Pleomorphic adenoma of the palate.

Pleomorphic adenoma, is the most common tumor (50%) of the major and minor salivary glands. Seventy percent of the tumors of the minor salivary glands are pleomorphic adenomas, and the most common intraoral site is the palate, followed by the upper lip and buccal mucosa. Pleomorphic adenoma appears as a painless firm mass and, in most cases, does not cause ulceration of the overlying mucosa. Generally it is mobile, except when it occurs in the hard palate. Intraoral mixed tumors, especially those noted within the palate, lack a well-defined capsule. Lesions of the palate frequently involve periosteum or bone. Approximately 25% of benign mixed tumors undergo malignant transformation. Treatment for the pleomorphic adenoma is radical surgery. Inadequate resection leads to local recurrence. The authors report a palate pleomorphic adenoma in a 67-year-old female patient.

Integrated reconstructive strategies for treating the anophthalmic orbit.

INTRODUCTION: Anophthalmia may be congenital or acquired. Congenital anophthalmia refers to any orbit that contains a severely hypoplastic eye at birth (microphthalmia), or a complete absence of the globe due to failure of optic vesicle formation. In both those cases the aim of surgery is to stimulate adequate orbital growth. Acquired anophthalmic orbit may be due to trauma or tumour. In acquired forms the goal is restoration of orbital volume with adequate replacement of orbital contents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study 28 patients (6 cases of congenital and 22 of acquired anophthalmia), were treated between October 1997 and August 2002, by applying protocols that are based on data from the literature. RESULTS: In 19 cases there were satisfactory results. Complications such as implant dislocation (3 cases), residual asymmetry (2 cases), and eyelid retraction required revisional surgery (4 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The different strategies applied for reconstructing the missing structures of the orbit in the congenital forms have given satisfactory results related to the type and complexity of the deformity. In rehabilitating a patient with an acquired anophthalmic orbit it is essential to ensure that the patient has realistic expectations regarding a final prosthesis. Interaction of the various healthcare professionals is also essential to help the patient and so develop new prosthetic devices as well as innovative methods for socket reconstruction.

Frontobasilar fractures in children.

OBJECT: Forehead, anterior cranial base and orbito-naso-ethmoidal fractures, combined with brain injuries and dural tears, constitute a frequent pattern of injury in infants and children less than 5 years of age when major anterior craniofacial trauma occurs. Fractures of the orbital roof, despite the common blow-out floor fractures, are considered uncommon events. In children younger than 7 years this pattern of fracture may be a consequence of nonpneumatized frontal sinuses. METHODS: Complete assessment using CT scans combined with neurosurgical, ophthalmological, anesthesiological and craniofacial reconstructive evaluations are necessary to repair the injured dura and craniofacial skeleton. The coronal approach provides the best exposure of the fractured regions to the surrounding regular structures. CT scans are useful in defining the extent and the pattern of the fractures. Once the brain and dura injuries have been managed by the neurosurgeon, the anterior cranial base must be reconstructed by applying the basic craniofacial principles, reduction and stabilization of fractures, sealing off the anterior cranial base. We present four cases of frontobasilar fractures in children, two of which involved the orbital roof. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of pediatric maxillofacial traumas, therefore, requires consideration of different factors from those in adults, and a different therapeutic approach: respect of the functional matrix (growth principle) and employment of the least invasive surgical approach. Fixation that adequately stabilizes the facial skeleton is also required. The need to provide rigid bony fixation in the surgical treatment of craniofacial disorders in children without impacting the growth has inspired the evolution of operative techniques and fixation devices, with the development of reabsorbable bone fixation. When bony defects are present or reconstruction of the complete orbital roof and anterior cranial base is required, autogenous cranial bone is used.

Severe panfacial fracture with facial explosion: integrated and multistaged reconstructive procedures.

Midface fractures, especially if related to traffic accidents, represent a remarkable problem from a surgical, psychological, and social standpoint. In trauma dynamics, the pattern of the fractures can extend to all bony fragments and is often associated with soft tissue injuries and loss of bony structures. This can lead to posttraumatic deformities that greatly influence the patient psychologically and limit his social rehabilitation, sometimes permanently. Panfacial trauma includes midface fractures associated with fractures of other areas (i.e., mandible, frontal bone). Orbits and the nasoethmoidal area are often involved with loss of soft tissue and, in severe cases, loss of orbital contents. We report an unusual complex clinical case representative of this kind of pathological profile in which the guidelines described in the literature were followed in the reconstructive procedure.