Partial maxillary swing approach for removal of the tumors in the retromaxillary area

Objective

Removal of tumors around the pterygoid process poses difficult challenges. Our method for removal of tumors in this area using a modification of the maxillary swing approach is reported.

Methods

A retrospective study of five cases was performed using the partial maxillary swing approach. Like the “maxillary swing approach”, the maxilla is swung laterally with the facial skin; however, only two-thirds of the anterior maxillary bone is swung.

Results

All tumors were safely removed using the partial maxillary swing approach alone, with the exception of one patient who needed an additional mandibular swing. No facial palsy, masticatory problems or necrosis of the maxilla were observed in any cases.

Conclusions

The partial maxillary swing approach offers a wide surgical field of the lesion around the posterior part of the maxilla and pterygoid process without severe complications and is useful for removal of tumors in these areas.     

Primary paraganglioma in the facial nerve canal

Objective

To describe primary paraganglioma in the facial nerve canal and discuss the characteristics of facial nerve paraganglioma in contrast with other tumors.

Case report

A 23-year-old man developed gradually progressive right facial palsy as the initial symptom. One year later, he exhibited hearing loss without tinnitus in his right ear. CT demonstrated an enlarged facial nerve canal with irregular bony erosion of the circumference. MRI showed a well-enhanced heterogeneous mass with hypo-intensity spots inside it. During surgery, a blood-rich tumor was observed along the facial nerve: however, extensive bleeding interfered with tumor removal. The surgical specimen demonstrated paraganglioma. The tumor was completely removed in the second surgery in combination with arterial embolization. Facial nerve function was reconstructed with a free muscle flap more than one year following resection.

Conclusion

Because paraganglioma is a blood-rich tumor, it is important to perform angiography and embolization. If preoperative facial nerve palsy is demonstrated, careful management of facial nerve function is needed. Paraganglioma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a facial nerve tumor.     

Effect of topical dexamethasone in reducing dysfunction after facial nerve crush injury in the rat

Objective

To date, the effect of topical steroid after a crush injury to rat facial nerve has rarely been reported on. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of topical dexamethasone on recovery after a crush injury to the rat facial nerve, by functional, electrophysiological, and morphological evaluation.

Materials and methods

We investigated the effects of topical dexamethasone on recovery after a crush injury to rat facial nerve by functional, electrophysiological and morphological evaluation.

Results

The functional recovery using vibrissae movement was significantly high scores in the experimental group than control group at two and three weeks post-crush. The recovery of the threshold of muscle action potential was significantly lowered in the experimental group compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistical significance in the nerve conduction velocity. The dexamethasone treatment groups showed a larger axon diameter and thicker myelin sheath than the control group.

Conclusion

From our results, topical dexamethasone accelerates recovery of the crush-injured facial nerve.     

The Rintala flap: a versatile procedure for nasal reconstruction

Introduction

For the nasal reconstruction, local flap using the adjacent tissue is selected from an esthetic viewpoint. The Rintala flap is a useful option, and reconstruction of the glabellar over the nasal tip with this flap is ideal, for which the procedure was modified to increase the blood flow to the Rintala flap to extend its clinical applications.

Methods

For defects of the glabellar over the middle one third of nasal dorsum, the Rintala flap is transferred employing the original design and technique dissected on supraperiosteal plane. For defects of the lower one third of nasal dorsum over the nasal tip, blood supply through the lateral nasal artery is added to the distal end of the flap, preparing a long flap with stable blood supply like Maruyama described in 1997.

Results

This procedure was applied for nasal reconstruction in 15 patients. The Rintala flap was applied in 12 and the modified Rintala flap with adding blood flow from the lateral nasal artery was applied in 3. Blood supply to the flap was very stable in all patients, and favorable outcomes were achieved.

Conclusions

Using this procedure, the natural contour and morphology of the glabellar over the nasal tip may be reconstructed. The technique is simple and easy. Using this procedure, clinical applications of the Rintala flap can be extended, showing that it is a useful nasal reconstructive procedure.     

