The pedicled lateral forehead flap in reconstructing oral floor defect - The last resort; case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Locoregional flaps, particularly the pedicled lateral forehead flap, are not usually used in reconstructing oral floor defects following oncologic resection. Rather, microscopic free flaps have evolved to be the standard of care in head and neck reconstruction. However, the pedicled lateral forehead flap could be valuable in floor of the mouth reconstruction in the absence of resources or other options.

CASE PRESENTATION

A-56 years old lady with multiple comorbidities who underwent near total glossectomy, bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection, and right lateral mandibulotomy due to a locally advanced lingual squamous carcinoma. The last resort was the pedicled lateral forehead flap after many unsuccessful reconstructive attempts utilizing the free anterolateral flap, free radial forearm flap, and pedicled pectoralis major flap.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Decreased donor site morbidity and reliable anatomy are among many of the advantages that made free flaps favorable over locoregional pedicled flaps, especially in oral cavity defects coverage. Of the latter, the pedicled forehead flap, rich in vascularity and neighboring the oropharyngeal defects, could be used with different techniques and modifications. Close monitoring and patient condition optimization is required.

CONCLUSION

Choosing a particular reconstructive option should be done considering the available resources and expertise and the patient's condition. The pedicled forehead flap remains valuable when other options are inappropriate or have failed.

Assessment of the Academic Productivity of Plastic Surgeons in Saudi Arabia Using the h-index

Hirsch-index (or h-index) is a bibliometric measure calculated for researchers based on number of publications and their citations. This study examined the h-index of board-certified plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia and the different factors that may influence it.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, an electronic questionnaire was sent to 156 board-certified plastic surgeons practicing in Saudi Arabia. Using their names, we conducted an online search on Scopus, Semantic scholar, and Google scholar to calculate their h-index. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship of those factors with the index.

RESULTS

A total of 84 surgeons participated in this study, of whom 83.3% were men. Our sample scored a mean index of 1.7 and published a mean of 5 articles. More publications and a higher academic rank predicted a higher h-index, (β = 0.79, P < 0.001) and (β = 0.14, P 0.017), respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, the country of residency training (P 0.33), the year of training completion (P 0.95), attaining fellowship training (P 0.95), the number of fellowships (P 0.20), interest in research (P 0.74), working in an academic hospital (P 0.44), or attaining a higher degree (P 0.61) were not significant independent predictors of the index.

CONCLUSIONS

More publications and a higher rank predicted increased academic productivity among the plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia. Despite its limitations, h-index is a useful measure that can be considered in promotions and applications to prestigious plastic surgery centers in adjunct to other factors.

Radicular cysts and Chin implants; An unexpected complication prompting explantation - Case report

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Radicular cysts are benign, odontogenic, and inflammatory in nature that commonly arise in the maxilla.

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No link has been previously found between silicone chin implants and radicular cysts or fistulating radicular cysts.

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We suggest dental panoramic X-ray screening for patients with poor oral hygiene or dental trauma to detect radicular cysts before the operation.

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The decision to proceed with chin implant in a patient known for treated radicular cyst may be unsafe, as the recurrence rate is unknown.

Introduction

Implant-based genioplasty is a simple and safe but not complication-free cosmetic procedure. Patients are commonly briefed about anticipated complications and their management pre-operatively, but few unexpected complications may arise; and this case report is an example. This paper is the first to report a radicular cyst fistulating through chin implant pocket to the skin. Moreover, we present our prevention strategy and recommendations.

Presentation of case

A 39-year-old-lady underwent a silicone implant-based genioplasty that was uneventful. Later, she developed a reddish nodule on the chin necessitating fistulectomy followed by a recurrence leading to explantation. It was not until the second recurrence that a fistulating radicular cyst was discovered and was treated with the help of a dentist.

Discussion

Radicular cysts are benign, inflammatory cysts that arise in a background of dental trauma or caries. No link has been discovered yet between silicone implants and radicular cysts or fistulating cysts. Moreover, we propose that poor oral hygiene could be implicated in the development of these cysts. Dental panoramic X-ray has been used to diagnose radicular cysts, but its efficacy as a screening tool needs to be studied. Finally, the recurrence rate of radicular cysts is unknown.

Conclusion

In a patient with chin implant, radicular cysts could lead to a disastrous outcome. Through history and physical examination, a plastic surgeon should identify patients with poor oral hygiene and dental trauma prior to implant-based genioplasty to arrange for a dental panoramic X-ray. Patients known to have radicular cysts should not undergo an implant-based genioplasty.

Academic and Clinical Background of Plastic Surgery Residents of the Saudi Training Program

Plastic surgery residents are required to contribute to the scientific milieu, apart from honing their surgical skills. Data regarding their academic and clinical background are limited locally in comparison with their counterparts. This is the first study of its kind on the Saudi training program, with suggested potential solutions to shortcomings.