Canal wall reconstruction and mastoid obliteration with composite multi-fractured osteoperiosteal flap

We used inferior pedicled composite multi-fractured osteoperiosteal flap (CMOF), our original and new surgical approach, to obliterate the mastoid cavity and reconstruct the external auditory canal (EAC) to prevent the open cavity problems. CMOF was used to obliterate the mastoid cavity and reconstruct the EAC in 24 patients (13 women, 11 men; age span 12–51 years) who underwent radical mastoidectomy to treat the chronic otitis media between 1998 and 2004. Small meatoplasty was done in all 24 patients to relive their aesthetical concerns. Temporal bone CT scanning was done to observe the neo-osteogenesis in the mastoidectomy cavity and the CMOF, and the EAC volume was measured postoperatively. All our patients were followed-up for 2 years. The epithelization of the new EAC in our patients was complete at the end of the second month. Cholesteatoma, granulation, and recurrence of osteitis did not occur in any of the patients. We saw the new bone formation filling the mastoid cavity in the postoperative temporal bone CT scanning images. The mean volume of the new EAC on the 24th month was 1.83 ± 0.56 cm³. We had an almost natural EAC, which owed its existence to the neo-osteogenesis that grows behind the CMOF, which we use to obliterate the mastoid cavity and to reconstruct the EAC.This technique, composite multi-fractured osteoperiosteal flap, was presented in the symposium of Gulhane Military Medical Academy on otology and audiology, 15–18 September, 2005, Antalya, Turkey.     

肌骨膜瓣填塞乳突腔、耳甲腔成形并一期鼓室成形术

目的观察对慢性化脓性中耳乳突炎(胆脂瘤或骨疡型)患者行耳后肌骨膜瓣填塞乳突腔、耳甲腔成形、WullsteinⅢ型鼓室成形术的手术疗效.方法采用耳后切口对37例(37耳)慢性化脓性中耳乳突炎(胆脂瘤或骨疡型)病人施行耳后肌骨膜瓣填塞乳突腔及耳甲腔成形和Ⅲ型鼓室成形术.结果术后听力平均提高16dB,26耳平均听力达35.8dB,9耳平均听力达25dB.跟踪随访2-4年,术腔均上皮化好,外耳道无痂皮堆积.26例鼓膜形态完全正常,5例鼓膜疤痕内陷,3例鼓膜穿孔但干耳,干耳率91.9%(34/37);3耳仍有间断性流脓,经再次手术干耳,2例胆脂瘤复发,复发率5.4%(2/37).干耳时间在5-9周,平均6.5周.结论耳后肌骨膜瓣填塞乳突腔、耳甲腔成形并Wullstein Ⅲ型鼓室成形术能使术腔迅速上皮化、易干耳,术后听力提高.     

Free tissue transfer versus pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: Free flaps are often criticized as being medically risky for the patient, expensive, and too time-consuming when compared with the traditional rotational flap repair. Perhaps the costs do not outweigh the benefits. The study analyzes many aspects of resource utilization and patient outcome to determine whether these criticisms hold true. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective patient review. METHODS: Sixty-five patient charts were reviewed. The following data were abstracted: flap type, tumor location and stage, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative irradiation, postoperative medical complications, flap outcome, length of hospital stay, date of first intake by mouth, and date of decannulation. The data were analyzed for free flaps and rotational flaps. Then data were analyzed again for free and rotational flaps performed for only patients who underwent a composite resection, to further standardize the results. RESULTS: For all defect types, free flap operative time was statistically greater (9 h 35 min for free flaps vs. 4 h 58 min for rotational flaps). Regarding hospital charges, only patients who had a free flap after composite resection differed in amount charged when free versus rotational flaps were compared (53,585 dollars for free flaps vs. 32,984 dollars for rotational flaps). Length of intensive care unit stay differed between patients having composite resection of the two flap types (0.1 d after rotational flap vs. 1.4 d after free flap). CONCLUSIONS: The differences between the two reconstruction methods are only a few. We do not think that longer operative time, longer length of intensive care unit stay, and increased hospital charges are significant enough to deny a patient a superior repair. We also think that as surgeons' experience increases, these differences may one day no longer hold true.     

The modified temporalis muscle flap in reconstruction of palate and temporal deformity

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to introduce a modified temporalis muscle flap (TMF) which was used to reconstruct palate and temporal deformity.

Patient and methods: This was a retrospective review of the use of the modified TMF in reconstruction of palate and temporal deformity. We evaluated the result which included operative time, bleeding, necrosis, infection, facial nerve deficit, and cosmetic deformity.

Results: All the 16 patients accepted the modified TMF surgery successfully. There were no complications. All of them were satisfied with the postoperative appearance.

Conclusions: The modified TMF was a reliable and safe flap that can be used to reconstruct the surgical defect of plate and fill the temporal fossa.     

