Enrico Foresta

Pleomorphic adenoma and benign parotid tumors: extracapsular dissection vs superficial parotidectomy—review of literature and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE This study compared extracapsular dissection (ED) vs superficial parotidectomy (SP) in the treatment of pleomorphic adenoma and benign parotid tumors. STUDY DESIGN The research covered the years 1950-2011 in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. Of 1152 articles screened, 123 studies met the inclusion criteria. A review of the nomenclature of the different parotid surgery techniques was done. Recurrence rate, permanent facial nerve paralysis, and Frey syndrome of patients who underwent ED vs those who underwent SP were compared by meta-analysis. RESULTS Our meta-analysis data comparing ED and SP found that: (1) the recurrence rate is higher in patients treated with SP; (2) SP has a higher incidence of cranial nerve VII paralysis; and (3) Frey syndrome is more common after SP. CONCLUSIONS ED may be a viable option in the treatment of unilateral benign parotid tumors of the superficial lobe, sized less than 4 cm, without involvement of the facial nerve.

Experience in the Management of Frontal Sinus Fractures

International guidelines for frontal sinus fractures, dealing with the indication of surgical treatment, obliteration of the frontal sinus, drainage, and cranialization, may differ. In this work, we describe our experience with frontal traumas, analyzing indications, type of treatment, and outcomes by reviewing all data of 112 patients treated for frontal fractures at the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Università degli studi di Roma Sapienza. We reviewed all clinical and surgical records of patients with traumatic frontal injury treated from 1997 to September 2008. Patients presenting displaced fractures of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus were treated through skin laceration, if existing, or through a coronal approach and fixed with rigid internal devices. Patients with fracture of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus underwent frontal sinus cranialization with galea pericranium pedicled flap to prevent eventful septic complications. Follow-up controls documented that 98 of 112 patients showed no neurologic impairment, no symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid leak, and no other complications after 6 months and 1 and 5 years when follow-up was possible. In the international literature, there is wide agreement about indications dealing with displaced fractures of the anterior wall, although there is a lively debate about posterior wall treatment. In our 10-year experience, the protocol we carried out showed satisfying outcomes, in particular, on the morphofunctional recovery and aesthetic results.

Vertical distraction osteogenesis combined with bilateral 2-step osteotomy for preprosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous mandible.

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to appraise the effectiveness of distraction osteogenesis combined with bilateral 2-step osteotomy for the vertical augmentation of atrophic edentulous mandibles.To verify the predictability of this technique, we evaluated bone density and vertical bone gain of a cohort of 27 patients.The intraoral alveolar distractor was placed in the symphyseal area; then, it was left in situ for 2 months after surgery to consolidate the newly formed bone. A total of 189 implants were inserted. The main complications’ issue was tied up to the neurosensory disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve, which disappeared few months after the surgery.At the end of the distraction osteogenesis, a mean vertical bone gain of 10.5 mm evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative computed tomography was reached. Three months after the surgery, the radiologic data indicated that the difference in the mean bone density, recorded in Hounsfield units (HU), between the distracted bone and the preexisting mandibular bone was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The last measurements done showed that the osseous density in the distraction chamber was higher than the original medullary bone density: the regenerated bones were more dense (876.8 [205.9] HU) than the preexisting medullary bone (312.1 [142.3] HU) and less dense than the preexisting cortical bone (1721.1 [170.4] HU) at the ninth month.In conclusion, this approach appeared to be a viable solution for the improvement of vertical volume in atrophic mandibles.

