Psychosocial effects of otoplasty in children with prominent ears.

This study aimed to investigate changes experienced by children during the pre- and postoperative periods of prominent ear corrective surgery. A total of 30 patients with prominent ears, sometimes called "lop ears" or "cup ears," ranging in age from 6 to 14 years were consecutively enrolled in this study. Half of the patients (n = 15, 50%) were male. The inclusion criteria specified children with prominent ears and reports of evident anatomic deformity. Clinical evaluations, routine laboratory tests, and interviews were performed in the pre- and postoperative periods. To assess the dissatisfaction or social maladjustment caused by the prominent ears, questionnaires, which are used routinely in psychological and psychiatric practices, were applied in the pre- and postoperative periods. The tests used were the Child Behavior Check List, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, and the Children's Depression Inventory. The patients themselves and their parents or guardians reported improvements in terms of anatomic aspect. For the psychological tests, improvements in almost all the assessed items were observed. In conclusion, psychological problems caused by anatomic deformities, such as prominent ears, can be improved by adequate corrective surgery. Psychological support is necessary for the patients.

Cytogenetic findings in two basal cell carcinomas.

We describe the cytogenetic study of two basal cell carcinomas. Only single chromosomally abnormal clones could be detected in both. In addition, many nonclonal changes were seen in the samples, which may represent small neoplastic clones or the result of a basic molecular defect induced by carcinogens.

Translocation (4;14) and concomitant inv(14) in a basal cell carcinoma.

Chromosome analysis of short-term cultures from a basal cell carcinoma was performed. The analyzed karyotypes showed a pseudodiploid clone characterized by a der(4)t(4;14) (p14;p11) and a concomitant inversion of the same chromosome 4 involved in the t(4;14) with the breakpoints at p14 and q25.

Multiple cytogenetic clones in a basal cell carcinoma.

Chromosome analysis of short-term culture of a basal cell carcinoma showed five clonal chromosome abnormalities, t(9;14)(q12 or q13;p11), del(1)(q23 or q25), trisomy 5, trisomy 7, and monosomy X. In addition, several nonclonal structural and numerical changes were seen in the tumor cells.

The buccinator musculomucosal flap: anatomic study and clinical application.

Since 1984, we have used the buccinator muscle mucosal flap for the treatment of mucosal defects after tumor resection, osteomyelitis of the mandible, closure of cleft palate fistulas, primary closure of very wide cleft palates, and lengthening of the soft palate. A study was made in the facial regions of 14 cadavers, and a comparison was made to descriptions found in the anatomic literature. It was confirmed in our dissections that the buccal artery, which reaches the posterior half of the muscle, is the major arterial pedicle of the buccinator and that it runs very close to the buccal nerve. Several veins originating from the lateral aspect of the muscle make the venous drainage of the buccinator even richer than its arterial supply. The abundant vascular supply from multiple interconnected pedicles supports the blood supply of the buccal mucosa. The motor innervation of the buccinator muscle comes from the facial nerve. The buccinator is considered to be a part of the sphincteric muscular system involving the functions of sucking, whistling, propelling food during mastication, and voiding the buccal cavity. The flap was utilized clinically in 38 patients: 24 to close primary cleft palates that required palate lengthening, 12 to close palatal fistulas, 1 to treat a mandibular osteitis, and 1 to repair the palate after tumor resection. We had three small fistulas as complications in our series owing to technical mistakes.