Bone Regeneration of the Maxillofacial Region Through the Use of Mesenchymal Cells Obtained by a Filtration Process of the Adipose Tissue.

In this work, the authors will discuss about a new protocol and rapid alternative to isolate the mesenchymal stromal cells from the stromal vascular fraction, without the use of collagenase, to regenerate the bone tissue in the maxillo-facial region. This method employs a device that allows the isolation and concentration of stromal vascular fraction by means of lipoaspirates, which separate the lipid component and fragments of the extracellular matrix. The innovative element consists in using a filtration device instead of a centrifuging device to separate the different components. The purpose of this work was to illustrate the results obtained with the above-mentioned method in a series of 8 patients suffering from cystic neoformations maxillary or mandibular.

Great auricular nerve preservation during parotidectomy for benign tumors.

The great auricular nerve, the largest sensory branch of the cervical plexus, arises from the third cervical nerve (C3) with irregular contribution from the C2. The first part of its course is deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. In few years, many experiences by different authors concerning the issue of great auricular nerve integrity during parotidectomy were published in the literature. The aims of our article were to report our experience with 78 consecutive patients who underwent standard superficial, subtotal, or total parotidectomy for benign tumors and to illustrate postsurgical findings regarding the sensibility of the pinna and mandibular angle as subjectively reported in the early postsurgical period and after 3, 6, and 12 months from surgery.

Use of scopolamine patches in patients treated with parotidectomy.

The antimuscarinic effect of scopolamine causes a reduction of salivary secretion, so it can be used successfully in postoperative parotid surgery. The aim of this article was to demonstrate the efficiency of postoperative use of scopolamine transdermal patch in reduction of complications due to the presence of saliva in the surgical spaces.

Giant benign neoplasm of lateral neck.

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common congenital head and neck lesions to arise in the neck.Second branchial cleft cyst typically presents as a nontender, painless, smooth, and round neck mass located along the upper third of the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle which may acutely increase in size after an upper respiratory infection.The aim of this article was to illustrate a case of a giant second branchial cyst 8 cm in diameter that was surgically treated at the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of Sant'Andrea Hospital in Rome.

Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland: role of neutron radiation therapy.

Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma (RPA) of the parotid gland represents a challenging task for maxillofacial surgeons. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of RPA of the parotid gland has been studied in previous experiences, and its use has been considered questionable. The aims of our article were to analyze and illustrate a case of RPA, initially treated with enucleations at another institution, showing a multinodular pattern with positivity for S-100 protein and cytokeratin, managed with conservative parotidectomy and neutron radiotherapy.

Major facial trauma after helicopter landing.

Injuries in civil aviation can occur as a consequence of work-related accidents happening in airport. The ground crew can sustain slips, trips, falls, and machinery accidents. Most such accidents are observed when aircraft is departing. This clinical report describes a case of an airport ground assistant severely injured by a helicopter after the strike with a main rotor blade that was slowing after that the craft was landed and the engine was stopped, and reports surgical emergency treatment of life-threatening facial lesions.

Treatment of recurrent mandibular ameloblastoma with segmental resection and revascularized fibula free flap.

The adamantinoma is characterized by a high rate of local recurrence. Because of this peculiarity, radical treatment is generally preferred than conservative surgery. Resection with free margins is associated with lower risk of recurrence but is not recurrence free; thus, the importance of long and scrupulous follow-up is evident. The aim of this study was to present a patient with recurrent mandibular adamantinoma after box resection with safety margins of 1 cm that has necessitated of a segmental resection with 1-step reconstruction with revascularized fibula free flap.

Surgical treatment of an extraparotid pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary glands of the cheek.

Only few cases of extraparotid localizations of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) were reported in literature: at the lips, tonsils of the tongue, the occipital area and of the nasal septum, retropharyngeal area, temporal bone, and the thyroglossal and pituitary ducts.The finding of a PA in the minor salivary glands of the cheek was described only in 2 cases during the last 24 years and represented an exceptional finding.The aim of this article was to illustrate a case of extraparotid PA developing at the salivary glands of cheek, a short distance from Stensen duct, and to report surgical strategy.

Esthetic positioning of rigid internal fixation in tripod zygomatic fractures: an innovative surgical technique.

