Surgical Management of Severe Mandibular Actinomycosis: Segmental Mandibulectomy and Fibula Free Flap for Optimal Outcomes.

Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, granulomatous bacterial infection primarily associated with Actinomyces israelii. The condition can be categorized into three distinct clinical types based on the affected anatomical region: cervicofacial, pulmonary, or abdominopelvic actinomycosis. The standard treatment for actinomycosis involves antibiotic therapy, with an empiric penicillin regimen as the first-line approach. Surgical interventions comprise curettage of the affected bone, resection of necrotic tissues, excision of existing sinus tracts, and drainage of abscesses. These procedures are considered a last resort for cases of actinomycosis unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. In this context, we present a case of severely unresponsive actinomycosis that necessitated aggressive surgical resection of the infected mandibular bone, followed by immediate reconstruction using a fibula-free flap. The outcome yielded both favorable functional and aesthetic results.

Refining reconstructive arsenal: Free omental flap with autologous bone graft for complex craniofacial defects after tumor resection and frontal osteoradionecrosis.

Skull osteoradionecrosis may happen after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Here in, the authors present a case of intracranial carcinoma with osteoradionecrosis and exposure of frontal bone with a large communication between nasal cavity and anterior fossa associated. The patient was successfully treated with resection of the tumor and reconstruction omentum free flap wrapped around autologous bone graft.

Severe Soft Tissue Loss on Dorsum of the Foot with Irreparable Hallucis Extensors: An Orthoplastic Reconstruction Case Report.

CASE: A motorcycle accident resulted in severe soft tissue loss on the foot's dorsum with irreparable hallucis extensors, with exposure of the first metatarsal and hallux. An arthrodesis of the hallux interphalangeal joint, a transfer of the second toe's extensor digitorum longus, and an anterolateral thigh free flap were performed simultaneously. The patient obtained a fair result and could wear regular shoes. DISCUSSION: This is the first report describing this orthoplastic reconstructive option in these complex injuries. It replenished both hallux extensor tendons and soft tissue coverage losses without severely compromising the foot's contour, recreating anatomy and function.

Stylomandibular False Ankylosis: An Unusual Complication After Vascularized Iliac Crest Flap for Mandibular Reconstruction.

Stylomandibular fusion is a poorly documented and rare complication of maxillofacial surgical procedures. This case report describes a patient presenting with stylomandibular false ankylosis following mandibular reconstruction. A 59-year-old female patient underwent segmental mandibular resection and reconstruction for a defect resulting from ameloblastoma surgery using an iliac crest free flap. A styloid fracture was detected postoperatively, and the patient was managed conservatively. In the third postoperative year, the patient presented with marked limitation of oral gape. A diagnosis of stylomandibular false ankylosis was made, and the patient underwent an ostectomy of the aberrant bone, with improved mouth opening. The abnormal union between the styloid process and the mandible is a previously unreported complication in the use of iliac crest free flaps. This case report emphasizes the importance of being vigilant for stylomandibular false ankylosis, especially when there is a restriction of oral aperture postoperatively following reconstructive procedures involving bone flaps.

Acute Impact of Cancer Treatment on Head and Neck Cancer Patients: FIT4TREATMENT.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment's toxicities impact several health domains. Exercise training (ET) may be beneficial. This prospective observational study (NCT04996147) aimed to analyse the acute impact of HNC curative multimodal treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), nutritional status, physical and cognitive functions, and ET preferences. Eighteen patients with stage III/IV HNC were evaluated at baseline (T0), and 10 patients were evaluated at the end of treatment (T1), 7 of them after radical chemoradiotherapy (rCRT). At T0, the majority referred a good HRQoL on the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (median score: 70.8), were moderately malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (78%), recognized the benefits of an ET program, and were willing to participate (78%). After rCRT, there was worsening in HRQoL (75 vs. 50 score, p = 0.014), dysphagia severity (Eating Assessment Tool: 7 vs. 31, p = 0.027; Functional Oral Intake Scale: 6 vs. 4, p = 0.041), handgrip strength (dominant: 40.9 vs. 35.8 kgf, p = 0.027; nondominant: 37.2 vs. 33.9 kgf, p = 0.043), and nutritional status (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment: 7 vs. 18, p = 0.028). HNC patients subjected to radical treatment represent a vulnerable population that might benefit from multimodal supportive care strategies including an ET program.

A new pattern of cranial nerve injuries caused by unfavorable fractures during Le Fort I osteotomy.

