Miles J. Pfaff

Clinical Outcomes of 5358 Patients Undergoing Direct Open Bypass or Endovascular Treatment for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose To examine clinical outcomes of endovascular and open bypass treatment for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). Methods Multiple databases were systematically searched to identify studies on open and endovascular treatment for AIOD published from 1989 to 2010. Studies were independently reviewed for eligibility criteria. Study selection and assessment of methodological quality were performed by two independent reviewers. Assuming between-study heterogeneity due to biases inherent to observational studies, a random effects model (DerSimonian-Laird method) was used for calculation of weighted proportions. Pooled weighted proportions or weighted means are reported. Twenty-nine open bypass studies (3733 patients) and 28 endovascular treatment studies (1625 patients) were analyzed. Results Weighted mean patient age was 60.4 years for open bypass and 60.8 years for endovascular treatment. Poor preoperative runoff was greater in the open bypass group (50.0% vs. 24.6%, p<0.001). Mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was 13 days for open bypass vs. 4 days for endovascular treatment procedures (p<0.001). The open bypass group experienced more complications (18.0% vs. 13.4%, p<0.001) and greater 30-day mortality (2.6% vs. 0.7%, p<0.001). At 1, 3, and 5 years, pooled primary patency rates were greater in the open bypass group vs. the endovascular cohort (94.8% vs. 86.0%, 86.0% vs. 80.0%, 82.7% vs. 71.4%, respectively; all p<0.001); the same was true for secondary patency [95.7% vs. 90.0% (p=0.002), 91.5 vs. 86.5% (p<0.001), and 91.0% vs. 82.5% (p<0.001), respectively]. Conclusion Although this study was limited by a paucity of randomized control trials, these results demonstrate superior durability for open bypass, although with longer LOS and increased risk for complications and mortality, when compared to the endovascular approach.

Analysis of midface retrusion in Crouzon and Apert syndromes.

Background: Midface retrusion is the hallmark of the syndromic dysostoses (i.e., Crouzon and Apert). Lack of forward projection and/or structural deficiency could be responsible, but neither has been adequately assessed three-dimensionally. The authors examined both the cranial base/facial interface and the midface volume to provide an understanding of the etiopathogenesis of midface deficiency. Methods: Children with computed tomographic scans in the absence of any surgical intervention were included. Demographic information was recorded for three groups: Apert, Crouzon, and control. Scans were digitized and manipulated using Materialise software (Surgicase CMF). Craniometric data relating to the midface and sphenoid were collected. Volumetric assessment of the midface was tabulated. Statistical analysis was performed using the t test. Results: Thirty-six scans were included (control, n = 17; Crouzon/Apert, n = 19). All children were in the early mixed dentition stage. The anterior cranial fossa proved to be shorter and wider in Crouzon/Apert patients compared with controls. The cranial base angles (N-S-BA, N-S-SO, N-SO-BA, S-SO-BA, and N-S-AR) were not statistically different across the groups. The Crouzon/Apert group showed angles more obtuse between the greater wings of the sphenoid, and more obtuse (more splayed) between the pterygoid plates. Nasion-sella-pterygomaxillary fissure angle was more obtuse (flatter) in the Crouzon/Apert group. There was no volumetric difference in the maxilla, zygoma, and sphenoid comparing the Crouzon/Apert group to controls. Conclusions: Midface retrusion in the Crouzon/Apert group is associated with altered sphenoid morphology (widened and retruded pterygoid plates), with a flatter and wider maxilla, suggesting diminished growth inferiorly and anteriorly. There is no volumetric deficiency in Crouzon/Apert patients compared with controls. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Plastic Surgery Applications Using Three-Dimensional Planning and Computer-Assisted Design and Manufacturing.

Summary: Three-dimensional analysis and planning is a powerful tool in plastic and reconstructive surgery, enabling improved diagnosis, patient education and communication, and intraoperative transfer to achieve the best possible results. Three-dimensional planning can increase efficiency and accuracy, and entails five core components: (1) analysis, (2) planning, (3) virtual surgery, (4) three-dimensional printing, and (5) comparison of planned to actual results. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of three-dimensional virtual planning and to provide a framework for applying these systems to clinical practice. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Zygomatic dysmorphology in unicoronal synostosis

INTRODUCTION Unicoronal synostosis (UCS) imparts a fronto-facial deformity, the hallmark feature being orbital and forehead dysmorphology. The facial and malar regions also consistently display asymmetry, however, zygomatic structural characteristics have not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to objectively analyze the zygomata of UCS patients compared to normal controls. METHODS Three dimensional-computed tomographic images and demographic information were obtained from normal control and UCS patients. Volumetric and morphometric analyses were performed and results statistically analyzed. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 68 zygomatic sides were analyzed: twelve control (6 females; mean age: 6.6 months) and 22 UCS patients (10 females; mean age: 5.1 months). The affected side was right in 55% (n=12) and left in 45% (n=10) of UCS patients. The affected zygomata were volumetrically deficient compared to unaffected and normal control zygomata. Unaffected zygomata demonstrated diminished volume compared to norms. Morphometrically, affected zygomata differed, while both the unaffected and control zygomata were similar. Age stratification revealed marked differences in zygomatic volume and morphometry between the affected and unaffected zygomata was greatest at an early age interval. CONCLUSION The affected UCS zygomata are on average smaller compared to unaffected and normal control zygomata. Moreover, distinct morphometric differences exist on the affected zygomata versus both unaffected and control zygomata. These differences are not addressed by commonly employed treatment approaches. Further studies evaluating the growth effect of UCS zygomatic morphology should be entertained.

