Successful microsurgical replantation of an amputated penis.

Penile amputation is an uncommon injury for which immediate surgical replantation is warranted. Microsurgical replantation is the "standard" method for penile replantation. Early replantation yields a high success and low complication rate. We report a case of a 34-year-old male who presented with amputation at the proximal penile shaft which was successfully replanted using microsurgical techniques. Minor skin necrosis was noted post-operatively which was debrided and covered with skin graft. Follow-up at 6 months showed satisfactory cosmetic appearance, normal voiding, return of sensations and erectile function. The level of evidence was V.

Implant supported dental rehabilitation following segmental mandibular reconstruction- quality of life outcomes of a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to assess the difference in quality of life (QoL) in patients with dental rehabilitation using two or four implant-supported overdentures following segmental mandibulectomy defect reconstruction with fibula free flap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective, parallel designed, randomized clinical study was conducted with a 1:1 ratio. At baseline, all participants already had fibula flap reconstruction for segmental defects of the mandible and rehabilitation with conventional (non-implant supported) removable partial dentures. The participants were then randomized into two groups. Group I received implant supported overdentures on two implants, and Group II received four implants. QoL outcomes were evaluated using standardized questionnaires (EORTC_QLQ c30, H&N35, OHIP, DSI). Outcomes of treatment were evaluated at 6 months (T1) and 1 year (T2) following rehabilitation. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were randomized into two treatment groups (26 each). After accounting for the loss to lack of follow-up, 22 patients in Group I and 24 patients in Group II were evaluated for QoL at the end of the study. There was a significant improvement in QoL with implant-assisted dental rehabilitation. However there were no significant differences in QoL between the two-implant and four-implant groups. CONCLUSION: Implant-supported removable overdentures improve QoL outcomes in patients with reconstructed mandibles. This study showed no significant difference in QoL outcomes in patients with two- or four-implant supported removable prostheses.

Precision carving of costal cartilage graft for contour fill in aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Autogenous costal cartilage is a good option for large volume requirements in rhinoplasty, when septal or conchal cartilages do not suffice. Reluctance to use costal cartilage is due to apprehension of warping. However, warping can be avoided if we follow the principle of balanced section as advocated by Gibson and Davis. "Warping" can also be utilized to change the curvature of the graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have used 69 costal cartilage grafts as a solid piece for contour fill in rhinoplasty in 31 patients over the last 10 years. Principle of balanced section as advocated by Gibson and Davis was adhered to while carving the grafts, however some grafts were allowed to warp to get different sizes and shapes. RESULTS: All the procedures were uneventful. Aesthetic appearance of all patients was satisfactory and acceptable to all the patients. In two cases, the dorsal graft minimally shifted to one side, but remained straight. In one patient, there was late appearance of distortion. CONCLUSION: The mode of cartilage warping is predictable and it can be used to advantage. Apprehension to use costal cartilage graft is unjustified, as with precision carving a desired shape can be obtained.

Reconstruction of maxillectomy defects using deep circumflex iliac artery-based composite free flap.

Reconstruction of maxillectomy defects is a challenging endeavor, and various methods have been described to rehabilitate these defects, out of which composite free tissue transfer has an established role in reconstruction of the maxillary defects. The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap has distinct advantages regarding the volume and length of the bone in reconstruction. The contour of the iliac bone is similar to the maxilla and provides good esthetic result. Good volume of bone allows placement of osseointegrated implant for dental rehabilitation. We present 8 cases of maxilla reconstruction using DCIA flap (3 osteocutaneous and 5 osseous flaps) for benign and malignant pathologies of the maxilla. DCIA flap is difficult to harvest, has variable anatomy, and needs meticulous planning for optimum result.

Transtibial amputation with plantar flap for congenital deficiency of the tibia.

Disarticulation of the knee has been the preferred treatment for the severe type (Type Ia and Type Ib classification of Jones et al) of congenital deficiency of the tibia because of marked flexion contracture of the knee and loss of quadriceps function. In such cases, the disarticulated stump is often small and poorly covered by soft tissues because of dysplastic femoral condyles and calf muscles. Therefore, stump complications after disarticulation may prevent early aggressive walking exercises and delay independent ambulation. To overcome this problem, a greater weightbearing surface was created by a transtibial amputation with a short stump of the fibula using the flexed knee. By this method, the distal femoral condyle and the anterior surface of the fibula were used for weightbearing. In addition, coverage of the new weightbearing area by a neurovascular pedicled sensate plantar flap provided a more tolerable weightbearing site. The purpose of the current study was to report a 5-year-old boy with bilateral congenital total deficiency of both tibias, who was treated using this technique. The patient was ambulating independently 15 weeks after surgery. A transtibial amputation with a plantar flap is an alternative procedure to knee disarticulation for the severe type of congenital deficiency of the tibia.

Cervical nerve root avulsion in brachial plexus injuries: magnetic resonance imaging classification and comparison with myelography and computerized tomography myelography.

OBJECT: The authors describe a new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique to demonstrate the status of the cervical nerve roots involved in brachial plexus injury. They discuss the accuracy and reproducibility of a MR imaging-derived classification for diagnosis of nerve root avulsion compared with those of myelography combined with computerized tomography (CT) myelography. METHODS: The overlapping coronal-oblique slice MR imaging procedure was performed in 35 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury and 10 healthy individuals. The results were retrospectively evaluated and classified into four major categories (normal rootlet, rootlet injuries, avulsion, and meningocele) after confirming the diagnosis by surgical exploration with or without spinal evoked potential (EP) measurements and by referring to myelography and CT myelography findings. The reliability and reproducibility of the MR imaging-based classification was prospectively assessed by eight independent observers, and its diagnostic accuracy was compared with that of traditional myelography/CT myelography classification, correlated with surgical and spinal EP findings in another 50 cervical roots in 10 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. CONCLUSIONS: In the retrospective study in which MR imaging and myelography/CT myelography findings involving 175 cervical roots in 35 patients were compared, the sensitivity of detection of the cervical nerve root avulsion was the same (92.9%) with both modalities. In the prospective study, interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility showed that there was no statistically significant difference between MR imaging and myelography/CT myelography and that their accuracy for detecting cervical root avulsion was the same as that in the retrospective study. The overlapping coronal-oblique slice MR imaging technique is a reliable and reproducible method for detecting nerve root avulsion. The information provided by this modality enabled the authors to assess the roots of the brachial plexus and provided valuable data for helping to decide whether to proceed with exploration, nerve repair, primary reconstruction, or other imaging modalities.

A part of the ulnar nerve as an alternative donor nerve for functioning free muscle transfer: a case report.

A patient with no active elbow flexion because of poliomyelitis-like syndrome underwent functioning free muscle transfer for elbow flexion reconstruction in which a part of the ulnar nerve was used as a donor motor nerve. Fourteen months after surgery the patient had achieved 120 degrees of active elbow flexion against gravity without functional deficit of the donor ulnar nerve. A part of the ulnar nerve can be used as an alternative donor motor nerve for reconstruction of chronic C5-C6 (or C5-7) brachial plexus injury.