A single centre's experience of 23 cases of total rhinectomy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma involving the nasal vestibule.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyse the oncological outcomes of total rhinectomy (TR) for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) involving the nasal vestibule, and to identify prognostic factors for disease recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre study was conducted between September 2003 and February 2021 including all patients who underwent a TR for a SCC involving the nasal vestibule. RESULTS: 23 patients were included in the study. Tumours originated from the anterior septum (n = 12), vestibule (n = 8) or skin (n = 3). Six TRs (26.1%) were salvage procedures, after primary radiotherapy or partial rhinectomy. Seven patients had a concurrent neck dissection and 17 patients (73.9%) received adjuvant treatment (14 patients had radiotherapy and 3 had chemoradiotherapy). After a median follow-up of 32 months, six patients (26.1%) presented with tumour recurrence. Three patients (13%) had nodal-only recurrence. The estimated 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival and disease-specific survival were 67.5%, 66.3% and 80.7%, respectively. Positive excision margins were a predictive factor for tumour recurrence (p = 0.0401). CONCLUSION: For SCCs involving the nasal vestibule that are not amenable to limited surgical resection, TR along with adjuvant radiotherapy provide good oncological outcomes and should be considered the main treatment option.

Potential Benefits from the Use of the Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap for Immediate Soft-Tissue Reconstruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed significant strains on healthcare resources including staff, theatre, high dependency and intensive care availability. Surgery remains the optimal treatment for the majority of oral malignancies, and primary reconstruction is often necessary to avoid significant morbidity as a result of ablative procedures. Description: The supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) is increasingly finding a place as an alternative to free flap reconstruction of soft-tissue defects and has several specific advantages when compared to use of a soft-tissue free flap during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used for a range of head and neck defects. Results: We describe our experience with the SCAIF during the pandemic in five patients with a variety of tumour types and locations. All five patients had a successful outcome with none requiring further reconstruction and all had a functional swallow postoperatively, including a patient who underwent a total pharyngeal reconstruction with a SCAIF. Discussion: The use of a SCAIF during the current COVID-19 pandemic has significant advantages and is a reliable alternative to a soft tissue free flap.

Reoperation in Zygomatico-orbital Trauma: A Review of Patients With Suboptimal Outcomes Following Initial Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment to restore anatomy, function, and aesthetics after trauma should involve as little surgical insult as possible. As such, repeated procedures may suggest failed initial management. To date, no predictive factors for failure of primary surgery have been identified. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to identify factors affecting the requirement for reoperation following treatment of zygomatico-orbital injuries. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing surgery for zygomatico-orbital fractures between 2011 and 2019 in a single UK major trauma center was undertaken. All operative notes and imaging were reviewed independently by 2 authors to classify the fracture patterns for both zygomatic and orbital components of the injury. For all cases, the mode of preoperative imaging the grade of operating surgeon, materials used for fixation, and the surgical approaches were recorded. RESULTS: Coding data identified 432 patients who underwent surgery for zygomatico-orbital fractures. In total, 116 cases were treated with closed reduction and 316 with open reduction and internal fixation; 20 cases required reoperation. There were no significant differences identified between cases requiring reoperation and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: A need for repeated surgery is rare. However, this review identified an increased risk of infection of fixation when an intraoral approach was used and highlights the potential benefits that can be achieved by open reduction and internal fixation when more conservative approaches fail to achieve the desired outcome.

Cost of training in oral and maxillofacial surgery: beyond the second degree.

Training in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) involves considerable personal expense, a long period of training and the need for two degrees. Other costs have also increased, with little change in pay and poor access to funding. After a Freedom of Information request and having reviewed available data, we have established the cost of training in OMFS. There is considerable regional variation in access to funding, with escalating fees for conferences and courses. Recent changes have failed to address these.

Digital import of orbital implants to enhance navigation in reconstruction of the deep orbit.

Stereotactic navigation has become established in orbital surgery. It can assist in exploration and reconstruction by preventing plate positioning errors and ensuring adequate restoration of deep orbital anatomy. Pre-formed and custom-made implants have become increasingly popular with reliable outcomes in complex orbital reconstructions, but may require adjustment at the time of surgery. Planning for reconstruction can be improved by import of digital models of implants into the navigation system. This technique allows on-table confirmation of successful orbital reconstruction.

