Ah Khan

Interposition arthroplasty in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

We report a series of 60 cases of post- traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis that were treated at our unit from 1992 to 2002 by temporalis fascia flap interposition arthopiasty. Majority of these patients (21 patients, 35%) were in the age group of 15–20 years, with 39 males (65%) and 21 females (35%). The duration of ankylosis varied from 6 months to more than 4 years with 32 patients (54.32%) having a duration of 6 months to 2 years. 44 patients (73.33%) had unilateral white 16 patients (26.67%) had bilateral involvement of temporomandibular joint. Pedicled temporalise fascia axial flap based on superficial temporal artery was used for interpositional arthopiasty. The advantage is that it is available at the operative site, easy to raise, well vascularized, reliable and with better long term results. Adequate mouth opening was achieved in all cases and a long follow up, of up to 10 years for the earlier operated cases, showed no recurrence of ankylosis in any of the patients.

Myopericytoma of lip: A rare lesion in an unusual location

Myopericytoma is a rare benign tumor with perivascular myoid differentiation. It shares histomorpholoic features with the so-called hemangiopericytoma, myofibroma and glomus tumor. We hereby report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with a slowly growing, painless, firm mass on upper lip, diagnosed as myopericytoma on the basis of histopathology and immunohistochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second such reported case.

Modalities of soft-tissue coverage in diabetic foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to establish an algorithm for surgical reconstruction of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this series, 75 patients with diabetic foot ulceration were treated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College from October 2008 to August 2013, and were retrospectively reviewed. All patients in the study underwent surgical reconstruction of the foot in the form of a skin graft, local flaps, or free flaps, depending upon the characteristic of the defect, general condition of the patient, and vascular status of the limb. The medical notes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed according to age, gender, ankle-brachial pressure index, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (37%) underwent skin grafting, 39 (52%) underwent local pedicled flaps, and 8 (11%) underwent free flap transfers. Sixty-eight patients (91%) achieved complete healing, and amputation of the lower extremity could be avoided. With the exception of 1 patient who experienced ulcer recurrence within the following year and 6 patients in whom amputation of the lower extremity was performed, all patients healed completely. The mean hospital stay was 4.0 ± 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: From the results of this study, the authors conclude that radical debridement and soft-tissue cover in the form of a skin graft/flap is an effective method of managing DFUs.

Inferiorly based thigh flap for reconstruction of defects around the knee joint

Background: Soft-tissue defects around the knees are common in injured limbs and in the same injury the leg is often involved and the thigh is spared. Furthermore due to pliable and relatively lax skin, we have used inferiorly based thigh flap to reconstruct defects around knee joint. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of inferiorly based thigh flap to cover soft-tissue defects over the proximal one-third of the leg, patellar region, knee, and lower thigh. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during the period between October 2011 and February 2013. Inferiorly based anteromedial thigh fasciocutaneous flap was performed on 12 patients and inferiorly based anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap on four patients. The sites of the soft-tissue defects included patellar regions, infrapatellar region, upper one-third of leg, lower thigh, and over the knee joint. Results: Patients were evaluated post-operatively in terms of viability of flap, the matching of the flap with the recipient site, and donor site morbidity. All the flaps survived well except one which developed distal marginal flap loss, one in which wound dehiscence was noticed, and two in which mild venous congestion was observed. Venous congestion in two patients subsided on its own within 3 days. One patient with wound dehiscence achieved complete healing by secondary intention. Patient who developed distal flap loss required debridement and skin grafting. No appreciable donor site morbidity was encountered. Skin colour and texture of the flap matched well with the recipient site. Conclusions: The inferiorly based thigh flap is a reliable flap to cover the defect over proximal one-third of the leg, patellar region, knee, and lower thigh.

A large proliferating trichilemmal cyst masquerading as squamous cell carcinoma

Proliferating trichilemmal cyst (PTC), a rare benign tumor, is a fascinating follicular neoplasm. It occurs on head and neck region of elderly women and its histologic hallmark is trichilemmal keratinization. A 70-year-old female presented to skin outpatient department with complaints of a slowly growing mass on scalp for the past 2 years. On examination, the lesion was firm, mobile, painless, and measured 6 × 5 × 3 cm and was not fixed to the underlying bone. Laboratory investigations were unremarkable. Excisional biopsy was done. Histopathology revealed well-demarcated tumor with variably sized lobules of squamous epithelium undergoing an abrupt change into eosinophilic amorphous keratin without granular cell layer (trichilemmal keratinization). PTC should be differentiated from trichilemmal cyst as it has potential for malignant transformation. Thus, complete excision is recommended for all benign proliferating variants owing to their potential for locally aggressive behavior and malignant transformation.

