Curtis Hanba

An analysis of inpatient pediatric sickle cell disease: Incidence, costs, and outcomes

To identify characteristics of pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) hospitalizations and to examine admission demographics and medical expenditures.

Race and Sex Differences in Adult Facial Fracture Risk

Importance There are well-described racial, sex, and age differences related to osteoporosis and hip and/or extremity fractures. Nonetheless, there has been virtually no inquiry evaluating whether these findings carry over to facial fracture. Objective To characterize the incidence of facial fractures by patient demographics and injury mechanism, focusing on whether differences are noted with race, sex, and advancing age. Main Outcomes and Measures Retrospective analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was performed in October and November 2015, specifically evaluating adult emergency department (ED) visits from 2012 to 2014 related to facial trauma. Entries were organized by age groups (both individual decades as well as younger adults [18-59 years] vs older adults [60-89 years]), sex, and race (white, black, Asian, other/unspecified). Incidence of facial fractures and mechanism of injury were also evaluated. Results There were 33 825 NEISS entries correlating to 1 401 196 ED (range, 1 136 048-1 666 344) visits for adult facial injury, with 14.4% involving fracture. A greater proportion of facial injuries among younger men (<60 years) were fractures relative to younger women (15.5% vs 12.5%; difference of the mean [DOM], 3.0%; 95% CI, 2.8%-3.1%; P < .001); however, on comparison by sex in elderly populations (≥ 60 years), women had an increased fracture predilection (15.0% vs 14.0%; DOM, 1.0%; 95% CI, 0.8%-1.2%; P < .001). Also, older women had a significantly greater risk of fracture relative to those younger than 60 years (15.0% vs 12.5%; DOM, 2.5%; 95% CI, 2.4%-2.7%; P < .001), a comparison that was significant among whites and Asians. Black women had a significantly decreased risk of fracture in the older aged population. (8.4% vs 9.1%; DOM, 0.7%; 95% CI, 0.2%- 1.3%; P = .001). Both on individual comparisons of younger and older cohorts, white and Asian individuals of either sex had significantly greater rates of facial fracture injury than blacks. Among younger cohorts in either sex, injuries sustained during participation in recreational activities were a significant factor, replaced largely by injuries due to housing structural elements and falls among older cohorts. Conclusions and Relevance There is an increase in the risk of facial fracture among postmenopausal women sustaining facial injuries, with these results significant among whites and Asians. In contrast, a decreased risk was noted on comparison of younger and older black women. Mechanism of injuries also varied significantly by age, race, and sex. Level of Evidence 4.

Pediatric pituitary resection: characterizing surgical approaches and complications

Although there has been extensive study evaluating adult pituitary surgery, there has been scant analysis among children. Our objective was to evaluate a population‐based resource to characterize nationwide trends in surgical approach, hospital stay, and complications among children undergoing pituitary surgery.

Soccer-related facial trauma: a nationwide perspective

Purpose: Soccer participation continues to increase among all ages in the US. Our objective was to analyze trends in soccer-related facial injury epidemiology, demographics, and mechanisms of injury. Materials and Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was evaluated for soccer-related facial injuries from 2010 through 2014. Results for product code “soccer” were filtered for injures to the face. Number of injuries was extrapolated, and data were analyzed for age, sex, specific injury diagnoses, locations, and mechanisms. Results: In all, 2054 soccer-related facial trauma entries were analyzed. During this time, the number of injures remained relatively stable. Lacerations were the most common diagnosis (44.2%), followed by contusions and fractures. The most common sites of fracture were the nose (75.1%). Of fractures with a reported mechanism of injury, the most common was head-to-head collisions (39.0%). Patients <19 years accounted for 66.9% of injuries, and athletes over 18 years old had a higher risk of fractures. Conclusions: The incidence of soccer-related facial trauma has remained stable, but the severity of such injuries remain a danger. Facial protection in soccer is virtually absent, and our findings reinforce the need to educate athletes, families, and physicians on injury awareness and prevention.

Facial fracture repair and diabetes mellitus: An examination of postoperative complications

Our objectives included using a nationally representative resource to evaluate charges, demographics, and complication rates among diabetics undergoing surgical repair of facial fractures.

Forgetful but not forgotten: Bathroom-related craniofacial trauma among the elderly

As our population ages, injuries attributable to falls continue to increase, impacting healthcare delivery. Evaluation of craniofacial trauma with focus on elderly patients remains an underappreciated concern. Our objectives were to evaluate injury trends associated with elderly bathroom falls, as this information may be useful for counseling and preventive purposes.

Sialendoscopy in the Management of Radioiodine Induced Sialadenitis: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Salivary gland dysfunction as a consequence of radioiodide ablation is present in as many as two-thirds of patients, and unfortunately, many of these individuals do not respond to conservative measures. Sialendoscopy as a minimally invasive therapeutic modality may have utility in the treatment of radioiodide induced sialadenitis (RAIS). Our aim was to explore whether sialendoscopy resulted in clinical improvement in patients with RAIS. Methods: A systematic review of studies on sialendoscopy for RAIS was conducted using MEDLINE database, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The outcomes of interest included the proportion of patients demonstrating clinical improvement after intervention, patient demographics, radiation dose, specific procedural variations, specific salivary gland, failure rate, and recurrence. Results: Eight studies met inclusion criteria. Data reviewed showed an increased predilection of parotid sialadenitis relative to submandibular gland sialadenitis. All but 2 studies employed sialendoscopy only after failure of conservative measures. An overall rate of clinical improvement ranging from 75% to 100% was reported. Conclusion: This systematic review encompassing 122 patients represents the largest pooled sample to date of patients undergoing sialendoscopy for RAIS. Sialendoscopy represents an invaluable minimally invasive modality that may obviate the need for more invasive surgery as intervention was associated with a high success rate.

