Biomedical subjects

Massimo Albanese

Publications and source records attributed to Massimo Albanese.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Cranioplasty using acrylic material: a new technical procedure.

AIM: Today, cranioplasty is performed using different procedures. Numerous materials may be used to reconstruct the cranial vault including autologous bone and different types of synthetic resins. When plastic materials are used, the main requirement for an effective cranioplasty is the preoperative shaping of the implant to fit the bony defect precisely. In this paper, experience with a new method for cranioplasty using an acrylic cranial implant is presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this new technical procedure an acrylic implant, precisely shaped to the defect, is fabricated preoperatively using CT data. The study consists of 15 cases in whom cranioplasty was performed using this method. In all these, reconstruction was at least 3 months after the initial operation that lead to the cranial bony defect. RESULTS: No major complications occurred and the final functional and aesthetic results were good in all cases. The acrylic implant manufacture does not require the use of complex computer interface software or high-tech equipment, but involves simple, cheap, repeatable processes.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Vertical distraction osteogenesis of the mandible applied to an iliac crest graft: report of a case.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical case represents a particular application of vertical distraction osteogenesis of the mandible. The surgical technique was applied to an iliac crest bone graft previously positioned on an anterior mandibular defect with the aim to restore the vertical height after a partial resorption in a trauma patient. CASE REPORT: Distraction osteogenesis was applied because it was necessary to restore the mandibular height in a young male patient who presented with a post-trauma anterior mandibular bony deficiency. Because of the irregularity of the mandibular surface and the depth of the defect, the patient first underwent an iliac crest bone grafting that, after 3 months, showed partial resorption. Vertical distraction osteogenesis was performed on the grafted mandible in order to obtain a satisfactory bony height of the mandibular ridge. Then the patient was successfully rehabilitated by means of an implant-supported prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Vertical distraction osteogenesis appears to be a versatile surgical procedure, which can be applied as a secondary treatment in patients presenting with mandibular trauma sequelae.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Distraction osteogenesis of the mandible: evaluation of callus distraction by B-scan ultrasonography.

INTRODUCTION: Distraction osteogenesis is a new and reliable technique for lengthening of hard and soft tissue in cranio-maxillofacial surgery. Since its first applications, X-rays were often the preferred diagnostic method to monitor this treatment. Apart from adding an additional radiation dose, analysis cannot detect and follow the osteogenic process in the distraction gap on the one hand, nor can it evaluate the soft tissue around the distracted area. In this paper, the authors report their experience with B-scan imaging to control mandibular distraction and to overcome the shortcomings of X-rays analysis. METHOD: Comparison of B-scanning with the traditional X-ray methods was performed in 12 patients. RESULTS: B-scan evaluation appeared to be a precise technique in monitoring the different phases of distraction. It is easy to repeat whenever necessary. Early and late complications of soft tissue healing, movements of the bone segment, as well as the osteogenesis were easily detectable. CONCLUSION: In the authors' opinion B-scan evaluation can play an important role in monitoring distraction osteogenesis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lipofilling of the lips: ultrastructural evaluation by transmission electron microscopy of injected adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if facial autologous fat grafts preserve the morphologic features of adipocytes and guarantee a successful long-term outcome. METHODS: In a previous study, we performed lipofilling in 99 patients between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001. In all patients, we performed 3 fat injections at 28-day intervals. We injected 0.4 mL of adipose tissue in the parafrenal area of the upper lip for each treatment. After 4 months, we obtained a biopsy specimen from the same area. We performed an ultrastructural evaluation on freshly harvested fat at the time of harvesting, on stored fat (-30 degrees C) at 8-week and 12-month intervals, and on the biopsy specimens obtained 4 months after treatment. RESULTS: We observed good preservation of the ultrastructure in the harvested tissue. On histologic examination of the parafrenal area 4 months after grafting, some zones of the biopsy specimens showed putative adipocytes, fat cysts, and collagen fibers adequate for volume increase of the treated area. Ultrastructural images showed lipid droplets intermingled in the connective tissue, phagocytes with internal lipid droplets, and well-preserved adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that by using a less traumatic surgical technique, it is possible to increase the cell survival rate of transplanted fat, thereby maintaining a certain number of viable cells and creating a volume increase in the grafted area. The multiple-stage injection technique seems to be a good method, especially when performed with fat stored at -30 degrees C.

Adipocytes↗