Surgical correction of Tessier cleft no. 7: A single center 18-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Tessier cleft 7 are rare craniofacial clefts. Live-birth incidence varies from 1/80,000 to 1/300,000, with the incidence of 1 in 120 craniofacial clefts among Asians. Its clinical presentation varies widely in severity, thus, complicating diagnosis and contributing to the lack of consensus regarding its surgical management. The aim of this study is to describe clinical findings, types of Tessier cleft 7 soft tissue repair, and its outcomes in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed records of children operated from January 2001 to July 2019. Data regarding concurrent congenital anomalies, complications, type of surgery, etc., were collected from outpatient records, operative notes, and clinical photographs. RESULTS: Twenty-eight children were treated, and 33 clefts (5 bilateral) were repaired. The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1 (16 males and 12 females). Twenty-three patients had unilateral clefts (82.14%), with 14 right (60.86%) and 8 left (34.78%). Bilateral clefts were less common (17.86%). Twenty-three patients (82.14%) were Malay, 3 (10.71%) Chinese, 1 (3.57%) Indian, and 1 (3.57%) Cambodian. Eleven medical records were untraceable (discontinued due to duration of inactivity). There were 10 straight-line repairs, 5 Z-plasties, and 1 W-plasty performed; 3 cases did not detail the type of repair. One child required scar revision, and 1 had hypertrophic scarring requiring corticosteroid injection-no disturbances in speech or oral incompetency while eating were reported. Duration of follow-up ranged from 3 to 14 years. CONCLUSION: Our center has a higher rate of Tessier cleft 7 attendance. Straight-line cutaneous repairs combined with inferior vermilion mucosal flap can be used with low rates of complication and revision surgery.

Challenges in Complex Oncological Chest Wall Reconstruction with Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap and Titanium Rib Plate.

Extensive chest wall tumor resection and reconstruction possess a formidable challenge and require good collaboration between thoracic and reconstructive surgeons. In this article, we reviewed our experience in six consecutive cases requiring complex chest wall resection and reconstruction with titanium rib plates and free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap with fascia lata with a minimum 24 months follow-up postoperatively. Six patients with a mean age of 54 were diagnosed to have locally advanced malignant ( n = 5) and benign ( n = 1) tumors. They underwent wide local excision with a mean of six ribs resected, and the average size of the soft tissue defect was 389cm 2 . The integrity of the thoracic cage was restored by using titanium rib plates. Fascia lata was harvested along with free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap to achieve near airtight closure of pleural space for soft tissue coverage. Two patients required early flap exploration with successful flap salvage. One flap failure was reported on postoperative day 11 due to a mechanical cause and a redo surgery was required. With an average stay of 3 days in the intensive care unit, no perioperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Complex oncological chest wall resection and reconstruction with titanium rib plates and free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap with fascia lata yielded satisfactory aesthetic and physiological functional outcomes.

Single-stage reconstruction of a traumatic tendocutaneous defect of the Achilles using free composite anterolateral thigh flap with vascularized fascia lata.

Combined tendocutaneous defect of Achilles tendon remains a complex reconstructive challenge whereby both the soft tissue coverage and tendon reconstruction have to be considered to achieve a good functional and aesthetic outcome. A 14-year-old boy who sustained an open right calcaneum fracture (Gustilo-Anderson IIIB) with a transected Achilles tendon and huge skin defect from motorcycle wheel spoke injury was admitted. The Achilles tendon repair site broke down following initial surgical debridement and primary repair, resulting in a sizeable combined tendocutaneous defect. Simultaneous soft tissue coverage and tendon defect reconstruction using composite sensate free anterior lateral thigh (ALT) fasciocutaneous flap with vascularized fascia lata was performed subsequently. The vascularized fascia lata was tubularized to wrap the native proximal stump of Achilles tendon and secured using the modified Krakow suturing technique. The distal end of tubularized fascia lata was, then, secured by drilling across right calcaneum bone, passing the suture transosseously and screwed. He led an uneventful postoperative recovery with satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes at one year of follow-up. In conclusion, the present case demonstrates the reliability of this technique and its advantages over other flap choices in reconstruction of a huge combined tendocutaneous defect.

