Surgical instrument to improve implant positioning in orbital reconstruction: a feasibility study

Adequate positioning of an orbital implant during orbital reconstruction surgery is essential for restoration of the pre-traumatised anatomy, but visual appraisal of its position is limited by the keyhole access and protruding soft tissues. A positioning instrument that attaches to the implant was designed to provide feedback outside the orbit. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of placement with the instrument and compare it with the accuracy of placement by visual appraisal. Ten orbits in five human cadaver heads were reconstructed twice: once using visual appraisal and once using the instrument workflow. No significant improvement was found for the roll (5.8° vs 3.4°, respectively, p=0.16), pitch (2.1° vs 1.5°, p=0.56), or translation (2.9 mm vs 3.3 mm, p=0.77), but the yaw was significantly reduced if the instrument workflow was used (15.3° vs 2.9°, p=0.02). The workflow is associated with low costs and low logistical demands, and may prevent outliers in implant positioning in a clinical setting when intraoperative navigation or patient-specific implants are not available.     

Quantitative assessment of bony orbital volume symmetry: CT analysis in the uninjured caucasian population

There is a surprising lack of evidence documenting the volumetric symmetry of the bony orbit. This paper establishes reference values for orbital volume (OV) and symmetry in the 25 - 40 year old caucasian population. Secondarily, this paper sets a landmark for the tolerances in OV that can be expected when reconstructing the bony defects which may occur from trauma. A standardised method of quantitative OV measurement was developed using CT sinus examinations acquired for indications unrelated to orbital trauma. Sex, ethnicity, age, right and left OV were recorded. Data for 100 patients was obtained (50 male, 50 female). Mean left OV was 23.1cm³ and mean right OV was 23.3cm³. Left and right OV were strongly positively correlated (correlation coefficient: 0.96). Mean female OV was 21.6cm³ and mean male OV was 24.8cm³. On average, male OV is 3.2cm³ larger than female OV. The mean difference between left and right OV was 0.5cm³ in females and 0.6cm³ in males. The intra-class coefficient score between the two assessors was 0.973 (excellent). There is strong positive correlation between left and right OV in this study population. Previous work suggests that orbital volume loss less than 1cm³ would not lead to significant clinical symptoms of orbital fracture. When orbital reconstruction is undertaken, this study suggests that a volume symmetry difference of <0.5cm³ in females and <0.6cm³ in males would be consistent with the variation seen in the study population of uninjured caucasian 25-40 year olds and is therefore a reasonable goal of surgical management.     

Unilateral soft palate palsy secondary to blunt neck trauma: a case report

Unilateral soft palate paralysis is rare. No cases of unilateral soft palate paralysis with associated velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) secondary to minor blunt neck trauma have been reported to date. This case details the presentation of a man with isolated unilateral soft palate paralysis and associated velopharyngeal insufficiency following a collision with an opponent when playing soccer.     

Frontal sinus augmentation: Preliminary results of a new approach in prosthetic orbital reconstruction

PurposeReliable application of endosseous implants for prosthetic facial reconstruction depends on the bone volume available at the defect site. Regarding the orbit, sufficient bone presentation in the medial superior orbital rim is limited due to the frontal sinus. The aim of this article is to report for the first time on the augmentation of the frontal sinus for gaining bone volume for supraorbital implant placement.Materials and methodsBetween 2007 and 2014, five patients with orbital exenteration were treated by frontal sinus augmentation using autogenous cancellous bone graft from the ilium. Extraoral implants for prosthetic orbit reconstruction were placed 4–7 months later. In advance, cadaver surgery was performed to prove the feasibility of the method. Surgical technique is described, and intraoperative images are provided.ResultsThe frontal sinus was successfully augmented in all five patients. No major complications related to the procedure were observed. A total of nine orbital implants were inserted in the augmented bone, thereof one sleeping implant. Six implants were restored prosthetically, two implants were lost at exposure. The observation period ranged from 6 to 97 months (mean: 52.8 months). Mean time for patient rehabilitation was 13 months. High patient satisfaction was achieved with the implant-retained orbital prosthesis.ConclusionThe augmentation of the frontal sinus allows implant placement by providing sufficient bone volume in the medial supraorbital rim. Considering the surgical success of this method and patient satisfaction, this new approach is concluded to be a viable option in a unique subset of patients.     

