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Biomedical subjects

P F Nocini

Publications and source records attributed to P F Nocini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Functional rehabilitation of the atrophic mandible and maxilla with fibula flaps and implant-supported prosthesis.

Historically, nonvascularized bone grafts have been the standard treatment for severe mandibular and maxillary atrophy, followed by immediate or delayed implant placement. Extreme atrophy is an unfavorable biological and mechanical location for nonvascularized autologous bone transplants. The authors present the results of a multidisciplinary treatment protocol for rehabilitation of extreme mandibular and maxillary atrophy by use of the vascularized fibular flap. This protocol includes bone augmentation, implant surgery, soft-tissue management, and prosthetic restoration. Since 1993, 18 patients with a mean age of 47.5 years presented with extreme mandibular and/or maxillary atrophy and underwent alveolar crest augmentation with vascularized fibular flaps. Bone healing was achieved in 17 of the 18 patients. Seventy-three osteointegrated implants were inserted in 12 of 17 fibular flaps. Altogether, 62 implants were loaded and 11 dental prostheses were made. Average follow-up of the loaded implants was 41 months. The success rate of loaded implants was 100 percent. The authors strongly recommend the use of the fibular bone flap when dealing with extreme atrophy of the mandible and maxilla and suggest the protocol outlined in this review.

Adult↗

Eagle's syndrome secondary surgical treatment. Report of a case.

Eagle's Syndrome is reported to be the symptomatic calcification of the stylohyoid complex. Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament is a relatively common finding in the general population, however only a small percentage of these people presents symptoms. According to the kind of symptoms described by the patients it is possible to recognise two syndromes: the classic one, which occurs after a tonsillectomy, and stylo-carotid artery syndrome, which is independent from a tonsillectomy. The only effective treatment in symptomatic cases is the surgical shortening of the styloid process. The case presented underlines the problems due to the persistence of the calcified caudal portion of the stylohyoid ligament after a first surgical removal. A second surgical treatment is suggested for a complete resection of the calcified ligament which was causing the symptomatology complained by the patient. This patient had previously undergone surgical shortening of the stylohyoid ligament after he was diagnosed as having Eagle's Syndrome, of the styloid-carotid artery type. After a stylohyoidectomy, he still suffered from dysphagia, neck pain and scratching sensation when swallowing. Further surgical treatment was necessary, with the aim of removing the caudal portion of the ligament, which was causing the patient's symptoms. An extra-oral approach was used and, after surgery, the patient was completely relieved of the symptoms. Conventional and three-dimensional CT were performed after surgery, they showed the complete absence of the left calcified stylohyoid ligament.

Adult↗

Fractures of the iliac crest following anterior and posterior bone graft harvesting. Review of the literature and case presentation.

Iliac crest is the most commonly used extra-oral donor site of autologous non-vascularized bone, because of the great amount of bone available and easy access. Bone grafting from the ileum, however, is not without complications. An extensive review of the literature focusing on fractures of the iliac crest and pelvic ring instability due to anterior and posterior bone graft harvesting is reported, and 1 case of anterior stress fracture of the iliac crest is described. Thirty-five of the 37 fractures described up to date in literature were divided in 2 groups depending on the region of bone graft harvesting. Twenty-four fractures - including our case - were related to bone graft harvesting from the anterior region, 12 were due to harvesting from the posterior region. Four out of 24 anterior fractures required further surgical treatment (16.6%). In 8 of the 12 fractures with pelvic ring instability due to posterior bone harvesting, 1 or more additional surgical procedures were performed in order to stabilize multiple fracture sites (66.6%). Anterior iliac crest fractures, even though painful, remain stable and heal spontaneously in most cases without further complications. On the contrary, fractures due to posterior iliac crest harvestings very often require complex surgical treatments and lead to significant disability, which can be permanent.

Fractures, Bone↗

Lining the mouth floor with prelaminated fascio-mucosal free flaps: clinical experience.

