Le lambeau myo-muqueux de buccinateur en îlot: indications et limites dans la reconstruction des pertes de substance de la cavité buccale et de l'oropharynx

OBJECTIVE

To outline the indications and limits of the myo-mucosal buccinator island flap based on the facial artery in the reconstruction of deficits of the buccal cavity and lateral wall of the oropharynx following oncologic resection or radionecrosis.

METHOD

We retrospectively studied 40 patients. Flap is raised using a modified technique without Doppler or skin incision to identify the facial artery. This study identifies causes for failure and limits and indications for this flap.

RESULTS

We found a failure rate of 10% and an identical fistula rate. On the other hand success rate is over 95% when (1) permeability of the artery is confirmed preoperatively in post-neck dissection or post-radiation therapy patients and (2) the deficit does not cross the midline.

CONCLUSION

The myo-mucosal buccinator flap is a reliable technique. When specific indications are followed and the flap raised appropriately, the succes rate is 95%.

[Three-dimensional modeling of mandibular distraction]

Facial hemi-atrophy affects 1 in 4000 or 5000 children. We propose treating this deformation of the 1st branchial arch with the "bone distraction" lengthening technique first described by Ilizarov in the 1950s, which has already been employed with the mandible. We have modelled mandibular distraction in facial hemi-atrophy patients and discuss the benefits of such pre-surgical planning encompassing the assistance of pre- and post-operative as well as surgically coordinated orthodontic therapy. Using X scanner views of a 5 year-old girl patient, we have developed a distraction-simulation software, which makes the pathological side harmonious with the healthy side along the medial sagittal plane. In order to obtain facial symmetry, put bones in balance, and orient the occlusal plane horizontally, essential requisites of occlusal stability, it is necessary: to employ a 2 or 3-dimensional distractor, to pre-plan the distraction and screw positioning, to set up a fixed orthodontic treatment plan prior to beginning distraction therapy.

Decreased expression of keratinocyte beta1 integrins in chronically sun-exposed skin in vivo

BACKGROUND

Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces changes in the skin structure which are mostly found in the superficial dermis and at the dermal-epidermal junction. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts contribute both to the synthesis and to the degradation of the molecules important for the integrity of this skin site. While several studies have reported on alterations of dermal components and of the functions of fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro after UV exposure, recent data suggested that keratinocytes could be the main skin cell type involved in the photoageing process.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we analysed the expression of two keratinocyte molecules namely, beta1 integrin (a proliferation marker) and involucrin (a differentiation marker) in sun-exposed and sun-protected facial skin of 16 healthy patients undergoing facial lifting.

METHODS

Methods included histology, immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis.

RESULTS

Sun-exposed skin displayed the characteristic morphological and molecular features of dermal photoageing, compared with sun-protected skin, including dermal elastosis, diminished fibrillin and type VII collagen expression. Analysis of the epidermis in sun-exposed vs. sun-protected skin showed no histological differences, but dramatic changes in the expression of beta1 integrin and involucrin. In sun-exposed skin, expression of beta1 integrin protein by epidermal basal cells was reduced, paralleling a downregulation of beta1 integrin mRNA, whereas involucrin protein expression was greatly enhanced in the superficial epidermal cell layers. Interestingly, the ratio between involucrin and beta1 integrin protein expression was consistently increased in sun-exposed skin sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively these results demonstrate that epidermal homeostasis is impaired by chronic UV exposure, and define beta1 integrin expression as a molecular marker of the epidermal photoageing process.

Computer-assisted navigation system in pediatric intranasal surgery

OBJECTIVES

To introduce a computer-assisted navigation system and to evaluate its application in pediatric sinusonasal surgery.

METHODS

A commercially available wireless passive marker system that allows the calibration and tracking of virtually any instrument was adapted to children and used during pediatric endoscopic sinusonasal surgery.

RESULTS

The headset localizer that was initially used in computed tomographic scanning was not well accepted by children. Correlation of the preoperative computed tomographic scan to the actual patient was made possible by a laser device. Setup time was able to be decreased from an initial 20 minutes to 3 minutes. The average recording accuracy was 1.1 mm. The advantages of the system became apparent as experience increased in cases involving sinus polyposis, choanal atresia, nasopharyngeal fibroma removal, tumor biopsy, and minimally invasive maxillary, frontal, and sphenoidal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The computer-assisted navigation system was used first as a control system and then, as experience increased, as a true surgical guide. Indications for its use also increased. Pediatric intranasal surgery was performed using 2 complementary guides: an endoscopic view and a computed tomographic view of the instrument's position.

