Mark C. Martin

Analgesic effectiveness of acetaminophen for primary cleft palate repair in young children: a randomized placebo controlled trial

Clefting of the lip, palate, or both is a common congenital abnormality. Inadequate treatment for pain in children may result from concerns over opioid‐related adverse effects. Providing adequate pain control with minimal adverse effects remains challenging in children.

Multiplanar distraction osteogenesis of fibula free flaps used for secondary reconstruction of traumatic maxillary defects.

Traumatic maxillary bone loss, if not treated acutely, is accompanied by contracture of the overlying soft tissue envelope and loss of facial projection in three dimensions. Reconstruction aimed at replacing the bony architecture, expanding the soft tissue envelope and establishing a platform for dental rehabilitation can be accomplished in a staged approach. We present two patients who underwent replacement of missing maxillary segments with a free fibula flap, followed by distraction of the free fibula in three dimensions and eventual dental rehabilitation with osseo-integrated implants.

The angel flap for nipple reconstruction

Creation of an aesthetically pleasing nipple plays a significant role in breast reconstruction as a determining factor in patient satisfaction. The goals for nipple reconstruction include minimal donor site morbidity and appropriate, long-lasting projection. Currently, the most popular techniques used are associated with a significant loss of projection postoperatively. Accordingly, the authors introduce the angel flap, which is designed to achieve nipple projection with lasting results. The lateral edges of the flap and the area surrounding the top of the nipple are de-epithelialized and the flaps are wrapped to create a nipple mound composed primarily of dermis. Decreasing the amount of fat within core of the nipple and enhancing dermal content promotes long-lasting projection. Furthermore, the incision pattern fits within a desired areolar size, preventing unnecessary superfluous extension of the incisions. Thus, the technique described herein achieves the goals of nipple reconstruction, including adequate and long-lasting projection, without extension of the lateral limb scars.

A Unique Case of Tessier 30 and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A New Clinical Syndrome?

Background Tessier 30 cleft is rare and sparsely reported in the literature. A unique case of an infant with a Tessier 30 cleft, bilateral cleft lip and palate, and other anomalies is presented. In addition to craniofacial anomalies, he had cardiac, gastrointestinal, and genitourinal defects. The constellation of these findings suggests the possibility of a new clinical syndrome. We present these findings and postoperative results following surgical treatment. Patient and Methods A 37-week gestational male infant with multiple congenital anomalies is presented. Findings on clinical exam were notable for Tessier 30 median mandibular cleft, bilateral cleft of the lip and palate, and bifid tongue. Further workup revealed levocardia, perimembranous moderate-to-large ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, double outlet right ventricle, intestinal malrotation, and bilateral undescended testicles. There were no extremity anomalies, and cytogenetic studies for 22q deletion were negative. Results The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings and images are discussed. Conclusion We present a unique case of a child with a Tessier 30 cleft associated with bilateral cleft lip and palate in the absence of intraoral masses or limb anomalies. Previous reports of median facial clefts have occurred either in the presence of intraoral hamartomas, suggesting the palatal defects are a result of sequence abnormalities, or in association with extremity findings consistent with the spectrum of orofaciodigital syndrome. The case we present is distinct and may represent a new clinical syndrome.

Single-stage frontalis muscle flap for full-thickness reconstruction of the upper eyelid.

Background: Full-thickness upper eyelid defects present a reconstructive challenge. Defects greater than 50% of the upper eyelid have traditionally been reconstructed with bulky full-thickness forehead flaps, Cutler-Beard flaps, Mustarde eyelid switches, and cheek rotation advancements, all mandating a second-stage surgical procedure. We propose a novel technique for full-thickness upper eyelid reconstruction based on a frontalis muscle flap elevated from the resection defect, thus resulting in no additional forehead scar. Methods: Our patient is a 48-year-old woman with an enlarging right upper eyelid sebaceous cell carcinoma. A subsequent single-stage resection resulted in a medial full-thickness defect of 75% of the upper eyelid. The lateral and medial canthi were preserved. A palatal mucoperiosteal graft was harvested for the reconstruction of the posterior lamella. Dissection was carried through the excision defect in a preseptal plane over the supraorbital rim and subcutaneously over the frontalis muscle. A caudally pedicled frontalis muscle flap was elevated and inset to the defect edges with mild tension. Reconstruction of the skin defect of the upper eyelid was completed with a full-thickness preauricular skin graft. Results: The patient had no complications and demonstrated good function and aesthetic result at 15 weeks and at 9 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Frontalis muscle flap-based reconstruction offers a viable option for upper eyelid defects that are full thickness and encompass more than 50% of the eyelid. We obtained a functionally and aesthetically pleasing outcome with this single-stage procedure using a preexisting incision with minimal donor-site morbidity.

Demographics of cleft care providers in Africa and reported experience in training and practice: direct analysis of continent-based practitioners.

