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The wide spectrum of anomalies associated with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) has made systematic and inclusive classification difficult. We propose a nosologic system in which each letter of the acronym O.M.E.N.S. indicates one of the five major manifestations of HFM. O for orbital distortion; M for mandibular hypoplasia; E for ear anomaly; N for nerve involvement; and S for soft tissue deficiency. The O.M.E.N.S. system is easily adapted for data storage, retrieval, and statistical analysis. A retrospective study of 154 patients with HFM classified according to the O.M.E.N.S. system confirmed the concept that the mandibular deformity is the cornerstone of the anomaly. Statistical analysis demonstrated a positive association between mandibular hypoplasia and the severity of orbital, auricular, neural, and soft tissue involvement. This study did not confirm a previously reported predominance of gender or sidedness. Analysis of statistical correlations failed to substantiate a Goldenhar variant as a syndromic entity. Our analysis showed that palatal deviation is probably caused by muscular hypoplasia and not by weakness of a particular cranial nerve.

The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate the histologic differences between synostotic versus deformational suture abnormalities and (2) to correlate these histologic findings with anatomic and three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scans. We examined three infants with premature metopic synostosis; one infant also had microcephaly trisomy 13 and curious overriding of the coronal sutures. The three-dimensional CT scans demonstrated obliteration of the metopic suture inferiorly. Histologic sections of this suture showed complete bony stenosis. The same pattern was found in all three infants, including the two infants with trigonocephaly who did not have trisomy 13 or microcephaly. In the trisomy 13 infant, the overlapped inferior coronal suture was obliterated on CT examination. However, histologic sections in this region showed a merging of bone; there was no synostosis. In summary, three-dimensional CT re-formation correlated with metopic suture histology. "Stenotic" fusion existed in all infants with trigonocephaly, those with normal and abnormal karyotypes, with and without microcephaly. However, three-dimensional CT re-formation of the trisomic infant showed opacification of the coronal suture in the areas of greatest overlap, whereas histology revealed a curious bone remodeling pattern, possibly a precursor to "deformational" craniosynostosis.

Transplantation of bone should be preceded by careful assessment of the recipient site. The function of the transplanted bone as an interposition graft, as an onlay graft, or in restoration or construction of a missing part of the skeleton must be considered. Cortical bone provides superior mechanical strength and can be incorporated with plate fixation to span interposition defects. Membranous bone used as onlay grafts for augmentation of craniofacial skeletal contour has been shown to be superior to endochondral grafts in maintaining volume. The use of rigid fixation to secure onlay grafts may eliminate the differences in resorption seen with membranous versus endochondral bone. The vascularity and quality of soft tissue at the recipient site may necessitate the use of vascularized bone or composite free tissue transfer. The calvarium is the most popular donor site for bone grafts used in craniofacial skeletal procedures. This membranous bone undergoes less resorption and revascularizes faster than endochondral bone. Cranial bone has excellent mechanical strength due to its large cortical component. The calvarial donor site causes less discomfort to the patient compared with rib or iliac crest, and the scar is well hidden. Harvesting and shaping cranial bone require special expertise, and there is potential morbidity. In cartilage transplantation, the surgeon must take into account the properties of viscoelasticity, the intrinsic balanced system of forces, and immunologic privilege. Cartilage deformed by an external force will tend to return to its original shape unless the deformation is maintained for several months. Surgical carving produces changes in the balance of intrinsic tensile and expansile forces, causing distortion in cartilage shape. Distortion can be minimized by carving in balanced cross-section. Carved cartilage grafts should be used for special indications in rhinoplasty. Autogenous cartilage is the framework of choice in ear construction. Composite grafts incorporating cartilage have been used successfully in eyelid reconstruction. Fresh autogenous cartilage is preferable to preserved allogeneic sources, as the latter undergo eventual resorption because there are no viable chondrocytes to maintain the matrix.

