Therapeutic approTherapeutic Approach To The Parry-Romberg Syndrome Based On A Severity Grading System

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The Parry-Romberg Syndrome (PRS) is characterized by progressive hemifacial atrophy that often leads to severe esthetic and functional difficulties. Although there are systems for grading disease severity, none have proven ideal in optimizing the therapeutic approach to these patients. This study aimed to establish the surgical strategies for the treatment of PRS based on a new system for severity grading of the disease.

Methods:

This retrospective study included PRS patients undergoing surgery between 2005 and 2011. The surgical strategies were adapted for each patient according to a clinical severity grading system based on disease progression: type I, affecting the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue; type II, type I + muscle involvement; and type III, Types I+ II + bone involvement. The sample included four patients (28.57%) with PRS type I, six patients (42.85%) with PRS type II, and four patients (28.57%) with PRS type III.

Results:

Forty-seven procedures were performed. Free-fat grafts were used in all patients. Dermal fat grafts were used in all type II patients and one type III patient (25%). Bone grafts with temporoparietal fascia flaps were performed for the treatment of all type III patients. One type III patient (25%) underwent orthognathic surgery. All patients were improved in their overall facial appearance and there were no procedure-related complications.

Conclusion:

Our proposed system for grading PRS severity can facilitate the choice of therapeutic approaches and with a combination of surgical techniques based on the severity of the disease partially satisfactory outcomes can be attained.

Keywords:
Parry-Romberg syndrome; Progressive hemifacial atrophy; Surgical treatment; Grading system