Use of CAD-based pre-bent implants reduces theatre time in orbital floor reconstruction: results of a prospective study

In this prospective study we evaluated the duration of insertion and the accuracy of fitting of computer-aided design (CAD)-based pre-bent orbital floor plates compared with non-preformed orbital plates in reconstruction of the orbital floor. Thirty-six patients with unilateral fractures of the orbital floor were included; pre-bent plates were used in 25 and non-preformed plates in 11. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were used for CAD of individualised implants. The anatomy of the affected orbit was virtually reconstructed “slice by slice”. Individually pre-bent plates were generated using a stereolithographic model of the reconstructed orbit. The mean (SD) duration of insertion was significantly reduced when pre-bent orbital plates were used (5.5 (5.4) min) compared with non-preformed meshes (11.1 (7.7) min). The congruence of pre-bent plates to the infraorbital rim did not differ from that of non-preformed plates. The accuracy of fit was rated as “accurate” in 24 cases. CAD-based individualised titanium meshes reduce theatre time compared with non-preformed orbital plates. Our results confirm the efficacy of CAD-based pre-bent plates in reconstruction of the orbital floor.     

Neurosensory recovery after trauma to the orbital floor: a prospective trial with dexamethasone

Our aims were to document the occurrence of neurosensory disturbances of the infraorbital nerve six months after operation for an orbital blow-out fracture, and to find out whether dexamethasone facilitates neurosensory regeneration. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group was given a total of dexamethasone 30 mg, whereas the control group were given neither glucocorticoid nor placebo. Each patient’s infraorbital neurosensory state was recorded preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and six months later. A total of 18 patients were included, eight of whom had neurosensory disturbances six months after the initial trauma that was not affected by dexamethasone. Six of the seven patients who had a delay of seven days or more between trauma and operation had significantly prolonged disturbance at the 180-day clinical follow up compared with those in whom it was less than seven days (p = 0.005). Other possible predictors made no significant difference. Although dexamethasone did not facilitate sensory recovery, its benefits in the management of pain and reduction of swelling may justify its use in the management of facial trauma in selected patients.     

Postoperative neck pain associated with an implantable microvascular ultrasonic Doppler: a case report

Microvascular reconstruction in the head and neck has enabled the transfer of large amounts of tissue, and has improved functional and cosmetic outcomes for patients. Its success is primarily dependent on adequate perfusion, and though many methods have been used to monitor the circulation of flaps, the Cook-Swartz implantable Doppler has gained favour with surgeons and nursing staff. We present the unusual case of a patient who had developed recurrent infection and pain that was associated with its use.     

Flattening of the orbital lower eyelid fat as a long-term outcome after surgical treatment of orbital floor fractures

Our aim was to report the incidence of asymmetry of the lower eyelid (that manifests itself as flattening of the eyelid fat) as a long-term complication of the surgical approach of unilateral fractures of the orbital floor. We retrospectively reviewed the aesthetic appearance of the lower eyelid in 43 patients after repair of such fractures. Long-term asymmetry seen as asymmetrical flattening of the eyelid fat was evaluated and graded qualitatively as mild, moderate, and severe. We studied its relations to the surgical approach, patient’s age and sex, and postoperative time; 20 of the 43 had flattening of the lower eyelid fat. There were significantly more patients with flattening of the fat after a transconjunctival approach than after transcutaneous ones (p = 0.03). We found a statistical likelihood of the development of flattening of the fat when patients were between 40 and 60 years old at the time of operation (p = 0.006). Increasing age at the time of the study was related to increased severity (p = 0.0019), with the greatest significance over 55 years old (p = 0.006). We found no relation to patients’ sex, or duration of operation. To our knowledge this is the first time that flattening of the eyelid fat has been described as a long-term complication after a particular approach to orbital floor fractures. The transconjunctival incision was more likely to be associated with this long-term outcome. Patients over 40 years old are also at risk of developing flattening, and this is more severe when the patient is over 55. A short follow-up period is not sufficient for the evaluation of the aesthetic outcome of traditional approaches to fractures of the orbital floor in the lower eyelid.     