Long Term Follow-Up in Inferior Alveolar Nerve Transposition: Our Experience

Introduction. Inferior alveolar nerve transposition (IANT) is a surgical technique used in implantoprosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic lower jaw which has not been well embraced because of the high risk of damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). There are cases in which this method is essential to obtain good morphologic and functional rebalancing of the jaw. In this paper, the authors present their experience with IANT, analyzing the various situations in which IANT is the only surgical preprosthetic option. Methods. Between 2003 and 2011, 35 patients underwent surgical IANT at our center. Thermal and physical sensitivity were evaluated in each patient during follow-up. The follow-up ranged from 14 to 101 months. Results and Conclusion. Based on our experience, absolute indications of IANT are as follows: (1) class IV, V, or VI of Cawood and Howell with extrusion of the antagonist tooth and reduced prosthetic free space; (2) class V or VI of Cawood and Howell with presence of interforaminal teeth; (3) class V or VI of Cawood and Howell if patient desires fast implantoprosthetic rehabilitation with predictable outcomes; (4) class VI of Cawood and Howell when mandibular height increase with inlay grafts is advisable.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Obstructive Airway Adult Test for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Rationale. The gold standard for the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is polysomnography, whose access is however reduced by costs and limited availability, so that additional diagnostic tests are needed. Objectives. To analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the Obstructive Airway Adult Test (OAAT) compared to polysomnography for the diagnosis of OSA in adult patients. Methods. Ninety patients affected by OSA verified with polysomnography (AHI ≥ 5) and ten healthy patients, randomly selected, were included and all were interviewed by one blind examiner with OAAT questions. Measurements and Main Results. The Spearman rho, evaluated to measure the correlation between OAAT and polysomnography, was 0.72 (p < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve (95% CI) was the parameter to evaluate the accuracy of the OAAT: it was 0.91 (0.81–1.00) for the diagnosis of OSA (AHI ≥ 5), 0.90 (0.82–0.98) for moderate OSA (AHI ≥ 15), and 0.84 (0.76–0.92) for severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30). Conclusions. The OAAT has shown a high correlation with polysomnography and also a high diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of OSA. It has also been shown to be able to discriminate among the different degrees of severity of OSA. Additional large studies aiming to validate this questionnaire as a screening or diagnostic test are needed.

Intracortical Versus Anteromedial Approach for Iliac Crest Bone Harvesting in Preprosthetic Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial

PurposeThe aim of this study was evaluate the morbidity after anterior iliac crest bone harvesting by comparison of 2 approaches: medial and intracortical. Patients and MethodsBetween April 2006 and February 2010, 73 consecutive subjects underwent anterior iliac crest bone harvesting. The sample was divided in 2 groups: 37 subjects treated with the medial approach and 36 with the intracortical approach. Patients were monitored during their hospital stay, considering the postoperative complications, the analgesic requirements, resumption of the ambulation, and length of stay. Postoperative controls were performed at 7, 14, and 30 days 6 and 12 months after surgery. A questionnaire on patient’s satisfaction and complaints was released. ResultsThe 2 approaches resulted in significant statistical differences in 3 areas: the average time of operation, recovery of gait capabilities, and duration of the postsurgical pain were lower when intracortical approach was used. Discussion and ConclusionThe low postsurgical morbidity can be related to the minimal muscular detachment, and the risk of fracture is reduced. Bone wax is not necessary for the hemostasis. We consider intracortical approach to be ideal in the case of selected transversal maxillary atrophies.PURPOSE The aim of this study was evaluate the morbidity after anterior iliac crest bone harvesting by comparison of 2 approaches: medial and intracortical. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between April 2006 and February 2010, 73 consecutive subjects underwent anterior iliac crest bone harvesting. The sample was divided in 2 groups: 37 subjects treated with the medial approach and 36 with the intracortical approach. Patients were monitored during their hospital stay, considering the postoperative complications, the analgesic requirements, resumption of the ambulation, and length of stay. Postoperative controls were performed at 7, 14, and 30 days 6 and 12 months after surgery. A questionnaire on patients satisfaction and complaints was released. RESULTS The 2 approaches resulted in significant statistical differences in 3 areas: the average time of operation, recovery of gait capabilities, and duration of the postsurgical pain were lower when intracortical approach was used. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The low postsurgical morbidity can be related to the minimal muscular detachment, and the risk of fracture is reduced. Bone wax is not necessary for the hemostasis. We consider intracortical approach to be ideal in the case of selected transversal maxillary atrophies.

Evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric patients with facio-craniostenosis: a brief communication

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate our experience in treating cranio-maxillo-mandibular malformations with hypoplasia of the upper and middle third of the face. We wished to determine a new diagnostic path involving a new clinical questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) evaluation, which we have developed by merging existing tests, literature findings, and our clinical experience to obtain a high level of information with minimal cost. This questionnaire is an improvement of the other anamnestic tests in the literature.MethodsThe study was carried out on 17 pediatric patients affected by syndromic craniofacial malformations and treated with surgical advancement of the middle third of the face, associated with or without upper third advancement, through osteodistraction. We used the obstructive airway child test (OACT) for clinical evaluation. The OACT is an OSA assessment test based on questions proposed to the patient’s relatives. All patients underwent polysomnography for instrumental assessment of OSA. These patients were also required to have a computed tomography scan for surgical planning. At the start of the treatment, 11 patients had severe OSA, 4 patients had moderate OSA, and 2 patients had slight OSA.ResultsAt the end of the treatment, 6 patients had slight OSA and 11 patients had no OSA; these data were confirmed with OACT and polysomnography.ConclusionsBased on our results, we suggest the following flowchart: OACT for OSA clinical evaluation; CT scan for evaluation of the volume of the rhinoropharyngeal air column, anatomical obstruction detection, and surgical planning; and polysomnography for diagnostic confirmation.

Ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla: A case report and an updated review of the literature

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is an uncommon malignant odontogenic tumor that can be difficult to differentiate from ameloblastoma and can arise directly as an undifferentiated lesion or from a pre-existing benign lesion. The current study presents a novel case of primary maxillary AC and review the literature on AC of the maxilla. The review of the literature indicates that secondary tumors and posterior localization are associated with a higher tendency for recurrence and, often, multiple recurrences. Surgical therapy, eventually followed by radiotherapy, is the treatment modality most frequently applied, while the role of chemotherapy remains unclear. Several new cases of maxillary AC have been recently described in literature, making this pathology more frequent than previously considered; this is perhaps an indication of an increased diagnostic sensibility, rather than a real increase in the incidence of the disease itself.

OSAS surgery and postoperative discomfort: phase I surgery versus phase II surgery.

Introduction. This study aims to investigate the reasons that discourage the patients affected by OSAS to undergo orthognathic surgery and compares the postoperative discomfort of phase I (soft tissue surgery) and phase II (orthognathic surgery) procedures for treatment of OSAS. Material and Methods. A pool of 46 patients affected by OSAS was divided into two groups: “surgery patients” who accepted surgical treatments of their condition and “no surgery patients” who refused surgical procedures. The “surgery patients” group was further subdivided into two arms: patients who accepted phase I procedures (IP) and those who accepted phase II (IIP). To better understand the motivations behind the refusal of II phase procedures, we asked the patients belonging to both the IP group and “no surgery” group to indicate the main reason that influenced their decision to avoid II phase procedures. We also monitored and compared five parameters of postoperative discomfort: pain, painkiller assumption, length of hospitalization, foreign body sensation, and diet assumption following IP and IIP procedures. Results. The main reason to avoid IIP procedures was the concern of a more severe postoperative discomfort. Comparison of the postoperative discomfort following IP versus IIP procedures showed that the former scored worse in 4 out of 5 parameters analyzed. Conclusion. IIP procedures produce less postoperative discomfort. IIP procedures, namely, orthognathic surgery, should be the first choice intervention in patients affected by OSAS and dentoskeletal malformation.

Anterior retrograde approach to the myofascial temporalis muscle for orbital reconstruction: series of 9 consecutive cases.

BackgroundAmong the reconstructive options after orbital exenteration, the temporalis myofascial flap (TMF) has been widely recognized as the one of the best available solutions. We think that the hemicoronal approach to harvest the TMF represents a disadvantage so we adopted a modified approach that we named the anterior retrograde approach to the TMF. MethodsNine patients with malignant orbital tumors underwent orbital exenteration and primary reconstruction with TMF harvested with the anterior retrograde approach. The temporalis muscle was widely exposed through the anterior incision used to perform the orbital exenteration. The harvested flap was then rotated and insetted to fill the orbital cavity. ResultsNeither cases of total/partial flap failure nor local/regional recurrence of tumor were recorded. The technique showed a significant reduction of morbidity, surgical time, and blood loss compared with the traditional technique. ConclusionsWe think that the anterior retrograde approach should be considered as a valid alternative to the traditional hemicoronal approach.