Reliability and Safety of Cross-Leg Free Latissmus Dorsi Muscle Flap in Reconstruction of Mutilating Leg Injuries Using End-to-Side Anastomosis.

Background Free tissue transfer is considered the gold standard option for the reconstruction of distal leg defects. Free tissue transfer using recipient vessels in the contralateral leg (cross-leg bridge) is a potential option to supply the flap if there are no suitable recipient vessels in the injured leg. Most studies have described this technique using end-to-end anastomosis which sacrifices the main vessel in the uninjured leg. This study evaluated the use of a cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap for the reconstruction of defects in single-vessel legs, using end-to-side anastomosis to recipient vessels in the contralateral leg without sacrificing any vessel in the uninjured leg. Methods This is a retrospective study that included 22 consecutive patients with soft tissue defects over the lower leg. All the reconstructed legs had a single artery as documented by CT angiography. All patients underwent cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap using end-to-side anastomosis to the posterior tibial vessels of the contralateral leg. Results The age at surgery ranged from 12 to 31 years and the mean defect size was 86 cm 2 . Complete flap survival occurred in 20 cases (91%). One patient had total flap ischemia. Another patient had distal flap ischemia. Conclusion Cross-leg free latissimus dorsi muscle flap is a reliable and safe technique for the reconstruction and salvage of mutilating leg injuries, especially in cases of leg injuries with a single artery. As far as preservation of the donor limb circulation is concerned, end-to-side anastomosis is a reasonable option as it maintains the continuity of the donor leg vessels.

Hemifacial Microsomia: Clinical Features and Associated Anomalies.

ABSTRACT: Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is the second most common congenital anomaly of the face after cleft lip and palate. There is a considerable variability in the extent and severity of affection of the bones and soft tissues of the face arising from these two arches. Different classification systems have been described for HFM with the mandible and/or the ear defects being key features needed for any classification system. Nowadays, the most widely used system is the orbital, mandibular, ear, facal nerve, soft tissue (OMENS) classification, later modified to the OMENS+ to include extracraniofacial manifestations.The aim of this study was to review the demographic characteristics and clinical findings of a group of Egyptian patients with HFM and to correlate the findings with data retrieved from the literature.Thirty-nine patients were identified and included in this study. Right side was predominantly affected in 19 patients (48.7%), 9 patients (23%) had left side affection (23%) and 11 patients (28.3%) had bilateral affection, with overall male-to-female ratio of 1:1.4. The majority of patients had a normal orbit (64%), mildly hypoplastic mandible with functioning temporomandibular joint (58% with type M1 or M2a), normal facial nerve (82%), and minimal to mild soft-tissue hypoplasia (52%). Significant ear deformity affected the bigger percentage of the patients (E3: 44%, E2: 14%)The data demonstrate the phenotypic variability of HFM and suggest a degree of relationship among the components of HFM. Some epidemiological aspects and clinical findings in our study did not always parallel those reported in western literatures. Small sample size is the main limitation of the study. Further, and if possible multi-center, studies are recommended.

Correction of Post-Cleft Lip Nostril Floor Stenosis: Para-Alar Flap Combined With Lip Revision.

Post-cheiloplasty nostril floor stenosis is a scarcely reported secondary deformity. The aim of the current study was to assess the outcome of para-alar flap for management of nostril floor stenosis post-unilateral cleft lip repair. This is a retrospective case series study reviewing consecutive patients presenting with nostril floor stenosis following repair of unilateral cleft lip who were managed by the inferiorly based para-alar flap and lip revision. Differential nostril width was measured preoperative, immediate, and late postoperative. We reported 8 patients (3 boys and 5 girls) with an average age of 9.8 years (range: 4.5-19). Satisfactory results with good nostril symmetry measures were achieved, and no restenosis has been observed during the follow-up periods. The donor site scars were negligible. There was no reported partial or total flap loss. Para-alar flap was found to be an effective reconstructive option for patients with nostril floor stenosis post-unilateral cleft lip repair and can be combined safely with cleft lip revision.

Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome: A Report of 7 Patients and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by craniofacial and limb anomalies, with craniosynostosis (mainly coronal) being the most frequent craniofacial finding. Cranial and facial deformities can be extremely variable requiring individualization of treatment strategies. We present our case series to highlight clinical findings, treatment philosophy, and challenges facing Saethre-Chotzen patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on records of patients given a diagnosis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Craniofacial Clinic (n = 7) between 1980 and 2010. Patients with complete records were included in this study, and review of demographic data, clinical findings, surgical interventions and postoperative follow-up, and stability were performed. RESULTS: Seven patients (1 male and 6 female) were included in this study. The average age at which the patients were first seen was 6.5 years. Suture involvement was bicoronal (n = 6) and unicoronal (n = 1). There was 1 patient having superimposed metopic synostosis, and there was another patient having Kleeblattschädel deformity. Previous procedures performed for patients before establishing care at UCLA were strip craniectomy (n = 2) and fronto-orbital advancement (n = 2). All patients (n = 7) had fronto-orbital advancements at UCLA. Other skeletal operations included the following: redo forehead advancement and contouring (n = 3), monobloc advancement (n = 1), and LeFort III distraction (n = 1). Five patients reached skeletal maturity, and 2 patients received LeFort I advancement for class III malocclusion, one of which also required a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandible. CONCLUSION: Clinical presentation and severity of deformity in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome are variable. Our current report reviews our treatment strategies and illustrates the predominance of cranial and upper face deformities and frequent need for redo surgeries to address forehead asymmetry in this group of syndromic craniosynostosis patients.

Buccinator Re-Repair (Bs + Re: IVVP): A Combined Procedure to Maximize the Palate Form and Function in Difficult VPI Cases.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of a modified buccinator flaps' palatal lengthening combined with radical intravelar veloplasty (Bs + Re: IVVP) for the management of postpalatoplasty velopharyngeal incompetence and report the functional and structural changes occurring in the palate. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of consecutive cleft patients presenting with velopharyngeal incompetence and managed by buccinator re-repair procedure. Blind assessment of randomized recordings of speech and evaluation of velar form and function with nasoendoscopy and lateral videofluoroscopy were done. Patients' demographic data were also collected. PATIENTS: Among 30 consecutive cases who had Bs + Re: IVVP, 24 had adequate pre- and postoperative records of speech outcome data. SETTING: Multidisciplinary cleft team in a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in hypernasality, nasal emission, facial grimace and weak consonants, and overall intelligibility of speech. Endoscopy and lateral videofluoroscopy showed significant improvement in total and functional velar length, closure ratio, velopharyngeal gap at closure, palatal thickness, palatal convexity, and mobility. Regarding the procedure complications, no flap ischemia, fistula, or obstructive sleep apnea reported, but there were one cheek hematoma and two minor oral mucosal dehiscence which healed spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Buccinator re-repair (Bs + Re: IVVP) has been shown to be an effective and safe procedure in treating difficult postpalatoplasty velopharyngeal incompetence. It was also shown that it is still a physiological nonobstructive procedure with low morbidity.

The Tessier number 3 cleft: a report of 10 cases and review of literature.

The Tessier number 3 cleft is one of the most intricate and destructive of all facial clefts, presenting surgeons with a difficult task for reconstruction. We present a series of 10 patients with this rare cleft all treated by a single surgeon over 30 years. All patients with Tessier number 3 clefts treated between 1978 and 2008 by the senior surgeon were reviewed. Demographic data and all associated clinical findings including cranial and extracranial anomalies were recorded. Methods used to reconstruct each patient were also noted. Seven males and three females were identified and age at initial treatment ranged from 12 months to 12 years. Mean follow-up was 6.3 years. Multiple craniofacial anomalies were appreciated including other rare facial clefts, hypertelorbitism, lacrimal obstruction, anophthalmia, choanal atresia, and hemifacial microsomia. Amniotic banding was the most prominent extracranial finding noted in these patients. Tessier number 3 clefts can be associated with multiple other craniofacial anomalies making reconstruction challenging. Soft tissue and bony reconstruction must be considered separately, and a variety of tools may be employed to accomplish each goal. As the presentation can be highly variable, an individualized treatment plan must be made to meet each patient's specific needs.

Parry-Romberg reconstruction: beneficial results despite poorer fat take.

OBJECTIVE: For the treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome or progressive hemifacial atrophy, we studied the volume retention and skin changes after autologous fat grafts within diseased regions. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The long-term survival and volume retention of fat grafts used in soft tissue reconstruction of Parry-Romberg syndrome is still unknown, as are skin changes after fat grafting. METHODS: Sex, age, severity of deformity, number of procedures, operative times, and augmentation volumes were recorded. Preoperative/postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomographic scans were also reviewed. A digital 3-dimensional photogrammetry system was used to determine "final fat take" and symmetry. Romberg fat grafting volumes were compared to nonaffected, cosmetic fat-grafted patients. For skin changes, a spectrophotometer was used to quantify percent improvement in melanin index. Physician and patient satisfaction surveys (5-point scale) were elicited, including overall outcome and skin color/texture. RESULTS: The mean number of procedures correlated to the severity of deformity: mild, 1.8 procedures; moderate, 3.4; and severe, 5.2. With Romberg patients, fat grafting injected: per case, 48 mL; total, 188 mL; and final measured volume, 101 mL. Romberg patients had less "fat take" than nonaffected grafted patients (final take, 41% vs 81%). Skin color/texture showed 3-fold improvement after fat grafting procedures. The mean melanin index improvement seen in the diseased regions of Romberg patients after fat grafting was 42% (+3%). Skin color and texture improvement was also shown in patient surveys (preoperative = 2.4 + 0.06 to follow-up = 3.4 + 0.09) and physician (preoperatively = 2.1 + 0.1 to follow-up = 3.6 + 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Despite poorer fat graft take within the disease region of Romberg patients, fat grafting resulted in long-term improvement in hypoplasia and skin hyperpigmentation.

