Oromandibular reconstruction after cancer resection

The goals of this article are (1) to summarize the epidemiology of oromandibular cancer, (2) to describe the classification of defects after cancer extirpation, and (3) to discuss the principles of and state of the art in reconstruction of the oromandibular defect. The four commonly used flaps (fibula flap, radial forearm flap, scapula flap, and the iliac crest) and their key characteristics are summarized. Finally, some future speculations are entertained.     

Oromandibular reconstruction with vascularized free flaps: a review of 50 cases

Fifty cases of oromandibular reconstruction using vascularized free flaps to evaluate functional parameters of results were evaluated. There were 23 iliac crest flaps, 17 fibula flaps, 30 ulnar forearm flaps, and 3 radial forearm flaps with bone. Thirteen female and 37 male patients comprised the study, with a mean age of 57.66 years. Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) constituted 86% of cases, of which 60% were T4 lesions and 13.9% were recurrent. Anterolateral mandibular defects constituted 48.7%, and the mean bone gap was 8.13 cm. Functional evaluation was based on the University of Washington Questionnaire (UWQ) through phone calls and personal communication. The mean hospital stay was 12.42 days. The external carotid (75%) and facial (18.3%) were the main recipient arteries. The internal jugular (47.05%) was the main recipient vein. Overall flap survival was 95.9%. Three flaps were lost due to unsalvageable venous thrombosis. Major local complications such as partial flap loss, hematoma, and orocervical fistula constituted 10% of cases. Speech was classified as "excellent" and "good" in 43.3% of cases. Swallowing was identified as "excellent" and "good" in 53.3% of cases. Cosmetic acceptance was rated "good" in 63.3% of cases. Vascularized free flap reconstruction of oromandibular defects provides excellent functional and aesthetic results. The majority of patients are able to tolerate a regular diet. Intelligible speech and acceptable appearance are restored, providing patient satisfaction.     

Oromandibular reconstruction using a third free flap in sequence in recurrent carcinoma.

Successful results of a second microsurgical reconstructive attempt have been reported previously in recurrent oral carcinoma. However, the feasibility of a third free flap following a third excision has remained to be determined. Six oral carcinoma patients with multiple recurrences, surgical excisions and free flap reconstructions on three separate occasions are presented. Resections had a curative intent in all cases in the first and second ablations and in four of the six cases in the third one. Five radial forearm flaps and one double free flap were used for the first reconstruction. During the second reconstruction two radial forearm, two fibula osteoseptocutaneous, one double free flap and one rectus femoris flap were used to reconstruct the larger defects resulting from excision of the recurrent tumours. However, no vascularised bone transfers were performed following the third excision and soft tissue free flap plus plate option was used for segmental mandibular defects. There was one partial flap loss among 21 free flaps performed. Three patients died within an average of 8 months following the third reconstruction while the others remained alive, surviving an average of 6 months. In conclusion, a third free tissue transfer for reconstruction in multiply recurrent oral carcinoma was found to be feasible, safe and effective. The use of free flaps contributed to the prevention of complications in these difficult cases and enabled the patients to spend the remaining days of their lives outside hospital.     

Oromandibular dystonia.

Oromandibular dystonia (OMD) is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive muscular contraction affecting different parts of the oromandibular region. Its various physical manifestations can be extremely debilitating and socially disabling to affected patients. To date, there is no commonly accepted set of diagnostic criteria nor well-defined management pathways. This paper aims to discuss some aspects of clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, neurological mechanisms, and treatment options for OMD, with illustrations from 6 clinical cases.     

A comprehensive algorithm for anterior skull base reconstruction after oncological resections.

Objective: To present our method for anterior skull base reconstruction after oncological resections. Methods: One hundred nine patients who had undergone 120 anterior skull base resections of tumors (52 malignant [43%], 68 benign [57%]) via the subcranial approach were studied. Limited dural defects were closed primarily or reconstructed using a temporalis fascia. Large anterior skull base defects were reconstructed by a double-layer fascia lata graft. A split calvarial bone graft, posterior frontal sinus wall, or three-dimensional titanium mesh were used when the tumor involved the frontal, nasal, or orbital bones. A temporalis muscle flap was used to cover the orbital socket for cases of eye globe exenteration, and a rectus abdominis free flap was used for subcranial-orbitomaxillary resection. Pericranial flap wrapping of the frontonaso-orbital segment was performed to prevent osteoradionecrosis if perioperative radiotherapy was planned. Results: The incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, intracranial infection, and tension pneumocephalus was 5%. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of fascia lata grafts in reoperated patients (n = 7) revealed integration of vascularized fibrous tissue to the graft and local proliferation of a newly formed vascular layer embedding the fascial sheath. Conclusion: A double-layer fascial graft alone was adequate for preventing CSF leak, meningitis, tension pneumocephalus, and brain herniation. We describe a simple and effective method of anterior skull base reconstruction after resections of both malignant and benign tumors.     

