VCA provided excellent correction of coronal and transverse planes with normalization of thoracic kyphosis in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

Treatment options for palatal fractures range from orthodontic braces, acrylic bars, and arch bars for maxillomandibular fixation to internal fixation, with plates and screws placed under the palate mucosa and periosteum, together with pyriform aperture or alveolar plating plus buttress reconstruction. Forty-five patients, ages 4 to 56, were treated using medium-or high-profile locking plates placed over the palatal mucosa as an external fixator for palatal fractures, together with treatment for other associated facial fractures. In open fractures, plates were placed after approximating the edges of the mucosal wounds. Plates and screws for palate fixation were removed at 12 weeks, when computed tomography scans provided evidence of fracture healing. All palatal fractures healed by 12 weeks, with no cases of mucosal necrosis, bone exposure, fistulae, or infections. This approach achieves adequate stability, reduces the risk of bone and mucosal necrosis, and promotes healing of mucosal wounds in case of open fractures.

Introduction: Cranial defects due to trauma are frequent. They are usually repaired in a secondary fashion due to features such as syndrome of the trephined, for brain protection and for cosmetic purposes. Historically, various materials have been used for reconstruction. Case reports: Five cases of patients reconstructed with customized polyetheretherketone (PEEK) o polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) implants are presented. Defects involved the frontal bone, superior orbital rim and orbital roof in four cases, and the lateral area of the frontal bone, the temporoparietal area and the border of the occipital bone in one. In four patients, reconstruction took place between 6 and 12 months after the injury; in one patient, after 25 years. Two cases required tissue expansion before placing the implant. Results: Four patients evolved favorably, with improvement in neurologic symptoms and adequate shape and contour, plus adequate healing of the scalp flaps. One patient had an infection due to Staphylococcus aureus, attributed to a mucocele and fistula between the airway and the cranial cavity, leading to removal of the implant. Conclusions: Customized implants are a useful resource for cranial defects. They offer satisfactory results, both functional and cosmetic. Precautions should be taken in treating injuries that involve the frontal sinus, to ensure there is no communication between the airway and the cranial cavity.

OBJETIVO: Valorar una exploración neurofisiológica que identifique estos casos intraoperatoriamente y evite la mal posición de tornillos pediculares. MÉTODOS: En 293 pacientes intervenidos de escoliosis por vía posterior con tornillos pediculares y técnica "free hand", se implantaron 6.739 tornillos. De estos, ocho pacientes (2,7%), con edad promedio de 24 años, presentaron dolor radicular lumbar postoperatorio. En la TC postoperatoria se encontraron 10 tornillos lumbares (2L1-3L2-4L3-1L4) con prominencia mínima en la parte inferior del pedículo. Se evaluaron los umbrales de EMG del tornillo y del trayecto. RESULTADOS: En cirugía inicial no se detectaron anomalías en la palpación del trayecto, ni en el control radioscópico, ni alteraciones neurofisiológicas en la estimulación neurofisiológica con t-EMG. Todos presentaron dolor radicular en bipedestación y sedestación que remitía con reposo en cama. Los tornillos fueron retirados quirúrgicamente a los 37 días en promedio (R:4-182). En esta cirugía se repitió la monitorización neurofisiológica y volvió a mostrar valores normales (> 11mA). Tras la retirada de los tornillos, se realizó estimulación del trayecto que mostró en la parte media, umbrales por debajo de los valores normales (3,9-10,7mA). Tras un seguimiento promedio de 4,4 años (R:2,6-6.8), cinco pacientes referían tener molestias radiculares ocasionales y uno tenía déficit motor mínimo en la extremidad afectada. CONCLUSIONES: Se presenta un tipo de mal posicionamiento de tornillo pedicular lumbar que produce radiculalgia en bipedestación-sedestación y que no es detectado con monitorización convencional. La estimulación neurofisiológica del trayecto en la zona media, tras retirada del tornillo pedicular, produjo umbrales bajos de estimulación. Se recomienda estimulación sistemática del trayecto antes de la inserción del tornillo pedicular lumbar.