Matthew Seung Suk Choi

The surgical correction of pierre robin sequence: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis versus tongue-lip adhesion

Background: The authors present an outcomes analysis of mandibular distraction osteogenesis versus tongue-lip adhesion in the surgical treatment of Pierre Robin sequence. Methods: A retrospective, 15-year, single-surgeon review was undertaken of all nonsyndromic neonates with Pierre Robin sequence treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (2004 to 2009; n = 24) or tongue-lip adhesion (1994 to 2004; n = 15). Outcomes included time of extubation, length of intensive care unit stay, incidence of tracheostomy, and surgical complications. Polysomnography data were collected 1 month and 1 year postoperatively. Sleep study data included changes in oxygen saturation and apnea-hypopnea index. Results: There were no postprocedure tracheostomies in the mandibular distraction osteogenesis group and four tracheostomies in the tongue-lip adhesion group. The preoperative oxygen saturations were significantly lower in the mandibular distraction osteogenesis group compared with tongue-lip adhesion (76.5 percent versus 82 percent; p < 0.05). Preoperative apnea-hypopnea index was significantly higher in the mandibular distraction osteogenesis group compared with the tongue-lip adhesion group (47 versus 37.6; p < 0.05). Despite these preoperative differences, patients undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis demonstrated significantly higher oxygen saturation levels at 1 month (98.3 percent versus 87.5 percent; p < 0.05) and 1 year postoperatively (98.5 percent versus 89.2 percent; p < 0.05) and lower apnea-hypopnea index at 1 month (10.9 versus 21.6; p < 0.05) and 1 year postoperatively (2.5 versus 22.1; p < 0.05) compared with tongue-lip adhesion. Surgical complications were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: In nonsyndromic patients with Pierre Robin sequence, mandibular distraction osteogenesis demonstrates superior outcome measures regarding oxygen saturation, apnea-hypopnea index, and incidence of tracheostomy compared with tongue-lip adhesion. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Medial orbital wall fractures and the transcaruncular approach.

Abstract We review the literature on medial orbital wall fractures and perform a meta-analysis on outcomes with the transcaruncular approach. The reported incidence for this injury ranges widely, although diagnosis can be made effectively with clinical examination and computed tomography. Clinical sequelae can include rectus entrapment or herniation, enophthalmos, and diplopia. Local injuries occurring in high concordance include concomitant fractures of the orbital floor and nasal fractures, although anterior cranial fossa extension, ocular trauma, other craniofacial injuries, and polytrauma must be ruled out. Indications for operative intervention include large defects, early or persistent enophthalmos particularly if causing diplopia, and rectus muscle entrapment. Various surgical approaches to the medial orbit have been described; however, the transcaruncular approach offers direct, reliable access without creating a cutaneous scar on the central face. A meta-analysis was performed on all studies reporting outcomes of the transcaruncular approach. A total of 228 cases were pooled, finding a favorable overall complication rate of 2.6%. Half of these complications required surgical correction and half resolved nonoperatively. Medial orbital wall fractures are an increasingly appreciated injury requiring clinical and radiologic assessments. When indicated, reconstruction of the medial orbital wall can be safely and effectively performed with the transcaruncular approach. Additional prospective outcomes studies are required to elucidate (1) the incidence of medial orbital wall fractures, (2) indications for operative versus nonoperative management, and (3) outcomes analysis of the transcaruncular approach compared with other approaches.

Volumetric analysis of anterior versus posterior cranial vault expansion in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

BackgroundSyndromic craniosynostosis is associated with a high incidence of elevated intracranial pressure. The most common treatment paradigm is to perform anterior cranial vault reconstruction in infancy followed later by possible expansion of the posterior cranial vault and midface advancement. Recently, however, posterior cranial vault expansion has been advocated as an initial step in treatment. We sought to quantify volumetric changes with anterior versus posterior cranial vault surgery in these patients. Materials and MethodsWe reviewed patients with syndromic brachycephalic craniosynostosis treated in our unit from 2002 to 2009 with existing preoperative fine-cut computed tomographic scans. Using computer software (Analyze; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) and computed tomographic data, the senior author simulated both anterior and posterior cranial vault expansions. Expansion was simulated with a series of translational advancements of the separated segments. Volumetric data were compared for each simulated procedure. ResultsThirteen patients underwent simulated cranial vault reconstructions. At 2, 10, and 20 mm of anterior advancement, the mean increase in intracranial volume was 1.8%, 8.8%, and 17.7%, respectively, whereas posterior advancements achieved 2.4%, 11.9%, and 23.9%, respectively. On average, posterior cranial vault reconstruction created 35% more relative expansion than anterior expansion at equivalent degrees of advancement (P < 0.001). In all simulations, posterior cranial vault reconstruction created greater intracranial volume changes than anterior reconstructions. ConclusionsThis simulation demonstrates that, in syndromic brachycephalic craniosynostosis, posterior cranial vault advancement achieves approximately 35% greater intracranial volume expansion compared with equivalent degrees of anterior cranial vault advancement. This may help guide decisions in treatment sequencing of patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

