Max Domingues Pereira

Effect of low-level laser therapy (GaAlAs) on bone regeneration in midpalatal anterior suture after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of laser therapy on bone regeneration in the midpalatal anterior suture (MPAS) after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). METHODS Thirteen patients aged between 18 and 33 years old with maxillary transverse deficiency (> or =7.0 mm) were evaluated. All patients underwent subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy with separation of the pterygomaxillary suture with the use of Hyrax expander, and were divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 6) and laser group (n = 7). A GaAlAs laser (P = 100 mW, lambda = 830 nm, Ø = 0.06 cm(2)) was used. The laser was applied in 8 treatment sessions with intervals of 48 hours. Each treatment session consisted of laser applications, per point (E = 8.4J, ED = 140J/cm(2)), at 3 points on the MPAS, and total dose of E = 25.2 J, ED = 420 J/cm(2). Digital radiographs were taken before the surgical procedure and at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 7-month follow-up visits. Optical density analysis of the regenerated bone was performed using Adobe Photoshop 8.0 software. RESULTS Bone regeneration associated with the use of laser after SARME showed a statistically significant difference. A higher mineralization rate was found in the laser group (26.3%, P < .001) than the control group. CONCLUSION Low-level laser irradiation (GaAlAs) accelerates bone regeneration in MPAS after SARME. However, the optical density measurements after 7 months of follow-up were lower in comparison with the preoperative measurements.

The composition and behavior of capsules around smooth and textured breast implants in pigs.

Background: The surface of the implant is one of the many factors often associated with the occurrence of capsular contracture, the etiopathogeny of which remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the behavior of capsular contracture by means of applanation tonometry and histology using a midsized animal model. Methods: Silicone breast implants were implanted into 33 pigs and observed at 30, 60, 180, and 270 postoperative days. Results: Capsular contracture in smooth implants showed significantly greater pressure values of tonometry, and the smooth implant capsule was significantly thicker than the textured implant capsule. Both pressure and thickness of the capsules increased at each period. The collagenous layer did not show any difference considering the periods of time in which the total thickness was analyzed; on the other hand, the increase in total capsular thickness occurred by thickening of the noncollagenous layer in both smooth and textured implants. Taking into consideration both kinds of implants, histomorphometric analysis showed that thin fibers were replaced by thick fibers in later postoperatives periods (180 and 270 days). Conclusions: The greater incidence of capsular contracture in smooth implants was correlated with the progressive increase in total capsule thickness, due to a higher concentration of collagenous fibers, when compared with textured implants (p = 0.011; mean difference, 6.61), and a higher concentration of thick fibers (p = 0.034; average, >5.51 percentage points per field of thick fibers than the textured implants in all periods). Pigs are good animal models for studying the healing process after breast augmentation with implants.

Surgical treatment of the fractured and dislocated condylar process of the mandible

Most fractures of the mandible can be managed conservatively. This report is a retrospective evaluation of the clinical and radiological results in 17 patients with 21 dislocated fractures submitted to open reduction and fixation, employing steel wires and maxillomandibular fixation. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 55 months, (mean 29.5). Functional assessment showed good opening movements (mean 41.9 mm). There were no cases of ankylosis, pain, or paralysis of the facial nerve. Radiological assessment was normal when the lateral pterygoid muscle was maintained adherent to the fractured proximal segment. Radiological signs of bone resorption occurred when the fractured segment was detached from the lateral pterygoid muscle. In our opinion, dislocated condylar process fractures can be managed surgically and with steel wire ligatures and maxillomandibular fixation. Whenever possible, the lateral pterygoid muscle should be inserted into the fractured proximal segment, i.e. as an osteomuscular flap.

Abdominoplasty with two fusiform plications

Two-fusiform plications are recommended for contouring the abdomen to produce a slimmer waistline in abdominoplasty, rather than the classical median xiphoid-pubic fusiform plication. This procedure was accomplished in 11 patients. After the dermoadipose flap was undermined, two fusiform shapes were marked at the transition of the sheaths of the rectus abdominis muscles with the external obliques. The slimmer waistline produced intraoperatively was maintained during the late postoperative period (mean 20 months), without loss of the natural contour between the rectus muscles. Maintenance of the natural contours of the abdominal muscles is of fundamental importance to reduce the embarrassment of a postabdominoplasty flat abdomen.

Classification of midpalatal suture opening after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to classify the opening of the midpalatal suture (MPS) after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) with disjunction of the pterygomaxillary suture through computed tomography (CT) analysis. STUDY DESIGN Seventy adults with bilateral transverse deficiency of the maxilla underwent SARME with pterygomaxillary disjunction. Seventy tomographies were performed before the surgery and 70 were performed after the final activation. The Hass appliance was used in 29 patients and Hyrax in 41 patients. The MPS opening was classified into 2 types: type I, total MPS opening from the anterior nasal spine to the posterior nasal spine, and type II, total MPS opening from the anterior nasal spine to the transverse palatine suture, with partial or nonexistent opening posterior to transverse palatine suture. RESULTS Type I opening was observed in 22 patients (31.5%), and type II opening in 48 patients (68.5%). In 5 cases, the opening posterior to the transverse palatine suture was paramedian. CONCLUSION Computed tomography allows the evaluation and classification of midpalatal suture openings after SARME with pterygomaxillary disjunction in type I (total) and type II (partial) MPS openings.

