The Journal of craniofacial surgery
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Comparative Study
Computer aided design of large-format prefabricated cranial plates.
The authors' objective in this project was to replace current state-of-the-art manual methods for preoperative production (i.e., prefabrication) of large-format (>100 cm2) cranioplasties with a system for computer-aided design and direct computer-aided manufacture of the implant's shape. This system uses standard 3D CT data, requires no specialized training, and produces an accurately fitting cranioplasty that can be recast in the physician's material of choice (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] or pre-bent titanium plating). The authors begin by locating the cranial defect margin on a skull surface image generated from a 3D head CT-scan. ⋯ All five computer-generated implants were better fitting and more cosmetically suitable than the manually generated skull plates received by these patients. These well-fitting implants are more likely to protect the brain from trauma and infection. Therefore, the authors conclude that their new production method provides a better result with less expense than current methods for preoperative or intraoperative fabrication of large-format cranioplasties.
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In patients with a prominent ear, the most common deformities are a poorly developed antihelical fold and the formation of excessive conchal cartilage, particularly in the posterior conchal wall. As such, the main goal for surgical correction of a prominent ear is to narrow the conchoscaphal angle by folding the antihelix and reducing the concha. In the current study, cartilage-sparing tubing otoplasty is refined by the addition of a minimal dissection of the edge of the conchal and scaphal cartilages, and horizontal mattress sutures between the two edges. ⋯ A mild recurrence of the upper antihelical fold was experienced in one case, and the patient required further surgery. Suture extrusions developed in two cases. In conclusion, the proposed technique is a simple and safe procedure with reliable results and no anterior scarring.
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Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) has been a recognized complication of general anesthesia after the first case reports in the 1940's. Since then a great deal has been discovered about the genetics, pathophysiology and treatment of this once fatal syndrome. MH is the only clinical entity specifically related to and caused by anesthetic agents. ⋯ It is imperative that the patient and their family are counseled, Medalert bracelets provided and registration with the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS), encouraged. The caffeine/halothane testing of muscle biopsies is currently the most definitive test for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. The routine use in suspected cases or the immediate family of known cases remains a matter of contention.
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Sternal wound infection (SWI) is a life-threatening complication in both the pediatric and adult population. The morbidity and mortality of SWIs have decreased with the use of muscle flap reconstruction of the chest wall. Although the pectoralis muscle flap is the most frequently used flap in adults for reconstruction after SWI, its use in children has not been well described. ⋯ Sternal wound infection is a serious postoperative complication of median sternotomy. Aggressive operative management with the use of muscle flap reconstruction has helped to lower the morbidity and mortality of this infection. The successful use of pectoralis muscle flap advancement for functional and esthetic reconstruction of the chest wall in children is described.