The transverse radial artery forearm flap.

Background: In an attempt to improve the versatility of the radial forearm flap, a new design was developed: the transverse radial artery forearm flap. Methods: The transverse radial artery forearm flap is designed elliptically in the distal palmar forearm with the long axis oriented transversely parallel to the wrist. The donor defect is closed by a V-shaped flap, which is elevated as a fasciocutaneous flap based on the ulnar artery by V-Y advancement. This second flap allows defect coverage without the need for a skin graft. From March of 1994 to February of 2005, the authors treated 39 patients with this flap. Free flaps were used in 36 patients and three patients were operated on with reverse pedicled flaps. Results: Twenty-five patients had head and neck defects, 11 patients had defects of the distal foot or great toe, and three patients had hand defects. In 13 cases, an osteocutaneous flap was elevated, and three flaps were transferred as sensate flaps. Maximum flap dimensions were 10 × 6 cm. The longest vascular pedicle in this series was 20 cm. All flaps survived. Except for two cases of delayed healing, no complications occurred at the donor site. Conclusions: The transverse radial artery forearm flap is more versatile than the conventional radial flap, with the additional advantage of a long vascular pedicle. Its design allows for harvest of a piece of radial bone, which is pedicled on a completely different portion of the radial artery than the skin paddle. Thus, the setting of the bony portion can be chosen liberally. Donor-site morbidity is reduced, and the result is aesthetically pleasing.

A 10-year review of frontal sinus fractures: clinical outcomes of conservative management of posterior table fractures.

Background: Frontal sinus cranialization is commonly indicated for posterior table fractures with significant comminution, displacement, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks. This study assessed the clinical outcomes of conservative management. Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of all frontal sinus fractures treated at a level 1 trauma center was performed using medical records and radiographic images. Results: A total of 875 patients with frontal sinus fractures were identified, and 68 had posterior table involvement. Nine died within the first 48 hours from other injuries. The remaining 59 patients constituted the study population. Average follow-up approached 1 year (342 days). The more common mechanisms of injury were blunt interpersonal violence (29 percent) and motor vehicle accidents (27 percent). Concurrent central nervous system injury was common (73 percent), and the average Glasgow Coma Scale score was 12.7. Posterior wall fracture pattern was nondisplaced and noncomminuted in 33 patients (54 percent) and comminuted and/or displaced in 27 (46 percent). Cerebrospinal fluid leak was recorded in 11 patients (19 percent). Conservative management was the more common strategy (78 percent), followed by open reduction and internal fixation with sinus preservation (12 percent), obliteration (8 percent), and cranialization (2 percent). Of the 27 patients with comminuted and/or displaced fractures, 16 (59 percent) underwent conservative management, and 11 (41 percent) underwent surgical management, but only one patient (2 percent) underwent cranialization. There was no incidence of intracranial infection, except for one patient who died from encephalitis secondary to a gunshot wound to the head. Conclusion: The vast majority of frontal sinus fractures involving the posterior table, including those with comminution, displacement, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks, can be safely managed without cranialization. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Delayed infection after a zygoma fracture fixation with absorbable plates.

A 48-year-old man who had received a bioresorbable plate fixation for a zygomatic bone fracture 13 months earlier visited our clinic complaining of sudden facial swelling. The facial computed tomographic scan showed the soft tissue swelling without any bony abnormality, and the symptoms did not improve after 1 week of antibacterial therapy. The patient had a diagnosis of a late infection caused by unresorbed plates, and exploratory surgery was performed. Partially resorbed plates and screws were seen, and we removed the remnants of such completely. The symptoms were relieved after the operation, and there was no recurrence during 8 months of follow-up.