Romberg's disease is an uncommon and poorly understood condition manifested by progressive hemifacial atrophy of skin, soft tissue, and bone. In order to better define the natural history and anatomic variation of this disorder, we evaluated 41 patients by history, physical examination, and facial radiographs. Light microscopic studies were performed on tissue from 19 patients, and ultrastructural analysis was performed on specimens from 6 patients. The average age at inception of the disease was 8.8 years. Atrophy, within one or more trigeminal nerve dermatomes, progressed at a variable rate (mean period of active tissue dissolution = 8.9 +/- 6 years). In 26 patients with skeletal involvement, the mean age of onset was 5.4 years, versus 15.4 years for 15 patients without skeletal involvement, a statistically significant difference (p less than 0.01). However, there was no correlation between the severity of soft-tissue deformity and the age of onset. Electron microscopy demonstrated lymphocytic infiltrates in neurovascular bundles and abnormalities of vascular endothelium and basement membranes. We hypothesize that the pathogenesis of Romberg's disease involves chronic cell-mediated vascular injury and incomplete endothelial regeneration along branches of the trigeminal nerve (lymphocytic neurovasculitis).

Demineralized bovine bone blocks and powder were used to reconstruct phalangeal defects created by excision of bulging endochondromas . Bony reconstruction was documented by roentgenography at 9 weeks and by biopsy at 7 months. Follow-up at 22 months has shown stability of the implants, further ossification, and no recurrence of the phalangeal endochondromas . The use of xenogeneic demineralized bone implants promotes induced osteogenesis and rapid healing, avoids harvesting procedures, and offers a potentially unlimited supply of banked material.

Forty-nine specimens from a variety of vascular lesions were analyzed for cellular characteristics. Two major categories of lesions emerged from this investigation: hemangiomas and vascular malformations. This classification and its implications are justified by several considerations. Hemangiomas in the proliferating phase (n = 14) were distinguished by (1) endothelial hyperplasia with incorporation of [3H]thymidine, (2) multilaminated basement membrane formation beneath the endothelium, and (3) clinical history of rapid growth during early infancy. Hemangiomas in the involuting phase (n = 12) exhibited (1) histologic fibrosis and fat deposition, (2) low to absent [3H]thymidine labeling of endothelial cells, and (3) rapid growth and subsequent regression. The endothelium in hemangiomas had many characteristics of differentiation: Weibel-Palade bodies, alkaline phosphatase, and factor VIII production. Vascular malformations (n = 23) demonstrated no tritiated thymidine incorporation and normal ultrastructural characteristics. These lesions were usually noted at birth, grew proportionately with the child, and consisted of abnormal, often combined, capillary, arterial, venous, and lymphatic vascular elements. This cell-oriented analysis provides a simple yet comprehensive classification of vascular lesions of infancy and childhood and serves as a guide for diagnosis, management, and further research.

To avoid the difficult problem of upper shoulder scarring, a plea is made for vaccination in the lower deltoid region.

A long-term cineradiographic follow-up study of twenty patients with velo-pharyngeal incompetence fails to demonstrate predictable retrodisplacement of the levator insertion following combined levator retropositioning, pushback, and pharyngeal flap procedures. Simple levator retropositioning gave posterior displacement in the two patients evaluated. Patients with normal or posterior levator insertions pre-operatively all demonstrated post-operative anterior displacement following pharyngeal flap procedures, either alone or in combination with pushback. Anterior levator displacement may be the result of scar contraction or division of the levator sling (during insetting of a pharyngeal flap). Pre-operative and post-operative speech evaluation demonstrated substantial improvement in all except 3 patients; 2 of the poor speech results were patients with demonstrated levator retrodisplacement on post-operative cineradiography.