Cranial nerve injury is a described complication of Le Fort I osteotomy technique. The authors present the case of a 45-year-old patient that underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and suffered unfavorable skull base fractures, which resulted in cranial nerve injury of the II, III, IV, V, and VI nerves on the left side and of the V nerve on the right side, through different mechanisms. One of the mechanisms was cavernous sinus thrombosis, which was never described following Le Fort I technique in a non-cleft patient. The fracture pattern involved the foramen ovale and Meckel's cave, which was also never described after this technique. The resolution of the deficits at the final follow-up at 14 months was incomplete. Le Fort I osteotomy technique is considered a safe technique to correct dentofacial deformities, but serious complications can occur. Pterygomaxillary disjunction and down-fracture must be performed with the utmost care to avoid it.

Colgajo sural medial en la reconstrucción de miembro inferior / Medial sural artery perforator flap in lower extremity reconstruction

Introducción y objetivo: El colgajo de perforante de arterial medial sural (MSAP- medial sural artery perforator) fue descrito con un refinamiento del colgajo gastrocnemio medial. A pesar de su reciente historia, demuestra ventajas e indicaciones, principalmente en la reconstrucción de miembro inferior.Presentamos una serie retrospectiva de pacientes con defectos de tejidos blandos de miembro inferior reconstruidos con colgajo MSAP.Material y método.Presentamos 10 pacientes operados entre 2013 y 2018, 6 hombres y 4 mujeres, con edades entre los 27 y los 86 años.La principal etiología de los defectos fue traumática. Los defectos localizados entre el tercio distal del muslo y el tercio proximal de la pierna fueron cubiertos con colgajos pediculados, y los defectos distales con colgajos libres.Resultados.Las dimensiones medias de los colgajos fueron 6.35 cm de anchura por 10.9 cm de longitude y 9.9 cm de longitude del pedículo. Todos los colgajos menos 1 fueron elevados con una sola perforante.Excepto 1 caso de pérdida parcial del colgajo, no hubo complicaciones a corto plazo. Dos pacientes precisaron cobertura con injerto del área donante y el resto fueron cerrados directamente.El seguimiento medio fue de 22.8 meses y no hubo complicaciones en el área donante. Obtuvimos un cierre estable y estéticamente acceptable en todos los casos.Conclusiones.El colgajo MSAP es un colgajo fasciocutaneo fino y plegable que provee tejido similar al área del defecto con minima morbilidad del área donante.Sus características menos positivas incluyen una potencialmente laboriosa disección intramuscular y la posibilidad de congestion venosa ocasional. A pesar de ello, los buenos resultados y la satisfacción de los pacientes lo convierte en una elección apropiada en casos seleccionados de reconstrucción del miembro inferior. (AU)

Background and objective: The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap was first described as a refinement of the medial gastrocnemius flap. Despite its recent history, it has already proven to have several advantages and indications, namely in lower extremity reconstruction.The authors present a retrospective case series with lower limb soft-tissue defects which were reconstructed with the MSAP flap.Methods.Between 2013 and 2018, 10 patients were operated on: 6 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 27 to 86 years.The main etiology of the defects was traumatic injury. The defects located between the distal third of the thigh and the proximal third of the leg were covered with pediculated flaps while the distal defects were covered with free flaps.Results.The mean flap dimensions were 6.35 cm width, 10.9 cm length, and 9.9 cm pedicle length. All flaps except 1 were raised with a single perforator.Apart from 1 case of partial free-flap loss, there were no short-term complications. Two patients required skin grafting of the donor site while the remaining were closed directly.The mean follow-up time was 22.8 months and there were no donor site complaints. A stable and aesthetically satisfactory coverage was obtained in all cases.Conclusions.The MSAP flap is a thin and pliable fasciocutaneous flap that can provide “like-with-like” tissue with minor donor site morbidity in lower limb reconstruction. Less positive characteristics include a potential laborious intramuscular dissection and occasional venous congestion. Still, the good results and satisfaction of the patients make this a wise choice in selected cases. (AU)

Versatilidad del colgajo famm para la cobertura de defectos intraorales / Versatility of the famm flap in intraoral reconstruction / Versatilidade do retalho FAMM na cobertura de defeitos intra-orais