Craniofacial resection for malignant nasal and paranasal sinus tumors assisted with the endoscope

Background

Craniofacial resection is regarded as the treatment of choice for paranasal malignant tumors invading the skull base. Even with this approach, the surgical view remains obscured when tumors in the deep nasal and paranasal sinuses are resected. Endoscopy provides a wide and clear surgical view in the deep and narrow nasal cavity. We report two patients who underwent craniofacial resection assisted with endoscope.

Methods

Two patients with malignant paranasal sinus tumor invading the anterior skull base underwent endoscope-assisted craniofacial resection.

Results

To avoid a limited surgical view in the sinonasal cavity, we performed craniofacial resection with endoscopic osteotomy and several procedures in the nasal cavity. The neurosurgeon performed anterior skull base osteotomy at an appropriate site from above, while the otolaryngologist provided illumination with the endoscope from below and preserved the adjacent structures. The patients recovered uneventfully and the endoscopic examinations of both patients 18 months after the surgery showed no recurrence.

Conclusions

Endoscopes were useful for the craniofacial resection at osteotomy, providing illumination from below and at the several procedures in the deep part of the nasal cavity. If a lateral rhinotomy incision is made, the combined transfacial and transnasal approaches avoid the limited working angle associated with the transnasal approach alone. Although an endoscopic approach is useful for treating sinonasal tumors, we should recognize its advantages and limitations.     

Chronic oroantral fistula: Combined endoscopic and intraoral approach under local anesthesia

Objective

To evaluate the outcome of combined surgical treatment of oroantral communications associated with chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Patients and methods

8 consecutive patients affected by complicated oroantral fistula were included in the study. The protocol consisted of: clinical, endoscopic and radiological preoperative evaluation (panoramic tomogram and computed tomography); systemic antibiotic and steroid therapy 2 weeks before surgery; one-stage surgical procedure under local anaesthesia consisting in uncinectomy with enlargement of the osteomeatal complex through endoscopic nasal approach associated with the closure of the oroantral communication by means of a mucoperiosteal flap; postoperative antibiotic and cortisone-based therapy. Follow-up consisted of weekly clinical evaluation during the first month, and nasal endoscopy at 3, 8 and 24 weeks after surgery.

Results

After surgical treatment, all patients were symptom-free and had no endoscopic and radiological evidences of maxillary sinusitis at the 6-month follow-up. No recurrent oroantral fistulas were found.

Conclusions

The current prospective study showed that a one-stage, combined endoscopic and intraoral approach under local anaesthesia represents a feasible and minimally invasive procedure for the long-term effective treatment of chronic complicated oroantral communications. Moreover, it represents an easily applicable approach also in outpatient clinics with minor patient discomfort.     

Comparison of surgical outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy with or without mucosal flaps

Objective

The goals of this study were to evaluate the long-term results of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with or without a posterior mucosal flap and to compare the surgical success rates of that procedure in patients with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively investigated the results of 78 endoscopic endonasal DCRs performed at the Baskent University, Department of Otolaryngology between December 2000 and March 2007 on 74 patients with a lacrimal obstruction. The patients were divided into two groups. During surgery, the posterior mucosal flap was preserved in 27 patients (group A) and removed in 47 patients (group B). All patients underwent intubation with a silicone tube at the conclusion of surgery. The silicone tube was removed within 6 months after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (range, 2–78 months). The results obtained were then compared.

Results

Granulation tissue and synechia developed between the lateral nasal wall and the middle turbinate in one patient in group A (revision surgery was not required). In group B, granulation tissue at the rhinostomy opening was found in seven patients, and in four of those subjects, the granulation tissue obstructed the neo-ostium. These four patients underwent a second operation. In group B, synechia was noted between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall in two of 47 patients. In group A, the procedure was successful for all patients except one in whom granulation tissue developed, and in group B, the surgical success rate was 88.3%.

