Search

The authors report a case of a patient managed for severe cranial vault depression following combined neurosurgery and radiotherapy. This situation caused major aesthetic discomfort and was potentially dangerous due to the mechanical weakness of the bone flap. The authors had a CAD (computer aided design) silicone elastomer custom-made implant made to fill perfectly the depression. Beforehand, an expansion was performed to cover the implant after removal of the radiated skin. The surgery and post-operative course raised no concerns. After one year of follow-up, the result is very good and the patient very satisfied, proving that this technique certainly has its place in the therapeutic arsenal when faced with a tissue defect of the cranial vault., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common congenital chest wall deformity, whose cardiopulmonary consequences are controversial. PE surgery is in our experience usually performed for aesthetic reasons., Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PE on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with PE before patient-specific silicone implant correction., Methods: This monocentric prospective study conducted at Toulouse University Hospital included sixty patients scheduled for custom-made silicone implants correction. Respiratory function (pulmonary function tests (FPTs)) and exercise capacity (VO 2 max) were measured before surgery., Results: Before surgery, no (0/60) restrictive lung disease was detected, with a mean total lung capacity (TLC) of 98.5% of predicted value (IC 95%; 80.4-137). Median VO 2 max (n=56) was normal (89% predicted), with no cardiac limitation., Conclusion: In this cohort, PE had no impact on respiratory function nor exercise capacity. In patients without cardiac or respiratory effects of PE, silicone implants should be considered the preferred approach as it adequately addressed patients' main complaint of low self-esteem., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)