Maxillary Sinus Vascular Malformation or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis.

Epistaxis is a common presenting complain with varied differentials. Our case is of epistaxis due to maxillary sinus vascular malformation which could be managed with embolization and endoscopic excision. Histopathologically, the lesion had features of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A RCC metastatic lesion masquerading as a maxillary sinus vascular malformation (VM) has been extremely rare in published literature. We present this interesting case of maxillary sinus VM and also briefly review the relevant literature.

A novel technique using a subcutaneously pedicled islanded prolabial flap for the secondary correction of bilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity.

CONTEXT: The bilateral cleft lip and nose deformity frequently requires lip revision surgery at the time of secondary rhinoplasty. The goal is to achieve an adequate philtrum with a well-shaped Cupid's bow, white roll alignment and a central vermilion tubercle. AIMS: We have devised a new technique of using prolabial tissue tailored as an island of skin based on a subcutaneous pedicle for the secondary reconstruction of the philtral aesthetic unit in patients with bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This technique was used in 21 patients from March 2012 to August 2015. All patients had undergone primary lip repair at other institutions and required lip revision with simultaneous rhinoplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The objective criteria considered in the post-operative evaluation by the authors included improvement of philtral ridge projection, symmetry of philtral column and nasal sill and white roll continuity. The ten individual parameters were given a score from 1 to 4 (with 1 = lowest and 4 = highest for each individual parameter) and the total score was rated as 31-40 = excellent, 21-30 = good, 11-20 = fair and 0-10 = Poor. The patients' overall satisfaction was assessed at 6 months postoperatively to record their impression of the aesthetic improvement after our procedure. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 3 years. The prolabial flap had no post-operative complications. The authors' assessment judged 15 (71.4%) patients as having an excellent outcome and 6 (28.5%) patients as having a good outcome. All patients expressed subjective satisfaction with the post-operative appearance of their upper lip and rated their results as improved and overall satisfaction scoring was high. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is a new addition to the repertoire of procedures which already exist for the correction of bilateral cleft lip nose deformity. It is safe, reliable and has a good aesthetic outcome with no significant morbidity.

Secondary bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity correction by rhinoplasty with simultaneous Abbe flap.

AIM: The purpose of this article is to review modification and outcome of secondary rhinoplasty along with Abbé flap for correction of secondary bilateral cleft lip deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of thirteen patients of secondary bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity having tight upper lip, lack of acceptable philtral column, Cupid's bow definition, irregular lip scars, and associated nasal deformity were selected. All the patients received Abbé flap and simultaneous nasal correction. All cases were treated during a period of three years. Mean patient age at the time of the operation was 21 years, and ranged from 16 to 27 years. The average follow-up period was three years. RESULTS: Assessment of results was based on comparing preoperative and postoperative clinical photographs done by surgeon and patient relatives and patient satisfaction questionnaires. The columellar lengthening and upper lip vermillion correction achieved was satisfactory. There were no perioperative complications such as airway obstruction, bleeding, infection, wound disruption, or flap necrosis.

A simple and effective way of maintaining the microvascular field clean and dry during anastomosis.

During microvascular anastomosis, it is important to maintain the microsurgical field irrigated yet dry so as to achieve a good view of the vessels for approximation. In this method, an infant feeding tube (size 4), with its tip sandwiched between layers of dry gauze and a surgical glove component placed in the anastomotic field and the other end connected to a suction apparatus, is used to maintain the microsurgical field free from flooding. It also has the additional advantage of providing a stable platform for microvascular anastomosis.

Osteomas of the craniofacial region: A case series and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of osteomas involving the craniomaxillofacial region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted from June 2004 to March 2012 at our institute. A total of 12 cases between the ages of 10 and 50 years were managed with surgical excision and reconstruction. The criteria used to diagnose osteoma included radiographic and clinical features and histological confirmation of the specimen. The total follow-up period ranged from 6 to 24 months. RESULTS: Out of 12 osteomas, 10 were peripheral and 2 were centrally located. Mandible involvement was seen in six patients, four involved the orbit, one the frontal bone and one the frontal bone with the skull base. All patients undergoing excision and reconstruction had a favourable aesthetic and functional outcome. There were no recurrences and no post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: Osteomas affect all age groups with no sex predilection and are usually clinically asymptomatic till they become large in size. Surgical excision and appropriate reconstruction is the mainstay of management. Surgery is indicated when lesion is symptomatic or actively growing and the surgical approach for exposure of the lesion should be case specific.

The use of the temporoparietal fascia flap in various clinical scenarios: A review of 71 cases.

OBJECTIVE: This report details our experience with the use of the temporoparietal fascia flap in different scenarios of reconstruction and to discuss our technique of harvest, clinical applications, and review of literature of this versatile flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 82 cases of temporoparietal fascia flap in 71 patients, operated over a period of 10 years was conducted. Patients were grouped based on various clinical indications. The follow up period ranged from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 10 years (Mean-four and a half years). All patients were analyzed for functional and aesthetic outcome using preoperative and postoperative photographs. RESULTS: No significant complications were seen in our series. Only 2 out of 82 flaps had partial necrosis of flap (2.44%). Two patients who were operated for release of submucous fibrosis developed recurrence due to continued use of tobacco. The final outcome in one patient of ear reconstruction was unsatisfactory due to flap failure. The remaining patients had satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes (95.77%). None had other complications like temporal branch of facial nerve injury or alopecia along the scar line. CONCLUSION: The TPFF is one of the most reliable and versatile flap in the head and neck region. It can also be reliably used as free fascial flap. When its advantages are combined with the surgeon's resourcefulness, various defects can be successfully reconstructed using the temporoparietal facia flap with satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcome.