Introducción y Objetivo: El colgajo FAMM (colgajo músculo-mucoso de arteria facial) descrito en 1992 por Pribaz y col, es un colgajo intraoral basado en la arteria facial, compuesto por mucosa oral, submucosa, músculo bucinador, arteria facial y por el plexo venoso correspondiente y puede ser de base inferior (flujo anterógrado) o superior (flujo retrógrado). Es un colgajo versátil que se puede usar en la reconstrucción de defectos de múltiples localizaciones (paladar, lengua o suelo de boca). Con este trabajo pretendemos demostrar su utilidad en la reconstrucción de diferentes defectos intraorales. Material y Método: Presentamos 3 casos en lo que empleamos el colgajo FAMM para reconstrucción intraoral: un paciente con anquiloglosia cicatricial secuela de carcinoma de suelo de boca, un paciente con fístula de paladar secuela de resección tumoral, y un paciente con exposición intraoral de arco mandibular por osteonecrosis secundaria a bifosfonatos. Resultados: Todos los colgajos sobrevivieron al 100% y permitieron una cobertura estable y duradera, con ausencia de complicaciones mayores. Conclusiones: El colgajo FAMM permite la reconstrucción de defectos intraorales y periorales con tejido bien vascularizado y de idénticas características a las de la zona a reconstruir, con baja morbilidad de la zona donante, lo que lo convierte en una excelente opción reconstructiva para defectos de esta región anatómica

Background and Objective: The facial artery musculo-mucosal (FAMM) flap, first described by Pribaz et al. in 1992, is an intraoral flap based on the facial artery. It is composed of mucosa, submucosa, buccinator muscle and the facial artery along with its venous plexus. The design of the flap can be inferiorly-based and rely on antegrade blood flow or superiorly-based with retrograde flow. The FAMM flap is a versatile flap that can be used for the reconstruction of defects of multiple locations (palate, lips, tongue, and floor of the mouth). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the utility of the FAMM flap in the reconstruction of different intraoral defects. Methods: In this article the authors present 3 cases in which the FAMM flap was used for intraoral reconstruction: one patient with a history of ankyloglossia sequelae of a squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth; one patient with a palatal fistula sequelae of tumor excision; and one patient with a biphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the mandible. Results: All flaps survived and provided a stable and reliable coverage of the defect. There were no major complications. Conclusions: The FAMM flap is a well vascularized flap that replaces like with like tissue. Because of its low morbidity, low rate of complications and reliable results, the FAMM flap is an excellent option for reconstruction of small to moderate intra-oral defects

Introdução e Objetivo: O retalho FAMM (facial artery musculo-mucosal flap), descrito em 1992 por Pribaz et al., é um retalho intra-oral baseado na artéria facial. É composto por mucosa oral, submucosa, músculo bucinador, artéria facial e pelo plexo venoso correspondente, podendo basear-se inferior (fluxo anterógrado) ou superiormente (fluxo retrógrado). É um retalho versátil que pode ser utilizado nareconstrução de defeitos em múltiplas localizações (palato, lábio, língua, pavimento da boca). Com este trabalho pretende-se demonstrar a utilidade do retalho FAMM na reconstrução de diferentes defeitos intra-orais. Material e Métodos: Os autores apresentam 3 casos em que se utilizou o retalho FAMM para reconstrução intra-oral: um doente com anquiloglossia cicatricial sequelar de carcinoma do pavimento da boca; uma doente com uma fístula do palato sequela de excisão tumoral; e um doente com exposição intra-oral do arco mandibular anterior por osteonecrose secundária a bifosfonatos. Resultados: Todos os retalhos sobreviveram a 100% e permitiram uma cobertura estável e duradoura, na ausência de complicações major. Conclusão: O retalho FAMM permite a reconstrução de defeitos intra e peri-orais com tecido bem vascularizado e de características idênticas à zona a reconstruir, com baixa morbilidade da zona dadora, o que o torna uma excelente opção reconstrutiva para defeitos desta região anatómica

Three-Dimensional Printing: Custom-Made Implants for Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery.

Craniomaxillofacial reconstructive surgery is a challenging field. First it aims to restore primary functions and second to preserve craniofacial anatomical features like symmetry and harmony. Three-dimensional (3D) printed biomodels have been widely adopted in medical fields by providing tactile feedback and a superior appreciation of visuospatial relationship between anatomical structures. Craniomaxillofacial reconstructive surgery was one of the first areas to implement 3D printing technology in their practice. Biomodeling has been used in craniofacial reconstruction of traumatic injuries, congenital disorders, tumor removal, iatrogenic injuries (e.g., decompressive craniectomies), orthognathic surgery, and implantology. 3D printing has proven to improve and enable an optimization of preoperative planning, develop intraoperative guidance tools, reduce operative time, and significantly improve the biofunctional and the aesthetic outcome. This technology has also shown great potential in enriching the teaching of medical students and surgical residents. The aim of this review is to present the current status of 3D printing technology and its practical and innovative applications, specifically in craniomaxillofacial reconstructive surgery, illustrated with two clinical cases where the 3D printing technology was successfully used.