Chest wall resection and reconstruction: a case series of 20 patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Chest wall resection is defined as partial or full-thickness removal of the chest wall. Significant morbidity has been recorded, with documented respiratory failure as high as 27%. Medical records of all patients who had undergone chest wall resection and reconstruction were reviewed. Patients' demographics, length of surgery, reconstruction method, size of tumor and chest wall defect, histopathological result, complications, duration of post-operative antibiotics, and hospital stay were assessed. From 1 April 2017 to 30 April 2019, a total of 20 patients underwent chest wall reconstructive surgery. The median age was 57 years, with 12 females and 8 males. Fourteen patients (70%) had malignant disease and 6 patients (30%) had benign disease. Nine patients underwent rigid reconstruction (titanium mesh for sternum and titanium plates for ribs), 6 patients had non-rigid reconstruction (with polypropylene or composite mesh), and 5 patients had primary closure. Nine patients (45%) required closure with myocutaneous flap. Complications were noted in 70% of patients. Patients who underwent primary closure had minor complications. In total, 66.7% of patients who had closure with either fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flaps had threatened flap necrosis. Two patients developed pneumonia and 3 patients (15%) had respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy and prolonged ventilation. There was 1 mortality (5%) in this series. In conclusion, chest wall resections involving large defects require prudent clinical judgment and multidisciplinary assessments in determining the choice of chest wall reconstruction to improve outcomes.

A Case of Large Perianal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Arising from Recurrent Abscess and Complex Fistulae.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the perianal region is an oncologic rarity posing a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for treating oncologists. This is due to the low number of reported cases, compounded by the lack of definitive therapeutic guidelines. It accounts for 2% to 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies and is historically known to arise from chronic anal fistulas and ischiorectal or perianal abscesses. We hereby report an interesting case of perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma in a 66-year-old male initially treated for a horseshoe abscess with complex fistulae. He presented with a 6-month history of a discharging growth in perianal region and painful defecation associated with occasional blood mixed stools. An incisional biopsy from the ulcer revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a localized perianal growth which involves the internal and external sphincter as well as suspicious involvement in the posterior aspect of the levator ani/puborectalis sling, which was further confirmed with colonoscopy (see figures). With no preset treatment protocol for this rare entity, he was managed with an abdominoperineal resection (APR) and vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM) tissue reconstruction. He had a turbulent postoperative period including intestinal obstruction secondary to internal herniation of bowel resulting in flap failure. The subsequent perineal wound was managed conservatively with advanced wound care and has since completely healed.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome in a Malay girl: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome (BRBNS) also known as Bean's Syndrome is an atypical type of vascular malformation. To date, around 200 cases have been reported world-wide. In view of its low incidence rate, clinicians might misdiagnose and under treat. The key features of this syndrome are characterized by multiple cutaneous, soft tissue and gastrointestinal tract venous malformations. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the first case of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome in Malaysia, a 23 years old Malay girl who suffers from multiple cutaneous venous malformation and gastrointestinal bleeding episodes. DISCUSSION: The typical morbidity for this syndrome is symptomatic anemia due to secondary iron deficiency due to the gastrointestinal venous malformation bleeding. In managing the gastrointestinal bleeding, it mainly depends on the severity of gastrointestinal bleeding, some may resolve spontaneously, while the others may be needing blood transfusion, and some may require GIT resections. As for cutaneous lesions, normally it is innocuous depending on the region and size. Large or problematic cutaneous venous malformation might benefit from sclerotherapy or excision. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary approach is crucial in managing BRBNS case due to its complexity and the spectrum of multiple organ involvement to ensure the best outcome to the patient.

Juvenile Breast Hypertrophy: A Successful Breast Reduction of 14.9% Body Weight without Recurrence in a 5-Year Follow-Up.

Juvenile hypertrophy of the breast (JHB) is a rare and relentless disease affecting women in the peripubertal period. We present a 13-year-old girl with massive bilateral JHB, successfully treated with a breast reduction and free nipple graft technique. A total of 7300 grams of breast tissue had been removed, accounting for 14.9% of the patient's total body weight. Prophylactic hormonal therapy was not commenced. During the 5-year follow-up period, there was no recurrence and the patient remains satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. A recent meta-analysis study indicates that subcutaneous mastectomy is associated with reduced risk of recurrence, but it is more deforming and the aesthetic result is inferior to a reduction mammaplasty. In patients treated with the latter technique, some evidence exists suggesting that the use of a free nipple graft is associated with a less frequent risk of recurrence than a pedicle technique. This present case is unique as it demonstrates the clinical course of this patient at a considerably longer follow-up period than most reported studies. We adhered to the limited available evidence and highlight the long-term reliability of breast reduction with free nipple grafting as the first line surgical option in JHB, eliminating the need for repeated surgeries.