Inner table corticectomy of the fronto-orbital bar in correction of metopic and coronal craniosynostoses.

Fronto-orbital advancement is an established method for correction of metopic and coronal craniosynostoses. Many techniques involve creation of a single fronto-orbital bar that is then shaped with osteotomies with or without bone grafting. We present a technique that minimizes osteotomy of the frontal bar and gives superior lateral brow aesthetics.Standard fronto-orbital bar bone cuts are made without a midline osteotomy. Selective inner table corticectomy of the fronto-orbital bar allows the bone to become malleable without greensticking. The need for osteotomy of the fronto-orbital bar is obviated. An additional bandeau is created from the temporoparietal calvaria. The malleable fronto-orbital bar is then fixed to this bandeau. The frontal bar and bandeau complex is then advanced in a conventional manner. The remaining frontal calvaria is then rotated creating a more vertical forehead.This technique has been used in Leeds for more than 10 years with good cosmetic results. It has become our standard method for management of the fronto-orbital bar in correction of nonsyndromic metopic and coronal craniosynostoses.

Penetrating facial injury from angle grinder use: management and prevention.

Injuries resulting from the use of angle grinders are numerous. The most common sites injured are the head and face. The high speed disc of angle grinders does not respect anatomical boundaries or structures and thus the injuries produced can be disfiguring, permanently disabling or even fatal. However, aesthetically pleasing results can be achieved with thorough debridement, resection of wound edges and careful layered functional closure after reduction and fixation of facial bone injuries. A series of penetrating facial wounds associated with angle grinder use are presented and the management and prevention of these injuries discussed.

The median artery: its potential implications for the radial forearm flap.

The median artery is an infrequent anomaly with a highly variable origin and course in the forearm. It is associated with other local anatomical variations, and may contribute significantly to the superficial palmar arch. We describe the incidental finding of a palmar median artery during harvesting of a radial forearm flap despite normal preoperative Allen's test and colour Doppler ultrasonography. A review of the anatomy and embryology suggests that there is an association of a persistent palmar median artery and an incomplete palmar arch, and that the median artery may arise from the radial artery, leading to an increased risk of hand ischaemia if it is sacrificed during harvesting. In this case the origin of the median artery was not encountered, and the patient did not develop ischaemia. We suggest that in the event of finding such an artery, the surgeon must be vigilant in order to ensure its origin is not ligated during harvesting.

Ischaemia of the hand after harvest of a radial forearm flap.

The development of ischaemia in the hand after harvest of a radial forearm flap is extremely rare. Previous cases have been caused by anatomical anomalies or conditions that may have been detectable by ultrasonography. We report the development of ischaemia after harvest of a radial forearm flap despite a normal preoperative Allen's test and a normal Doppler ultrasound scan, in a non-smoker with no evidence of peripheral vascular disease. Angiographic appearances suggested that the ischaemia may have been secondary to an incomplete superficial palmar arch. This case highlights the potential for development of ischaemia despite normal preoperative investigations, with obvious ramifications for obtaining consent.

Changes in caseload and the potential impact on surgical training: a retrospective review of one hospital's experience.

BACKGROUND: Recent reforms to the training grades have provoked debate about both quality and quantity of training. The bulk of previous research into this area has been qualitative, and little is known about the quantity of training opportunities. This study aimed to determine if the number of elective operations available to trainees was stable. METHODS: The number of elective procedures carried out in each surgical specialty (General & Vascular Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, ENT) in a large district general hospital was analysed in 6 month periods and adjusted for the number of basic surgical trainees in each specialty. In order to allow comparison between specialties, results for each 6 month period were calculated as a percentage of those for the first period. RESULTS: The number of elective operations available per trainee fell in 3 of the 4 specialties, with a rise in Orthopaedics. Overall, the number of operations available to each trainee was 56% of that less than a decade ago. CONCLUSION: The number of operations available in a conventional hospital setting is decreasing. Introduction of the Modernizing Medical Careers reforms must take account of this if they are to succeed in improving the quality of surgical training.