Reverse rotation flap for reconstruction of donor site after vascular pedicled nasoseptal flap in skull base surgery

Endonasal skull base surgery is growing exponentially as a subspecialty. In recent years, advances in endoscopic techniques and intraoperative navigation systems have allowed us to expand the indications of endoscopic skull base surgery. Major skull base centers worldwide are addressing larger and more complex lesions using endoscopic techniques. As a consequence, the skull base defects are more challenging to reconstruct. In this report, we present a novel technique to reconstruct the denuded septum remaining after the use of the vascular pedicled nasoseptal flap. Laryngoscope, 2010     

Improving the design of the pedicled nasoseptal flap for skull base reconstruction: a radioanatomic study

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the skull base after an expanded endonasal approach (EEA) is critical to achieve a good outcome. A novel technique based on the use of a pedicled nasoseptal flap has proven to be a reliable and versatile reconstructive option for extensive defects of the skull base. Data regarding the potential dimensions of a nasoseptal flap are lacking in the literature. This pilot study was developed to help optimize the design of the nasoseptal flap and to ensure that when harvesting the flap, its width and length are adequate to reconstruct the defects that are created by various EEAs. METHODS: We analyzed the computed tomographic (CT) scans of four patients who underwent EEAs for skull base lesions. Sagittal and coronal CT reconstructions were generated from axial images. The measurements were divided into skull base measurements, flap dimensions required to cover skull base defects resulting from various EEAs, and potential maximal dimensions of the nasoseptal flap. Measurements were studied for three different EEAs: sellar/transplanar, transclival, and transcribiform/anterior skull base. We measured the potential defects for each of these EEAs and the nasoseptal flap dimensions that would be required to reconstruct them. We estimated all dimensions based on the most extensive defect that could result with each EEA. We then compared these with various modifications of the nasoseptal flap. RESULTS: Two male and two female patients were studied. Twenty-seven measurements were taken to compare the different skull base defects and nasoseptal flaps. CONCLUSIONS: The length of the nasal septum comprises sufficient mucoperichondrium and mucoperiosteum to allow the harvesting of a nasoseptal flap that could cover any defect resulting from an anterior skull base, a transsellar/transplanar, or a transclival EEA. Similarly, the height of the nasal septum has the potential to yield a nasoseptal flap with a width that is adequate to cover the laterolateral aspect of any defect of the anterior skull base and clivus. Skull base defects resulting from combined EEAs, such as those that would create a defect that comprises the skull base from sella turcica to frontal sinus, are beyond the potential dimensions of a single nasoseptal flap. This and other defects resulting from a combination of EEAs require other strategies, such as the use of bilateral nasoseptal flaps, or the use of other reconstructive options.     

Palatal reconstruction with the palatal island flap

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The management of palatal defects resulting from the extirpation of benign and malignant lesions uses a variety of methods, with the optimal techniques allowing maximal postoperative function with minimal morbidity. The palatal island flap is an effective, reliable technique for reconstructing postablative oral cavity defects. METHODS: All patients who underwent palatal resections for benign or malignant lesions at a tertiary care, referral-based head and neck cancer center since 1995 were eligible. Ten patients were identified whose surgical defects were reconstructed with palatal island flaps. The cases were reviewed for the symptomatology, tumor features, defect size, perioperative and postoperative management, complications, and impact on palatal function. RESULTS: Ten patients ranging in age from 18 to 81 years underwent palatal island mucoperiosteal flaps after resection of a variety of benign and malignant tumors, most arising from minor salivary glands. The defects ranged in size from 5 to 15 cm2, with extension into the floor of the nose in four cases and to the skull base in two. Nine patients were discharged on a regimen of oral diet, and no patient manifested permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency, speech impairment, or airway compromise. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 6 years, with an average follow-up of 18.5 months. Delayed donor site re-epithelialization required debridement in one case, and two patients required obturation of small oronasal fistulae. CONCLUSION: The palatal island mucoperiosteal flap provides an effective means of reconstructing hard and soft palate defects with few complications and low morbidity.     

乳突腔充填术在开放式鼓室成形术中的应用

目的 :探讨乳突腔充填术在开放式鼓室成形术中对恢复生理性外耳道功能的作用。方法 :对行开放式鼓室成形术的 85例 85耳胆脂瘤型中耳炎 ,以乳突皮质骨、同种异体软骨和 U形肌骨膜瓣同期行乳突腔充填。听骨链重建情况 :因骨导域值增高或行阶段性手术未作听骨链重建 10耳 ,鼓室成形术改良 型 40耳 ,改良 型35耳。结果 :总听觉改善率 76 % ,其中改良 型为 80 % ,改良 型为 71.4%。术后干耳率为 97.6 % ,平均干耳时间(19.86± 5 .31) d。术后随访半年以上 ,具有圆滑外耳道以及良好自净作用的占 89.4%。未见胆脂瘤复发病例。结论 :对没有条件行完壁式鼓室成形术的胆脂瘤型中耳炎 ,行乳突充填可以有效地克服开放式鼓室成形术破坏生理外耳道结构的不足 ,保存外耳道皮肤的自净作用 ,提高患者术后的生活质量。     