Tripod displaced zygomatic fractures are generally treated with rigid internal fixation at the intraorbital rim (IOR), frontozygomatic (FZ) suture, and zygomaticomaxillary buttress. Intraorbital rim fixation is associated with complaints of poor esthetic results and miniplate intolerance. Although different solutions were previously reported as 2-point fixation or resorbable fixation at the IOR, a 3-point fixation is considered the best choice for maintaining an optimal zygomatic stability after reduction. Consequently, the best goal is to perform a surgical technique that provides a 3-point fixation and avoids the consequence of subjective and objective alterations at the IOR and FZ areas. We propose an innovative technique that proved to be a simple, effective method to eliminate postsurgical sequelae due to rigid internal fixation positioning in the IOR and FZ areas.

Treatment of oligodontia with endo-osseous fixtures: experience in eight consecutive patients at the end of dental growth.

Clinical manifestations of oligodontia consist in agenesia of multiple teeth eventually with deciduous retained teeth, atrophy of alveolar ridge, aberrations of teeth dimension, and shape, with consequent aesthetic and functional defects. The first choice treatment is based on a team collaboration of maxillo-facial surgeon, orthodontist, and prosthodontist, and is conditioned by various clinical parameters as number and site of lacking teeth, age and dental development of patients, eventual alveolar ridge atrophy. Treatment planning should be individualized for each patient. In our experience, based on 8 consecutive patients at the end of dental growth affected by oligodontia, endo-osseous fixtures positioning was carried out in consideration of long-lasting stability and optimal aesthetical characteristics. In 5 patients rehabilitative preprosthetic surgical procedures were performed, consisting in 2 sinus lift with immediate positioning of 3 fixtures in both cases, 4 heterologous bone graft in postextractive sites with retained ankylotic deciduous teeth and 1 positioning of reabsorbable biomembrane. A temporary removable denture was positioned immediately after surgery in order to obtain a prompt aesthetical and psychosocial restore. Osseointegration ratio as observed at 8.5 years follow-up was analyzed according to surgical variables and differences in prosthetic rehabilitation (fixtures supporting single crown versus multiple crowns). Successful osteointegration was observed at 8.5 years mean follow-up in 58 fixtures, corresponding to a 96.6% ratio. Failure of integration was encountered in fixtures immediately positioned in postextractive sites having a mild grade of bone atrophy, supporting single crown. A rate of success of 100% was observed in cases of immediate or delayed positioning in postextractive or traditional sites.Fixtures positioning in patients affected by isolated oligodontia, without malformative syndromes, and at the end of dental development, is subject to the same recommendations for patients with lacking permanent teeth not caused by agenesia.

Intracellular and extracellular tumor pH measurement in a series of patients with oral cancer.

Reversed pH gradient is an intrinsic feature of tumor phenotype resulting from an upregulation of glycolysis. This is crucial for tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and apoptosis. Comprehension of mechanisms of pH regulation in tumors is of paramount importance for therapeutic implications. This is a preliminary report of a larger prospective study dedicated to the measurements of neutral or slightly alkaline pH/extracellular pH (pHi/pHe) in human patients affected by tumors of the head and neck. During surgery, four specimens were obtained from six patients with cancer: two from the tumor site and two from contralateral areas or sane areas near the tumor. pHe and pHi were measured and compared within normal and neoplastic tissues. Our data indicate that human spontaneous tumors show similar reversed gradients as observed in previous analysis on animal tumor models and cell lines.

Warthin's tumor of the hard palate.

Warthin's Tumor (WT) or papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum is typically located in parotid gland. Extraparotid localization of WTs (EPWT) was rarely described in ectopic salivary tissue in the latero-cervical and para-parotid lymph nodes. Localization in the hard palate is exceptional. This paper describes pre-surgical diagnostic work up and surgical management of a solitary WT localized in the hard palate as found in a 27-year-old Caucasian woman. With consideration of uncertain pre-surgical diagnosis obtained with FNAC, intraoperative histologic examination of frozen sections was planned. Conservative surgical approach was performed. After WT was diagnosed with histology, a local bone curettage was made. Clinical and radiographic follow-up at 12th month was negative for relapse.