Fat grafting in primary cleft lip repair.

Summary: The goal of primary cleft lip repair is to unify the lip elements and achieve a nearly normal appearance. Many techniques can confer satisfactory results; however, scarring and contour irregularities may persist. Lipofilling can modulate scar formation and enable soft-tissue augmentation. The authors hypothesize that fat grafting during immediate cleft lip repair may be of benefit. Patients who underwent primary cleft lip repair with and without immediate fat grafting were compared. Postoperative photographs were analyzed by three blinded reviewers. Cronbach statistics and a two-tailed t-test were used. Scar analysis revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in scar appearance and contour of the fat-grafted cleft lip repair. Immediate fat grafting may be a promising strategy to improve lip appearance, contour, and scarring during primary cleft lip repair. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Correction of severe enophthalmos by simultaneous fat grafting and anatomic orbital reconstruction.

Background Secondary enophthalmos correction, especially in severe cases, represents a surgical challenge. The complex injury pattern involving the hard and soft tissue warrants individualized multimodality treatment strategies. Even with seemingly successfully surgical execution, relapse or incomplete correction of globe position can occur. In an attempt to improve ability for correction, we have implemented concurrent endo-orbital fat grafting and orbital framework reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to describe our treatment approach and objectively analyze the results. Methods Preoperative and postoperative clinical examinations, Hertel measurements, and radiologic imaging were recorded. Orbitometric measurements were performed using a three-dimensional postprocessing software (SurgiCase; Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). A follow-up period of at least 6 months was taken for final evaluation. Results Postoperatively, all patients showed a significant improvement of the globe’s position. Neither visual impairment nor disability of globe motility was seen. Hertel and three-dimensional orbitometric measurements showed significant (P < 0.05) globe projection improvement representing a mean of 4.2 and 3.7 mm. Orbital volume (25.65 mL) significantly decreased after surgery (22.98 mL). Conclusions Alloplastic orbital floor reconstruction in combination with endo-orbital fat grafting represents an excellent method to achieve adequate globe support and positioning even in secondary enophthalmos correction.

Disseminating surgery effectively and efficiently in Haiti.

The need for surgical care in Haiti remains vast despite the enormous relief efforts after the earthquake in 2010. As the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide surgical care to its inhabitants. In light of this, a multidisciplinary approach led by Partners In Health and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is improving the access to surgical care and offering treatment of a broad spectrum of pathology. This article discusses how postearthquake Haiti partnerships involving academic institutions can alleviate the surgical burden of disease and, in the process, serve as a profound educational experience for the academic community. The lessons learned from Haiti prove applicable in other resource-constrained settings and invaluable for the next generation of surgeons.

PDE-5 inhibition improves skin flap viability in rats that are exposed to nicotine

Nicotine causes ischemia and necrosis of skin flaps. Phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) inhibition enhances blood flow and vasculogenesis. This study examines skin flap survival in rats exposed to nicotine that are treated with and without PDE‐5 inhibition.

Does phosphodiesterase inhibition lessen facial flap necrosis in tobacco cigarette users

Tobacco cigarette smoking remains a serious risk factor for necrosis of local facial skin flaps. To date, no pharmacological therapies exist for cigarette smoke-induced impairment of skin flap tissue survival. Accumulating evidence suggest that phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor therapy may counteract the negative effects of cigarette smoke on flap survival. Here, we evaluate skin flap survival in a series of consecutive tobacco cigarette users treated with the PDE-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, who underwent local flap facial reconstruction. We included 11 patients (5 females; median age: 64) with a significant smoking history. Seventeen facial flaps were performed for 14 defects. All patients received sildenafil in the postoperative setting. One complication of necrosis of the flap distal margin was encountered. Follow-up was available for all patients. Our results demonstrate that facial reconstruction in tobacco cigarette smokers can be performed with improved success and that sildenafil therapy may mitigate the deleterious effects of smoking on flap survival.

FGFR2c-mediated ERK–MAPK activity regulates coronal suture development

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) signaling is critical for proper craniofacial development. A gain-of-function mutation in the 2c splice variant of the receptors gene is associated with Crouzon syndrome, which is characterized by craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of one or more of the cranial vault sutures, leading to craniofacial maldevelopment. Insight into the molecular mechanism of craniosynostosis has identified the ERK-MAPK signaling cascade as a critical regulator of suture patency. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of FGFR2c-induced ERK-MAPK activation in the regulation of coronal suture development. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function Fgfr2c mutant mice have overlapping phenotypes, including coronal synostosis and craniofacial dysmorphia. In vivo analysis of coronal sutures in loss-of-function and gain-of-function models demonstrated fundamentally different pathogenesis underlying coronal suture synostosis. Calvarial osteoblasts from gain-of-function mice demonstrated enhanced osteoblastic function and maturation with concomitant increase in ERK-MAPK activation. In vitro inhibition with the ERK protein inhibitor U0126 mitigated ERK protein activation levels with a concomitant reduction in alkaline phosphatase activity. This study identifies FGFR2c-mediated ERK-MAPK signaling as a key mediator of craniofacial growth and coronal suture development. Furthermore, our results solve the apparent paradox between loss-of-function and gain-of-function FGFR2c mutants with respect to coronal suture synostosis.