Conclusion

In endoscopic endonasal DCR, the closure of bare bone with a posteriorly based nasal mucosal flap that creates an anastomosis between the lacrimal sac mucosa and the nasal mucosa decreases the formation of granulation tissue. But, there is no significant difference of success rate between two groups.     

Clival chordoma of the nasal septum secondary to surgical pathway seeding

Educational objective

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to recognize seeding as a form of treatment failure in transseptal resection of clival chordomas.

Objectives

The purpose is to present a case of implanted metastases in the nasal septum after a transseptal approach for resection of clival chordoma and to compare it with other reported cases in the literature.

Study design

Case report and literature review.

Methods

The clinical history, radiologic imaging, and pathology of a single patient are reviewed.

Results

A 35-year-old female presented with a left intranasal mass that completely occluded the left nasal passage. The patient had a history of clival chordoma treated at an outside institution with multiple partial resections via a transseptal approach and postoperative Gamma Knife radiotherapy. A 2.5 cm mass in the left nasal cavity as well as a 4 cm sellar mass was identified on MRI. Biopsy of the left nasal mass confirmed the diagnosis of chordoma, which was presumed to be secondary to seeding from a previous resection attempt. The patient received no further treatment due to multiple comorbidities.

Conclusions

Recurrence of clival chordoma due to seeding along the surgical pathway is an infrequent mechanism of treatment failure, with only rare cases documented in the literature. When deciding on the appropriate surgical approach, the surgeon must consider the risk of septal seeding during a transseptal approach. The emergence of transnasal endoscopic skull base approaches may reduce the likelihood of surgical pathway tumor seeding.     

Nasal cavity dimensions in congenital pyriform aperture stenosis

Objective

To determine the dimensions of the nasal cavity in infants with congenital pyriform aperture stenosis (CPAS).

Study design

The nasal cavities of seven children with CPAS were identified and were compared to the nasal cavities of 13 neonates (<30 days old) who had received CT scans for other indications.

Methods

The width of the nasal cavities was measured at the pyriform aperture, choana, and at two standardized points along the lateral nasal wall (LW-1 and LW-2) between the pyriform aperture and choana.

Results

Comparison between neonates with and without CPAS demonstrates significant narrowing of the nasal cavity (not just the pyriform aperture) in infants with CPAS. Significantly smaller nasal width was noted at pyriform aperture, LW-1, and LW-2 (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.02). No significant narrowing was seen at the choana.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that CPAS is associated with narrowing of the anterior 75% of the nasal cavity. This has implications for surgical management because simple pyriform aperture ostectomy may not be sufficient to relieve symptoms of obstruction.     

An alternative technique to define and visualize columellar and nasal tip vectors. Improvement of mestizo nose

Background

With some frequency, in mestizo rhinoplasty, we focus much of our attention on the nasal tip. This work also highlights the importance of obtaining a proper balance of the columella, achieving a pleasing visual effect of the vector lines that make up the nasal profile (columella and nasal tip vectors).

Methods

We performed a complete medical history in all patients and developed a surgical plan after nasal anatomy analysis. Pre- and postoperative photographs were obtained for medium and long term control.

Results

We treated 112 patients with this surgical technique, 77 with an open approach and 35 with a closed approach. The results were documented in the short and long term with a range of 6 months to 5 years.

Conclusions

We feel that the use of an angulated extended columellar graft is highly polyfunctional, providing length, definition and support to nasal tip grafts. Because of the graft design, it is possible to predetermine the new columella length/tip, thus visualizing the columella and nasal tip vectors of the nasal profile. The angulated extension prevents cephalic–lateral–caudal displacements of the tip graft, and to some degree it is possible to increase or decrease nasal length depending on the angularity of the extension.     

Comparison of cephalometric patterns in mouth breathing and nose breathing children

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare cephalometric values between nasal and oral breathing children and to measure the upper and lower airway space in both groups.

