Yalcin Akin

Management of lower lip cancer: a retrospective analysis of 118 patients and review of the literature.

In this current study, the clinical data and postoperative follow-up findings of 118 patients with a primary lower lip carcinoma who were treated between 1983 and 1999 in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are presented. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively and data were collected concerning age, gender, followup period, location of lesion on the lip, cervical metastasis at presentation, preoperative biopsy results, histological grade, initial treatment, reconstruction type, pathological outcome, local recurrence, regional lymph node metastasis, treatment of local recurrence and regional lymph node metastasis, and postoperative treatment. The prognostic value of clinical stages in relation with recurrence and mortality from disease was investigated. The overall rate of recurrence was calculated as being 39.8%, and the determinate survival rate was found to be 72.9% at 5-year follow-up. The data concerning the above-mentioned parameters, together with risk factors that might play a role in the development of lip cancer, are discussed in light of the current literature.

Free-tissue transfers for reconstruction of oromandibular area in children.

Introduction: Currently, free‐tissue transfers are commonly used for various reconstructive purposes in adults. However, there is a lack of large series of free flap reconstruction in children, especially for reconstruction of oromandibular defects. Our study aims to share our experience in free‐flap reconstruction of some challenging pediatric cases. Materials and methods: Pediatric free‐flap interventions (<18‐year‐old) that were performed between 2000 and 2006 in our clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Eighteen free‐tissue transfers were performed in 17 pediatric cases. Epidemiologic data, etiology, defects, preferred free flaps, and results have been compared and analyzed. Results: A total of 17 patients (18 free flaps) were analyzed. Mean age was 10.4 years. The etiology was tumor in 11 cases, traffic accident in 5 cases, and gunshot in 1 case. Double‐flap transfer was performed to one patient with a devastating shotgun wound and single flap transfers to others. A total of 8 osseous flaps, 7 osteocutaneous flaps, and 3 septocutaneous flaps were transferred. Total superficial flap necrosis was encountered in one flap (5.8%) while partial superficial necrosis was seen on two flaps (11.7%). Sixteen of the 17 cases reconstructed, including the three cases with complications, resulted in good functional and cosmetic outcome. One case was lost in the sixth postoperative month due to septisemia during chemotherapy. All the surviving 16 cases acquired bony fusion, mastication, and speech in addition to good cosmetic results. Conclusion: Pediatric free‐tissue transfers are increasing due to the development of better equipment, finer surgical technique, and a better understanding of the unique characteristics of pediatric cases. In our opinion, high success rates with good cosmetic and functional results can be obtained if the specific requirements of the pediatric procedures are met.

Marjolin ulcers arising on extremities.

Marjolin ulcer, epidermoid carcinoma arising on nonhealing scar tissue, is well known for its aggressiveness compared with other forms of squamous cell carcinoma. It is thought to be even more aggressive when it arises on an extremity. Therefore, Marjolin ulcer located on an extremity is unique in its aggressiveness and calls for immediate attention and extensive surgery. We have treated 81 patients with extremity lesions between 1982 and 2003, 62 of which have been followed up for at least 5 years. The cases that were lost to follow-up and our more recent cases have not been included in this study. Medical records of these 62 patients were reviewed retrospectively. All the lesions were carcinomas arising on old burn scars. The mean age was 48.0 years. The average interval between burn and carcinoma was 35.9 years. Male to female ratio was approximately 1:2. About 72.6% of the patients were treated with wide local excision only and 21.0% of the patients had wide excision together with regional lymph node dissection. Only 6.4% of the cases have been treated with amputation combined with regional lymph node dissection. Postoperative regional lymph metastasis was seen in 40.3% of the patients and 41.9% of the patients have developed lung metastasis during the follow-up. Presence of metastasis, high histologic grade, and tumor size were found to have a direct effect on survival rates. The mean survival was 4.55 for the whole study group. The 5-year survival rate was 42.9% in upper extremity and 58.3% in lower extremity groups. Estimated mean time of survival for the disease has been calculated to be 7.76 years using statistical analysis. We suggest that tumor size is an important prognostic factor in addition to histologic grade. Treatment algorithm is reviewed, and the importance of adequate surgery is emphasized.

