Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) as an Adjunct in the Management of Osteoradionecrosis and Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws. Case Series in A Single Centre

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) are uncommon but serious diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region with clinically similar appearance but distinct pathophysiology. Management of ORN and MRONJ is inherently challenging and the treatment outcomes are unpredictable. The use of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) to promote hard and soft tissue healing is well described in the literature, and the efficacy of leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been well documented in a number of clinical studies. The aim of this study was to present our treatment strategy and the outcomes of incorporating L-PRF as a surgical adjunct in management of ORN and MRONJ in our centre. Methods: eight cases of ORN and MRONJ were treated with a combination of sequestrectomy and L-PRF as a surgical adjunct. Results: the overall success was 87.5%. Using L-PRF as an adjunct, we were able to predictably manage ORN and MRONJ without causing significant morbidity. Conclusion: our experience shows that L-PRF may be used as a valuable and cost-effective adjunct to surgical management of ORN and MRONJ. However, due to a limited number of patients, and a short period of review, the true effectiveness of the method is yet to be demonstrated in a longer follow-up study including a greater number of patients, besides the inclusion of a control group.

Use of REBOA in the universe of magical realism: a real-world review

While reading the novella “Chronicle of a Death Foretold” by the Colombian Nobel Laureate Gabriel García-Marquez, we were surprised to realize that the injuries sustained by the main character could have been successfully treated had he received modern trauma care in which REBOA may have been considered. This is a discussion of Mr. Nasar's murder to explore whether he could have been saved by deploying REBOA as a surgical adjunct to bleeding control and resuscitation. In reading García-Marquez's novel we noted the events that unfolded at the time of Santiago Nasar's murder. To contextualize the claim that Mr. Nasar could have survived, had his injuries been treated with REBOA, we explored and illustrated what could have done differently and why. On the day of his death, Mr. Nasar sustained multiple penetrating stab wounds. Although he received multiple stab wounds to his torso, the book describes seven potentially fatal injuries, resulting in hollow viscus, solid viscus, and major vascular injuries. We provided a practical description of the clinical and surgical management algorithm we would have followed in Mr. Nasar's case. This algorithm included the REBOA deployment for hemorrhage control and resuscitation. The use of REBOA as part of the surgical procedures performed could have saved Mr. Nasar's life. Based on our current knowledge about REBOA in trauma surgery, we claim that its use, coupled with appropriate surgical care for hemorrhage control, could have saved Santiago Nasar's life, and thus prevent a death foretold.

Decompressive Cranial Vault Remodeling in Osteosclerotic Robinow Syndrome

We present a novel application of endocranial burr contouring for cranial vault expansion as a surgical adjunct during decompressive craniectomy in patients with cranial osteosclerosis. A 16-year-old female with osteosclerotic Robinow syndrome complicated by slit ventricle syndrome presented with refractory intracranial hypertension following external ventricular drain placement. Symptoms included severe headaches and altered mental status. Given the severe intracranial volume restriction secondary to massive calvarial thickening (2.5 cm), the patient was taken to the operating room for urgent surgical decompression. After frontal and parietal craniectomy, burr and osteotome contouring were used to remove two-thirds of the endocranial calvarial bone flap thickness resulting in a 9% cranial vault expansion while preserving an overall normal head size. There were no immediate postoperative complications. At over 3 years postoperatively, the patient had reduced headaches, maintained adequate shunt function, and has not required further vault reconstruction.

Utility and cost–effectiveness of 3D-printed materials for clinical use

This review summarizes the utility of 3D-printing as a surgical adjunct, reviewing the cost–effectiveness. The relevant literature was analyzed outlining the utility and/or cost–effectiveness of 3D-printing for clinical use. Compared with existing methods, the evidence suggests an advantage of using 3D-printing as a technology in the treatment of complex clinical cases. However, in high frequency cases, the additional preoperative expenses are not justified. Considerable evidence of its clinical benefits exists for the application of 3D-printed anatomical models and teaching tools. However, the evidence supporting 3D-printing’s use as surgical guides or implantable devices is less clear. Furthermore, caution must exist when using these devices in the clinical setting due to a paucity of rigorous testing, global regulation and long-term data.

MLTI-11. IMPLANTABLE POLYMERIC BCNU AS AN ADJUNCT TO SURGERY FOR METASTATIC INTRACRANIAL DISEASE

SUMMARY: One hundred and thirty cases of craniotomy for tumor utilizing BCNU implantable chemotherapy were performed by the authors between including 23 cases for metastatic intracranial disease. The series included 12 woman and 11 men with an average age of 56.9 years. The diagnoses were as follows: non-small lung carcinoma (13), breast cancer (6), small-cell lung cancer (1), colon cancer (1), unknown primary (2). Patients undergoing resection plus implantable chemotherapy following whole brain radiotherapy (5 patients) or following stereotactic radiosurgery (5 patients) were the most common. Only patient developed possible local recurrence (3%). Complications included two cerebrospinal fluid leaks with associated complications requiring reoperations (11%) both following whole brain radiotherapy and 3 patients (17%) with thromboembolic episodes (3 deep venous thromboses, one with a pulmonary embolus and sudural hematoma). In this challenging population, local implantable chemotherapy appears relatively safe and a reasonable consideration as a surgical adjunct.

What We Do: Greater Palatine Medializing Foraminal Osteotomy for Repair of the Wide Cleft Palate

Wide cleft palates (>15-mm gap) present a number of challenges to the surgeon tasked with their repair ( Bardach, 1999 ). Eliminating the need for secondary surgery due to fistula formation can reduce additional anesthetic and scarring risks and optimize early speech development. Greater palatine foraminal osteotomy is a useful surgical adjunct that allows additional medial movement of oral mucoperiosteal flaps to aid in tension-free closure of the oral layer. We use a technique similar to that described by Seibert in 1995 with a few modifications. Closure of the nasal layer in these wide clefts can be achieved using a sphenoid flap, a technique recently published by our unit ( Khan et al, 2018 ).

Clinical profile, risk factors and outcome of medical, surgical and adjunct interventions in patients with Pythiuminsidiosum keratitis

PurposeTo report clinical profile and compare management options for Pythium keratitis.MethodRetrospective interventional study of 46 patients diagnosed as Pythium keratitis by PCR DNA sequencing from January 2014 to July 2017. Interventions were categorised into medical management (MM) (topical azithromycin and linezolid with oral azithromycin at presentation), surgery (S) (therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, TPK), surgical adjunct (SA) (cryotherapy±alcohol with TPK) and medical adjunct (MA) (MM after TPK).ResultsPrimary treatment included MM (1 eye), SA (3 eyes) and S (42 eyes). Recurrence occurred in 27/43 eyes (MM+S group). Second surgery (S) was required in 11 eyes (TPK-2), with additional procedures (SA) in 10 eyes and evisceration in five eyes. 8/43 eyes received MA after TPK-1. One eye required TPK-3. Recurrence occured in all eyes that received MA (100%) and in 28 of 54 TPKs (51.8%) (TPK 1+2+3) in 42 eyes. Recurrence was noted in 1/14 (7.1%) that underwent SA.ConclusionThe currently available and recommended treatment for Pythium keratitis is surgical by means of a TPK and in worse cases evisceration. In our study, MM/MA measures showed no benefit with recurrence or worsening of infection requiring resurgery. Almost 50% of TPKs had a recurrence requiring resurgery. However, adjunctive procedures during TPK appear to have additional benefit with low risk of recurrence and could be included as routine care.