Methods

The study was conducted on 118 pediatric patients, 51 girls and 67 boys, from the Dental Clinic of the Universidad Europea de Madrid. The age ranges of the sample were 6–12 years old. 53 of them were mouth breathers and 65 nose breathers. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained for all of the subjects. The radiographs were analyzed and a cephalometric tracing was performed on each one.

Results

The mouth breathing children showed a more retruded mandible (SNB), and a greater inclination of the mandibular plane (NS-Go Gn) and occlusal plane (NS-O Pl.), than the nose breathing children (P < 0.05). The mouth breathing group also had a higher frequency of having the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and the nasopharyngeal air space significantly smaller than the nasal breathing group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Mouth breathing children seem to have an increase in anterior lower facial height, the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and higher tendency towards having a class II malocclusion compared to nose breathing children.     

Advantages of early management of facial clefts in Africa

Objective

Facial clefts are frequent morphological accidents occurring during the 2nd embryonic month. The management period of these affections varies, depending on the area or on the treatment habits. In the African context, there is lot of stigma surrounding this condition, often leading to rejection or even infanticide of the affected newborn. Such a psychosocial environment requires us to adapt our treatment schedule by initiating an early management.The aim of this study was to show our experience in the early treatment of facial clefts through 70 children operated in their neonatal period.

Methods

It was a retrospective study conducted over 3 years, from 2004 to 2006 at the department of Maxillo-facial surgery and Stomatology in a teaching hospital (CHU Treichville Abidjan) and in a general hospital (Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire). Newborn aged 0 to 28 days, affected with facial cleft and operated in the neonatal period were considered for this study.

Results

70 newborn suffering from facial clefts among which one at least was suffering from cleft lip were selected and operated. The study population was predominantly male (43 out of 70, meaning 61.4%). The distribution according to anatomo-clinical aspect showed 39 cases (55.7%) of cleft lip, 23 cases (32.9%) of cleft lip-alveolar process and 8 cases (11.4%) of cleft lip alveolar process and palate. The results achieved by the early surgical treatment of these affections are not very different from those of the schools which advocate that children should be a little bit older before the surgery.

Conclusion

The earliness of surgical treatment of facial clefts is borne out by the sociological and psychological context of African environment that promotes rejection and infanticide. Some factors such as anesthetic safety, physiology and anatomy favor an early surgery intervention on facial clefts.     

Evaluation of the effect of methylprednisolone and N-acetylcystein on anastomotic degeneration and regeneraton of the facial nerve

Objectives

This study was aimed to determine the effects of methylprednisolone and N-acetylcystein on nerve healing in facial nerve anastomosis.

Methods

Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group I: control group received no medication; Group II: 50 mg/kg/day N-acetylcystein administered group; Group III, 1 mg/kg/day Methylprednisolone administered group. All rabbits underwent the same standard surgical procedure. A 1 mm segment was resected from the facial nerve and the free ends were anastomosed. The drugs were administered for two months twice a day. At the end of the second month, the anastomosed regions were dissected and examined under electron and light microscopy.

Results

Best nerve regeneration was observed in the N-acetylcystein and the control groups, respectively, whereas the weakest regeneration was determined in the methylprednisolone group. In the N-acetylcystein group, due to Schwann cell and glial cell proliferation, the increased regeneration rate was significantly higher compared to that of the methylprednisolone group. In the methylprednisolone group, no significant regeneration was observed despite the presence of degenerative signs of significant axonal withdrawal and an increase in the number of myelin debris.

Conclusion

In the present study, we demonstrated that methylprednisolone had no beneficial effect in nerve regeneration after facial nerve anastomosis. It further caused increased degeneration. On the contrary, N-acetylcystein administration significantly increased the extent of regeneration, whereas it decreased the extent of degeneration compared to the control and the methylprednisolone groups.     

Surgical timing for facial paralysis after temporal bone trauma

Objectives

To explore surgical timing of facial paralysis after temporal bone trauma.