Measuring surgical competency in facial trauma: the Arch Bar Placement Assessment Scale.

BackgroundSurgical education is in a period of significant change. Assessment of surgical competency is imprecise compared with cognitive knowledge and judgment. A surgical competency measurement tool may be useful for plastic surgery training programs and certification societies. We present a validation study of a novel measurement instrument for arch bar placement and dental wire handling. MethodsAn Arch Bar Placement Assessment Scale (ABPAS) was created via consensus by 2 craniofacial and 2 maxillofacial surgeons. Residents and faculty members of plastic and maxillofacial surgery (n = 20) then placed an arch bar on the lower jaw of a skull model. Performances were video recorded without revealing identities. Two study groups were created based on subjects experience level: group 1 (n = 10) previously placed fewer than 25 arch bars; group 2 (n = 10) previously placed more than 25 arch bars. Two craniofacial surgeons used the ABPAS to blindly grade surgical performance. ResultsThe ABPAS consisted of a 48-point rating scale that included a 23-point task-specific work list and a 25-point global rating scale. Pearson coefficient showed limited intraobserver (P = 0.97) and interobserver (P = 0.95) variance of test scores. The ABPAS demonstrated superior performance in group 2 in the task-specific work list [12.6 (5.5) vs 17.6 (1.5), P = 0.02], global rating scale [17.4 (4.4) vs 22 (2.1), P = 0.01], and ABPAS score [30 (9.8) and 39.6 (3.2), P = 0.01]. ConclusionsThe ABPAS is a novel measurement tool which assesses technical surgical skill and can identify surgical competency in arch bar placement and dental wire handling. This tool may have future use in residency training and continuing education.

Concomitant open reduction of a nasal bone fracture combined with a zygomatic fracture through a subciliary incision.

Nasal bone fracture is the most common of the fractures of the facial skeleton. For centuries, these injuries have been managed with closed reduction, but because of low surgeon satisfaction rates and high revision rates, open reduction is advocated in cases involving severe deviation of the nasal dorsum associated with septal fractures. There are many surgical approaches that can be used to expose the nasal bones, but we present a case where the subciliary incision was used to reduce and fixate the fracture in a patient with combined zygomatic fractures. Owing to the abundance of other concomitant facial fractures with nasal bone fractures, this approach can be used in patients with combined injuries to the facial skeleton, in whom an open reduction of the nasal bones is also required.

The Misconception of Case-Control Studies in the Plastic Surgery Literature: A Literature Audit

Background: Case-control study designs are commonly used. However, many published case-control studies are not true case-controls and are in fact mislabeled. The purpose of this study was to identify all case-control studies published in the top three plastic surgery journals over the past 10 years, assess which were truly case-control studies, clarify the actual design of the articles, and address common misconceptions. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for case-control studies in the three highest–impact factor plastic surgery journals (2005 to 2015). Two independent reviewers screened the resulting titles, abstracts, and methods, if applicable, to identify articles labeled as case-control studies. These articles were appraised and classified as true case-control studies or non–case-control studies. Results: The authors found 28 articles labeled as case-control studies. However, only six of these articles (21 percent) were truly case-control designs. Of the 22 incorrectly labeled studies, one (5 percent) was a randomized controlled trial, three (14 percent) were nonrandomized trials, two (9 percent) were prospective comparative cohort designs, 14 (64 percent) were retrospective comparative cohort designs, and two (9 percent) were cross-sectional designs. The mislabeling was worse in recent years, despite increases in evidence-based medicine awareness. Conclusions: The majority of published case-control studies are not in fact case-control studies. This misunderstanding is worsening with time. Most of these studies are actually comparative cohort designs. However, some studies are truly clinical trials and thus a higher level of evidence than originally proposed.

Aplasia Cutis Congenita Associated With Aplasia of the Superficial Temporal Artery.

Aplasia cutis congenita with or without congenital anomalies is a rare congenital disorder most commonly involving the skin of the scalp, as well as the skull and dura.The etiology is uncertain, and several theories, including vascular accident intrauterine period, vascular anomaly, intrauterine infection, teratogen, and aminiotic adhesion, have been proposed. One theory is that lesions of the scalp are usually caused by vascular anomalies.The authors report on a patient with aplasia cutis congenita presenting with a huge skin and skull defect combined with aplasia of the superficial temporal artery, which was thought to be the etiology.