Emergency maxillofacial radiology. Foreign body localization: report of cases.

Successful emergency removal of foreign bodies of the maxillofacial complex depends on the surgeon's ability to perform exact location procedures. In hospitals and/or offices where advanced imaging technologies are not available, the attendant clinician has to use and rely on variations of conventional radiographic techniques in order to complement the diagnosis and locate the foreign body. Three cases are presented where unconventional radiographic techniques were used, leading to successful surgical removal of foreign bodies.

Frontalis musculocutaneous island flap for coverage of forehead defect.

The use of the frontalis musculocutaneous flap as a pedicle island flap offers some advantages in frontal reconstruction. It can be used for immediate reconstruction following the ablation of a small or moderate area, even after harvesting of the frontal flap for nasal reconstruction. Because of its intact lateral bundle, it has the potential to carry some sensory innervation, albeit minimal, to the reconstructed area. We have found the frontalis musculocutaneous flap, when used as a pedicle island flap, to be an adaptable and dependable alternative flap for repairs after small or moderate resections in the frontal region. This flap could be performed immediately and in one stage, have a low morbidity rate, and allow a rapid aesthetic restoration; and, it is easy to perform. In two cases, we have observed some degree of venous congestion in the island during the early postoperative period but with success in final healing. The experience demonstrates that this flap should be considered as another valuable tool in reconstructive efforts directed at the forehead. We propose a novel method for the forehead reconstruction using the frontalis musculocutaneous island flap. A case is presented that demonstrates the use of this flap for repair in a depressed frontal defect.