Rat dorsal skin flaps predictably underwent full-thickness necrosis by 48 hours when hematoma had been placed beneath the flap. Microangiographic studies demonstrated failure of filling of the distal vasculature of these flaps. This was in marked contrast to the complete reestablishment of circulation in control flaps, overlying equal volumes of serum. The circulation of failing flaps overlying hematoma was restored with isoxsuprine given parenterally 1 hour preoperatively and every 4 hours for 24 hours postoperatively. This pharmacologic regimen gave consistent reestablishment of flap perfusion and flap survival. The toxic component of hematoma acts on the circulation to a skin flap. This may be at the same level of the vasculature as the vasodilating action of isoxsuprine.

Common pediatric vascular birthmarks, classified as hemangiomas or malformations, were analyzed for the presence of mast cells. Hemangiomas in the proliferative phase contained large numbers of mast cells (27 +/- 15 cells/high-power field [HPF]) in comparison with hemangiomas in the involuting phase (2.6 +/- 2.9), vascular malformations (1.7 +/- 3.2), and normal skin (5.0 +/- 1.0). Inasmuch as hemangiomas are characterized by endothelial proliferation and increased numbers of mast cells, these data raise the possibility that mast cells may have an important role in the formation and/or maintenance of these lesions.

A biologic classification based on clinical behavior and endothelial cell characteristics is used to divide vascular birthmarks into two groups: hemangiomas and vascular malformations. This system is applied to vascular anomalies of the maxillofacial region and is demonstrated with illustrative cases. The distinction between hemangioma and vascular malformation is important for maxillofacial surgeons because hemangiomas rarely affect bone, whereas malformations affect bone in 35% of cases.

Microdissection of lyophilized sections of fetal heads permits the analysis of relatively pure samples of epithelium and mesenchyme. These techniques were applied to a study of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activities in the developing palate in A/Jax mice. Acid phosphatase was found to be more concentrated in the palatal epithelium than the underlying mesenchyme. Conversely, beta-glucuronidase was more concentrated in the mesenchyme than the epithelium. A disparate developmental pattern of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activity was observed in the oral epithelium: acid phosphatase activity increased from intra-uterine Day 17 into neonatehood and beta-glucuronidase activity decreased towards term. Analysis of cortisone-induced palatal shelves showed increased activity of both acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase in the presumptive fusing epithelium.

Based on our experience with 40 patients with hemifacial microsomia (first and second branchial arch deformity), we have developed a three-dimensional analytic approach to the skeletal deformity. The sagittal plane x-ray views (lateral cephalogram and panorex) demonstrate the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint as well as the shape and height of the mandibular rami. The frontal plane is demonstrated by the anterio-posterior (A-P) cephalogram, which shows the discrepancy in ramus height and the abnormal arc of mandibular rotation toward the affected side. The transverse plane is evaluated with a submental vertex radiograph, which shows the shape of the mandibular body and medial displacement of the temporomandibular joint. Three-plane radiographic analysis demonstrates the total anatomic distortion and the abnormal growth vectors. We hypothesize that abnormal mandibular growth is of primary importance in this deformity. Application of this analysis has influenced the timing of intervention and the design of corrective procedures.

Important principles for repair of bilateral complete cleft lip are symmetry, primary orbicularis continuity, proper prolabial size and shape, median tubercle and mucocutaneous ridge formation from lateral lip tissue, and early construction of nasal tip and columella with anatomic placement of the alar cartilages. A two-stage repair employing techniques based on these concepts is described. At the initial procedure, the lateral crura are positioned and a tiny biconcave prolabium is shaped in anticipation of the changes with growth. The second stage (nasal correction) includes apposition of the alar genua, medial crural relocation, and intranasal transposition of banked forked flaps without disjunction of the columella-labial angle. The complete bilateral cleft lip is a four-dimensional problem.