The rare condition of maxillary osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process that can involve cortical and trabecular aspects of bone or bone marrow. Cranial bones are infrequently involved, but spreading of inflammation with involvement of surrounding structures represent important risk, as are cerebral abscess, encephalitis, or meningitis. We present a case of osteomyelitis of right maxillary sinus in an adult caused by a spreading of contiguous inflammation sustained by a chronic intrasinusal polyp; the complete resolution of infection was gained with a combination of surgical treatment and antibiotic therapy. The aims of this article are to illustrate diagnostic patterns and surgical treatment experienced in a case of maxillary osteomyelitis and to report radiographic and histopathologic findings.

Basicranium malformation with anterior dislocation of right styloid process causing stylalgia.

Differential diagnosis of stylalgia is broad, and many causes should be taken into account, such as temporomandibular joint disorders, carotidynia, compression of nerve fibers by neoplasms, cranial nerve neuralgias, chronic pharyngotonsillitis, pharyngeal or base of tongue tumors and elongation of styloid process, or Eagle syndrome. Basicranium malformation can determine a rare form of stylalgia that is caused by dislocation of styloid process. This can produce a reduction of maxillo-vertebropharyngeal space and irritation of nerve fibers together with stylopharyngeal muscular chronic contraction. This case report illustrates the diagnostic dilemma and surgical strategy experienced in a rare case of stylalgia caused by a dislocation of styloid process produced by a basicranium malformation. Basicranium malformation should be considered in the pathogenesis of stylalgia when a styloid process with normal dimension is encountered.

Intraosseous hemangioma of the maxillofacial district: clinical analysis and surgical treatment in 10 consecutive patients.

The aims of this study are to illustrate functional and esthetic results obtained with different surgical strategies and to report a review of the relevant literature. There were 6 female patients and 4 male patients included in this study, with an average age of 35.7 years. Zygomatic bone was affected in six cases, the mandible in two cases, the medial orbital wall in one case, and the upper jaw in one case. In all 10 patients, surgery consisted of a wide excision of the intraosseous hemangioma with margins of 3 mm at least to ensure complete removal. Immediate reconstruction was carried out in 5 of the 10 patients. An analysis indicates that intraosseous hemangiomas of the maxillofacial area are rare; diagnosis can be difficult and is mainly based on computed tomography scans. Surgical excision, with previous angiography and embolization in cases of intraosseous hemangioma with a larger dimension or abnormal blood supply, is the treatment of choice.

Differential diagnosis between adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands of palate.

Tumors arising from minor salivary glands of the palate may exhibit an overlap of clinical and biologic features that may produce diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Surgical treatment can be very different, depending on the dimensions and malignant or benign nature of the tumors, and therefore should be planned on the basis of an accurate differential diagnosis. A retrospective analysis in 24 patients with pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands of the palate was performed to investigate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and biopsy with histology in the preoperative diagnosis. Preoperative diagnoses obtained with FNAC and biopsy were compared with findings of the definitive histopathologic examination performed on the resected mass. Correspondence between the preoperative diagnoses determined by FNACs and the definitive histopathologic results was observed in 22 of 24 cases, whereas a complete equivalence was found with regards to histology. In the analysis, FNAC was associated with 91.6% accuracy and an error rate of 8.4% in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate. From the results of the analysis, histologic examination is still the most accurate diagnostic tool in such tumors. FNAC can be considered in tumors of the head and neck regions that are difficult to reach by means of a common biopsy.

Posttraumatic trigeminal nerve impairment: a prospective analysis of recovery patterns in a series of 103 consecutive facial fractures.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of peripheral trigeminal nerve posttraumatic impairments and to compare different recovery patterns as observed in consideration of different fracture-related variables within 12-month follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive patients with 103 facial fractures were included involving emergence areas of supraorbital nerve, infraorbital nerve, or the region between the mandibular and mental foramina. Presurgical and postsurgical clinical neurosensory testing sessions were performed in each patient. Results of these assessments were compared within fracture characteristics and different sites of trauma. Statistical analysis (chi-square test) was performed on clinical observations. RESULTS: The incidence of trigeminal nerve impairments was 70.9% (54.4% in nondisplaced fractures, 88.2% in dislocated fractures, 100% in fractures with a direct nerve injury). Severe impairment was found in direct nerve injures and in many dislocated fractures. Mean recovery time was smaller in nondisplaced fractures than in dislocated fractures. Considering fracture site, the highest incidence of initial trigeminal nerve impairment was found in midfacial nondisplaced fractures. Midfacial fractures had better prognosis than mandibular fractures, and best prognosis was encountered in nondisplaced midfacial fractures. Residual hypoesthesia persisted in 11 sides with direct nerve injury after 12 months and involved tactile and discriminative sensibilities. CONCLUSION: Recovery patterns of posttraumatic trigeminal dysfunction are related to site and type of fracture; intraoperative assessment of involvement of nerve bundles within fracture rimes was associated with an incomplete recovery at the 12th month. Impairment of temperature and nociception are highly related to a direct nerve injury.