Radiation-induced craniofacial deformities: a new classification and management algorithm.

Little is written about the spectrum of late radiation-induced craniofacial abnormalities and the guidelines for treating these abnormalities. The clinical records of 13 patients (eight males and five females) who received childhood craniofacial radiation between birth and 11 years of age and who subsequently had reconstructive surgery were reviewed. Eleven patients had their irradiation at the age from 1 to 5 years. The other two patients received their treatment at a relatively older age (9 and 11 years). Their deformities ranged from isolated soft-tissue deficiency with no or minimal bony deficiency to cases having osseous deformities with or without soft-tissue deficiency but still the normal or near-normal craniofacial form can be obtained with surgical intervention and the outermost extreme of the deformity is the patients whose normal or near-normal craniofacial form and function cannot be regained even with much sophisticated surgeries. Our new classification is based on two factors: the tissue component of the deformity and the possibility of regaining a normal or near-normal craniofacial form and function with the planned surgical intervention. Based on this classification, a new treatment algorithm was created.

Constructing the philtral column in the secondary cleft lip deformity: utilizing the palmaris longus graft.

BACKGROUND: The philtrum and the Cupid's bow are the most prominent features of the upper lip and are crucial for normal appearance. Unfortunately, projection of the philtral column is a common deficiency of the repaired cleft lip. Although a multitude of methods for constructing the philtral dimple and ridge have been described, no single procedure has achieved complete satisfactory results. The authors describe their technique for construction of the philtral column using palmaris longus tendon. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2009, a retrospective study was performed for identifying patients with depression of the philtral scar following cleft lip repair. Pre- and postoperative photographs were taken with at least 6 months follow-up. Postoperative patient satisfaction and occurrence of complications are reported. RESULTS: In all, 17 patients who developed depression of the philtral ridge following cleft lip repair underwent philtral reconstruction utilizing palmaris longus tendon grafts by the senior author (H.K.K.). At the time of surgery, average age for 11 females and 6 males was 18.5 years. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 126 months, with an average of 42.3 months. In the early postoperative period, 2 complications in the form of graft exposure occurred. However, both cases were successfully managed with preservation of the graft. All patients were satisfied with their long-term results, and none required further surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of palmaris longus tendon graft is an effective, reproducible, and safe method by which to construct the philtral column in the secondary cleft lip deformity.

Parry-Romberg reconstruction: optimal timing for hard and soft tissue procedures.

For the treatment of Parry-Romberg syndrome or progressive hemifacial atrophy, we studied 3 controversial issues: (1) optimal timing, (2) need for skeletal reconstruction, and (3) need for soft tissue (medial canthus/lacrimal duct) reconstruction. Patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome (>5 y follow-up) were divided into 2 groups: (1) younger than 14 years and (2) 14 years or older (n = 43). Sex, age, severity of deformity, number of procedures, operative times, and augmentation fat volumes were recorded. Physician and patient satisfaction surveys (5-point scale) were obtained, preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were reviewed, and a digital three-dimensional photogrammetry system was used to determine volume retention. Our results indicate that the younger patient group required more procedures compared with the older patient group (4.3 versus 2.8); however, the younger group had higher patient/family satisfaction scores (3.8 versus 3.0). Skeletal and soft tissue reconstruction resulted in improved symmetry score (60% preoperatively to 93% final) and satisfaction scores (3.4 preoperatively to 3.8 final). Patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome required multiple corrective surgeries but showed improvements even when beginning before puberty. Soft and hard tissue reconstruction was beneficial.

Autologous fat transplantation in the craniofacial patient: the UCLA experience.

