labeled colloids to enable anatomical and cutaneous location of the sentinel lymph node. A one-way Tyco-Mallinckrodt probe was used for intraoperative detection of the sentinel lymph node. This prospective study included 21 patients with N0 or N1 squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oropharynx. The surgical attitude based on T and N was not modified in this prospective study without direct individual benefit for the patient. Neck dissection was achieved without difficulty. RESULTS: The sentinel lymph node was identified in 20 out of 21 subjects. The sentinel lymph node was not identified in one patient with recurrence T2N0M0 squamous-cell carcinoma of the oropharynx radiated 3 years earlier. The percentage of false-negatives was 12.5% (1 false-negative out of 8 positive patients), giving a sensibility of the detection method of 87.5% (IC (95%)=[47.35-99.68]). This false-negative patient had a T3N0M0 squamous-cell carcinoma of the oropharynx with a sentinel lymph node removed in territory III. Neck dissection revealed 1 N + R- in the sub-mandibular territory associated with 27 N-R-. The probability of not finding a metastatic node at neck dissection when the sentinel lymph node is not metastatic (negative predictive value) was 92.3% (12/13) (IC (95)=[63.97-99.81]). The specificity of the method was 100%, as was the positive predictive value, because no sentinel node was diagnosed positive wrongly on frozen sections among patients without true histological node metastasis. DISCUSSION: For routine care of patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oropharynx detection of the sentinel lymph node is proposed primarily for patients with T1T2N0 staging. Larger tumors can modify the architecture and flow within the lymphatic ducts, and consequently even the concept of a sentinel lymph node. Systematic neck dissection is required or T3T4, even when N0. Our series of T1T2N0 tumors is too small to enable statistically significant conclusions. A low level of false-negative in a larger series would be necessary to propose this technique instead of convention neck dissection for T1T2 tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Gunshot wounds: reconstruction of the lower face by osteogenic distraction.

BACKGROUND: Although osteogenic distraction is a well-established technique, the distraction device still needs to be improved, miniaturized, and made lighter, more flexible, and more adaptable for mandibular reconstruction in adults with gunshot wounds. The authors successively used unidirectional and bidirectional devices, followed by a bone transporter with a horseshoe-shaped trammel. The trammel system was then replaced by an endless screw, and finally by a customized endless screw. METHODS: Eleven adult patients with gunshot injuries underwent mandibular reconstruction using osteogenic distraction with an external device. RESULTS: An average bone gain of 79 mm was achieved. No infectious complications were observed. The authors encountered equipment problems during the study, requiring a change of material. The mean duration of mandibular distraction was 3.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction of bone fragments facilitates the simultaneous expansion of soft tissues, avoiding free or pedicled myocutaneous flaps, for soft-tissue reconstruction. The alveolar ridge with the attached gum is also recreated by distraction, allowing dental reconstruction by osseointegrated implants.