Clinical and cellular differences between hemangiomas and vascular malformations in children have been defined. Hemangiomas are benign endothelial cell neoplasms that appear in infancy and usually have a natural history of proliferation and involution. Vascular malformations are errors of vascular morphogenesis that are present at birth, grow with the child, and never involute but often expand. The authors reviewed the preoperative angiograms of 14 children who had cellular analyses of resected vascular lesions. Hemangiomas could be distinguished from vascular malformations by the presence of a well circumscribed mass demonstrating intense tissue staining, usually organized in a lobular pattern. The vascular malformations, although angiographically variable depending on the predominant vascular channel type, were diffuse lesions consisting entirely of vessels without intervening tissue stain. These angiographic differences between hemangiomas and vascular malformations corroborate clinical and laboratory studies.

Our experience over the past 25 years leads us to conclude that hemifacial microsomia is a progressive skeletal and soft-tissue deformity with the earliest skeletal manifestations in the mandible. We find that not only does the mandibular asymmetry become worse with time, but as the contralateral side grows, the deformed mandible also increases ipsilateral secondary deformation of the maxilla, nose, and orbit. We also find that there is virtually no "catch up" growth on the affected side of the face and that these patients always become more deformed with age. The psychological problems also increase with time and progression of the facial deformity. Based on our experience with correction of end-stage deformities, we now treat these patients at the earliest possible age, as determined by the patient's skeletal classification. We treat the mandible first in the hope that this repositioning in a more physiologic position will unlock the growth potential of the adjacent structures, minimize secondary deformity, and improve function and appearance to the greater benefit of the skeletal and psychological growth of the patient.

Many methods have been described for correction of the "whistling lip" deformity, a possible sequela of bilateral cleft lip repair. A technique is described that utilizes medially based deepithelialized mucosal-submucosal flaps to augment the central tubercle and to reduce lateral lip fullness. This technique is also useful for certain mucosal contour defects that follow unilateral cleft lip repair. Indications for applying this technique and its advantages, compared with other procedures, are described.

There are three mechanisms of bone formation that underlie the use of the different types of implants. In osteogenesis, viable osteoblasts and preosteoblasts are transplanted from one part of the body to the site where new bone is needed; cancellous marrow grafts are an example of such osteogenic engraftment. In osteoconduction, the implant does not provide many viable cells but rather acts as a scaffolding for the ingrowth of new bone from the margins of the defect with the concurrent resorption of the implant; cortical bone grafts or banked bone segments are examples of this "creeping substitution." In osteoinduction, the implant stimulates the transformation of connective tissue to produce endochondral bone, even in extraskeletal sites; demineralized bone implants promote bone formation by osteoinduction. The physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, and endocrinologic regulation of induced osteogenesis are areas of active investigation. Fresh autogenous cancellous bone grafts are preferred for non-stress-bearing defects, but are often of limited availability for extensive procedures, especially in infants. Demineralized bone implants have been used successfully in certain types of craniomaxillofacial, orthopedic, periodontal, and hand reconstruction. Tissue transformation may become as important to reconstructive surgery as is tissue transplantation.

In studying macroglossia, no one has described normal tongue size or applied direct measurement to the pathologically enlarged tongue. Since macroglossia is primarily a condition that requires treatment on a symptomatic basis, definition of the problem in clinical terms is the most useful form for the practitioner. Based on published reports and our clinical experience, a classification scheme for macroglossia has been formulated. The concept of true macroglossia and relative macroglossia form a framework that categorizes acquired and congenital forms of tongue enlargement. True macroglossia exists when histologic abnormalities correlate with the clinical findings of tongue enlargement. Vascular malformations, muscular enlargement, and tumors are the most common forms of true macroglossia. Relative macroglossia includes those cases of apparent tongue enlargement in which the histology does not provide a pathologic explanation. Down's syndrome is a commonly quoted cause for tongue enlargement and is a form of relative macroglossia. The development of this classification system establishes an approach and common terminology on which therapy, research, and communication can be based.