Patients with congenital craniofacial malformations present with complex challenges for reconstruction. Successful management requires individualized treatment often involving rebuilding the facial skeleton de novo, as well as correcting the overlying soft-tissue deficiencies in the final stages. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Craniofacial Clinic, serial autologous fat transplantation performed during staged reconstruction is the preferred method.A total of 27 patients with a diagnosis of either craniofacial microsomia/Goldenhar (CM) (n = 19) or Treacher Collins syndrome (TC) (n = 8) were treated at the UCLA Craniofacial Clinic by autologous fat transfer between July 1999 and February 2009. Two-dimensional analysis was conducted on standardized preoperative and postoperative photographs to determine facial symmetry for every patient. Results was grouped based on pathology and analyzed by comparing adipocyte donor site (abdomen vs other).The mean ages at the time of first fat transfer were 17 years for the CM group and 15 years for the TC group. The average numbers of fat transfers per patient were 2.05 (CM) and 2.12 (TC). A mean of 3.74 procedures other than fat grafting was performed in each CM patient, whereas 4.38 other procedures were performed in each TC patient. In CM patients, less than 10.5 months between procedures resulted in improved symmetry. There was an average 6.63% improvement in facial symmetry in the CM group, and a 7.67% improvement in the TC group.Based on the UCLA experience, the durability of facial asymmetry and contour correction with fat transplantation is attainable in the craniofacial patient but may also require concomitant skeletal correction in the most severe cases.

Distraction osteogenesis of costocartilaginous rib grafts and treatment algorithm for severely hypoplastic mandibles.

BACKGROUND: In craniofacial microsomia, patients with severely hypoplastic mandibles (Pruzansky type III) require replacement of the ramus and condyle unit. Autogenous costocartilaginous rib graft and distraction osteogenesis are the most important techniques used, but long-term results need to be looked at to determine optimal management. METHODS: Of the 485 patients with craniofacial microsomia and mandibular abnormality identified by the authors' craniofacial multidisciplinary clinic, 31 patients were identified with Pruzansky type III mandibles who underwent treatment and were available for study. Patients primarily had either costocartilaginous grafts or mandibular distraction after molar extraction. Outcomes assessed rib failure, undergrowth, or overgrowth. Reoperation included regrafting for graft failure, rib distraction for undergrowth, and mandibular setback for overgrowth. Details surrounding complications for each modality including osteotomy site were recorded. RESULTS: For primary mandibular reconstruction, 27 patients underwent costocartilaginous rib graft surgery (30 grafts, three bilateral) at 9.9 ± 4.1 years; four patients underwent mandibular distraction at 7.4 ± 2.3 years. Rib graft failure in seven of 30 cases (23 percent) required regrafting. Undergrowth in 17 cases (57 percent) required rib distraction. Overgrowth in three cases (10 percent) required correction at the time of orthognathic correction. For rib graft distraction, osteotomy site locations included native mandible (25 percent), rib-mandible junction (19 percent), and rib graft (56 percent). The rib-mandible junction site had graft-related complications (100 percent) that the other sites did not. CONCLUSIONS: For the severely hypoplastic mandibles (Pruzansky type III), costocartilaginous grafts are an accepted modality. However, when rib graft growth is insufficient, secondary distraction should be performed within the native mandible or rib graft and not at the rib graft-mandible junction site.

The spectrum of median craniofacial dysplasia.

Given the multiple permutations in craniofacial malformations, classification of median craniofacial dysplasia or midline Tessier no. 0 to 14 clefts has been difficult and disjointed. In this review, the authors present a summary of normal embryology, prior terminology, and their proposed new classification system. Median craniofacial dysplasia has tissue agenesis and holoprosencephaly at one end (the hypoplasias), frontonasal hyperplasia and excessive tissue (the hyperplasias) at the other end, and abnormal splitting or clefting and normal tissue volume (dysraphia) occupying the middle portion of the spectrum. These three distinct subclassifications have different forms of anomalies within their groups.

Treatment of apert syndrome: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Apert syndrome have severe malformations of the skull and face requiring multiple complex reconstructive procedures. The authors present a long-term follow-up study reporting both surgical results and psychosocial status of patients with Apert syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed identifying patients with Apert syndrome treated between 1975 and 2009. All surgical procedures were recorded and a review of psychosocial and educational status was obtained when patients reached adulthood. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients with Apert syndrome were identified; nine with long-term follow-up had complete records for evaluation. The average patient age was 30.4 years. Primary procedures performed included strip craniectomy and fronto-orbital advancement. Monobloc osteotomy and facial bipartition were performed in eight patients, and all underwent surgical orthognathic correction. Multiple auxiliary procedures were also performed to achieve better facial symmetry. Mean follow-up after frontofacial advancement was 22.5 years. Psychosocial evaluation demonstrated good integration of patients into mainstream life. CONCLUSIONS: This report presents one of the longest available follow-up studies for surgical correction of patients with Apert syndrome. Although multiple reconstructive procedures were necessary, they play an important role in enhancing the psychosocial condition of the patients, helping them integrate into mainstream life.