Soft-tissue defects of the mouth floor need thin, foldable, and pliable tissues able to preserve local anatomy as well as chewing, phonation, and deglutition. The oral mucosa is made of a stratified, nonkeratinized, epithelium-secreting mucus, which lubricates the oral cavity and facilitates tongue movements. No flap exists that can reproduce the physiology of the oral mucosa better than the oral mucosa itself. Prefabrication of mucosal flaps may represent the best solution. Therefore, 10 consecutive cases of mouth floor cancer were treated with prelamination of the fascia antibrachialis with mucosal grafts obtained from the healthy cheek, and with subsequent transplantation 3 weeks later. A significant increase in mucosal graft surface was seen in all cases, with a mean size twice the original. All flaps healed uneventfully. Follow-up time ranged between 2-60 months (average, 26.6 months). Morphological and functional results were excellent. Tongue motility, speech intelligibility, and swallowing were reestablished in all treated cases. Mucosal prelamination of the forearm fascia is feasible and allows physiological reconstruction of oral cavity defects up to 6 x 4 cm.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Simultaneous bimaxillary alveolar ridge augmentation by a single free fibular transfer: a case report.

Class VI atrophy according to Cawood still represents a major challenge in pre-prosthetic surgery. Reconstruction of mandibular and maxillary bony defects using microvascular techniques is safe and reliable. The fibula, due to its morphological properties, is ideal for alveolar ridge augmentation and its donor site morbidity is the lowest among vascularized bone flaps. In this paper, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of extreme atrophy of both jaws, successfully treated by simultaneous bony augmentation of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar ridges with just one free fibula flap. Pre-operative planning, surgical technique and prosthetic restoration are discussed in detail.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

Implant placement in the maxillary tuberosity: the Summers' technique performed with modified osteotomes.

The maxillary tuberosity region is becoming increasingly involved in preprosthetic surgery as part of a comprehensive implant treatment planning. The lower success rates in osteointegrated implant placements seen in the posterior regions of the upper maxilla as compared to the anterior regions of the jaws, most often come from bone quality types and the presence of the maxillary sinus. In order to overcome these limitations and obtain a successful result in such a demanding area, several authors suggest that long implants (15.0 to 20.0 mm long) should be placed in the maxillary tuberosity region as an alternative to sinus floor elevation. The challenges frequently associated with the surgical placement of "maxillary tuberosity implants" (MTI), can be reduced through a "Ridge Expansion Osteotomy" (REO) procedure as described by Summers (1994). This indeed improves the recipient bed bone quality and causes no bone overheating. In order to improve this technique performed for MTI, in co-operation with Ing. Albanese G, authors have developed different prototypes of modified osteotomes. A case report using these new instruments is presented. Clinical and radiographic evaluations are obtained.

Dental Implantation, Endosseous↗

Intracranial spread of a giant frontal mucocele: case report.

A giant mucocele eroded both the anterior and posterior wall of the frontal sinus and infiltrated the dura mater. Its extracranial growth caused a frontal bony prominence. The tumour and part of the dura were resected. A 12 x 6cm defect in the dura was repaired with a freeze-dried patch. A split-thickness bone graft from the right parietal region was used to repair the anterior frontal bony defect. The result one year later was satisfactory. Spiral computed tomography with thr ee-dimensional reconstructions excluded any recurrence of the tumour and showed good integration of bone grafts.

Aged↗

Vertical distraction of a free vascularized fibula flap in a reconstructed hemimandible: case report.

The authors report a case of vertical distraction osteogenesis of a free revascularized fibula flap used to reconstruct an hemimandible lost as a result of a gunshot injury. The reconstruction procedure and the distraction protocol are described; clinical and radiological results are presented. The vertical discrepancy between the fibula and the native right hemimandible was corrected.

Adult↗

[Facial localized cosmetic filling by multiple injections of fat stored at -30 degrees C. Techniques, clinial follow-up of 99 patients and histological examination of 10 patients].

At the end of the 1980's and at the beginning of the 1990's, free fat autografts were abandoned because of the poor long-term results. Two theories supported by hystological studies (the host replacement theory or the cell survival theory) have now been proposed to explain survival of fat tissue. They demonstrate that, when harvested by a correct technique, fat tissue presents the ideal characteristics to be grafted, providing a good soft-tissue substitute with a minimum follow-up of four years up to 6 years. The authors present a multiple stage lipofilling technique in 99 cases of facial rejuvenation by means of lipolayering. Injections are performed every 20 days and fat is stored fat at -30 degrees C with good aesthetic results and minimal morbidity with clinical follow-up at 4 and 6 years. Histological examination of fat stored for 20 days and for 8 months was also performed in 10 patients. Microscopic and ultrastructural examination demonstrated that stored adipocytes retain their anatomical features and, when injected in multiple stages, are adequate to obtain good clinical results. Our histological study combined with the clinical outcomes, suggests the advantage of several stage injection of stored fat (-30 degrees C).

