Pablo Maricevich

Skull reconstruction with PMMA customized prostheses after decompressive craniectomies

Introduction: Decompressive craniectomy is indicated for the treatment of intracranial hypertension in cases of serious traumatic brain injury. This surgery results in a bizarre appearance, as if “part of the head” had been. After regression of cerebral edema and when the patient is in good clinical condition, the reconstruction of the skull is indicated. Reconstruction of the skull can be performed with autologous bone or with alloplastic materials. This study sought to present the experience of the author with skull reconstructions using custom PMMA prostheses. Methods: In between 2014 and 2015, fourteen patients with previous (longer than 6 months) decompressive craniectomies were selected after Neurosurgery medical clearance and underwent skull reconstruction with customized PMMA prototyped prostheses. Signs and symptoms of syndrome of the trephined, computed tomography, and aesthetic appearance of the patients were analyzed preoperatively and at 6 months after reconstruction. Results: All patients presented with improved symptomatology, aesthetic improvement and expansion of the brain after surgery. Conclusion: Reconstruction of the skull with customized prototyped PMMA prostheses improved the signs and symptoms and the aesthetic appearance in all 14 patients of this series. The use of prototypes to customize cranial prostheses facilitates the operative technique and enables patients to develop a nearly normal cranial contour. ■ ABSTRACT

Cranioplasties: surgical reconstruction strategies

Introduction: Reconstruction of the skull bones can prove challenging. There are three indications for carrying out cranioplasty: (1) recovery of protection against trauma, (2) recovery of the cranial contour, and (3) treatment of the syndrome of the trephined. The objective of this report is to present the experience of the author with cranioplasties, and discuss surgical reconstruction strategies. Methods: This report presents a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive cases of cranial reconstruction, which were operated in 2013 and 2014 in the public health service (INTO RJ) and in the private practice. Results: From January 2013 to January 2014, 16 patients underwent surgery. Thirteen were men. Their age ranged from 10 to 72 years. Twelve patients underwent reconstruction with a parietal graft, two with custom prosthesis, one with fracture reduction and fixation, and one with reconstruction of soft parts . Most of the defects were located in the fronto-orbital region. The customized prostheses were used in defects of 192 cm2 and 22.5 cm2. Complications occurred in five patients: lesion of the sagittal sinus, irregularity in the contour, seroma, failure in graft integration, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, and extrusion of the prosthesis. All the complications were resolved without impairment to the reconstruction. The follow-up time ranged from 10 to 22 months. All the patients were pleased with the reconstructions, and improvement of the neurological functions was reported. Conclusion: Cranioplasty is a primarily restorative surgical procedure that is used to restore the protective function of the skull and to treat the syndrome of the trephined. The autologous parietal graft is the surgeons’ first choice. The prosthesis is indicated when there is a major defect or when the harvesting of a parietal graft is not possible. ■ ABSTRACT

Application of fat grafting in craniofacial deformities: an INTO-RJ experience

Introduction: The fat graft is currently widely used in aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery as a natural filler. In cranio-maxillofacial surgery, fat grafting can be very beneficial for patients with various congenital and acquired deformities. Methods: We included patients who had undergone fat grafting for reconstruction and correction of defects in the face during 2012 and 2013 by using a standard technique. Our assessment was both clinical and subjective, taking into account the patient’s opinion. In patients with late enophthalmos secondary to trauma sequelae, we conducted exophthalmometry with an exophthalmometer (Hertel) and preoperative and postoperative CT to objectively evaluate our results. Results: Twenty-two patients were treated. Most were female (77%). The volume of fat grafted varied from 1 ml to 37 ml, with a mean of 15 ml per session. The number of sessions ranged from 1 to 4. Fat grafting was used as a single treatment in only 30% of cases. We performed retrobulbar fat grafting ranging from 6 to 10 ml in volume; in one patient, the grafting was carried out over two sessions. There was a gain of 3 to 7 mm in projection of the eyeball. In tomographic evaluation, an increased eye projection of between 2.2 mm and 4 mm was found. However, the clinical outcome was poor. Conclusion: Fat grafting is a simple, inexpensive and reproducible procedure that should be part of the plastic and craniofacial surgeons’ inventory. It may be an alternative in difficult cases of late enophthalmos.