Single-stage bone resection and cranioplastic reconstruction: comparison of a novel software-derived PEEK workflow with the standard reconstructive method

The combined resection of skull-infiltrating tumours and immediate cranioplastic reconstruction predominantly relies on freehand-moulded solutions. Techniques that enable this procedure to be performed easily in routine clinical practice would be useful. A cadaveric study was developed in which a new software tool was used to perform single-stage reconstructions with prefabricated implants after the resection of skull-infiltrating pathologies. A novel 3D visualization and interaction framework was developed to create 10 virtual craniotomies in five cadaveric specimens. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implants were manufactured according to the bone defects. The image-guided craniotomy was reconstructed with PEEK and compared to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Navigational accuracy and surgical precision were assessed. The PEEK workflow resulted in up to 10-fold shorter reconstruction times than the standard technique. Surgical precision was reflected by the mean 1.1 ± 0.29 mm distance between the virtual and real craniotomy, with submillimetre precision in 50%. Assessment of the global offset between virtual and actual craniotomy revealed an average shift of 4.5 ± 3.6 mm. The results validated the ‘elective single-stage cranioplasty’ technique as a state-of-the-art virtual planning method and surgical workflow. This patient-tailored workflow could significantly reduce surgical times compared to the traditional, intraoperative acrylic moulding method and may be an option for the reconstruction of bone defects in the craniofacial region.     

Economic analysis of a low-cost virtual surgical planning protocol for mandibular reconstruction: a case series

The aim of this study was to make an economic analysis and evaluation of a low-cost virtual surgical planning (VSP) protocol that was developed in house, and based on open-source software and a desktop 3-dimensional printer. All eight patients between April 2014 and 2015 who had been treated by mandibular reconstructions with microvascular fibular flaps that had been planned using the protocol were retrospectively analysed for accuracy, time, and cost. Median differences for planned compared with postoperative intercondylar distance, intergonial distance, and gonial angle did not differ significantly. A median (range) labour time of 85 (€57-124) minutes was needed. An evaluation of cost, including labour, showed an additional median (range) cost/patient of € 276 (€257.50-297.25). With the acquisition cost of the 3-dimensional printer omitted, there was a negligible additional cost/patient of €44.75 (€26.25-66). All planning was done by the junior surgeon and there was a steep learning curve. Our new VSP protocol is cost-effective, easy to use, and has an accuracy comparable with that of a standard VSP protocol. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of an open-source software protocol in which the labour costs of the planning by a surgeon are included.     

Evaluation of volume of the sphenoid sinus according to sex,facial type,skeletal class,and presence of a septum: a cone-beam computed tomographic study

We have used cone-beam computed tomographic (CT) images to retrospectivelyevaluate the influence of sex, skeletal class, facial type, and the presence of septa on the volume of the sphenoid sinus in 172 images from 85 men (mean (SD) age 28 (2) years) and 87 women (mean (SD) age 30 (1) years). Skeletal class and facial type were calculated for each patient from multiplanar reconstructions using NemoCeph® software. Volumetric analysis of the sphenoid sinus was made with the help of the ITK-SNAP® 3.4.0 segmentation software, while the presence or absence of septa in the sphenoid sinus was evaluated with the Carestream 3D Imaging® software 3.4.3. We analysed the results using two-way ANOVA, Student’s independent sample t test, and Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, and probabilities of <0.05 were accepted as significant. Sex (p = 0.0946), facial type (p = 0.790), and skeletal class (p = 0.120) had no significant influence on the volume of the sphenoid sinus, and nor did the volumes of the right and left sphenoid sinuses (p = 0.0923), or the presence of a septum within the sinus (p = 0.330) in its volume.     