Skin grafts used in combination with free flaps for intraoral oncological reconstruction

Surgeons have relied less on skin grafts for intraoral reconstruction by extending free flap tissue onto adjacent areas that could be potentially skin grafted. Split-thickness skin grafts provide thin, reliable epithelial coverage to tissue beds that can be grafted without requiring additional flap tissue. The combined use of split-thickness skin grafts with free tissue transfer may be advantageous in select situations. Four patients underwent intraoral tumor resection with immediate reconstruction using free tissue transfer and split-thickness skin grafts. Skin grafting the tongue component of combined hemiglossectomy and floor-of-mouth (FOM) defects rather than spanning the tongue-FOM junction with flap tissue may prevent excessive bulk, improve tongue mobility, and reduce the size requirement of the flap. A split-thickness skin graft can be applied to the intraoral surface of free flaps used to reconstruct through-and-through orocutaneous defects, reducing the complexity of flap design and inset. Maxillectomy defects reconstructed with muscle flaps can be epithelialized immediately with the application of a split-thickness skin graft to provide a stable obturator cavity. In select cases, the combination of split-thickness skin grafts and free tissue transfer may have advantages over the use of flap tissue alone to cover the adjacent areas of a complex defect capable of being grafted.     

Functional and oncological outcome of acetabular reconstruction for the treatment of metastatic disease

BACKGROUND: Metastatic disease of the acetabulum can be painful and disabling. Operative intervention is indicated for patients who fail to respond adequately to nonoperative treatment. We evaluated the functional and oncological outcome of acetabular reconstruction after curettage for the treatment of refractory symptomatic acetabular metastases. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with metastatic disease of the acetabulum were treated with operative acetabular reconstruction combined with a total hip replacement. The most common primary tumor was carcinoma of the breast (eighteen patients), followed by carcinoma of the kidney (seven patients) and carcinoma of the prostate (seven patients). Forty (73 percent) of the patients presented with multiple skeletal metastases, and eighteen (33 percent) had associated visceral metastases. Twenty-eight (51 percent) had severe pain requiring continuous use of narcotics, twenty-four (44 percent) had moderate pain requiring periodic use of narcotics, and the remaining three (5 percent) had mild pain requiring use of non-narcotic analgesics. Eighteen (33 percent) of the patients could not walk, twenty-three (42 percent) needed a walker or crutches, twelve (22 percent) used a single cane, and two (4 percent) walked without assistive devices. Intralesional curettage of the tumor was performed in all of the patients. Fifty-four of the hips were reconstructed with a protrusio cup and one, with a hemipelvis endoprosthesis. Large defects were reinforced with cement and pin or screw fixation (the modified Harrington technique), which allowed transmission of weight-bearing forces to the remaining intact pelvis. Thirty-six acetabular reconstructions were performed with antegrade pins or cannulated screws; fifteen, with long retrograde screws; and four, with cement. RESULTS: The median period of survival was nine months. Patients with visceral metastases had a median period of survival of three months compared with twelve months for patients without visceral metastases (p < 0.001). Patients with breast cancer presented later in the disease process (p < 0.004) and lived longer than did those with other carcinomas (p < 0.004). Forty-five patients were evaluated three months after reconstruction. Thirty-four (76 percent) of them had relief of pain as determined by decreased use of narcotics. Nine of the eighteen patients who could not walk preoperatively regained the ability to walk. Fourteen of the seventeen patients who originally were able to walk in the community retained that ability. Thirty-three patients were available for evaluation at six months. Twenty-five (76 percent) still had relief of pain, and nineteen (58 percent) were able to walk and function in the community. Overall, fourteen (25 percent) of the fifty-five patients had moderate local progression of the disease, and five of these patients had failure of the fixation. Fourteen early complications developed in twelve (22 percent) of the patients. One patient (2 percent) died perioperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have acetabular metastases that are refractory to radiation and chemotherapy have a short life expectancy. The early, gratifying results of reconstruction validate the role of operative treatment as a short-term palliative procedure. Protrusio acetabular cups presumably compensate for deficiencies of the medial wall, while cement and pin fixation can be used effectively to reconstruct large defects in the acetabular column and dome. The low rate of fixation failure supports the biomechanical principles of the reconstruction. Generally, the reconstructions are sufficiently durable to exceed the life expectancy of the patients.     

