Advancement of the midface, from conventional Le Fort III osteotomy to Le Fort III distraction: review of the literature.

Since its introduction in about 1950, the Le Fort III (LF III) procedure has become a widely accepted treatment for correction of midface hypoplasia and related functional and esthetic problems. As long-term surgical experience grows and improvements are made in technique, equipment and peri-operative care, the number of LF III procedures performed worldwide is increasing. A number of fundamental questions concerning the technique remain unclear, and large, conclusive studies are lacking owing to the relative rarity of severe midface hypoplasia.

The temporoparietal galea flap.

The temporoparietal galea flap has been rediscovered as a useful tissue transfer technique. It is the only single-layered fascial flap that can be transposed into the craniofacial and head and neck region on its vascular pedicle. In the 1990s, it was used extensively in the surgical reconstruction of a wide variety of defects in the craniomaxillofacial area, ranging from scalp and auricle defects to nasal and maxillo-orbital repair to all types of intraoral and even mandibular and pharyngeal reconstructions.

Recombinant human erythropoietin alpha modulates the effects of radiotherapy on colorectal cancer microvessels.

Recent data suggest that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) modulates tumour growth and therapy response. The purpose of the present study was to examine the modulation of radiotherapy (RT) effects on tumour microvessels by rhEPO in a rat colorectal cancer model. Before and after 5 x 5 Gy of RT, dynamic contrast-enhanced -magnetic resonance imaging was performed and endothelial permeability surface product (PS), plasma flow (F), and blood volume (V) were modelled.

Temporoparietal fascia flaps and superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication in parotid surgery reduces Frey's syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome after parotid gland surgery with elevation of a skin flap versus the interposition of musculoaponeurotic tissue between the skin and the facial nerve.

Materials And Methods: The standard skin flap was used in 122 patients (1981 to 1989), whereas interposition of temporoparietal galea or superficial musculoaponeurotic system was performed in 146 consecutive patients (1989 to 1998).

Results: The incidence of Frey's syndrome was reduced from 33% to 4% with the use of a musculoaponeurotic layer, and the mean duration of postoperative facial nerve paresis decreased from 3 months to 6 weeks.

Arthrography of the temporomandibular joint: pictorial essay.

Although arthrography of the TMJ is nowadays considered as old-fashioned, the technique remains a valuable alternative in cases where MRI is contraindicated. The authors discuss the technique of inferior joint space arthrography and present a review of typical arthrographic cases of the most common types of TMJ pathology.