Management of naso-septal deformity in childhood: Long-term results

Objective

The classical teaching advocates a conservative approach for children presenting with various naso-septal deformities. It may not be appropriate especially when it causes nasal obstruction to the growing child. This study has two main purposes: to contribute in identifying the correct selection criteria for surgical management of pediatric patients and in selecting the most appropriate surgical technique.

Material and method

We reviewed a series of 46 cases of post-traumatic septal and naso-septal deformity not managed promptly or with recurrence of nasal deviation, following bones fracture correction alone. The mean follow-up was 10 years.

Results

Patients with naso-septal deformity managed only by septoplasty had accentuation of nasal pyramid deformity; those treated by septorhinoplasty showed a good aesthetic and functional result after long-term follow-up.

Conclusion

Our series results demonstrated that the best results were obtained when we correct all evident alterations of nasal septum and pyramid at a single stage. Unsuccessful results seen in our first group suggest that immediate correction of septum alone with delayed management of nasal pyramid deformity leads to a poorer outcome.     

What Really Decides the Facial Function of Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery?

Objectives

To find the main cause of facial nerve dysfunction in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery and review the prognosis of facial function in relation to tumor size, preoperative facial function and surgical approach.

Methods

We reviewed the surgical outcome of 134 patients with VS treated in our department between 1994 and 2008. All patients included in the study had postoperative facial paralysis after surgical management of their VS. There were 14 women and 7 men. The mean age was 48.5 years, with a mean follow-up period of 57 months.

Results

Twenty-one patients (sustained facial palsy, 4; newly developed facial palsy, 17) had facial nerve paralysis after surgery: ten patients in large VS and eleven patients in small VS. In large VS group, 4 patients had facial nerve function of HB grade II, 3 patients had HB grade III, and 3 patients had HB grade IV. In small VS group, 9 patients had HB grade II and 2 patients had HB grade IV. Middle cranial fossa approach rather than translabyrinthine approach for the preservation of hearing, led to facial nerve deterioration and the patients who had facial nerve paralysis perioperatively, had resulted in permanent facial paralysis.

Conclusion

The tumor size in VS is certainly one of the most important prognostic factors. However, VS tumor size alone should not be considered a unique prognostic indicator. The surgical approach used, which may be related to tumor size, based on the surgeon''s experience, can be a deciding factor, and the status of the facial nerve injured by the tumor can influence postoperative facial nerve function.     

The Draf III septal flap technique: A preliminary report

Aim

The most prevalent complication of Draf III surgery is recurrence of frontal recess stenosis. The aim of this study is to introduce a method to prevent closure of the recess.

Type of the Study and Setting

This is a retrospective study that was conducted in Ear, Nose and Throat Referral Center, Amir'Alam Hospital, Tehran.

Methods and Materials

We introduced a new technique for reconstructing frontal recess mucosa and prevention of restenosis following Draf III operation; we covered the posterior wall of the common recess with a vascular mucosal flap from nasal septum.

Results

During a 6-month period we used septal flaps based on anterior ethmoidal artery on four patients who had undergone endoscopic Draf III operation. During a 3-month follow-up period, frontal recess stenosis did recur in any of the patients.

Conclusion

Applying a precise and astute surgical method along with reconstructing common recess mucosa will improve the outcomes of endoscopic frontal sinus drill-out. We strongly recommend application of septal mucosal flap based on the anterior ethmoidal artery during Draf III operation to decrease the incidence of scar and recurrence of common frontal recess stenosis.     

Reconstruction of nasal cutaneous defects in Asians

Objectives

Proper selection of reconstruction method is the key point to get a successful result in nasal reconstruction. The purposes of this study are to report the author's experience and to present a surgical algorithm in reconstruction of the nasal defects in Asian.