Titanium mesh reconstruction of orbital roof fracture with traumatic encephalocele: a case report and review of literature.

Orbital roof fractures are rare. Traumatic encephaloceles in the orbital cavity are even rarer, with only 21 cases published to date. Orbital roof fractures are generally encountered in males between 20 and 40 years of age following automobile collision. We report a case of an orbital roof fracture with traumatic encephalocele into the left orbit. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important because the raised intraorbital pressure may irreversibly damage the optic nerve. Computed tomography with 3-D reconstruction, the imaging modality of choice, showed the displaced fracture fragment deep into the orbit. Reconstruction of the orbital roof should be performed in every case. We used an extracranial approach to elevate the fracture with titanium mesh to stabilize the fragment. The cosmetic results were excellent but delay in treatment was responsible for delayed recovery of vision. The case report is followed by a brief overview of orbital roof fractures including pertinent review of literature.

Calvarial reconstruction using high-density porous polyethylene cranial hemispheres.

AIMS: Cranial vault reconstruction can be performed with a variety of autologous or alloplastic materials. We describe our experience using high-density porous polyethylene (HDPE) cranial hemisphere for cosmetic and functional restoration of skull defects. The porous nature of the implant allows soft tissue ingrowth, which decreases the incidence of infection. Hence, it can be used in proximity to paranasal sinuses and where previous alloplastic cranioplasties have failed due to implant infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the HDPE implant in seven patients over a three-year period for reconstruction of moderate to large cranial defects. Two patients had composite defects, which required additional soft tissue in the form of free flap and tissue expansion. RESULTS: In our series, decompressive craniectomy following trauma was the commonest aetiology and all defects were located in the fronto-parieto-temporal region. The defect size was 10 cm on average in the largest diameter. All patients had good post-operative cranial contour and we encountered no infections, implant exposure or implant migration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the biocompatibility and flexibility of the HDPE cranial hemisphere implant make it an excellent alternative to existing methods of calvarial reconstruction.

Composite correction of a unilateral cleft lip nose deformity and alveolar bone grafting.

BACKGROUND: Managing the cleft lip nasal deformity has always been a challenge. Even now, there is no single established universally accepted method of correction. The open alveolar gap and the ipsilateral hypoplastic maxilla are two major problems in achieving consistently good results in a cleft lip nasal deformity. In our study, after first assuring the orthodontic realignment of maxillary arches, we combined bone grafting in the alveolar gap and along the pyriform margin, with a formal open rhinoplasty approach. METHODS: All the patients underwent orthodontic treatment for preparation of the alveolar bone grafting. During the process of alveolar bone graft, a strip of septal cartilage graft was harvested from the lower border of the septum which also helps to correct the septal deviation. The cancellous bone graft harvested from the iliac crest was used to fill the alveolar gap and placed along the pyriform margin to gain symmetry. Through open rhinoplasty along the alar rim and additionally using Potter's incision extending to the lateral vestibule, the lateral crura of the alar cartilage on the cleft side was released from its lateral attachment and advanced medially as a chondromucosal flap in a V-Y fashion, in order to bring the cleft-side alar cartilage into a normal symmetric position. The harvested septal cartilage graft was used as a columellar strut. The cleft nostril sill was narrowed by a Y-V advancement at the alar base and any overhanging alar rim skin was carefully excised to achieve symmetry. RESULTS: The results of this composite approach were encouraging in our series of 15 patients with no additional morbidity and a better symmetry of the nose and airway especially in the adolescent age group. CONCLUSION: This concept of simultaneous approach when appropriate for nasal correction at the time of alveolar bone grafting showed an encouraging aesthetic and functional outcome.

Silicone Foley's catheter: A useful splint in ear surgeries.

UNLABELLED: Maintenance of ear projection and post auricular sulcus in staged ear reconstruction in microtia is a trying problem. So also is the maintenance of the patency of the external auditory meatus following recanalization and meatoplasty. Numerous splints and dressing techniques have been described for the above situations. Some of the problems encountered include the availability of the materials, cost, expertise in fabrication and compliance. AIMS: To devise a simple, reliable, inexpensive and readily available splint for the maintenance of post auricular sulcus and external auditory meatus opening. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A silicone catheter is made out of a soft and inert material that doesn't cause tissue necrosis or any loss of skin graft. The basic design is that of a simple, self-retaining type of splint that doesn't dislodge and can be prepared within minutes on the operating table. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This splint has been used in four cases of microtia reconstruction and one case of congenital external auditory meatus stenosis between June 2006 and August 2007. A 14 or 16 Fr silicone Foley's catheter was used. The proximal end of a catheter of required length was retained and the distal part was cut off. The catheter was looped into a circle around the base of the reconstructed ear and secured in position with a suture. A similar construct was used in cases of external auditory meatus reconstruction or recanalization. The funnel-shaped distal drainage end was sutured to the circular frame near the region of the tragus. This funnel was inserted into the external auditory canal. RESULTS: The catheter was found to sit snugly in the newly created sulcus, thereby maintaining the sulcus and ear projection. It aided in maintaining the meatal opening of a satisfactory diameter in the case of external auditory canal recanalization. It was never found to slip or get dislodged in any of the cases. There was no skin graft loss or tissue necrosis due to the use of the splint. CONCLUSIONS: The silicone Foley's catheter is found to be a simple, readily available, inexpensive and reliable self-retaining splint following ear elevation in microtia and external auditory meatus recanalization. The catheter is easily constructed and applied intraoperatively. The results following its usage have been uniformly good in all cases without causing any adverse events at the operated site or discomfort to the patient ensuring good compliance.