Otolaryngology Surgeons Research Articles

Some pioneers in plastic surgery of the facial region.

Much of this complex history comes from Europe, with contributions and advances from dentists, otolaryngologists, and general surgeons. Prior to World War I there wasnospecificplasticsurgeryspecialty.For example, Sir Harold Gillies, an otolaryngologist, learned many dental skills and techniques from Charles Auguste Valadier, a rogue French practitioner of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. (Valadier is said to have treated most of his patients in an automotive vehicle described as a “traveling dental parlour” around 1900.) Gillies,extraordinarilyinnovative,technically superb, and politically adept, was called by some the “father of plastic surgery,” although such a descriptor probablydoesnotpayproperhomageandcredit to his many European predecessors. Gillies drew heavily from these surgeons and teachers in Britain and continental Europe,astheythemselveshadadvancedtheir own training and expertise.

Surgery of the Larynx

This text is one of the few and most comprehensive of its kind dealing with laryngeal surgery. It is coedited by two very prominent teachers of otolaryngology who are particularly well known for their special interests and expertise in laryngeal surgery. Among their contributing authors are many well-known and innovative otolaryngologic surgeons and some who have done truly pioneering work in the larynx. The text is comprehensive in scope, covering the vast majority of important facets of laryngeal problems and surgical applications in a most contemporary way. The references are also broad in nature, which adds to the value of the book as a basic educational resource. As the editors state in their preface, the book should not be mistaken for a surgical atlas for the beginning student of surgery of the larynx, as is almost no text with multiple authors. The drawings, which are done in a somewhat casual

Odontogenic keratocyst of the maxilla: A case report

Remnants of odontogenic epithelium persist in oral tissues after odontogenesis is complete, and from these remnants a variety of tumours and cysts can arise. Squamous metaplasia can occur in this epithelium which in turn may produce keratin. Although keratin production is a feature of many odontogenic cysts, a specific entity, the odontogenic keratocyst has been defined. The term was first introduced by Philipsen in 1956 and has been used synonymously with that of the primordial cyst. Its capacity for aggressive growth and recurrence even after many years makes it of special interest. In this case report these behavioural characteristics are well demonstrated. The long natural history of the condition in this case and its site and size involved oral, ophthalmic and ultimately otolaryngologic surgeons.

Venous air embolism in head and neck surgery.

Venous air embolism can occur under many circumstances, including head and neck surgery when the head is elevated. Embolized air obstructs the pulmonary outflow tract of the right ventricle or the pulmonary arterioles. Small volumes are tolerated or dispersed, but larger volumes can lead to severe physiologic changes. The Doppler precordial monitor is the most effective means of detection and should be used in major operations on the head and neck. Treatment methods are discussed and should be understood by all otolaryngologic surgeons.

Incudostapedial joint disarticulation.

To the Editor .—I was greatly interested in the article entitled Incudostapedial Joint Disarticulation by Holler et al (95:182-184, 1972). I agree with it whole-heartedly, but would like to draw your attention to two case reports made by me three years previously in the South African Medical Journal (43:42,1969). As my report was in a journal not commonly read by otolaryngologic surgeons in the United States, I can easily understand why this has not come to your or the authors' notice. I suppose they may also claim originality; but it is not a new method, being exactly what I described three years ago. I have since used it with complete success in two further cases.