The Journal of craniofacial surgery
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The importance of the external ear is both cosmetic and functional. As part of the facial framework, the ear is highly visible and vulnerable to thermal injury. The burned auricle, whether manifesting as a partial deformity or complete loss of the external ear, poses a significant reconstructive challenge. ⋯ Reconstructing the burned ear presents a significant challenge, even in the hands of an experienced surgeon. No one modality will work in all situations; therefore, a range of options should be weighed after the tissue deficit has been defined. Surgeon preference and availability of local tissue are the most important variables.
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Accidental extubation of an intubated patient is a serious consideration in the surgical patient. Adequate fixation in the intubated patient is essential to prevent potentially life-threatening complications. Several methods of endotracheal tube fixation have been described in the literature. ⋯ Endotracheal tubes were inserted, using the methods of fixation in question. We subjected each fixation technique to progressively increasing weight to determine which technique is most resistant to accidental removal. We found that fixation of the tube by combining tape around the tube with a suture through the tape is the best noninvasive technique of the 3 methods evaluated in cases where movement of the head is anticipated.
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Case Reports
Maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm after Le Fort I osteotomy: treatment using transcatheter arterial embolization.
Life-threatening hemorrhage is a rare complication after Le Fort I osteotomy. However, owing to the gravity of this complication, all surgeons who perform Le Fort I osteotomy should be aware of the potential for this complication and options for its resolution. ⋯ This was treated by arterial embolization in which the pseudoaneurysm was packed with microcoils. This report reaffirms the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for pseudoaneurysm as a possible etiology of delayed postoperative bleeding in patients after craniomaxillofacial surgery.
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Paranasal sinus osteomas are mostly asymptomatic; however, secondary mucocele can develop if they impede the natural sinus drainage. Such a mucocele can destroy the bone and extend into the adjacent structures. We report on an unusual case of frontal sinus osteoma in a 27-year-old patient, complicated by large secondary mucocele that eroded the bone and extended into the frontal lobe of the brain. ⋯ The mucocele was completely resected through bifrontobasal osteoplastic craniotomy, whereas osteoma was evacuated in its entirety by both drilling and mobilizing. Open surgical approach remains the main treatment for complicated paranasal sinus osteoma, and radical removal of intracranial mucocele is mandatory to prevent the development of life-threatening infections. Although intradural extension of a secondary mucocele is extremely unusual, head and neck surgery specialists should take this severe complication in consideration.
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The aims of this report were to analyze the cases of lateral brow incision and 1-point fixation and to introduce the criteria for application of this selective approach. Among 70 patients with tripod fractures, 14 patients (20%) underwent 1-point fixation technique through lateral brow incisions. Preoperative and postoperative displacements of the infraorbital rim were radiologically measured. ⋯ After surgery, step deformities of the infraorbital rims were improved (range, 0.1-3.8 mm; mean, 1.4 +/- 0.5 mm). All 14 patients were satisfied with their postoperative appearance. Indications for using 1-point fixation of the tripod fracture are (1) minimal or moderate displacement of the infraorbital rim in the tripod fracture of the zygoma, (2) no ocular signs of diplopia or enophthalmos, and (3) comminuted infraorbital rim fractures where internal fixation is difficult.