Skin ageing: clinical and histopathologic study of permanent and reducible wrinkles

Wrinkles are modifications of the skin associated with cutaneous ageing and develop preferentially on sun-exposed skin. The aim of the study was to analyse the clinicopathological features of wrinkles, among the different types of skin relief modifications. Despite its importance in dermato-cosmetology and skin ageing, few studies have been specifically devoted to wrinkles. In the present study, we analyzed the histological features of the pre-auricular wrinkle compared to retro-auricular skin, obtained from sixteen patients undergoing facial surgery; skin samples were immediately processed for routine histology and histochemical staining. Four types of skin depressions could be defined according to their depth: folds, permanent wrinkles, reducible wrinkles and skin micro-relief. Two different types of pre-auricular wrinkles were observed: (i) permanent wrinkles which were conserved after sampling and, (ii) reducible wrinkles which required in vivo staining to be visible at histology. Histological analysis of the epidermis and dermis of the skin forming the pre-auricular wrinkle revealed a normal skin morphology, identical to that of the skin immediately adjacent to the wrinkle. This was particularly striking for the reducible wrinkles which could not be individualized in the absence of in vivo staining. Both types of wrinkles comprised skin modifications observed in sun-exposed skin, however, in the upper dermis, permanent wrinkles showed a more pronounced accumulation of basophilic fibers, i.e. actinic elastosis, than reducible wrinkles did. These data suggest that the development of wrinkles could be secondary to actinic elastosis and to the disappearance of microfibrils and collagen fibers at the dermal-epidermal junction.

Submandibular diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy: new procedure for ductal disorders

We present our initial experience with submandibular sialendoscopy, a new therapeutic approach for disorders of Wharton's duct. We review the sialendoscopes used and discuss their respective merits. We evaluated and treated 129 consecutive patients with suspected ductal disorders. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was used for classifying ductal lesions as sialolithiasis, stenosis, sialodochitis, or polyps. Interventional sialendoscopy was used to treat these disorders. The type of endoscope used, the type of sialolith fragmentation and/or extraction device used, the total number of procedures, the type of anesthesia, and the number and size of the sialoliths removed were the dependent variables. The outcome variable was the endoscopic clearing of the ductal tree and resolution of symptoms. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was possible in 131 of 135 glands (97%), with an average (+/-SD) duration of 28 +/- 15 minutes. Interventional sialendoscopy was attempted in 110 cases, with an average duration of 71 +/- 41 minutes, with a success rate of 82%. Multiple sialendoscopies were necessary in 25% of cases. General anesthesia was used in 12% of cases. Submandibular gland resection was performed in 4%. The average size of the stones was 4.9 +/- 2.9 mm. Multiple sialoliths were found in 31 cases (29%). Sialolith fragmentation was required in 26%. Larger and multiple stones often required longer and multiple procedures and general anesthesia, and more often resulted in failures. Semirigid endoscopes had a higher success rate (85%) than flexible sialendoscopes (54%). Complications were mostly minor, but were encountered in 10% of cases. Diagnostic sialendoscopy is a new technique for evaluating salivary duct disorders that is associated with low morbidity. Interventional sialendoscopy allows the extraction of sialoliths in most patients, thus preventing open gland excision.

[Cervical and pharyngeal inflammatory pseudo-tumors, a report of two cases: clinical course and treatment]

The authors report two new cases of inflammatory pseudotumours, sited in the pharynx and neck--sites in which no previous cases have so far been reported in the literature. The aetiology and clinical course of these rare benign tumours remain little understood even today. Their treatment is also not clearly described. This is most often surgical, although medical treatment is often very effective, and is sometimes appropriate. The authors begin by describing these two clinical cases, and then use the literature to give an account of the clinical course and treatment of inflammatory pseudotumours.

[Genetic deafness:the primary cause of sensorineural hearing loss in children]

Genetically-transferred hearing impairments account for more than 50% of cases of pediatric sensorineural hearing defects. Multiple clinical aspects are involved in genetic hearing impairment, including the involvement of other organs, genetic inheritance, and the degree and age at onset of hearing loss. Diagnosis relies on family history, on the systematic investigation of the symptomatology including an associated syndrome, and audiometry testing in parents and siblings. Analysis of the connexin 26 gene is also indicated, as it is frequently involved in this disorder. Further genetic analysis in affected families will aid in detecting other as yet unidentified genes responsible for hearing impairment.