Objective To elucidate the impact of several geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic variables on cleft care delivery in Africa, and to investigate the current status of cleft care delivery in Africa. Design Survey of practitioners attending the second Pan-African Congress on Cleft Lip and Palate (PACCLIP). Setting The annual PACCLIP conference in Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa, February 2007. Main Outcome Measure To provide an analysis of the demographics and training experience of cleft care providers in Africa by collating information directly from the continent-based practitioners. Results Plastic surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide the majority of cleft care. Most of the participants reported availability of formal training programs in their respective countries. The predominant practice settings were university and government-based. During training, half of the providers had encountered up to 30 cleft cases, and a quarter had managed more than 100 cases. Representation of visiting surgeons were equally distributed between African and non-African countries. Conclusions This study provides initial and detailed analysis crucial to understanding the underlying framework of cleft care composition teams, demographics of providers, and training and practice experience. This awareness will further enable North American and other non-African plastic surgeons to effectively partner with African cleft care providers to have a further reaching impact in the region.

The reconstructive challenges and approach to patients with excoriation disorder.

AbstractMany mental and emotional disorders have some variations of physical manifestations that are often the first definitive sign of disease. One such disorder is excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, also known as dermatillomania, acne excoriée, neurotic excoriation, or psychogenic excoriation. First identified in the dermatologic literature in 1920, excoriation disorder involves repetitive scratching behavior that sometimes accompanies pruritus and is often associated with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.1 In the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition, excoriation or skin-picking disorder is listed as a stand-alone disorder associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In certain patients, the skin lesions are shallow and have adherent crusts that can be mistaken for acne. These lesions, once healed, may appear white and partially atrophic.2 Because these patients often initially present to dermatologists or plastic surgeons for their skin conditions rather than to psychiatric professionals, it is important to recognize the salient diagnostic features and to acknowledge the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and management. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman with excoriation disorder who required medical management by dermatology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and plastic surgery for a definitive surgical treatment.

Massive congenital kaposiform hemangioendothelioma of the eyelid in a neonate.

BackgroundKaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare and aggressive vascular tumor of infancy and childhood. It is associated with the development of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, a life-threatening consumptive thrombocytopenia. We report an interesting case of a massive periorbital congenital KHE in a neonate to raise awareness of this aggressive diagnosis. MethodsA male neonate presented with a large congenital mass of the lower eyelid. To prevent development of amblyopia, this mass was surgically excised on the sixth day of life. ResultsHistologic investigation demonstrated spindle-shaped endothelial cells with surrounding crescentic vessels, which were GLUT-1 receptor–negative and D2-40 receptor–positive, consistent with KHE. Surgical excision of the periorbital KHE successfully cleared the neonate’s visual axis. At 1 year of follow-up, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence, and visual development was progressing normally. A pleasing surgical result was achieved without periorbital distortion. ConclusionsPediatric vascular tumors have historically been wrought with diagnostic confusion. With recent advances in immunohistochemistry, this previously uncharacterized group of tumors has been differentiated into multiple distinct clinical entities. Accurate and timely diagnosis is paramount because these tumors vary greatly in their clinical behavior, prognosis, and recommended treatment. Surgical excision is preferred and necessary in a neonate with visual access obstruction to prevent amblyopia and irreversible blindness.

Polyostotic Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma: An Exceptionally Rare Case

Accurate and early diagnosis of benign fibroosseous lesions is important because the treatment and resulting outcomes of each differ. Juvenile ossifying fibromas typically occur in young patients and grow rapidly with a high recurrence rate. Their monostotic nature has previously differentiated these tumors from other fibroosseous lesions. We describe an interesting and extremely rare case of polyostotic juvenile ossifying fibromas in a 14-year-old boy with involvement of the maxilla and mandible. The available literature on juvenile ossifying fibromas is also briefly reviewed. When diagnosing a polyostotic fibroosseous lesion, it is important to not exclude the possibility of juvenile ossifying fibromas because this may warrant a different treatment.

Reconstruction of Extended Orbitomaxillectomy and Hemimandibulectomy Defects With Fibula Flaps and Patient-Specific Implants.

AbstractAn extended orbitomaxillectomy and hemimandibulectomy for polyostotic juvenile ossifying fibroma resection were performed with the assistance of patient-specific cutting guides. The resulting defects were reconstructed in stages. First, a patient-specific mandibular reconstruction plate was fixed to the hemimandibulectomy defect in the same operation as the resection. After margins were proven to be free of tumor on histologic analysis, a free fibula flap contoured to the reconstruction plate was used to reconstruct the mandible. Reconstruction of the maxilla, alveolus, and orbit were performed with a second free fibula flap and patient-specific implants. The lining of the total nasal vault cavity was reconstructed with septal flaps. At 7 months postoperatively, the patient had an excellent esthetic result and resolved diplopia.