Methods

Retrospective medical record analysis was performed for 40 patients who underwent nasal reconstruction between March 1996 and February 2006 at a tertiary referral hospital. Male to female ratio was 24:16, average age was 56 years, and average follow-up period was 25 months. Etiology, location, size, reconstruction method and surgical results were analyzed.

Results

Majority of the defects (36/40) resulted from resection of a neoplasm. Among tumors, basal cell carcinoma accounted for 75% (27/36) followed by squamous cell carcinoma 8% (3/36). The defect was located in the dorsum in 11 cases, lateral wall in 9, ala in 8, tip in 4, and involved more than two sites in 8. In 2/3 of the cases, the defect size was less than 2 cm. Local flap was used in 29 cases, primary closure in 6 cases, and skin graft in 5 cases. Among local flaps, nasolabial flap was useful for defects of the ala and multiple subunits while large nasal tip defects needed forehead flap. Transposition flaps were used for the small to medium sized defects of the nasal sidewall or dorsum. Reinforcement cartilage graft was used in 9 cases. Second stage refinement procedure was performed in 2 patients. Partial necrosis resulted in 2 cases but none ended up in total loss.

Conclusions

A local flap is the most versatile method for reconstruction of cutaneous defects of the Asian nose. The site and size of the defect are key considerations in choosing the local flap. Asian skin characteristics influence the design, execution, and the outcomes of the local flap.     

Analysis of Facial Deformities in Korean Leprosy

Objectives

The clinical features of various facial deformities in Korean leprosy patients were evaluated according to the type of leprosy.

Methods

One hundred ninety six patients with leprosy were examined for various facial deformities using a nasal speculum, endoscope, and digital camera. The frequency and severity of external nasal deformities and septal perforations were evaluated according to the type of leprosy. Eye deformities, ear deformities, and facial palsy were also assessed.

Results

Seventy-one patients (36.2%) displayed external nasal deformities: 28 minimal contractures, three cartilage contractures, two bony-cartilage contractures, and 38 skin defects. The external nasal deformity and severe form deformity in lepromatous types were more frequent compared to other types (P<0.05 for each variable). Twenty-three patients (9%) displayed septal perforations, among whom 11 had cartilaginous perforations and 12 had bony-cartilaginous perforations. The frequency of septal and bony-cartilaginous perforations did not differ significantly between the types of leprosy (P>0.05 for each variable). Sixty-one patients (31.1%) had eye deformities and 19 patients (9.7%) had facial nerve palsy, common in the borderline type. No cases of ear deformities were observed.

Conclusion

Korean patients had characteristic deformities according to the type of leprosy. They were different from those seen in the prior analyses of Caucasian populations.     

Submucous inferior turbinotomy cooperating with combined antrostomies for endonasal eradication of severe and intractable sinusitis

Objective

This paper aims to prove the usefulness of submucous inferior turbinotomy cooperating with the combined middle and the inferior antrostomies in endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery (ESS), enabling the eradication of severe maxillary sinusitis without extranasal approaches. The long-term surgical outcomes of 22 adult patients are presented together with details of this procedure.

Methods

Subjects comprised 22 adult patients with severe unilateral maxillary sinusitis, showing total opacification on computed tomography and failure of medical treatments preoperatively. Patients who could be managed using conventional ESS methods were excluded. Endoscopic submucous resection of the inferior turbinate bone including the uncinate process was first performed. The procedure aimed to make both the middle and the inferior nasal meatus wide enough to eradicate the sinus disease, cooperating with combined antrostomies.

Results

Pathology comprised multiple massive polyposis including antrochoanal polyps in 6 and fungal ball in 16 patients. Neither surgical complications nor recurrent disease was seen postoperatively in any patient. Postoperative endoscopic management via both openings was easy and facilitated the restoration of mucosal lining in the sinus.

Conclusion

We proved our new surgical procedure was useful in ESS without any extranasal approaches, although applied to unilateral lesions in the current study. Postoperative management via the middle and the inferior meatal openings helped to facilitate postoperative mucosal healing.