Adipocytes↗

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Clinical findings in 37 Italian affected individuals.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is a hereditary condition transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance and variable expressivity. The syndrome is characterised by numerous basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), odontogenic keratocysts of the jaws, palmar and/or plantar pits, skeletal abnormalities and intracranial calcifications. In this paper, the clinical features of 37 Italian patients are reviewed. Jaw cysts and calcification of falx cerebri were the most frequently observed anomalies, followed by BCCs and palmar/plantar pits. Similar to the case of African Americans, the relatively low frequency of BCCs in the Italian population is probably due to protective skin pigmentation. A future search based on mutation screening might establish a possible genotype phenotype correlation in Italian patients.

Adolescent↗

Clinical and electrophysiological assessment of inferior alveolar nerve function after lateral nerve transposition.

Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) transposition surgery may cause some degree of sensory impairment. Accurate and reproducible tests are mandatory to assess IAN conduction capacity following nerve transposition. In this study subjective (heat, pain and tactile-discriminative tests) and objective (electrophysiological) assessments were performed in 10 patients receiving IAN transposition (bilaterally in 8 cases) in order to evaluate any impairment of the involved nerves one year post-operatively. All patients reported a tingling, well-tolerated sensation in the areas supplied by the mental nerve with no anaesthesia or burning paresthesia. Tactile discrimination was affected the most (all but 1 patient). No action potential was recorded in 4 patients' sides (23.5%); 12 sides showed a decreased nerve conduction velocity (NCV) (70.5%) and 1 side normal NCV values (6%). There was no significant difference in NCV decrease between partial and total transposition sides, if examined separately. Nerve conduction findings were related 2-point discrimination scores, but not to changes in pain and heat sensitivity. These findings show that lateral nerve transposition, though resulting in a high percentage of minor IAN injuries, as determined by electrophysiological testing, provides a viable surgical procedure to allow implant placement in the posterior mandible without causing severe sensory complaints. Considering ethical and forensic implications, patients should be fully informed that a certain degree of nerve injury might be expected to occur from the procedure. Electrophysiological evaluation is a reliable way to assess the degree of IAN dysfunction, especially if combined with a clinical examination. Intraoperative monitoring of IAN conduction might help identify the pathogenetic mechanisms of nerve injury and the surgical steps that are most likely to harm nerve integrity.

Action Potentials↗

Aesthetic improvements in mid-lower face skeletal surgery.

Current surgical techniques allow to correct congenital and acquired facial deformities as well as aesthetic deficiencies resulting from inadequate bone support with excellent functional and aesthetic results. Hard and overlying soft tissue being in a closer anatomic relationship, remarkable aesthetic improvements can be achieved through the three-dimensional shifting of skeletal sections. Hence, facial aesthetic plays such an increasingly critical role in the repair surgery of basal deformities and in the surgical correction of poor aesthetics associated with growth abnormalities as to possibly trespass plastic surgeons' scope of activity. After setting forth our diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines through some relevant clinical cases, the increasingly closer relation between aesthetics enhancement and purely functional surgery of facial muscular and bone structures will be emphasized. Finally, some of the possible treatments currently available will be outlined.

Adolescent↗

Expression of cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins in sporadic odontogenic keratocysts and odontogenic keratocysts associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

Odontogenic keratocysts are occasionally (4-5%) associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, a pleiotropic, autosomal disorder presenting a spectrum of developmental abnormalities and a predisposition for the development of different neoplasms. The aim of this study was to establish whether keratocysts showing clinically aggressive behavior associated with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome reflect differences in cellular proliferation rate and/or in the expression of oncoproteins and tumor suppressor genes. For this reason, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of odontogenic keratocysts associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (16 cases) and sporadic odontogenic keratocysts (16 cases) were compared for expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53, bcl-2, and bcl-1 (cyclin D1) onco-proteins. Most of the epithelial lining of odontogenic keratocysts associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome showed nuclear immunopositivity for p53 protein and overexpression of cyclin D1 with various degrees of staining intensity. All sporadic odontogenic keratocysts were negative for p53 and cyclin D1. The expressions of bcl-2 oncoprotein were found to be substantially similar between the two groups of lesions, with a cytoplasmic immunopositivity localized only in the resting reserve basal layer of the epithelium. PCNA expression showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups of lesions. In conclusion, the finding of cyclin D1 and p53 overexpression in odontogenic keratocysts associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome could be considered a hallmark of a mutated cellular phenotype, thus leading to the hypothesis that their aggressive clinical behavior could be due to a dysregulation of the expression of cyclin D1 and p53 proteins, involved in a check-point control of cellular proliferation.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Brachytherapy in the management of the initial stage of the mobile tongue carcinoma].