Demineralised bone implants were used for cranio-maxillofacial reconstruction and construction in 34 patients, 28 with congenital deformities and 6 with acquired defects. The patients' ages ranged from 15 months to 59 years (mean 18 years). In 33 cases, the implants were obtained from cadaver femurs; in 1 case, the implant was prepared from the patient's own skull. Early healing was assessed by clinical and radiographic examination and, when appropriate, by biopsy. Longer follow-up will be required to determine whether resorption has been avoided. The clinical advantages are rapid union, healing of large defects, avoidance of harvesting procedures, and the potentially unlimited supply of banked material.

A retrospective analysis of changes in costochondral rib grafts used to construct the condyle-ramus in children with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) was made. The mean age at surgical correction was 6.5 years, and the average follow-up was 4.5 years. Direct measurements were made on panoramic radiographs. The condyle-ramus length was expressed as a percentage change comparing the constructed with the normal side. During the first 2 postoperative years, there was either no change or a slight decrease in the length of the rib graft. After 2 years, however, the costochondral graft elongated at a slow, irregular rate. The mode change was 11 percent over the postoperative study period. In four patients who exhibited rapid growth of the normal condyleramus (greater than the mean change of 0.94 cm), the constructed side failed to keep pace. In another group of four patients who exhibited moderate elongation of the normal side, the grafted side grew commensurately or demonstrated greater than normal percentage change in length. There was no correlation between the initial size of the costochondral graft, age at time of operation, or presenting type of mandibular deformity. These findings are discussed in terms of the intrinsic growth and the functional matrix theories of mandibular development.

A modified W-plasty technique is described for the correction of epicanthal folds.

Nineteen of 30 patients who had midface advancement procedures between 1972 and 1980 had sufficient cephalometric data to be included in this retrospective study. The position of the midface in relation to the cranium and mandible was evaluated immediately postoperatively and for a period of 2 to 11 years (mean 5.8 years). At 1 year, midface position after LeFort III advancement was stable in 12 of 19 patients. Of these 12 patients, 8 showed some evidence of downward and/or forward movement of the midface. The remaining 7 patients showed a minor degree of midface relapse in the first year of follow-up. In 15 of 19 patients, at 2 years or more postoperatively, the final position of the midface was either at, anterior to, or inferior to its immediate postoperative location. Correction of exorbitism remained stable in all but one patient, who required a second advancement of the orbital segment. Three patients required subsequent LeFort I osteotomy to correct class III occlusion. Prognathism was determined to be secondary to mandibular growth, not midface relapse.

Based on longitudinal observation of more than 80 patients, we concluded that mandibular hypoplasia is the earliest skeletal manifestation of hemifacial microsomia. The clinical defect becomes worse with time as a result of continued asymmetric growth and progressive secondary deformation of the midface. We hypothesize that midface growth is restricted by the hypoplastic mandible. Therefore, early elongation of the mandible should result in a more symmetrical growth pattern by eliminating mandibular restriction and creating a space for vertical midface growth.

Two hundred and ninety-seven patients with 375 pediatric vascular lesions were followed from 1967 to 1981. By history and physical examination, 96% of childhood vascular lesions can be classified as hemangiomas or malformations. Hemangiomas are often not present at birth (40%), but make their appearance during the first month. A proliferative phase, lasting an average of 3 months, is followed by a slow, but eventually complete involution. A "perfect" cosmetic result is more likely when involution is complete before age 6. Malformations are always present at birth, their growth is commensurate with the patient's, and they never involute. Analysis of clinical characteristics fails to identify a subgroup of hemangiomas destined for early involution.

We have analyzed 404 patients with a wide variety of maxillary and craniofacial deformities. These do not include head and neck cancer patients as generally defined. Satisfaction has been high as judged by the patients, surgeons and psychiatrists. The complication rate has been significant, approximately 30%, the most common being infection or loss of bone grafts. As experience accumulated, the concept of earlier operative intervention has emerged as an aid in unlocking growth potential, diminishing secondary deformity and improving the development of body image.

