Our Experience in the Surgical Management of Arterio-Venous Malformations of the head and neck

Introduction

Vascular anomalies comprise a diverse group of abnormalities in blood vessel morphogenesis that usually occur prenatally. Arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) are rare congenital vascular lesions accounting for 1.5% of all vascular anomalies, with 50% of them occur in the oral and maxillo-facial regions. Treatment of large, complex vascular lesions is a serious challenge for patients and surgeons because it can cause disfigurement and massive haemorrhage, which may be spontaneous or the result of surgical intervention. Our study aimed to demonstrate surgical management of massive AVMs of the head and neck.

Method

This retrospective study shows the treatment outcomes of 28 patients with massive maxillo-facial vascular malformations, who presented to our department for treatment from 1 January 2015 to 31 July 2022.

Results

Twenty-eight patients with a mean age of 17.32 ± 12.21 years (women: 15, men: 13) were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis included extra cranial AVMs of the head and neck region. Treatment modalities, in isolation or combination, included angioembolisation procedure, sclerotherapy, and surgery.

Conclusion

Management of AVMs is challenging owing to the replacement of normal tissue by the diseased ones and the high rate of recurrence. Hence, multi-modal approaches are needed for the effective restoration of tissues.

Management Outcome of Patients with Infected Sternotomy Wounds

Objective: to evaluate management outcomes of post-sternotomy wounds. Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plastic Surgery, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jan 2020 to Dec 2021. Methodology: We reviewed 35 patients who had developed sternal wound infections post-cardiothoracic surgery. Outcomes of the study were measured using the SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: Our patients presented with either Pairolero Type-II 11(31.4%) or Type-III 19(54.2%) sternal wound infection. Preoperatively patients scored 296.667±69.40 in physical functional, 100.00±30.51 in limitations due to physical health, 16.67±37.90 in role limitation due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue scored 43.53±23.70, emotional well-being 163.33±23.54, social functioning as 11.40±11.66, pain score 31.25±19.90 and general health 131.67±35.31. The improvement in scores was noted in all domains postoperatively. Physical functioning mean scored as 790.00±48.07, role limitations due to physical health scored as310.34±67.32, role limitations due to emotional problems scored as 266.67±47.94, energy/fatigue 284.67±18.71, emotional well being 448.67±18.71, social functioning 185.83±12.60, pain score 164.17±22.01 and general health 316.67±34.95. Thirty-four (97.1%) out of 35 patients recovered well postoperative, with a maximum follow-up of 4 years and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. One patient expired on the sixth day of muscle flap coverage of the wound due to cardiac arrest. Conclusion: A positive prognosis can be obtained by this treatment protocol.

Outcomes of Vaginoplasty Using Pudendal Thigh Flap in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes following vaginoplasty by pudendal thigh flap. Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of the Study: Plastic surgery Department, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan, from Jan 2010 to Dec 2021. Methodology: Vaginal reconstruction was done using bilateral pudendal thigh flap in 20 patients with vaginal defects during eleven years, 2010-2021. Results: All patients were adults with an age range from 18 to 41 years. Five were married, and 15 were unmarried patients at the time of surgery. Out of the 20 patients, 10(50%) were diagnosed with Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser syndrome, 9(45%) with isolated vaginal atresia and 1(5%) with s/p resection angiosarcoma. The mean vaginal length was 9.0±0.46cm, one year post-operatively. Two patients (10%) developed necrosis of the distal part of the unilateral flap followed by infection, which was managed conservatively, and the other was managed with the McIndoe technique. One patient developed a cutaneous fistula which was excised. All flaps survived completely in the rest of the 19(95%) patients. Conclusion: Vaginoplasty using pudendal thigh flap was a safe and reliable method for vaginal reconstruction and showed adequate functional and aesthetic results.

Adult-Onset Still's Disease: A Case Report

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a disorder that is occasionally seen. Autoinflammation is a generally accepted pathogenic mechanism leading to systemic signs and symptoms. We report the case of a young female presenting with high-grade fever, rash, and arthralgias. After a thorough assessment, the diagnosis of adult-onset Still's disease was made based on presenting symptoms and elevated serum ferritin, c-reactive protein (CRP), and absence of serologic markers and confirmed based on Yamaguchi criteria. She was treated with corticosteroids and achieved complete clinical remission.