Mandibular bi-directional distraction osteogenesis: A technique to manage both transverse and sagittal mandibular diameters via a lingual tooth-borne acrylic plate and double-hinge bone anchorage

PurposeMandibular hypoplasia can develop transversely, sagittally, or in both diameters simultaneously. Current techniques achieve either sagittal or transverse expansion with different surgeries. Here, we present a novel method to obtain transverse and sagittal mandibular distraction in one stage.Materials and methodsThe technique consists of a double osteotomy: a dento-alveolar osteotomy comprising four or six anterior teeth and a vertical symphysiotomy underneath. The mandibular basal bone is immediately expanded transversely and fixed to the lower symphysis via a miniplate carrying only one screw on each side that functions as a hinge during active distraction. The plate is connected to the anterior dento-alveolar block with a metal wire ligature. A teeth-anchored lingual distraction system can expand transversely at the alveolar bone level and then sagittally with the anterior dento-alveolar segment wired to the lower plate.ResultsSatisfying and stable results were achieved, confirmed by measurements on serial plaster casts.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first proposal for ortho-surgical correction of both transversal and sagittal mandibular hypoplasia via a bi-directional distraction procedure. A combination of bone-hardware anchorage and dental-anchored distraction systems is suggested.Transmucosal hardware emergence and need for a second surgery to remove bone-borne appliances are avoided.     

Metastasis of submandibular gland carcinoma to the toe bone: a case report

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is rare. One of its characteristics is a high rate of distant metastasis, and the most common site is the lungs, followed by the brain and liver. Bony metastases account for up to 1.96% of cases only, however, and metastasis from the blood to the bones of distal limbs is rare. We report a 62-year-old woman who presented with pain caused by bony metastases as the first symptom eight years after being diagnosed with submandibular ACC. Although such cases are rare, they indicate that when patients who have had cancer visit the hospital with other symptoms, clinicians should make sure to rule out metastasis.     

Combined use of a facial scanner and an intraoral scanner to acquire a digital scan for the fabrication of an orbital prosthesis

For a patient with a unilateral orbital defect, an esthetic orbital prosthesis plays an essential role in enhancing quality of life. This technique describes the combined use of a facial scanner and an intraoral scanner to acquire the digital scan for the design and fabrication of an orbital prosthesis. The method results in an esthetic prosthesis with accurate skin texture reproduction.     

Computer-assisted surgery for reconstruction of complex mandibular defects using osteomyocutaneous microvascular fibular free flaps: Use of a skin paddle-outlining guide for soft-tissue reconstruction. A technical report

Introduction

We present our pre-operative virtual planning of complex mandibular reconstruction with a microvascular fibular composite free flap and its harvesting using our novel cutaneous positioning guide based on the perforator vessels for our soft tissue reconstructive surgery.

Comparison of high-flow oxygen therapy with standard oxygen therapy for prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications after major head and neck surgery involving insertion of a tracheostomy: a feasibility study

Major operations on the head and neck that involve microvascular reconstruction and a tracheostomy are prolonged procedures with considerable postoperative risk. Postoperative pulmonary complications are common because of mechanical ventilation, immobility, and inadequate humidification. High-flow heated oxygen therapy (HFOT) may overcome some of these issues, but we know of no published studies to support its use. The aim of this single-site randomised controlled trial therefore was to explore its feasibility and safety in these patients. Twenty patients were randomised to have HFOT (10 patients) or standard oxygen therapy (10 patients). HFOT was used from cessation of mechanical ventilation until decannulation of the tracheostomy. The primary outcome was feasibility. The secondary outcome measures explored the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, achievement of milestones of weaning from the tracheostomy, and hospital length of stay. A total of 21 patients were consecutively recruited and all provided informed consent. One who did not require a tracheostomy was later excluded. All patients initially had the intervention as planned, and one was electively changed to the control group because of discomfort caused by the high-flow oxygen. There were no adverse events or safety concerns in either group. Secondary outcomes showed a reduction in the incidence of pulmonary complications in the HFOT group. The use of HFOT is safe and feasible in patients who have microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck and a tracheostomy.     

Results of flap reconstruction: categorisation to reflect outcomes and process in the management of head and neck defects

The reporting of the outcomes of flap reconstruction is often based on numerical success rates. Whilst this remains a useful variable with which to measure success, it is limited in its ability to reflect the complex processes involved. The lack of consistency in the categorisation of outcomes of flap reconstruction in the head and neck could potentially lead us to lose the opportunity to fully capture the implications of its success or failure, or both. We propose a classification that moves away from primarily reporting the results of its binary nature, and focuses more on the process of reconstruction, particularly in the head and neck.