Specificity of parotid sialendoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To present our initial experience with sialendoscopy of the parotid duct.

STUDY DESIGN

METHODS

Diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy procedures were performed in 79 and 55 cases, respectively. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was used to classify ductal lesions into sialolithiasis, stenosis, sialodochitis, and polyps. Interventional sialendoscopy was used to treat these disorders. The type of endoscope used, the type of sialolithiasis fragmentation and/or extraction device used, the total number of procedures, the type of anesthesia, and the number and size of the sialoliths removed were the dependent variables. The outcome variable was the endoscopic clearing of the ductal tree and resolution of symptoms.

RESULTS

Diagnostic sialendoscopy was possible in all cases, with an average duration of 26+/-14 minutes and no complications. Interventional sialendoscopy was successful in 85% of cases, with an average duration of 73+/-43 minutes (+/- standard deviation). Multiple procedures were performed in 45% of cases, general anesthesia was used in 24%, and parotidectomy in 2%. Multiple sialoliths were found in 58% of ducts and associated with more procedures under general anesthesia and longer operations. The average size of sialoliths was 3.2+/-1.3 mm; larger stones were associated with more procedures under general anesthesia, longer and multiple procedures, use of fragmentation, and sialendoscopy failures. Sialolithiasis fragmentation was required in 10% of cases, with a success rate of 70%. Semirigid sialendoscopes performed better than flexible ones. Complications were mostly minor but were encountered in 12% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic sialendoscopy is a new technique for evaluating salivary duct disease, a technique which is associated with low morbidity. Interventional sialendoscopy allows the extraction of sialoliths in most patients, preventing open gland excision.

[Hearing impairment in children: early diagnosis is essential]

Diagnosis of hearing impairment is possible during the first days of life. Hearing tests are noninvasive and should not be delayed when hearing loss is suspected. Among children's hearing impairments, conductive hearing loss is the most frequent; it is generally acquired and reversible. At the opposite pole, sensorineural hearing loss has more severe consequences because it is irreversible and often present from birth. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary in all cases to prevent speech delay. In cases with sensorineural hearing impairment, hearing aid fitting, or even cochlear implantation, and intensive speech therapy will help deaf children learn speech, with the view of optimal social and professional integration.

[Role of epitheses in the rehabilitation of substance losses of the face]

Epithesis with bone anchoring can be usefully envisaged for the rehabilitation of losses of facial substance when reconstructive surgery is impossible, either for local or general reasons. It is important to ensure that patients are offered both methods, the advantages and disadvantages of which are analysed in this paper.

[Reconstruction and ear prosthesis: what are the indications?]

There are two procedures available for treatment of the agenetic pinna: reconstructive plastic surgery using costal cartilage, and bone-anchored prostheses. Both techniques are described, and the indications clarified. It is important to emphasise that all of the possible alternatives must be within the repertoire of the surgeon, so that the treatment can be adapted to suit the individual case.

[Submental myocutaneous island flaps: anatomical study and prospective use]

The authors describe a myocutaneous cervical island flap based on the submental vessels. The anatomy based on 12 fresh cadaver dissection is outlined the submental arteries were injected with methylene blue, and the flap design and technique were studied. The flap has a long, reliable pedicle and cutaneous dimension measured 10 x 5 cm. The flap has an excellent skin color match and wide are of rotation and can extend to the whole homolateral face, the whole oral cavity, the whole homolateral oropharyngeal. The donor site scare dissimulated under the mandible is perfectly acceptable.

Chronic tympanic membrane perforation: an animal model

Acute perforations in the tympanic membranes (TM) of animals are not good models for assessment of materials used as graft membranes or of substances with the potential to activate tympanic membrane healing mechanisms for closing perforations. Most acute TM perforations heal spontaneously, in both animals and humans. Acute TM perforation models are not analogous to the pathologic human problem of long-standing TM perforation. Bilateral subtotal symmetric perforations, with each animal serving as its own control provide a suitable model. Fourteen dogs were operated. Subtotal perforation of TM in right ears were soaked with 2% glutaraldehyde to develop an animal model for persistent tympanic membrane perforation. Subtotal myringectomy was performed on left ears, without chemical treatment of the rim. Perforations were standardized in size. The healing pattern was evaluated weekly for a 15-week period. Six of the right ears and 14 of the left ears completely healed within 15 weeks. Statistically, the mean delay of closure was higher in the treated group than in the non-treated group, and the two groups were different according the closure rate criterion. Histologic analyses of persistent TM perforations and of healed cases were performed.