Solid and powdered forms of undemineralized and demineralized bone grafts were implanted in rat cranial defects. Demineralized calvarial discs healed the defects as well as did the fresh discs, as judged by histology and 45Ca incorporation. Gross and histologic evaluations demonstrated predictable endochondrial osteogenesis by demineralized bone powder (DBP). Undemineralized grafts, in contrast, showed poor and unpredictable bony healing. Construction of facial bones was achieved by implantation of demineralized bone powder within the soft tissues. The phenomenon of induced osteogenesis by demineralized implants was not species specific. These studies of osseous transformation provide insight into the mechanism of, and possible answers to, the problems of osseous transplantation.

Morbidity following 104 bone graft harvesting operations (60 iliac, 44 rib) in 72 patients is documented. Early morbidity of iliac donor sites was found, as expected, to be far greater than that of rib donor sites. However, long-term follow-up reveals that while hip symptoms largely resolve, a significant number of chest-wall sites cause persistent, unpleasant pain. Technical ways of minimizing problems are also discussed. When procuring an iliac graft, a lateral skin incision and a medial bony approach are used if possible. If full-thickness ilium is required, the crest should be left intact or raised and replaced as a trapdoor .

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is not a fixed dysmorphic deformity, but rather a progressive, complex deformation, involving the soft tissues and skeletal structures derived from the first and second branchial arches. Secondary growth distortion is seen particularly in the failure of midface growth, because of inadequate mandibular vertical growth on the involved side. Based on this concept of a dysfunctional matrix, we treat HFM in childhood according to the severity of the mandibular hypoplasia. In the type I and type IIA children seen in the deciduous stage, we recommend use of an activator or functional appliance. The more severe type IIB and type III children with absent structures need early construction of the mandibular ramus, glenoid fossa, and temporomandibular joint. In so doing, we convert the severely hypoplastic mandible into a more symmetric and functional type IIA status. Correction of the mandible appears to maximize potential growth and minimize the documented secondary distortion in the maxilla. Preliminary study confirms that early correction minimizes the need for maxillary and orbital osteotomies as these patients enter adulthood. We have briefly outlined our approach to soft-tissue hypoplasia and neuromuscular deficiency in HMF. Further refinements are needed in these areas.

A shortened prophylactic regimen of antibiotics for maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery is evaluated. Eighty-five patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the type of incision used. Forty-nine patients undergoing intraoral procedures received penicillin perioperatively and were given one postoperative dose (regimen A). Thirty-six patients undergoing extraoral or combined intraoral and extraoral procedures received penicillin and oxacillin perioperatively, with nine receiving one postoperative dose and 27 receiving an average of seven postoperative doses (regimen B). One infection was observed in the regimen A group, and three were observed in the regimen B group. This infection rate compares favorably to that encountered in the authors' previously reported study on longer prophylactic courses of antibiotics.

The anatomy and surgical correction of cryptotia are reviewed. Another technical procedure using retroauricular tissue expansion is presented. This method allows release of the auricle and construction of the auriculocephalic sulcus without the problems associated with older soft-tissue techniques, e.g., incomplete correction, multiple scars, poor color match of skin grafts, and donor-site morbidity.

Our experience with 20 full-thickness cheek reconstruction in 17 patients over the past 27 years is presented. The evolution of techniques for management of full-thickness cheek defects reflects our gradual appreciation of the longitudinal artery concept within axial and musculocutaneous flap units. During the 1950s, defects were managed by random flaps. Popularization of the forehead flap and introduction of the medially based deltopectoral flap during the 1960s heralded the current application of axial flaps. The 1970s saw an explosion of new techniques, including the musculocutaneous flaps and microvascular free tissue transfers, based on the longitudinal vessel concept. A method simultaneously employing the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap for intraoral lining and the deltopectoral flap for external coverage has been described. A modification of the latissimus dorsi free flap to allow a one-stage watertight closure of large full-thickness cheek defects has been outlined. Our challenge for the 1980s lies in the improvement of techniques to reanimate the reconstructed cheek.