Do locking plates have a role in orthopaedic oncological reconstruction

Background  

Role of locking plate in skeletal reconstruction after resection of bone tumours in Indian patients.     

Functional and oncological outcomes after orthotopic neobladder reconstruction in women

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience with orthotopic neobladder reconstruction (ONR) in women, highlighting functional and oncological outcomes, as ONR has been used increasingly for urinary diversion in women after radical cystectomy (RC), largely due to a better understanding of the natural history of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) and of the anatomy underlying the female continence mechanism, but defining the safety and long‐term efficacy of ONR remain important to expanding its use.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 59 women who had RC with ONR between 1995 and 2006 at the Mayo Clinic. Their records were reviewed for clinicopathological demographics, and functional and oncological outcomes.

RESULTS

The median (range) age at surgery of the women was 62 (20–82) years, and the median follow‐up was 29.2 (1–141) months. Fifty‐three women had RC for malignant disease, including UCC in 47. Five women (8.5%) required resection of the anterior vaginal wall during surgery, while 39 (66%) had concurrent hysterectomy. One patient had a positive surgical margin, at the left distal ureter, on final pathology. Thirteen (22%) patients had perioperative complications, including two (3%) who required reoperation. In addition, three patients (5%) developed a neobladder‐vaginal fistula after RC with ONR, requiring surgical repair. At the last follow‐up, daytime urinary continence (defined as needing no pads) was reported by 44/49 (90%) patients, while 28/49 (57%) had achieved continence at night. Seventeen (31%) patients required intermittent self‐catheterization to facilitate emptying of the neobladder. Fifteen (28%) women had recurrence of disease, at a median of 8 (2–36) months after ONR, including seven (13%) who developed a pelvic recurrence. Twelve (20%) patients died during the follow‐up, with four (8%) dying from UCC at a median of 14 (11–65) months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

ONR provides a safe and effective option for urinary diversion in women, with oncological and functional outcomes similar to those for men. Thus, the technique remains a preferred option for urinary diversion in appropriately selected women treated with RC.     

Inverted urethral flap reconstruction after partial penectomy: Long-term oncological and functional outcomes

IntroductionPenile aesthetics after partial penectomy (PP) for penile cancer (PC), significantly affect a patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-esteem, and sexual function. Satisfactory reconstruction has become a major milestone in the treatment of these patients.MethodsClinical charts of all patients that underwent PP and reconstruction with an inverted urethral flap (IUF) were reviewed. The primary endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) which were graphically represented by Kaplan-Meier estimates. The key secondary endpoints were Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), erectile function, and lower urinary tract symptoms.ResultsBetween May 2007 and December 2019, 74 patients with PC underwent PP and IUF reconstruction. The median age was 62 years (IQR 52–76), median follow-up was 72 months (IQR 38–121). Twenty-nine patients (39.2%) underwent inguinal lymph node dissection, 62 (83.8%) underwent dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy. Kaplan-Meier estimates of OS, RFS, and PFS showed a 6-year OS of 86.5%, 6-year RFS of 90.5%, and a 6-year PFS of 85.1%. Regarding functional outcomes, we found a mean global health score of 84.6% ± 10.4 at the EQ-5D-3L-VAS. The mean Voiding score of the ICIQ-MLUTS was 1.7 ± 3.2 and a mean IIEF-5 score of 17.3 ± 7.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, we report the largest cohort in the literature of PP with IUF reconstruction. These results are important since early-stage PC is the most common stage at diagnosis. In carefully selected patients’ preservation of a longer urethral stump to allow for the inverted flap is safe and does not compromise oncological outcomes while preserving HRQoL.     

Envelope mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (EMIR), improving outcome without oncological compromise.

AIM: To determine the long term oncological safety and aesthetic acceptability of envelope mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (EMIR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 71 cases was carried out. Oncological assessment was by clinical examination, mammography, ultrasound, and, where indicated, MRI scan. Aesthetic assessment was based on detailed clinical examination as well as subjective self-assessment of the outcome. RESULTS: During follow-up (mean 48 months), there were three local recurrences, only one involving the nipple-areolar complex. The mean aesthetic score was 0.75 (out of 1), representing a good aesthetic outcome and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Nipple-areolar complex preservation is a safe option and EMIR produced a good aesthetic outcome, which is oncologically safe. Furthermore, it does not preclude post-operative radiotherapy.