Fabiana Allevi

Extraoral approach to mandibular condylar fractures: our experience with 100 cases.

INTRODUCTION Mandibular condylar fractures are very common. The current literature contains many indications and methods of treatment. Extraoral approaches are complicated by the need to avoid injury to the facial nerve. On the other hand intraoral approaches can make fracture reduction and/or fixation difficult. The mini-retromandibular approach provides an excellent view of the surgical field, minimises the risk of injury to the facial nerve, and allows rapid and easy management of condylar fractures. We have collected and reviewed our first 100 condylar fractures treated by means of a mini-retromandibular approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 2006 and June 2012, Eighty-seven patients with extracapsular condylar fractures underwent open reduction and rigid fixation for 100 extracapsular condylar fractures via a mini-retromandibular approach. RESULTS Dental occlusion and anatomic reduction were restored in all 100 condylar fractures. Postoperative infection developed in three patients. There was one sialocele and one case of plate fracture. Four patients experienced transient palsy of the buccal branch of the facial nerve. No permanent deficit of any facial nerve branch was observed. No patient showed condylar head resorption. CONCLUSIONS Our experience with the treatment of the first 100 condylar fractures using the mini-retromandibular approach has demonstrated that this technique has allowed the Authors to safely manage extracapsular condylar fractures at all levels.

Partial and Total Lower Lid Reconstruction: Our Experience with 41 Cases

Purpose: To report our experience on lid reconstruction in patients with epitheliomas. Methods: A total of 41 consecutive patients affected by basal cell (n = 32) or squamous cell carcinoma (n = 9) underwent partial (n = 35) or total (n = 6) surgical demolition of the lower lid. Surgical defects <25% (n = 10) received direct closure. If the defect involved 30–60% of the eyelid (n = 21), a Tenzel semicircular flap or lateral advancement flap with a free mucosal graft was used. If the entire lid or a major part of the outer lamella had to be reconstructed (n = 10), a cheek advancement flap was used, with a free mucosal graft if the posterior lamella was involved. The success rates and the cosmetic and functional results were evaluated. Results: All 21 flaps used for partial reconstruction remained viable, whereas 1 of the 10 cheek flaps developed partial distal necrosis. Of the 27 mucosal grafts, 2 had to be removed for total necrosis, and 2 developed partial necrosis. In all cases, normal lid function and acceptable cosmetic results were obtained. Complications occurring in 4 cases (1 ectropion and 3 epiphora) were successfully managed with appropriate surgical procedures. Conclusions: Local flaps are the gold standard for lower lid reconstruction as they are highly reliable and guarantee optimal results. The technical details described in this study can help in achieving such results.

Eyelid reanimation, neurotisation, and transplantation of the cornea in a patient with facial palsy

Patients affected by facial palsy suffer from failure to fully close the eyelids; the resulting eye exposure can lead to dry eye syndrome, loss of epithelial integrity, corneal ulceration and infections. Corneal anaesthesia exacerbates risk of corneal damage in these patients. Eyelid paralysis-associated corneal lesions may induce severe visual impairment, for which the ideal treatment is corneal transplantation, a procedure contraindicated in patients with corneal sensitivity and inadequate eyelid closure. We present the case of a patient affected by unilateral facial palsy associated with corneal anaesthesia, due to seventh and fifth cranial nerve damage following homolateral eighth cranial nerve surgery. The patient underwent surgery to re-establish eyelid and corneal competence, and then received a corneal graft with consequent amelioration of visual acuity. This is the first case of associated corneal anaesthesia and facial palsy that was comprehensively treated with a set of surgical procedures, including a corneal transplant.

Double-bellied latissimus dorsi free flap to correct full dental smile palsy

A 45-year-old woman with left facial palsy presented to our department. She developed the condition after radical resection of a neurinoma of the homolateral VIII cranial nerve 2 years prior. On physical examination, a complete palsy of the lower third of the face was reported. Electromyographic examination showed no fibrillation potentials in mimic muscles. A latissimus dorsi muscle free flap (6 cm×3 cm), split into two bellies linked by their own neurovascular pedicle, was used to restore full-mouth smile. Ten years after surgery, the patient showed a near-natural smile without need of any ancillary procedure.

Immediate facial reanimation in oncological parotid surgery with neurorrhaphy of the masseteric-thoracodorsal-facial nerve branch

The extracranial facial nerve may be sacrificed together with the parotid gland during a radical parotidectomy, and immediate reconstruction of the facial nerve is essential to maintain at least part of its function. We report five patients who had had radical parotidectomy (two with postoperative radiotherapy) and immediate (n=3) or recent (n=2) reconstructions of the masseteric-thoracodorsal-facial nerve branch. The first mimetic musculature movements started 6.2 (range 4-8.5) months postoperatively. At 24 months postoperatively clinical evaluation (modified House-Brackmann classification) showed grade V (n=3), grade IV (n=1), and grade III (n=1) repairs. This first clinical series of masseteric-thoracodorsal-facial nerve neurorrhaphies has given encouraging results, and the technique should be considered as an option for immediate or recent reconstruction of branches of the facial nerve, particularly when its trunk is not available for proximal neurorrhaphy.