Augmentation rhinoplasty in cleft lip nasal deformity: preliminary patients' perspective.

The correction of cleft lip nasal deformity is challenging and there have been numerous methods described in the literature with little demonstrated technical superiority of one over another. The common clinical issues associated with cleft lip nasal deformity are its lack of symmetry, alar collapse on the affected side, obtuse nasal labial angle, short nasal length, loss of tip definition, and altered columella show among others. We carried out augmentation of cleft lip rhinoplasties with rib graft in 16 patients over the one-year study period. Each of these patients was reviewed and given questionnaire before and after surgery to evaluate their response on the outcome to the approach. Preoperatively, nasal asymmetry is the main complaint (14/16, 87.5%) among our series of patients. Postoperatively, 12 (75%) patients out of the 16 reported significant improvement in their nasal symmetry with the other four marginal. All patients reported excellent nasal projection postoperatively with good nasal tip definition. Our series of patients reported overall good satisfaction outcome and will recommend this procedure to other patients with cleft lip nasal deformity. In conclusion, augmentation of cleft lip rhinoplasty can be employed to achieve perceivable and satisfactory outcome in patients with cleft lip nasal deformity.

Reverse abdominoplasty flap in reconstruction of post-bilateral mastectomies anterior chest wall defect.

Reverse abdominoplasty was originally described for epigastric lift. Since the work by Baroudi and Huger in the 1970s, it has become clear that reverse abdominoplasty application can be extended beyond just aesthetic procedure. Through the knowledge of anterior abdominal wall vascularity, its application had included reconstructive prospect in the coverage of various chest wall defects. To date, reverse abdominoplasty flap has been used to reconstruct unilateral anterior chest wall defect or for larger defect but only in combination with other reconstructive techniques. Here, we presented a case where it is used as a standalone flap to reconstruct bilateral anterior chest wall soft tissue defect post-bilateral mastectomies in oncological resection. In conclusion, reverse abdominoplasty flap provided us with a simple, faster, and satisfactory reconstructive outcome.

Low-grade liquid silicone injections as a penile enhancement procedure: Is bigger better?

To report our experience with 5 cases of complications of penile enhancement procedures secondary to liquid silicone injections and our method of management of its debilitating effects. All five patients were treated with excision of penile shaft skin down to buck's fascia followed by resurfacing with split thickness skin grafting. We conclude that penile enhancement procedures with liquid silicone by non-medical personnel could result in devastating consequences. We also demonstrate that a simple method of excision of the entire penile shaft skin and resurfacing with split skin grafting showed improvement in cosmetic as well as functional outcome.

Lip and oral commissure reconstruction with the radial forearm flap.

INTRODUCTION: The radial forearm free flap has been a workhorse flap for lip reconstruction due to its pliability, color match, and ability to incorporate the palmaris longus tendon for support. We report our experience with the use of the radial forearm free flap in three patients post-tumor resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2010, three patients had undergone resection of squammous cell carcinoma of the oral region and simultaneous reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap. The average patient age was 51 years and the average defect size was 4 × 3 cm(2). In two patients, anterograde radial forearm free flap was used with a fascia lata free tendon graft for support and in one patient, a retrograde radial forearm flap was used without the use of tendon as support. RESULTS: All three patients were satisfied with the initial management of tumor clearance. All three surgical margins were clear. Out of three, two patients complained that the flap was unsightly and were dissatisfied with the appearance and bulk of the flap. CONCLUSION: Although the radial forearm flap is recognized as a gold standard for lip reconstruction, there always appears to be a need for secondary revision procedures to further improve both the functional as well as esthetic appearance of the lip reconstruction procedure. As a primary reconstructive procedure, the flap does not satisfy patient expectations. A comprehensive questionnaire as well as objective assessment follow-up study is warranted.