Cirurgia ortognática: abordagem psicossocial em pacientes Classe III de Angle submetidos à correção cirúrgica da deformidade dentofacial

AIM: The purpose of this work was to investigate the psychosocial aspects related to facial changes in 29 patients, from both genres, between 17 and 46 years old, with indication of surgical treatment, in the preoperative (during orthodontic preparation) and in the postoperative (six months after the surgery) periods. METHODS: Questionnaires, applied during interviews, with questions based on the proposal by Grossbart & Sarwer were used. The technique of content analysis was used, in which the reason for choosing corrective surgery were represented in Category 1 (C1); fantasies related to the results of the corrective surgery (preoperative) and performance (postoperative) in Category 2 (C2); and expectations and satisfaction of the results of the corrective surgery in Category 3 (C3). The answers were grouped in the subcategories: aesthetics (SC1), functional (SC2), social situations (SC3), self-esteem (SC4) and professional (SC5). RESULTS: the results showed that the patients looked for corrective surgery for functional reasons (34.5%), aesthetics (30.9%) and social (29.1%); wished to improve his/her social situation (40%) and the aesthetics (32%), with the fulfillment of these wishes after the surgery. As for the expectations, 49.4% of the patients hoped to improve the functional aspect followed by aesthetics (26.9%); social situations (11.2%) and self-esteem (6.7%). In all aspects the patients were very satisfied because of improvements in their diction, aesthetics, beauty, and the return to life without discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the patients looked for the corrective surgery with the motivation to improve their functional and aesthetics aspects, they fantasized to improve their social relations and appearance; and hoped, in a realistic way, that the corrective surgery would repaired the function and aesthetics - which are the objectives of the orthognathic surgery.

Epidemiological profile of mandible fractures treated at the Federal University of São Paulo: Paulista Medical School

BACKGROUND Mandible fractures can result in esthetic, functional and financial problems and their epidemiological patterns have changed in many locations. This study was carried out to detect these changes, aiming to compare data of patients with mandible fractures treated at the Sao Paulo Hospital (UNIFESP-EPM) from June 1999 to March 2002 with data of patients treated from January 1991 to March 1996. METHODS Information on most affected gender and age, most often fractured mandible segment, associated injuries, treatment and complications of 98 victims of mandible fracture admitted from June 1999 to March 2002 were compared to the same data of 166 patients treated from January 1991 to March 1996. RESULTS the most affected gender and age ranges remain the same. Aggressions surpassed traffic accidents as the main etiology. Incidence of associated injuries and multiple fractures in the mandible decreased, a fact probably related to the change in etiology. The most affected segment is still the body of the mandible. The most used type of treatment in both samples was internal rigid fixation with miniplates and the number of complications decreased, due to the higher standard of patient care. CONCLUSION Mandible fractures in the São Paulo population have undergone epidemiological changes and this knowledge enables local authorities to establish adequate measures for prevention and treatment.

Estudo anatômico do músculo levantador do lábio superior

The authors describe the anatomical characteristics of the levator labii superioris muscle by dissection in cadavers. PURPOSE. We describe the characteristics of these muscle, the details and relations, hopefully contributing to the study of muscle of the face. METHODS. Twenty faces of cadavers were dissected. The following features were studied: origin, insertion, length, width, thickness, relations, innervation and blood supply. RESULTS. In all cases the muscle originated from the inferior orbital margin. Two insertions were observed: via lateral fibers, superficial to the orbicularis oris muscle and via deep fibers thar form part of the raphe at the corner of the mouth (70%); via superficial fibers to the orbicularis oris muscle (30%). The average of the length was 24.66mm and the average of the thickness was 3.57mm. The width at its insertion was 11,2 mm, and at the origin was 15.96mm. The levator labii superioris muscle was found to be anterior to the levator anguli oris; it was posterior to the distal portion of the zygomaticus minor (90%) and posterior to the mid portion of the zygomaticus minor (10%). The innervation was from the inferior branch of the zygomatic nerve (facial nerve) and from the infraorbital nerve (trigeminal nerve). The inferior portion of the muscle is supplied by branches of the angular artery and the superior part from branches of the infraorbital artery.

Effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion on nasal dimensions using acoustic rhinometry

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) on nasal dimensions using acoustic rhinometry. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-seven patients ranging in age from 18 to 53 years were evaluated as having a maxillary transverse deficiency larger than 7 mm, a bilateral cross-bite, and no evidence of nasal obstruction. All patients underwent evaluation of the nasal cavity by acoustic rhinometry both before and 6 months after SARME. The Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate minor cross-sectional areas (MCA) and the nasal volume of the right and left nasal cavities, and these parameters were measured with and without the application of topical nasal decongestant before and after SARME. RESULTS In comparison with preoperative measurements, minor cross-sectional areas and nasal volumes were significantly larger after SARME. There was a statistically significant difference associated with the use of nasal decongestant; the minor cross-sectional areas and nasal volume of the right and left nasal cavities were smaller when nasal decongestants were not used. CONCLUSIONS Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion increases the minor cross-sectional areas and volume of the nasal cavities. Acoustic rhinometry is an objective method for evaluating the geometry of the nasal cavity in patients with transverse maxillary deficiency.

Aplasia cutis congenita: management of a large skull defect with acrania.

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare disorder characterized by absence of skin. Lesions typically occur on the vertex and are sometimes small, but they can affect deep tissues such as the skull bone and dura. Mortality is related to the depth and size of the lesion and can amount to a rate of more than 50% when full thickness is involved. The treatment remains controversial -- both surgical and conservative managements are described. Minor lesions can be controlled with nonsurgical treatment, but large defects require early surgery. We report the case of a female newborn with acrania and scalp aplasia cutis congenita, which was treated with a bipedicle scalp flap based on the temporal vessels. Full- and partial-thickness skin grafts were used to cover the donor site on the temporo-occipital region. Postoperatively, the patient developed a liquorice cyst, which was treated with a shunt, and she has been followed up for evaluation of the bony defect closure and skull morphology. Her neuropsychomotor development is normal.