Edward A. Luce

Incidence and Sequelae of Nocturnal Respiratory Obstruction Following Posterior Pharyngeal Flap Operation

A competent velopharyngeal mechanism is important for the production of normal speech, and the secondary procedure of a posterior pharyngeal flap (PPF) may be necessary in some patients to achieve this goal. A number of complications have been described in the literature following pharyngeal flap surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine short- and long-term complications after PPF surgery, and in particular the incidence and the end effect of nocturnal respiratory obstruction (NRO). All PPFs over a 17-year period performed at one institution and by the same surgeon were examined retrospectively. All medical records from the Commission of Handicapped Children of patients who had a PPF were reviewed. Patients with NRO were identified clinically, and sleep studies were administered with two or more of the clinical triad. During a 17-year period, 111 patients underwent a PPF to treat velopharyngeal incompetence. Twelve patients were identified with a syndromic association in addition to a clefting disorder, of which most (N = 9) consisted of Pierre Robin syndrome. The median age at PPF performance was 6.0 years and the average follow-up was 7.4 years. The early postoperative complication rate was 10%, including a 7.2% incidence of respiratory obstruction and 0.9% postoperative bleeding. Twenty-one patients (19%) had late complications or unsatisfactory results. Twelve patients (10.5%) developed NRO, and patients with Pierre Robin syndrome were particularly prone-4 of 9 patients developed this complication. Nine of 12 patients with NRO had sleep studies performed with a minimum interval of 6 months postoperatively. Eight of the nine studies were normal. Of the NRO group, 3 patients had takedown of their PPF, including the patient with an abnormal sleep study. All 3 patients improved markedly and none developed recurrence of velopharyngeal insufficiency. NRO is not an uncommon finding in PPF patients, but NRO does not necessarily imply the presence of obstructive sleep apnea. The consequences of persistent NRO over the long term deserve further study.

High-energy gunshot wounds to the face.

Thirty-three patients with high-energy gunshot wounds to the face were treated at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center between 1976 and 1993. Wounds were classified according to the mass and velocity of the projectile, and the range from weapon to target. More than half the injuries involved multiple facial regions. Twenty patients underwent immediate definitive reconstructive procedures. Intervals between injury and initial nondefinitive reconstruction for the other patients ranged from 1 day to 1 month. Toward the end of the study period, reconstruction was undertaken earlier and more aggressively, and included more attention to primary bone grafting and free tissue transfer. These patients developed fewer problems with infection, longterm scarring, and contracture, and they required fewer operative procedures. There was no operative mortality and none of the patients with self-inflicted injuries reattempted suicide. We conclude that early aggressive treatment of these wounds can produce better structural, functional, and rehabilitative results. Vásconez HC, Shockley ME, Luce EA. High-energy gunshot wounds to the face. Ann Plast Surg 1996;36:18-25

Pollicization, Cleft Lip, Breast Reconstruction . . . Working in Seventh Heaven and the Fifth Circle of Hell

SUMMARY The author establishes criteria for landmark contributions to plastic surgery during his career, describes five such contributions, and lends a personal perspective on each. The conclusions reached are that plastic surgery remains strong and vibrant because of the ability of our specialty to engage in continuous improvement and innovation.