Application of "parachute" technique for free flap reconstruction in advanced tongue cancer after ablation without lip-jaw splitting: A retrospective case study

Flapless Decoronation: A Minimally Invasive Approach

Traumatic injuries to the permanent dentition are most common in children. In severe dentoalveolar injuries, especially avulsion and intrusion, dentoalveolar ankylosis is a common complication, leading to adverse effects on the developing alveolar bone and interfering with the eruption of the adjacent teeth. The decoronation procedure was suggested in 1984 to reduce these side effects related to ankylosis. The objective of the current publication is to describe a minimally invasive, flapless decoronation procedure aimed to minimize and simplify the surgical procedure of decoronation, and ease its clinical acceptance, particularly in young children. The technique is described in a detailed protocol and demonstrated in two cases. Under local anesthesia, the dental crown is removed, and the root is reduced by 1.5-2.0 mm apically to the marginal bone crest. The root canal content is then removed, allowing it to fill with blood. The socket is coronally sealed with a porcine-derived collagen matrix (PDCM) sutured using the "parachute" technique over the resected root, allowing close adaptation to the surrounding soft tissue. In conclusion, the presented technique of flapless decoronation is a modification of the classic decoronation procedure, which can be used as a minimally invasive technique to simplify the surgical procedure and the post-operative process.

Evolution and current status of microsurgical tongue reconstruction, part II

Tongue reconstruction remains a major aspect of head and neck reconstructive procedures. Surgeons planning tongue reconstruction should consider several factors to optimize the overall outcomes. Specifically, various technical aspects related to tongue reconstruction have been found to affect the outcomes. Multidisciplinary teams dedicated to oncologic, reconstructive, and rehabilitative approaches play an essential role in the reconstructive process. Moreover, operative planning addressing certain patient-related and defect-related factors is crucial for optimizing functional speech and swallowing, as well as quality of life outcomes. Furthermore, tongue reconstruction is a delicate process, in which overall functional outcomes result from proper flap selection and shaping, recipient vessel preparation and anastomosis, surgical approaches to flap insetting, and postoperative management. The second part of this review summarizes these factors in relation to tongue reconstruction.