Pediatric Thyroidectomy: Hospital Course and Perioperative Complications

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate hospital course and associated complications among pediatric patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Study Design and Setting Retrospective database review of the Kids’ Inpatient Database (2009, 2012). Methods The Kids’ Inpatient Database was evaluated for thyroidectomy patients for the years 2009 and 2012. Surgical procedure, patient demographics, length of stay, hospital charges (in US dollars), and surgical complications were evaluated. Results Of an estimated 1099 nationwide partial thyroidectomies and 1654 total thyroidectomies, females accounted for 73.5% and 79.1% of patients, respectively. Children <1 year of age had significantly longer hospital courses (P < .0001), and patients 1 to 5 years of age had a significantly greater length of stay than individuals 6 to 20 years of age (7.8 vs 2.1 days, P < .001). The most common complications overall included hypocalcemia, respiratory complications, vocal cord paresis/paralysis, postoperative infection, and bleeding. Vocal cord paralysis was noted in 1.7% of pediatric thyroidectomy patients. The presence of these complications among total thyroidectomy patients significantly increased one’s length of stay and hospital charges. A neck dissection was reported in 22.9% of malignant thyroidectomy patients. Conclusion Nearly 20% of children who underwent total thyroidectomy experienced postoperative hypocalcemia, positing a need for the development of postoperative calcium replacement algorithms to minimize the sequelae of hypocalcemia. A greater incidence of respiratory and infectious complications among younger patients (<6 years) suggests a need for closer monitoring, possibly encompassing routine postoperative intensive care unit utilization, in an attempt to minimize these sequelae.

Traumatic facial injuries among elderly nursing home residents: never event or frequent occurrence?

Importance As the nursing home population continues to increase, an understanding of preventable injuries becomes exceedingly important. Although other fall-related injuries have been characterized, little attention has been dedicated to facial trauma. Objectives To estimate the incidence of facial trauma among nursing home residents and detail mechanisms of injury, injury characteristics, and patient demographic data. Design, Setting, and Participants The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was used to calculate a weighted national incidence of facial trauma among individuals older than 60 years from a nationally representative collection of emergency departments from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2015. Entries were screened for nursing home residents, and diagnosis, anatomical site, demographic data, and mechanism of injury were analyzed. Results There were 109 795 nursing home residents (median age, 84.1 years; interquartile range, 79-89 years; 71 466 women [65.1%]) who required emergency department care for facial trauma. Women sustained a greater proportion of injuries with increasing age. The most common injuries were lacerations (48 679 [44.3%]), other soft-tissue injuries (45 911 [41.8%]; avulsions, contusions, and hematomas), and fractures (13 814 [12.6%]). Nasal (9331 [67.5%]) and orbital (1144 [8.3%]) fractures were the most common sites. The most common injury causes were direct contact with structural housing elements or fixed items (62 604 [57.0%]) and transfer to and from bed (24 870 [22.6%]). Conclusions and Relevance Despite falls being considered a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services preventable never event in hospitals, our analysis in the nursing home setting found more than 100 000 facial injuries during 5 years, suggesting these underappreciated injuries contribute substantially to health care expenditures. Although structural elements facilitated the greatest number of falls, transfer to and from bed remains a significant mechanism, suggesting an area for intervention.

Adverse Events in Facial Implant Surgery and Associated Malpractice Litigation

Importance Facial implants represent an important strategy for providing instant and long-lasting volume enhancement to address both aging and posttraumatic defects. Objective To better understand risks of facial implants by examining national resources encompassing adverse events and considerations facilitating associated litigation. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional study reviewed complications following facial implants. The procedures reviewed were performed on patients at locations throughout the United States from January 2006 to December 2016. Data collection was completed in March 2017. The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database, which contains medical device reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was searched for complications that occurred from January 2006 to December 2016 involving facial implants made by Implantech, MEDPOR, Stryker, KLS Martin, and Synthes. Furthermore, the Thomson Reuters Westlaw legal database was searched for relevant litigation. Main Outcomes and Measures The complications of facial implants were analyzed in relation to the location of implant and severity of complication. Litigation was analyzed to determine which factors determine outcome. Results Thirty-nine instances of adverse events reported to the FDA were identified. Sixteen (41%) involved malar implants, followed by 12 chin implants (31%). The most common complications included infection (18 [46%]), implant migration (9 [23%]), swelling (7 [18%]), and extrusion (4 [10%]). Thirty-two patients (83%) had to have their implants removed. Infection occurred at a mean (SD) of 83.3 (68.8) days following the surgery. One-third of complications involved either migration or extrusion. The mean (range) time to migration or extrusion was 381.1 (10-2400) days. In 12 malpractice cases identified in publicly available court proceedings, alleged inadequate informed consent and requiring additional surgical intervention (ie, removal) were the most commonly cited factors. Conclusions and Relevance Infection and implant migration or extrusion are the most common complications of facial implants. Most of these complications necessitate removal. These considerations need to be discussed with patients preoperatively as part of the informed consent process, as allegedly inadequate informed consent was cited in a significant proportion of resultant litigation, and there were overlapping considerations among adverse events reported to the FDA and factors brought up in relevant litigation. Cases resolved with settlements and jury-awarded damages encompassed considerable award totals. Level of Evidence NA.