Use of dorsalis pedis artery flap in the coverage of distal lower leg defects

Aim: To evaluate the role of dorsalis pedis artery flap in the coverage of distal lower leg defect. Materials and Methods: a retrospective review of patients who underwent soft tissue coverage over distal lower leg with dorsalis pedis artery flap was performed. A total of 16 patients were identified and included in this study. Soft tissue defects ranged in size from 3 × 7 cm to 6 × 10 cm were located over lower one-third of leg either, anteriorly (n = 8), posteriorly (n = 4), laterally (n = 2), or medially (n = 2). Associated injuries included open fractures of only tibia (n = 5), fibula (n = 2), both tibia and fibula (n = 3), or calcaneum (n = 2). Results: all flaps survived uneventfully except in three cases there was mild venous congestion in the distal part of the flap, two resolved within 4 days without further surgical intervention but one required skin grafting. Three patients developed donor site problems. Wound coverage was achieved in a mean duration of 14 days (range: 11 to 30 days). Conclusion: The dorsalis pedis artery flap is a reliable procedure to cover difficult wound such as distal lower leg.

Burn injury associated with comorbidities: Impact on the outcome

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the impact of comorbidities on the outcome of burn injuries. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 108 patients, treated between August 2010 and July 2013, was carried out. All patients were admitted, assessed and managed. The medical notes on 72 patients with comorbidity (Study group) were analyzed and matched with 36 other patients, without comorbidities (Control group), according to age, gender, and interval time between injury and admission. Information regarding types of burn injuries, depth of burn, comorbidities, operative procedures and final outcome were noted. Results: Patients were evaluated in terms of their duration of stay in the hospital and mortality. The comorbidities that influence these factors are renal disease, liver disease, cancer, pulmonary disorders, cardiac disease, obesity, peripheral vascular disorders, alcohol abuse, smoking and neurological disorders. Conclusion: It was found that the associated comorbid conditions influence the outcome of patients, injured due to burn, in terms of the duration of their stay in the hospital and mortality.

Versatility of Pedicled Tensor Fascia Lata Flap: A Useful and Reliable Technique for Reconstruction of Different Anatomical Districts

Aims and Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the versatility of pedicled tensor fascia lata flap for reconstruction of various anatomical regions. Materials and Methods. In this retrospective study a total of 34 patients with defects over various anatomical regions were included. The defects were located over the trochanter (n = 12), groin (n = 8), perineum (n = 6), lower anterior abdomen (n = 6), gluteal region (n = 1), and ischial region (n = 1). The etiology of defects included trauma (n = 12), infection (n = 8), pressure sores (n = 8), and malignancy (n = 6). Reconstruction was performed using pedicled tensor fascia lata flaps. Patients were evaluated in terms of viability of the flap and donor site morbidity. The technical details of the operative procedure have also been outlined. Results. All the flaps survived well except 5 patients in which minor complications were noted and 1 who experienced complete flap loss. Of those with minor complications, 1 patient developed distal marginal necrosis and 1 developed infection which subsided within three days by dressings and antibiotics and in 2 patients partial loss of the skin graft occurred at the donor site out of which 1 required regrafting and another one healed completely with dressing and antibiotics. All the patients were followed up for an average period of 6 months, ranging from 1 to 12 months. Donor site morbidity was minimal. Conclusion. It was concluded that the pedicled tensor fascia lata flap is a versatile, reliable, easy, and less time consuming procedure for the coverage of defects around trochanter, groin, lower anterior abdomen, perineum, and ischial region.

Cellular schwannoma masquerading as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour: a diagnostic dilemma.

We present a case of a 15-year-old girl with a pulsatile, rapidly enlarging mass at the root of the nose suspected to be malignant. Excisional biopsy showed worrisome histological features; however, a final diagnosis of cellular schwannoma was reached excluding the possibility of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour by histological and immunohistochemical attributes. Cellular schwannoma, a pseudosarcomatous entity, is a rare benign neoplasm that may cause bone erosion and may be mistaken for a malignancy, clinically and histologically. Diagnosis of cellular schwannoma is essential to prevent mismanagement as it never metastasises and responds to local excision as opposed to aggressive treatment required by a malignant neoplasm.

Neurofibroma of parotid.

Tumours of neurogenic origin are rare in parotid gland. The authors are presenting here a case of neurofibroma in a 40-year-male who presented with slow growing tumour in preauricular region of 1 year duration.