Biomedical subjects

J Valentino

Publications and source records attributed to J Valentino.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Facial Nerve Monitoring under Neuromuscular Blockade.

The characteristics of facial nerve electromyography at various levels of neuromuscular blockade are unclear. Partial blockade is well known to facilitate anesthetic safety and management. However, the use of neuromuscular blockage in many skull base procedures is avoided to allow intraoperative facial nerve monitoring.We studied the influence of various levels of neuromuscular blockade on facial nerve stimulation in the New Zealand white rabbit. The facial nerve was exposed in the middle ear of six rabbits. Using electromyographic-type facial nerve monitor, we recorded the facial electromyography signals in these rabbits at increasing levels of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade. All animals demonstrated reliable facial electromyography response at all levels of partial neuromuscular blockade (P < .02). Five of the six animals could be monitored throughout complete blockade. These results clearly demonstrate that rabbit facial electromyography monitoring is possible under neuromuscular blockade. The effect of neuromuscular blockers on facial electromyography monitoring deserves further study, as partial blockade would greatly facilitate the management of anesthesia in otologic, neurotologic, and skull base surgery.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

Long-term result of vocal cord augmentation with autogenous fat.

The use of autogenous fat for augmentation of the paralyzed vocal fold is a promising substitute for alternate injectable material such as Teflon (polytef paste, polytetrafluoroethylene; Ethicon) and Gelfoam (absorbable gelatin sponge; Upjohn). Long-term histologic evaluation of fat grafts to the larynx has not previously been reported in the literature. We present a case report of autogenous fat augmentation of a paralyzed vocal fold with documentation of persistent fat graft present 5 months after transplant.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Intraoral monocortical miniplating of mandible fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Intraoral monocortical miniplate fixation of mandibular fractures provides simultaneous visualization of the fracture and occlusal relation, while almost eliminating external incisions and potential compromise of the marginal mandibular nerve. We sought to analyze the outcome of our patients treated with this technique and compare this with literature standards for mandible fracture repair outcome. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of outcomes for a case series. SETTING: All treatment performed in inner city, level 1 or 2 trauma rated, teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: During a 5-year period, 287 patients with 499 mandible fractures were treated with intraoral miniplates. Follow-up criteria was available for a retrospective analysis of 246 patients with 432 fractures of the mandible. INTERVENTION: Intraoral monocortical plating techniques were used to treat 313 of these 432 mandibular fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All complications of bone union, occlusion, wound infection, and dehiscence were graded and tabulated. RESULTS: On analysis of the miniplated fractures, 1.2% of the patients had delayed union, 0.4% had non-union, 6.5% had postoperative wound infection develop, and 4.1% had varying degrees of malunion. Complication rates are comparable with most reported studies of bicortical and monocortical plating of mandible fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Monocortical miniplate fixation is a reliable method of providing rigid fixation. It offers a reasonable alternative to bicortical plating in most mandible fractures.

Bone Plates↗

PubMed1992

Severe but temporary injury to rabbit orbicularis oculi muscle using dihematoporphyrin ether and laser photochemomyectomy.

The use of local dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE) injections, followed by laser light activation, was investigated as a potential permanent myectomy treatment for muscle spasms, in particular blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. DHE was injected into the eyelids of rabbits, followed by laser activation, as used in photochemotherapy. Four days after treatment, histological examination indicated that doses of greater than or equal to 0.5 mg of DHE and laser treatment with an energy density of at least 100 J/cm2 resulted in an almost total destruction of the orbicularis oculi muscle in the treated eyelid. The amount of muscle injury was dependent on both dose of DHE and energy density levels. Histologically, the tarsal glands and conjunctiva were damaged. Glandular tissue was markedly reduced, and the conjunctival epithelium showed hyperplasia and a loss of mucous cells. Six months after DHE and laser treatment, the majority of the muscle tissue had regenerated, although there was evidence of previous injury. While DHE injections combined with laser light activation were lethal to muscle at the site of treatment, this treatment was not permanent. The orbicularis oculi muscle retained its ability to regenerate. However, photochemomyectomy may be studied further as an adjuvant treatment to temporarily injure and debulk large muscles when botulinum toxin is contraindicated due to the large doses involved or as a permanent treatment when used together with an antimitotic agent such as doxorubicin.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Traumatic anterior fossa cerebrospinal fluid fistulae and craniofacial considerations.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid fistulae may present a diagnostic and treatment challenge to the head and neck surgeon. The clinical presentation may be obscured by associated injuries. This article serves as a guide in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of patients with dural fistulae of the anterior cranial fossa.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anomalies of forearm vascular anatomy encountered during elevation of the radial forearm flap.

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm flap has gained considerable popularity over the past 10 years. With the increasing number of forearm flaps being used in head and neck reconstruction, it is likely that anomalous forearm vascular anatomy will be encountered by more head and neck surgeons performing this procedure. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with 52 forearm flaps; four different anomalies of forearm vascular anatomy were encountered in four patients. In this article we present each of our cases and discuss the incidence, preoperative diagnosis, and recommended management of these and the more common forearm vascular anomalies. RESULTS: The anomalies encountered in our series include: one case of distal takeoff of the radial artery deep to the pronator teres muscle, two cases of a superficial dorsal antebrachial artery, one case of bilateral hypoplastic ulnar arteries, and one case of high takeoff of the radial artery. CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of anomalies of forearm vascular anatomy of clinical significance to the surgeon performing these procedures. Most of these anomalies can be identified with a careful preoperative examination. Surgeons performing this procedure should be familiar not only with the normal vascular anatomy of the forearm flap, but also with the more common anatomic variants. Failure to recognize or appropriately manage these anomalies of forearm vascular anatomy may result in a compromised surgical outcome.

Adolescent↗