The Journal of craniofacial surgery
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Congenital epulis is a rare benign hamartoma of the alveolar ridge found in the newborn. The clinical characteristics of this lesion show some variability, and opinion of its pathogenesis lacks consensus. ⋯ A case report and review of the literature is presented. The diagnosis, pathology, and treatment are reviewed.
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Surgical procedures for correction of craniofacial deformities resulted in unavoidable and extensive blood loss in small children and infants. Almost all of the patients undergoing these procedures will undergo a blood transfusion either during or immediately after the operation. A retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent craniofacial surgery was performed in this study to determine the magnitude of transfusion required for craniofacial surgery, document transfusion morbidity, and identify variables associated with the transfusion. ⋯ The mean operative time was 450 minutes, the mean preoperative hemoglobin and the mean postoperative hemoglobin before hospital discharge were 11.6 g/dL and 10.3 g/dL, respectively. Craniofacial surgical procedures involve extensive scalp dissection and calvarial and facial bone osteotomies in patients with a low total blood volume. Every medical and surgical strategy for minimizing the need for blood transfusion should be considered.