Repair of cocaine-related oronasal fistula with forearm radial free flap.

Background Cocaine snorting may cause significant local ischemic necrosis and the destruction of nasal and midfacial bones and soft tissues, leading to the development of a syndrome called cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion. A review of the English-language literature reveals only a few articles describing the treatment of hard and/or soft palatal perforation related to cocaine inhalation. Described here are 4 patients with a history of cocaine abuse showing palatal lesions. Materials and Methods From 2010 to 2013, a total of 4 patients affected by cocaine-related midline destructive lesions were referred to our department. They all presented signs of a cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion. They showed wide midfacial destruction involving the nasal septum as well as the hard and soft palates causing an ample oronasal communication. Results In 3 patients, oronasal communication has been treated successfully using a personal technique based on a partially de-epithelialized forearm free flap. The fourth patient had been treated only with local debridement because, when she came to our attention, her abusive habits were still unsolved. Discussion Different surgical options have been reported such as local, regional, and free flaps for hard and soft palate reconstruction. However, because of an unpredictable vascularization of the palatal tissues and owing to the scarceness of the local soft tissues, local flaps are at high risk for partial and complete failure. The transfer of free vascularized tissue, however, seems to be the most reliable and logical solution for medium- to large-sized fistulas. Among the various free flaps, we choose the radial forearm type because of the pedicle length and the flap thickness.

Surgical treatment of synkinesis between smiling and eyelid closure

Synkinetic movements are common among patients with incomplete recovery from facial palsy, with reported rates ranging from 9.1% to almost 100%. The authors propose the separation of the neural stimulus of the orbicularis oculi from that of the zygomatic muscular complex to treat eyelid closure/smiling synkinesis. This technique, associated with an anastomosis between the masseteric nerve and a central branch of the facial nerve, as well as with the use of a cross-facial nerve graft, resolves most of the spasms of the midface musculature, leading to a more relaxed tone when the mimic muscle is at rest and enhancing muscle excursion during voluntary and spontaneous smiling. Between 2011 and 2016, 18 patients affected by segmental paresis of the middle of the face underwent surgical treatment at the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the San Paolo Hospital (Milan, Italy). Of these patients, 72.22% of cases with hypertone obtained partial to complete relaxation. Synkinesis was completely resolved in 83.33% of cases, and a significant improvement in facial movement was achieved in all patients. Neurorrhaphy of the masseteric nerve and the central branch of the facial nerve appears to produce favorable results. These initial data should be confirmed by further studies.

Surgical treatment of painful lesions of the inferior alveolar nerve

Nerve-related complications are being reported with increasing frequency following oral and dental surgery, and typically involve the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). We assess herein the etiology of neuropathic pain related to IAN injuries, and describe the various surgical treatment techniques available. Between 2007 and 2013, 19 patients were referred to the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of San Paolo Hospital (Milan, Italy) with pain in the area supplied by the IAN, which developed following endodontic treatment, oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery. All patients underwent IAN surgery by several different microsurgical procedures. Most of the patients affected by pain before surgery experienced complete or partial amelioration of symptoms. All patients receiving sural nerve grafts were pain-free 12 months after surgery. In five patients the operation was unsuccessful. In 78.94% of cases, a significant increase in nerve function was observed. Pain following IAN surgical damage may be addressed by microsurgery; nerve substitution with a sural nerve interpositional graft appears to represent the most efficacious procedure. Scar releasing, nerve decompression and nerve substitution using vein grafts are less effective. Removal of endodontic material extravasated into the mandibular canal is mandatory and effective in patients experiencing severe pain. Surgery should be performed within 12 months postoperatively, ideally during the first few weeks after symptoms onset.

Epidermal nevus and ameloblastoma: a rare association.

Epidermal nevi are clinical manifestations of a malformation affecting the embryonic ectoderm. They appear as linear verrucous lesions and are more often located in the skin of the trunk or the extremities. Rarely, verrucous lesions affect the oral mucosa. Epidermal nevi can be a component of epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS), which is characterized by malformations involving several organs, such as the central nervous system. ENS is rarely associated with other solid tumors. We present the case of a patient affected by ENS who developed maxillary and mandibular ameloblastomas. Epidermal nevi were located in the left middle and lower third of the face and in the left cervical region, whereas the ameloblastomas arose within the left maxillary mucosa and within the left mandibular ramus. Features of the syndrome are described and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Mesenchymal phosphaturic tumour : early detection of recurrence

The case of a recurrent phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour of the maxillary sinus 10 years after the first surgical excision is reported. The neoplasm first presented with paraneoplastic osteomalacia causing a pathological femur fracture. A right maxillary sinus tumour was identified and treated thereafter. The patient had no local symptoms and serum electrolytes returned to normal after surgical removal of the tumour. However, 10 years later, the patients urine Ca and P levels increased and an octreoscan detected a new tumour in the right maxillary sinus. Early diagnosis prevented the effects of the paraneoplastic activity of the neoplasm. This case emphasises the importance of specific, close follow-up, because the neoplasm rarely produces local signs indicating its position. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a late relapse presenting without relevant symptoms (local pain or swelling or pathological fractures).