Posttraumatic obstruction of lacrimal pathways: a retrospective analysis of 58 consecutive naso-orbitoethmoid fractures.

Posttraumatic dacryostenosis represent a troublesome sequela for patients who have sustained centrofacial trauma and can determine complexity in diagnosis and treatment. This article, based on a retrospective analysis of 58 patients with naso-orbitoethmoidal (NOE) trauma, reports the incidence of posttraumatic dacryostenosis and the evolution of such impairments in consideration of fracture type. Experience in diagnosis and treatment is illustrated, and surgical outcomes 6 months after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) are reported. Posttraumatic epiphora was observed in 27 patients with NOE fractures (46.5%). In 10 cases, temporary epiphora was encountered and spontaneous recovery of lacrimal drainage within 5 months was observed. In the remaining 17 cases, permanent epiphora was registered and a frequent association with delayed treatment of facial fracture repair or bone loss in the lacrimal district was found. Surgical reconstruction of lacrimal pathways was performed 6 months after primary surgery, with external DCRs in all 17 patients with epiphora and the presence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction observed with dacryocystorhinography. External DCR with a large rhinostomy achieved a success rate of 94% in the reconstruction of lacrimal drainage. Such a technique proved to be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic dacryostenosis, although patients considered the temporary presence of external scars and stenting material to be a major problem.

Complications of bicortical screw fixation observed in 482 mandibular sagittal osteotomies.

Bicortical screw fixation after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible is commonly used in orthognathic surgery and allows many advantages compared with osteosynthesis wires and maxillomandibular fixation. Complications include early loosening, hardware exposition, skeletal instability or early relapses, persistent nerve impairments, infection, and scar formation. This article is based on a retrospective analysis of complications of bicortical screw fixation observed in 241 consecutive patients with dento-skeletal Class III, corresponding to 482 sides, during the immediate postoperative period and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months' follow-up. In the immediate postoperative period, poor stability of fixation caused by screw loosening was observed in 3 of 482 (0.62%) sides; at the 1-month follow-up, infections were encountered in 12 (2.48%) sides at mandibular angles. Additional complications were not seen in the series. Stability of fixation was found in the 482 sides at 12 months. However, complications directly related to bicortical screws were observed in 15 sides or 3.11%. Age and gender of patients were not correlated with the incidence of complications. Assiduous follow-up during the early postoperative period and 1 and 2 months after surgery is recommended in patients with bicortical screw fixation after BSSO to verify adequate oral hygiene and provide early observation of the onset of any infections, skeletal instabilities, or relapses.

Surgical timing in orbital fracture treatment: experience with 108 consecutive cases.

Orbital fractures can lead to esthetic deformities and functional impairments, and adequate surgical timing is considered important in obtaining good results from surgery. By means of chart review, a retrospective analysis was carried out in 108 consecutive cases of pure orbital fractures to investigate the differences in surgical timing and the correlations with patient age and clinical and radiographic findings. In this analysis, surgical timing of pure orbital fractures was strongly related to the combination of parameters such as anatomical location of the fracture, eventual exposure of the fracture, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage or penetrating wounds, age of patients, eventual functional impairments or muscle entrapment, and serious conditions of compression or ischemia. As the data confirmed, an urgent approach was considered indispensable in severe orbital apex fractures and in orbital fractures with CSF leakage, penetrating objects, or exposure. Early surgery was necessary within 3 days in children with diplopia (type IIIb) and mainly within 7 days in adults with double vision (type IIIa). Delayed surgery, within 12 days in all cases, was performed orbital wall fractures with no impairments (type II) or in orbital rim fractures (type I). Data from this retrospective analysis confirm the need for an aggressive approach to all orbital fractures. In our experience, surgery was performed within 12 days and most orbital fractures were treated during the first week after trauma, which is earlier than previously reported.