Microsurgical reconstruction of the maxilla: Algorithm and concepts.

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this article is to highlight free tissue transfers as the first-choice method for three-dimensional (3D) maxillary reconstruction, particularly in providing enough bone for palate and maxillary arch reconstruction and consequently an implant-retained prosthesis. To achieve this, the myosseous free iliac crest was selected whenever possible as the first choice inside the reconstructive algorithm and free flap armamentarium. A new maxillectomy classification and algorithm reconstruction are proposed. Technical modifications and improvements accomplished over time are discussed, considering palate, dental implants and prosthesis, nasal sidewall, cranial base and dura, as well as recipient vessels. We present functional and aesthetic outcomes of the senior author's past 24-year experience (H. C.) with complex midface reconstructions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors report and analyse a 24-year experience with 57 midface defects in 54 patients (30 males and 24 females). A total of 57 maxillary defects - classified as Class I (limited maxillectomy) = 12, Class II (subtotal maxillectomy) = 15, Class III (total maxillectomy) = 19 and Class IV (orbitomaxillectomy) = 11 - were analysed regarding sex, age, tumour recurrence, free flap, reconstruction and necrosis. In addition, functional outcomes were evaluated regarding diet, speech, globe position and vision, while aesthetic outcomes were evaluated by patient and surgeon scores. RESULTS: A total of 52 free flaps were performed in 47 patients; three patients were operated upon twice; and two other patients needed two sequentially linked flow-through flaps. The free flap survival was 96% with two total flap losses (4%). The other seven patients were fitted with a soft tissue-retained obturator prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical vascularised osteomyocutaneous free flaps are actually the gold standard for reconstruction of complex defects following maxillectomy. This algorithm is based on the anatomofunctional defect of the maxilla and it facilitates flap selection, which is a must.

Computer simulation of breast reduction surgery.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgery of the breast, particularly breast reduction, is considered difficult. It can become a challenge for a less experienced surgeon to understand exactly what to do when facing a particular type of breast and how to avoid unsatisfactory results. METHODS: The goal of this study was to create a computer model of the breast that provides a basis for the simulation of breast surgery, particularly breast reduction. The reconstruction of elastic parameters is based on observations of the breast with the patient in different positions. RESULTS: It is shown that several measurements with the patient in different positions allow one to choose the parameters of the model and determine the elastic coefficients of the breast and the skin. The geometry of the breast before and after surgery is simulated. A qualitative study of the incision parameters' influence on the final geometry of the breast is presented. CONCLUSION: The developed methodology and software allow one to estimate the form of the breast after the surgery by knowing its form before surgery and taking into consideration the parameters of incision applied by the surgeon at the time of surgery. The described approach can be used for the qualitative and quantitative study of breast reduction surgery with a satisfactory result. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

Bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the neonate with pierre robin sequence and airway obstruction: a primary option.

Children with craniofacial abnormalities associated with retromicrognathia and glossoptosis often have compromised upper airway flow. In severe cases, emergency intubation is necessary immediately after birth, and tracheostomy is advocated to manage the airway in the neonatal period and to allow for feeding. Early intervention with bilateral mandibular osteogenesis avoids the need for tracheostomy, along with its complications, and it targets the primary etiologic factor of the problem-the anomalous anatomy of the mandible. We report two neonates with severe Pierre Robin sequence managed with bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis on day 9 and day 11 of life. The surgical techniques and distraction and consolidation periods were similar apart from the distraction devices used. The procedures were successful with early extubation (day 5 and day 7), oral feeding tolerance (day 11 and day 13) and hospital discharge (day 19 and day 18). Total mandibular distraction was 19 mm and 23.45 mm, respectively. No major complications were reported. Medium to long-term results were good. Bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the neonate is a safe and accurate procedure and is the primary option in cases of selected severe Pierre Robin sequence.

The posterior interosseous flap - a prime technique in hand reconstruction. The experience of 100 anatomical dissections and 102 clinical cases.

Based on our experience of 102 clinical cases and 100 anatomical dissections, we have assessed the indications for the posterior interosseous flap in reconstruction of the hand. Large fasciocutaneous island flaps can be harvested, even when the radial or ulnar pedicles are damaged. One real advantage is that the posterior interosseous artery is a vessel of secondary importance for hand vascularisation. Fasciocutaneous and osteofasciocutaneous island distally based flaps can be tailored. The major indications are reconstruction of the first web space up to the interphalangeal joint of the thumb, dorsal hand defects up to the metacarpal joints and large defects on the palm-ulnar border of the hand. It is, therefore, a primary weapon amongst hand reconstruction techniques.