A clinical study of human type IV collagen as tympanic membrane grafting material. Preliminary noncomparative study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate tolerance for this middle-ear implant and its effectiveness in eardrum healing under various pathologic conditions.

SETTING

A 12- to 18-month follow-up case series at an institutional referral center offering hospitalized care.

PATIENTS

Twenty-six eligible volunteers suffering from tympanic perforation or tympanic pocket retraction class II and III in Tos' classification.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent implantation with the type IV collagen film (film called "MTY" from the French membrane tympanique). The surgical procedure was similar to those using the temporal aponeurosis or the tragal perichondrium.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Anatomic criteria was determined by otoscopy, and functional audiometric criteria was determined by air-borne gap measurements and by effects on cochlear function.

RESULTS

Twenty-two of 26 patients were completely healed after 6 months, with no subsequent evolution. Nineteen of 26 subjects underwent a 1-year postoperative audiometric follow-up examination: 13 (68%) had an air-borne gap less than 10 dB, four (21%) had between 11 and 20 dB, and two (11%) had between 21 and 30 dB. Adverse effects included one patient whose MTY fell into the middle ear, three patients with transient myringitis, and one patient with otitis media with effusion.

CONCLUSIONS

A human type IV collagen film may be a possible alternative to autologous tissue in tympanic membrane reconstruction. This new biomaterial was tested on patients with various diseases common in clinical otology, and demonstrated a good biocompatibility of MTY in the different pathologic conditions of chronic otitis media. A future randomized, controlled trial will randomly allocate patients to receive either MTY collagen film or tissue from the temporal aponeurosis.

[Study of the ototoxicity of amikacin and netilmicin using provoked acoustic oto-emissions and high-frequency audiometry]

To compare the ototoxicity of amikacin and netilmicin, tone audiometry, high-frequency audiometry, early auditory evoked potentials, and evoked otoacoustic emission testing were used to evaluate 30 patients (15 under amikacin and 15 under netilmicin). Ototoxicity was not significantly different in the two groups.

[Reconstruction of the external ear]

The authors after a short morphological description of the microtia, expose the surgical evolution which had led to the actual auricular reconstruction technique, using a costal cartilage framework. This technique requiring several steps is exposed in the typical case of microtia. It is the preferential method. The difficult reconstructions due to the poor quality of the skin are exposed by degree of complexity: in these cases, tissue expansion, fascia temporalis superficialis can be useful and finally auricular prostheses, attached to bone-integrated implants, can be recommended. The functional surgery of the middle ear is also replaced in the context of the auricular reconstruction which is done around 8 years old.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in tinnitus disorders

The relation between Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and tinnitus was examined in 100 subjects with tinnitus disorders. The overall profile of tinnitus sufferers on the MMPI was normal. Higher scores on the depression scale were obtained in males. High hypochondria scores were related to long duration of tinnitus. High psychoasthenia scores were associated with hearing loss. Despite an analogy previously described between chronic pain and tinnitus, the psychometric parameters of tinnitus and of headaches are quite different.

Evoked otoacoustic emissions and sensorineural hearing loss

Following Kemp's original studies, several others have confirmed the existence of otoacoustic emissions. Their clinical relevance remains, however, to be clarified. The various published studies have concerned small series. This study sought to specify otoacoustic emission characteristics in relation to sensorineural hearing loss (148 ears of 76 subjects). The results show that the presence of otoacoustic emissions drops as a function of hearing loss and that there is a highly statistically significant correlation between otoacoustic emission threshold and hearing loss at the 1000-Hz frequency. Otoacoustic emissions are never found when hearing loss at 1000 Hz exceeds 40 dB hearing level and when the mean audiometric hearing loss (at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) exceeds 45 dB hearing level. The main practical conclusion is that otoacoustic emission presence indicates middle frequency functional integrity of the outer hair cells of Corti's organ. Absence of otoacoustic emissions is harder to interpret.

Experimental study of collagen as eardrum graft support in dogs

This experimental study involving dogs tested type IV human collagen as a biomaterial for use in the tympanic membrane reconstruction. A loss of substance was induced for the two tympanic membranes, and a type IV collagen graft made to one side. The kinetics of receiver fibroblast colonisation of the graft, as well as in the case of resorption, were studied. Anatomopathological examination revealed the process of reconstitution. This animal study prepares the way for studies on man.