Prototyping: applications in craniomaxillofacial surgery at the Brazilian National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO)-RJ

1 Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plastica, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. 2 Associacao Brasileira de Cirurgia Crânio-Maxilo-Facial, Recife, PE, Brasil. 3 Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. 4 Sociedade Brasileira de Neurocirurgia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Prototyping is a process of construction in order to obtain physical prototypes from 3D digital models. The introduction of prototyping in medicine is a recent event. Case 1: An 18-year-old patient with a 192 cm2 cranial defect secondary to a decompressive craniectomy. A cranioplasty was performed using a customized prosthesis manufactured by prototyping. Case 2: A 34-year-old patient with a panfacial fracture sequelae. This patient had a relevant defect in the zygomatico-orbital complex, with great zygoma dislocation. Surgical planning was performed using the prototype, which was taken to the surgery room to support the surgery. Case 3: A 29-year-old patient with a mandibular ameloblastoma from the subcondylar region to the right parasymphysis. Prototyping of the craniofacial skeleton and fibula were carried out in addition to a model surgery that was performed on the previous day. Discussion: Prototyping can be applied to craniofacial surgery in many ways, such as customized prosthesis manufacturing, surgical planning, and education of residents and patients. In case 1, a customized prosthesis had the advantage of not requiring a donor area and resulted in excellent esthetic results. In case 2, the presence of the prototype during surgery helped identify the zygoma more quickly in order to reposition it. In case 3, the model surgery helped decrease morbidity of the donor area, define fibular osteotomy and the resection margins, mold the plate, select the screws, ensure the condylar prosthesis fit in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ ), achieve the best occlusion possible, and reduce the surgical time, anesthesia, and hospital-associated costs. ■ ABSTRACT

Sequelae of inferior lip silicone injection: surgical correction using the modified "bikini" technique

Increasing numbers of patients have sequelae due to the injection of non-absorbable substances. Injectable silicone or polydimethylsiloxane fluid is a manufactu red polymer containing elemental silicon. The complications associated with the use of this substance can present early or late. Here we present a case report in which a deformity due to a silicone injection in the lips was surgically treated using the modified “bikini” technique that produced a functionally and aesthetically fa vorable result.

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis: experience of the INTO-RJ

1Effective Member of the SBCP – Effective Member of ABCCMF. 2Full Member of the SBCP – Head of the Center for Specialized Care in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery of the INTO-RJ. 3Professor in Plastic Surgery at the FMUSP – Head of the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery and Burns of the HC-FMUSP. 4Professor at the University of Sao Paulo – Head of the Plastic Surgery department and Service at the UFPR. 5Full Member of the SBCP – Effective Member of ABCCMF. 6Full Member of the SBCP – Plastic and Craniomaxillofacial Surgeon of the INTO-RJ. 7Full Member of the SBCP – Effective Member of ABCCMF. 8Effective Member of the SBCP – Effective Member of ABCCMF. 9Effective Member of the SBCP – Ex-trainee in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery of the INTO-RJ. ABSTRACT Introduction: The introduction of distraction of the craniofacial skeleton represented a great advancement in the practice of craniofacial surgery. Distraction is a less invasive technique that is faster and with an apparently lower morbidity than the traditional craniofacial reconstruction techniques. In 2013, the craniomaxillofacial surgery service of the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics performed a series of mandibular distraction surgeries. In this article, we aim to present our experience. Methods: From January to March 2013, seven patients underwent mandibular distraction surgery. All patients exhibited unilateral or bilateral mandibular hypoplasia due to ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or craniofacial microsomia. In some patients with ankylosis of the TMJ, resection of the anlylotic block was also performed concomitantly with the distraction. Results: Postoperative improvement was noted in all the stomatognathic functions: weight gain, decannulation of a tracheostomized patient, and improved quality of sleep. There was an improvement in facial profiles: the laterognathism was eased and the mouth opening increased in most patients. The mouth opening increased more significantly in patients in whom ankylosis surgery was done in conjunction with the distraction. The most common complication was pain upon distraction, reported by five patients (71%). Conclusion: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a good alternative for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia, often being the first indication in some clinical situations. It apparently has a lower morbidity than the classic mandible reconstructions and has the added benefit of also lengthening the soft tissues.

Mutirões de cirurgia plástica do Instituto Ivo Pitanguy: Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago formed by 21 islands and has an area of 26 square km2. The main island contains the public hospital Sao Lucas, a Health Care Center and a SAMU (Mobile Emergency Care Service). The I Week of Plastic Surgery of the Ivo Pitanguy Institute expanded the work performed at the 38th Infirmary of the Holy House of Rio de Janeiro to areas with lack of Plastic Surgery Services. The second mission was the natural continuation of the project. The objective of the project was to offer specialized care in Plastic Surgery with consultation, surgeries, and an educative class, focused in the prevention, diagnostic and treatment of skin cancer to the population, due to its susceptibility to the disease. The first team had two instructors, six residents of the Ivo Pitanguy Institute and a dermatologist. The second mission had an instructor from other service (Oswaldo Cruz Hospital), from the State of Pernambuco. All cases were logged and photographed. The two missions performed 280 consultations, being 93 without the need of surgery and 187 surgeries. The Missions enabled a significant economy to the State of Pernambuco. Beyond it, the missions brought a great life experience for those who performed then. The possibility to help people with our skills and knowledge make us very proud and ennoble the tradition of our school.