Hemangiomas are vascular tumors characterized by rapid growth, increased endothelial turnover, and increased numbers of mast cells. Vascular malformations grow commensurately with the patient or expand secondary to hemodynamic alteration and are characterized by a normal endothelial cell cycle and normal numbers of mast cells. Operative specimens of vascular birthmarks were categorized as hemangiomas or malformations based on clinical history, light microscopic examination, and mast cell quantitation. The specimens were cultured in tumor-conditioned medium and plasma clot culture. Capillary endothelium derived from hemangioma specimens formed capillary tubes in tissue culture--"angiogenesis in vitro." Capillary endothelium from malformations was difficult to culture and was not observed to form tubules. Hemangioma specimens demonstrated rapid outgrowth of tubular structures from plasma clot cultures, whereas malformation tissue did not produce such outgrowth. These results indicate that hemangioma endothelium grows preferentially in culture in comparison with endothelium from vascular malformations. It suggests a biologic difference, which correlates with our previously proposed classification.

Midline cervical cleft is a rare congenital anomaly of the ventral neck. A series of 12 cases of midline cervical clefts over a 30-year period is reported. This anomaly is part of a spectrum of midline branchiogenic syndromes resulting from abnormal migration of cells derived from the branchial arches. The preferred operative correction requires complete excision of the cleft with its underlying fibrous cord and closure with multiple Z-plasties.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that povidone-iodine would inhibit the recovery of tensile strength in a healing wound. Clean, incised dorsal wounds in rats were soaked in 1% povidone-iodine solution for 15 minutes; control wounds were soaked in lactated Ringer's solution before closure. Tensile strength measurements and histologic studies were conducted at 1, 2, and 6 weeks. No statistical differences in the rate of gain of tensile strength or histological appearance were noted between control and experimental wounds. It is concluded that brief irrigation of clean incised wounds with povidone-iodine solution does not affect factors important in the recovery of tensile strength during would healing, such as fibroplasia and collagen cross-linking.

A case with 1-cm distraction elongation of a child's thumb metacarpal 7 years after initial injury is presented. The thumb to long finger pinch was improved by this procedure. The metacarpal elongation has been maintained for 3 years. The mechanism of this repair appears to be ossification of connective tissue. Immobilization until bony union is complete is recommended to avoid loss of length gained.

The treatment of facial trauma currently falls within the purview of several surgical subspecialties, including plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and neurosurgery. The complexity of facial anatomy and the newer techniques for skeletal and soft-tissue reconstruction demand interdisciplinary, rather than multidisciplinary, care for these injuries. Interdisciplinary cooperation benefits the patient with a complex facial fracture by: minimizing chances for inadequate primary therapy, promoting discussion of controversial therapy, and providing the optimal therapy. Examples are given of unfavorable results following treatment of facial fractures. Recommendations are made to foster communication between the concerned surgical subspecialties.

This is a retrospective study of skeletal changes in 19 patients with corrected hypertelorism. A favorable outcome, defined as relapse less than 5 mm, occurred in patients with an average interorbital distance of 32 mm, whereas patients with an average interorbital distance of 40 mm tended to relapse over 5 mm. Neither age, interorbital configuration, nor diagnosis affected the stability of orbital translocation. At last evaluation (mean 6.7 years postoperatively), the mean interorbital distance was 22.4 mm in the favorable outcome group and 28.3 mm in the unfavorable category. This study suggested that the standard hypertelorism operation may interfere with anterior facial growth. Unless psychosocial factors predominate in a child with mild deformity, repair should be postponed until late adolescence. In a young child with gross telorbitism, nasoethmoidal resection and transmaxillary osteotomies or facial bipartition is justified. Another long-term skeletal problem was resorption of the reconstructed nasal complex. Technical and biological explanations for this are given. The correction of hypertelorism is surgery of the nose and of the midface.