New alternative in treatment of callus

The pathological transformation of the skin into a thick and hard callus due to repetitive trauma or friction is commonly known as corn. Although a variety of medical and operative treatment choices have been proposed, an ideal treatment method is yet to be defined. Effectiveness of tangential excision together with topical cantharidin has been evaluated. We used Canthacur‐PS as an adjunct to excision in an outpatient setting. Canthacur‐PS is a commercially available topical solution that includes 1% cantharidin, 30% salicylic acid and 5% podophyllin. The treatment has been applied to 72 patients. We found that 65 patients (90.3%) had corn on their feet and seven patients (9.7%) on their hands. Thick, hard and hyperkeratotic skin area was scraped with the help of a no. 15 blade. The solution was applied on and around the periphery (up to 1–2 mm) of the lesion with a cotton swab, and kept closed for 5 days with an antibiotic dressing. All the patients had been followed up for at least 1 year and evaluated by clinical examination and patient satisfaction query. One session of treatment succeeded in 57 (79.2%) corn patients. Two sessions in nine corn patients (12.5%), three sessions in five corn patients (6.9%) and four sessions in one patient (1.4%) were needed. Only one recurrence (1.4%) was seen. No scar formation or other side‐effects were seen. Our findings show that this treatment method is a simple, minimally invasive and reliable treatment for calluses.

McCune-Albright Syndrome Progressing With Severe Fibrous Dysplasia

We present the case of an 11-year-old girl with McCune-Albright syndrome associated with severe fibrous dysplasia. In addition to bone lesions, she has apparent manifestations of precocious puberty. In examination, a mass at the mentum spreading to mandibular corpus bilaterally was seen. This mass has affected the mandibular teeth. It was nearly 20 x 20 x 15 cm in size and had local necrotic regions on it. The lower lip was expanded too much by the mass. Another mass filled the left maxillary sinus, expanding the left zygomatic region outwardly and closing the left nasal fossa completely. A rectangular skull shape was related to the involvement of cranial bones. After stainless steel, custom-made mandibular prosthesis was prepared, the patient underwent surgery. A partial mandibulectomy was performed, and resulting mandibular bone defect was reconstructed by steel prosthesis. Craniofacial involvement occurs in 100% of disseminated cases. In the dental literature, mandibular involvement was found in 20% of cases. However, in studied literature, we did not find a dramatic mandibular lesion as severe as that presented here.

Comparison of Fixation Methods in Treating Mandibular Fractures: Scintigraphic Evaluation

The effects of rigid and nonrigid fixation methods in the treatment of long bones have been studied by many authors. A comparison of these two methods has been undertaken on long bones and documented in previous studies. However, there appears to be no such research on facial bone fractures. In this study a mandibular model was selected as an appropriate model for fracture site mobility in the face. Twenty-three patients with mandibular fractures were admitted to the study. Two groups were formed. The first group consisted of intermaxillary fixation patients and the second group was comprised of internal rigid fixation-treated patients. The callus deposit was evaluated by the technetium 99m methylene diphosphonate scintigraphic method on days 1,10,20,30, and 40 postoperatively. The results of the study showed that the greatest level of callus formation is in the second exposure (days 1 to 10) for the first group and in the third exposure (days 10 to 20) for the second group. This study demonstrates that minimal motion on the fracture line after intermaxillary fixation increases local blood circulation and osteoblastic activity. The callus deposit reaches maximum in a short period of time with nonrigid fixation.

Early cheiloplasty : its effects on alveolar cleft

SummaryEarly cheiloplasty is performed within the first ten days of life in healthy new borns. Sixteen unilateral and six bilateral cleft lip patients were operated on. All had alveolar and palatal clefts. Pre- and postoperative maxillary models were taken and compared with those obtained from late repaired clefts in which an extraoral traction (EOT) device was used preoperatively. Early operation had a significant occlusive effect on alveolar arch, but there was no alteration of the palatal clefts and palatal shelves.

A rare craniofacial cleft: bilateral Tessier no. 5 cleft accompanied by no. 1 and no. 6 clefts.

A case of facial cleft that fits the anatomic description of the rare bilateral Tessier no. 5 cleft accompanied by unilateral no. 1 and no. 6 clefts is presented, and brings the total number of reported cases to 21. This case and a review of the literature help to define the soft-tissue and bony course of these clefts, and also emphasize the role of three-dimensional computed tomography to show the bony cleft route. The diagnosis and treatment plan of the no. 5 cleft as well as other rare clefts such as no. 1 and no. 6 clefts are discussed.

Mechanisms of viability in rabbit flank venous flaps

Venous flaps may become more versatile in reconstruction and offer different opportunities to reconstructive surgeons if the mechanisms of their viability is clarified. In this study, axial pattern flank flaps in rabbits were converted into venous flaps by dividing the cutaneous pedicles and ligating the artery. Fluorescein and radioactive tracer studies were performed to elucidate the mechanisms of possible circulation. It is hypothesized that the venous flaps do not have a capillary circulation, but veins transport the fluid out, which is drawn into the capillaries from the interstitium, and that the nutrients and oxygen for flap viability diffuse from the wound bed. Venous drainage plays an important role by draining the metabolites away until revascularization offers a more direct supply.