James Y. Liau

A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Woven Polyglycolic Acid and Autogenous Vein Conduits for Reconstruction of Digital Nerve Gaps

PURPOSE The optimal management of a nerve gap within the fingers remains an unanswered question in hand surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory recovery, cost, and complication profile of digital nerve repair using autogenous vein and polyglycolic acid conduits. METHODS We enrolled patients undergoing repair of digital nerve injuries with gaps precluding primary repair. The minimum gap that was found to preclude primary repair was 4 mm. Each nerve repair was randomized to the type of nerve repair with either a woven polyglycolic acid conduit or autogenous vein. Time required for repair was recorded. We performed sensory testing, consisting of static and moving 2-point discrimination, at 6 and 12 months after repair. We compared patient factors between the 2 groups using chi-square and Students t-test. We compared sensory recovery between the 2 groups at each time point using Students t-test and compared time and cost of repair. RESULTS We enrolled 42 patients with 76 nerve repairs. Of these, 37 patients (representing 68 repairs) underwent sensory evaluation at the 6-month time point. The median age in this group was 35 years. We repaired 36 nerves with synthetic conduit and 32 with vein. Nerve gaps ranged from 4 to 25 mm (mean, 10 mm). Study groups were not significantly different regarding age, time to repair, gap length, medical history, smoking history, or workers compensation status. Time to harvest the vein was longer but the average cost of materials and surgery in the vein group was

Pediatric nasoorbitoethmoid fractures.

1,220, compared with

Flap pedicle vena comitant as a vein graft donor source

1,269 for synthetic conduit repairs. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean static and moving 2-point discrimination at 6 months for the synthetic conduit group were 8.3 ± 2.0 and 6.6 ± 2.3, respectively, compared with 8.5 ± 1.8 and 7.1 ± 2.2 for the vein group. Values at 12 months for the synthetic conduit group were 7.5 ± 1.9 and 5.6 ± 2.2, compared with 7.6 ± 2.6 and 6.6 ± 2.9 for the vein group. These differences were not statistically significant. Smokers and workers compensation patients had a worse sensory recovery at 12 months postrepair. There were 2 extrusions in the synthetic conduit group requiring reoperation; however, the difference in extrusion rate was not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Sensory recovery after digital nerve reconstruction with autogenous vein conduit was equivalent to that using polyglycolic acid conduit, with a similar cost profile and fewer postoperative complications.

Use of dermal regeneration template to close a giant myelomeningocele in a newborn

The pediatric craniofacial trauma literature largely focuses on the management of mandible fractures, with very little information focusing on pediatric midface fractures, specifically nasoorbitethmoid (NOE) fractures. Because the diagnosis and surgical treatment plan for adult NOE fractures is well established in the literature, the treatment algorithms for NOE are essentially a transfer of adult practices to pediatric patients. This article reviews the differences between the pediatric and adult facial skeleton and the pathology and presentation of NOE fractures in the pediatric craniomaxillofacial skeleton. It also presents the effects of NOE fractures on the growth and development of the pediatric facial skeleton and describes the current surgical management for NOE fractures.

Dermal Regenerative Template as a Cost-Effective Alternative for Complex Scalp Reconstruction

A vena comitant segment harvested from a flaps pedicle can be used as an interpositional vein graft in selected microvascular cases. When a vascular pedicle includes paired venae comitantes, one of these can prove suitable for use as a vein graft while still allowing for venous outflow of the flap. An additional operative site and procedure to harvest a vein graft can be avoided if a vena comitant segment can be used. We present eight cases in which pedicle vena comitant segments were used as interpositional vein grafts. In six cases, vena comitant grafts were used to supercharge or augment venous outflow in transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps used for breast reconstruction. A vena comitant graft was used to revise the venous anastomosis in one deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. The arterial anastomosis was revised with a vena comitant graft in a gracilis muscle free flap. Our experience demonstrates the viability and utility of using the flap pedicles vena comitant as a source of vein graft in selected cases.

Barriers to Repair in Maxillofacial Trauma

Many techniques are available to close a myelomeningocele, but large lesions can be particularly difficult to close given the absence of surrounding tissue. The authors present the case of a 2-day-old girl with a large lumbosacral myelomeningocele who underwent a staged repair using dermal regeneration template (DRT; Integra) followed by split-thickness skin grafting. The results demonstrated that the combined use of myofascial turnover flaps and DRT with delayed skin grafting is a safe, effective option for this challenging reconstructive dilemma.

Debunking the myth of e-cigarettes: A case of free flap compromise due to e-cigarette use within the first 24 hours

Background: Use of dermal regeneration template (DRT) is well documented in the literature for complex wounds ranging from the scalp, trunk, and lower extremity. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of the use of dermal regeneration template and skin grafting. A literature review was performed of all studies where DRT was used for scalp reconstruction. Results: Patients in the DRT cohort had an average age of 70, with wounds averaging 108 cm2 in size. These patients also had a relatively low rate of complications (0.4), a short hospital stay (average 2 days), and a relatively short operating room time (114 minutes). Conclusion: This study demonstrates dermal regeneration template to be an effective and reliable option for soft tissue reconstruction with minimal morbidity and complications in patients with extensive medical comorbidities. Emerging applications include radiation exposure and hypercoaguable states.

A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Woven Polyglycolic Acid and Autogenous Vein Conduits for Reconstruction of Digital Nerve Gaps: Level 1 Evidence

IMPORTANCE Multiple factors can be associated with the delayed repair of maxillofacial injuries that may be associated with increased morbidity. OBJECTIVE To assess factors affecting timing of repair and barriers which may exist in the management of maxillofacial trauma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care facility used the Current Procedural Terminology coding to identify adult patients undergoing operative repair of maxillofacial injuries between January 2010 and December 2013. Demographic information, presence and severity of concomitant injuries, as well as fracture-specific data including fracture type(s), mechanism of injury, and documented complications were recorded. Identifiable delays for medical, logistical, or other reasons were also documented. Multivariate regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with increased time to repair. A comparative analysis was used to identify association between complications and time to operative repair. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Time to operative repair from date of presentation; association of known operative delay and perioperative complications. RESULTS Overall, 780 patients were included in the study. Of patients meeting inclusion criteria, mean (SD) age was 36.7 (14.2) years (range, 18-88 years), and 616 patients (79%) were male. Average time to repair was 6.5 days (range, 0-43 days), and 138 patients (17.7%) were observed to have a documented reason for delay for medical reasons (n = 62 [44.9%]), operating room logistical factors (n = 17 [12.3%]), or other reasons (n = 59 patients [42.8%]) either as a function of delayed patient presentation or failure of patients to make scheduled appointments or operations. Injury severity score (ρ = 0.45; P < .001), concurrent injuries (P < .001), decreased Glasgow Coma Scale (P < .001) and inpatient status at time of surgery (P < .001), were associated with increased time to repair. The observed complication rate was 13.6%. There was no statistically significant association between known operative delay and development of complications (χ21 = 2.92; P = .08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Management of maxillofacial trauma appears to occur in a timely manner. Patient injury severity appears to have the greatest effect on timing of repair. While delays in operative repair may be unavoidable in certain circumstances, streamlining and managing causes of known delay may help improve and expedite patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.