From 1986 to 1994, 61 patients with oral tongue epidermoid carcinoma were treated using low dose rate iridium brachytherapy. Eleven patients treated with combined external beam and brachytherapy and 8 with nodal metastases at presentation were excluded from the study. The results in 42 fully evaluable and regularly followed patients here retrospectively reviewed. In 22 cases clinical stage was T1 greater than 1 cm and in the remaining 20 T2, N0 M0; all were cases of epidermoid carcinoma. The patients received definitive brachytherapy to the primary site using plastic tube technique at a dose of 5067 Gy (median 60 Gy) at reference isodose. The dose rate ranged from 35 cGy/h to 80 cGy/h (median 53 cGy/h). Elective neck dissection was performed in 24 patients, whereas a surveillance protocol was adopted in the remaining 18 cases. After an average follow-up of 40 months, 5 year absolute and disease specific survival (Kaplan Meier) was 61% and 88% respectively. Two patients failed at the primary site (local control probability 96%). Nodal metastases were found in 6 of 24 electively dissected patients and developed subsequently in 3 of 18 pN0 cases and in 4 of 18 non dissected patients. Four patients died of uncontrolled neck disease (regional control probability 76%). A severe necrosis developed in 9 patients (soft tissue in 4 and bone in 5 patients), but only 3 cases required surgery. This study confirms brachytherapy as an effective treatment modality for the early stage of oral tongue carcinoma.

Adult↗

[The coronal approach in maxillofacial surgery. Notes on the surgical anatomy].

INTRODUCTION: In the light of personal experience and of the modern advances in surgical anatomy, the surgical approach and practice in coronal access is described. For a long time this approach has been considered unusual owing to the risk of damaging the frontal branch of the facial nerve. ANATOMY: The SMAS includes the galea capitis which in temporal region is named superficial temporal fascia; under the galea there are the subaponeurotic avascular plane by Merkel and the periosteum. In the temporal space the periosteum (named temporal fascia) is composed of the superficial fold and deep fold. The frontal branch of the facial nerve lies under the superficial temporal fascia, and where it crosses the zygomatic arch is separated only by the superficial fold of the temporal fascia and by areolar tissue. SURGICAL APPROACH: The incision is made deeply to the subaponeurotic areolar tissue following, about 4 cm posterior to the hairline. The periosteum is incised at 2 cm above the superior orbital margin. Four cm above the bony lateral canthus and at 7 cm on the tangential to the zygomatic arch, the incision is made deeply to the superficial fold of the temporal fascia and the interfascial vascular fat. CONCLUSIONS: If the approach is correct, the coronal access is considered an easy and very safe way. In personal experience important complications have not been observed, while the esthetic results have been remarkable and with no visible scars.

Face↗

[Instability of micro-satellite sequences of DNA associated with genetic alterations in head and neck neoplasms. Review of the literature and preliminary results of a research plan].

BACKGROUND: It is known that tumoral progression towards a metastatic stage is identifiable with a genomic instability. This instability leads to both primary and secondary genetic alterations. It can give some selective proliferative advantages. This study aims to review the literature on instability of the microsatellite sequences of DNA associated with genetic alterations in tumors of the head and neck. In particular, the studies on relations between instability of micro-satellite sequences and expression of MLH1, MSH2, PMS1, PMS2 genes have been reviewed. Further aim of this study is to present preliminary results of a research project into distribution of hMLH1 and hMLH2 proteins in oral tissues. METHODS: Nine formalin fixed and paraffin embedded samples (8M/1F; mean age 58 years) of oral squamous cell carcinomas tissues have been analysed for the presence of hMSH2 and hMLH1 by using streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique. Samples have been analysed by optical microscope by two observers evaluating the positive cell percentage for three representative fields. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that hMLH1 and hMSH2 are widely expressed nuclear proteins in oral tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The localization of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in oral epithelium are consistent with the biochemical function of these proteins in DNA mismatch repair.

Base Sequence↗