Navid Pourtaheri

Unilateral Coronal Craniosynostosis in an Apert-Like Patient

Background and Significance: Apert syndrome is a congenital disorder of patients who typically present with bilateral coronal craniosynostosis and varying degrees of complex syndactyly of the hands and feet, among other features. We describe a unique presentation of a rare Apert-like patient with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis and complex syndactyly of the hands and feet. Case Report: A 2-year-old male patient presented to the craniofacial clinic with his mother due to a concerning head shape. The patient also had bilateral syndactyly of the hands and feet and underwent prior surgical release of the third web space. Computerized tomography of the head illustrated a small open anterior fontanelle, a left harlequin orbit, complete left coronal craniosynostosis, and a patent right coronal suture. The patient subsequently underwent fronto-orbital advancement for expansion of the cranial vault and correction of the asymmetric forehead and orbit. The procedure resulted in improvement of his deformity. Conclusion: This case illustrates a unique presentation of an acrocephalosyndactyly (ACS) syndrome with asymmetric, unilateral coronal craniosynostosis and complete complex syndactyly of the hands and feet that is most consistent with Apert syndrome. Although the majority of patients with ACS can be categorized into known syndromes, other more unusual presentations must still be considered. Such unique cases are exceedingly rare and only through additional reporting and review of unique phenotypes can new subtypes of common ACS syndromes be classified.

Microsurgery Training Resource Variation among US Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Programs

Background Given emerging focus on competency‐based surgical training and work‐hour limitations, surgical skills laboratories play an increasingly important role in resident education. This study was designed to investigate educational opportunities in microsurgery across integrated residency programs. Methods Senior residents (PGY 4‐6) at integrated plastic surgery programs were surveyed during the 2016 to 2017 academic year to determine each programs access to: training microscopes and anastomosis models, video‐based skills assessment, pre‐requisite skills exams, flap courses, or a formal microsurgical training curriculum. Programs were stratified based on large size (>18 residents) and presence of microsurgery fellows. Chi‐squared analysis was performed with p < 0.05 to assess statistical significance. Results Survey responses were collected from 32 of 60 eligible programs (53% response rate). Sixty‐nine percent provide access to one to two training microscopes, 25% provide three or more, and 6% provide none. Sixty‐nine percent of programs train anastomosis with nonliving prosthetics, 66% with living biologics, and 50% with nonliving biologics. Large program size or having microsurgical fellows was not associated with increased access to training microscopes or specific anastomosis models. Programs without microsurgery fellows reported more often that a formal microsurgery curriculum would be helpful (90 vs. 58% of programs with fellows, p = 0.0003). Respondents who indicated that creating a formal curriculum would not be helpful elaborated that their program already has a formal curriculum or a high volume of microsurgery cases. Conclusion This study demonstrates the current variation in microsurgery training at integrated plastic surgery residency programs. A formal microsurgical training curriculum is commonly viewed as being helpful, particularly at programs without microsurgery fellows.

Computerized tomographic evaluation of supraorbital notches and foramen in patients with frontal migraine headaches and correlation with clinical symptoms

PURPOSE To correlate the location and size of supraorbital notches (SON) and foramen (SOF) with migraine headache symptoms in a migraine patient population. METHODS A retrospective review was performed on consecutive patients who were candidates for frontal migraine surgery with available preoperative computed tomography (CT) images of the face/perinasal sinuses. The supraorbital anatomy from CT images was analyzed and correlated with presenting migraine headache symptoms. To assess for anatomic variations associated with migraine headaches, normative anatomic data were obtained by performing a meta-analysis. RESULTS Fifty-six patients were included, 95% were female, aged 17-80 (mean = 47) years. Bilateral SON were present in 58.9% patients, combination of SON/SOF in 25%, and bilateral SOF in 16.1%. SOF mean diameter (1.22 mm) was 45% smaller than SON (2.20 mm, p < 0.0001). The mean lateral distance from midline for SOF (2.74 cm) was ~0.5 cm farther than SON (2.25 cm, p < 0.0001). Migraine patients with SOF had 178.6% longer mean migraine headache duration (p = 0.0020), 9.8% higher intensity (p = 0.0052), and 91.4% greater migraine headache index (p = 0.0498) compared to those without SOF. Compared to normative patient data, migraine patients are more likely to have SON/SOF (100% vs. 83%, p = 0.0047) and have mean SON and SOF diameters that are 34.3-41.5% smaller (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION Nerve compression at SON and especially SOF contributes significantly to migraine headache symptoms, and these structures (if present) should be released during frontal migraine surgery. Given the variable presence and location of SON/SOF, analysis of available face/perinasal sinus CT images helps preoperative planning for foraminotomy and band release.

Surgical Management of Deep Brain Stimulator Scalp Erosion without Hardware Removal

Background: Scalp erosion in patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) hardware is an uncommon complication that lacks a clearly defined management strategy. Previous studies have described various therapies including conservative treatment with antibiotics and surgical debridement with or without hardware removal. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the efficacy of a hardware-sparing management strategy for the treatment of scalp erosion. Methods: Five patients with previous DBS implantation presented with scalp erosion and visible hardware exposure at the calvarial burr hole site, and underwent tension-free, vascularized, rotational scalp flap, with preservation of the leads under the pericranium. Two of the procedures were performed after an unsuccessful attempt at primary closure and 3 as a primary procedure. Each patient was followed clinically for at least 14 months postoperatively to evaluate for wound-healing and adverse effects. Results: The median duration from initial DBS hardware implantation to erosion and revision surgery was 12 months (range 1.5-62 months). Three patients were documented to have positive intraoperative cultures in spite of the absence of purulence. At the last follow-up, all patients were noted to have complete wound-healing and no evidence of infection or erosion. Conclusions: DBS scalp erosion can be managed by rotational scalp flap without hardware removal, even in cases where infection is identified.