颞肌筋膜瓣在颅面部肿瘤术后缺损修复中的应用

目的:探讨颞肌筋膜瓣(TMF)在修复颅面部肿瘤术后缺损中的应用。方法:根据缺损大小和部位 设计TMF,对10例颅面部肿瘤术后缺损患者进行修复,其中3例修复颅底缺损,5例修复口咽部缺损,2例修复 眶。结果:随访8～50个月,10例TMF全部成活;修复颅底者,未出现颅内感染及脑脊液漏;修复口咽者,语言、 吞咽功能无明显障碍;修复眶者解剖形态基本恢复,外观满意。结论:TMF是修复颅面部肿瘤术后缺损的理想选 择。     

The free vascularized flap and the flap plate options: comparative results of reconstruction of lateral mandibular defects

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Reconstruction of the mandible and oral cavity after segmental resection is a challenging surgical problem. Although osteocutaneous free flaps are generally accepted to be optimal for reconstruction of anterior defects, the need for bony reconstruction for a pure lateral mandibular defect remains controversial. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of short- and long-term outcomes of three different reconstruction techniques for lateral defects was performed. In total, 57 patients were included, of whom 27 had a plate and pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF group), 16 had a plate and free radial forearm flap (FRFF group), and 14 had an osteocutaneous free flap. Functionality, flap failure, and complications were scored. RESULTS: Plates had to be removed in 7 of the 27 patients in the PMMF group and 2 of the 16 in the FRFF group; none of the 14 osteocutaneous free flaps failed. The difference was of borderline statistical significance (P = .055). Longterm functional outcome revealed no statistically significant difference in oral deglutition (P = .76) or in facial contour (P = .36). Oral continence was significantly better in patients in the FRFF group (88%) as compared with the PMMF group (52%) or the osteocutaneous free flap group (43%) (P = .02). On the other hand, the results for speech favored the osteocutaneous free flap group; 13 of 14 patients (92.9%) had a normal score compared with 12 of 16 patients (75%) in the FRFF group and 17 of 27 (63%) in the PMMF group. However, this represented a borderline statistically significant result (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: For lateral mandibular defects, the osteocutaneous free flap is reliable and durable in the long term. However, in a selected group of patients either of the two flap-plate options is a viable reconstructive option.     

Submental flap for reconstruction of anterior skull base,orbital, and high facial defects

Purpose

Large anterior skull base, orbital, and high facial defects can present a challenging reconstructive problem. Limited data exists in the literature on the use of a submental flap for reconstructing such defects. We aimed to describe the feasibility, success, and advantages of using variations of the submental flap for reconstruction of anterior skull base, orbital, and high facial defects.

The uvulopalatal flap for reconstruction of the soft palate

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications, complications, and outcomes of the uvulopalatal flap in the reconstruction of defects of the soft palate. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Patient data were obtained from the hospital records of 18 patients who had soft palate defects reconstructed with the uvulopalatal flap over a 5-year period at a tertiary academic medical center. RESULTS: Eleven patients had the uvulopalatal flap as the sole method of reconstruction, whereas this flap was used in combination with a radial forearm free flap, pectoralis flap, and skin graft in 4, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. All flaps were successful in soft palate reconstruction. One flap was successfully revised after additional tumor resection. A partial flap dehiscence occurred in one patient and healed uneventfully. Speech and swallowing function was dependent on initial tumor stage and the scope of tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: The uvulopalatal flap is a simple and effective method of soft palate reconstruction either alone or in combination with other methods of reconstruction for selected oropharyngeal defects.     

Free flap combined with pectoralis major flap for reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Conclusion: The findings suggest that a pectoralis major flap combined with a free flap is a safe and reliable method of reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngectomy; with this technique, one can help these patients remain disease free, with normal swallowing function, for a relatively acceptable survival duration. Objectives: To determine the functional and oncological outcomes of a combined flap for the extensive defects after total pharyngolaryngectomy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (SCCHP). Method: This study determined the perioperative morbidity and functional and oncologic outcomes of 21 patients with advanced SCCHP who underwent total laryngopharyngectomy and reconstruction using a combination of a pectoralis major flap and a free flap. Results: The free flap and pectoralis major flap were used to reconstruct the defects for all 21 patients. Fourteen patients were reconstructed with jejunal free flaps and pectoralis major flaps; in the remaining seven patients, anterolateral thigh flaps and pectoralis major flaps were used. All the combined flaps worked well, and patients recovered normal swallowing function a mean 19.4 days after surgery. After an overall mean follow-up time of 31.3 months, 30% of patients were still alive at the time of this analysis, with no evidence of disease.