[Role of coral blocks in cheek augmentation surgery. Prospective study of 23 patients]. / Intérêt des blocs de corail dans les plasties d'augmentation des pommettes. Etude prospective portant sur 23 patients.

A two-year multicentre prospective study was performed from 1992 to 1995 in order to evaluate the real value of various kinds of coral blocks as bone substitute in maxillofacial surgery. This study was supported by the French National Agency for Research Valorization (GBM/TEP procedure). Ten Maxillofacial Surgery Units were included. During this time, 28 coral blocks (23 patients) of two different shapes were used as malar implants for correction of congenital or acquired zygomatic hypoplasia. The mean follow-up was 1.8 year (min: 1.5; max: 2). The tolerance was perfect for 89% of cases. The radiologic opacity never decreased more than 30% and the volume augmentation was always stable at the end of the follow-up period. Three implants were removed because of septic complications. Rigid fixation between the implant and the zygomatic bone appears to be the most important factor of success. On the other hand, the surgical approach (endo- or exo-buccal) does not seem to influence the success rate. The aesthetic improvement was always evaluated as satisfactory and stable by the patients and the surgeons. The authors discuss the real value of the various kinds of biomaterials and especially coral, comparing their personal data with those of the literature. Coral blocks clearly constitute a safe and reliable bone substitute, but further investigations are required to determine its long-term behavior.

[Schwannoma of the parotid region. Apropos of a case report]. / Schwannome de la région parotidienne. A propos d'un cas clinique.

Schwannomas are rarely located in the parotid regions. We report a case in a 6-year old child and recall the epidemiology of this type of tumours together with the clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches.

[Primary carcinoma of the parotid gland. A retrospective study of 31 cases]. / Carcinomes primitifs de la parotide. Etude rétrospective de 31 cas.

The medical records of 31 patients with histologically proven primary carcinoma of the parotid gland seen between January 1980 and December 1992 were reviewed. The efficiency of combined treatment both on locoregional control and overall survival was assessed. Twenty nine patients underwent extensive surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, two patients underwent extensive surgery alone. Locoregional control of disease at the end of treatment was achieved in 29 patients (94%). Eleven patients had recurrences. For the complete series the overall two and five-year survival rates were 73% and 46% respectively. Even in case of locoregional control with combined treatment, overall survival rates are low because of distant metastases.

[Current evaluation of a self-snapping screw system in traumatologic and orthodontic surgery]. / Bilan actuel du vissage auto-cassant en chirurgie traumatologique et orthognathique.

Since the first description in 1970, by F. X. Michelet, of the use of the mini plate system in maxillo-facial surgery, if the fundamental principles remain the same, the equipment has been constantly improved. The plates have been modified in structure and shape, the screws becoming self-tapping and self-drilling and finally self-breaking. The head of the screw has diminished to the point of not going over the level of the plate. The ancillary material is now more performing and easier to use. The authors have presented 3 years ago a new self breaking screw of which they now explain the technical and biomechanical bases, the necessities and the indications insisting on the numerous advantages of this system.