Neil Tanna

Craniofacial microsomia soft-tissue reconstruction comparison: inframammary extended circumflex scapular flap versus serial fat grafting.

Background: The authors investigated the use of serial autologous fat grafting to restore soft-tissue contour in craniofacial microsomia patients. Methods: Patients with moderate to severe craniofacial microsomia were divided into two groups. Microvascular free flap patients had reconstruction with inframammary extended circumflex scapular flaps at skeletal maturity (n = 10). Alternatively, patients had fat grafting during multiple staged operations for mandible and ear reconstruction (n = 21). Sex, age, severity of deformity [determined by OMENS (orbital deformity, mandibular hypoplasia, ear deformity, nerve involvement, and soft-tissue deficiency) classification], number of procedures, operative times, and augmentation volumes were recorded. A digital three-dimensional photogrammetry system was used to determine “final fat take” and symmetry (affected side versus unaffected side). Physician and patient satisfaction were elicited. Results: Microvascular free flap and fat grafting groups had similar OMENS scores, 2.4 and 2.3, and similar mean prereconstruction symmetry scores, 74 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Although the mean number of procedures was less for the microvascular free flap group versus the fat grafting group (2.2 versus 4.3), the combined surgical time was greater for the microvascular free flap group. The complication rate for the microvascular free flap group was 12 percent and that for the fat grafting group was 5 percent. The mean microvascular free flap volume implanted was 131 cc, with a final measured volume of 106 cc. Mean fat grafting volume injected per case was 33 cc, with total fat injections of 146 cc and a final measured volume of 121 cc. There was a mean fat loss of 25 cc and 83 percent fat take. Symmetry score was 121 percent for the microvascular free flap group and 99 percent for the fat grafting group. No statistically significant difference in patient or physician satisfaction was noted. Conclusion: Serial fat grafting provided a useful alternative to microvascular free tissue transfer after skeletal reconstruction.

Treatment of Apert Syndrome: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Background: Patients with Apert syndrome have severe malformations of the skull and face requiring multiple complex reconstructive procedures. The authors present a long-term follow-up study reporting both surgical results and psychosocial status of patients with Apert syndrome. Methods: A retrospective study was performed identifying patients with Apert syndrome treated between 1975 and 2009. All surgical procedures were recorded and a review of psychosocial and educational status was obtained when patients reached adulthood. Results: A total of 31 patients with Apert syndrome were identified; nine with long-term follow-up had complete records for evaluation. The average patient age was 30.4 years. Primary procedures performed included strip craniectomy and fronto-orbital advancement. Monobloc osteotomy and facial bipartition were performed in eight patients, and all underwent surgical orthognathic correction. Multiple auxiliary procedures were also performed to achieve better facial symmetry. Mean follow-up after frontofacial advancement was 22.5 years. Psychosocial evaluation demonstrated good integration of patients into mainstream life. Conclusions: This report presents one of the longest available follow-up studies for surgical correction of patients with Apert syndrome. Although multiple reconstructive procedures were necessary, they play an important role in enhancing the psychosocial condition of the patients, helping them integrate into mainstream life.

Da Vinci Robot–Assisted Endocrine Surgery: Novel Applications in Otolaryngology

Endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgeries have been touted for their improved postoperative outcomes while preserving comparable efficacy to open procedures. These results provided impetus for the creation of the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA). This revolutionary robotic technology consists of a master console linked to a video cart mounted with robotic arms. The surgeon sits at the computer console, in front of a three-dimensional (3D) display gathered by a binocular endoscope (Fig 1). Three-dimensional movements of the surgeon’s hands in the console are translated to the robotic instruments to perform identical 3D movements. While transferring these intended operations, the computer filters out regular oscillations, such as resting tremors. The robotic tower supports the use of three to four robotic arms, which are attached to the video telescope and surgical instruments. These features separate the da Vinci system from other endoscopic instrumentation. While the emergence of robotic technology has been embraced avidly by several specialties including cardiothoracic and urological surgeries, otolaryngology has not widely implemented its use in the surgical management of head and neck diseases. In the porcine model, the da Vinci Surgical System has demonstrated to be effective in four different types of neck surgery, including a neck dissection and thymectomy. Surgical robotic use in human patients by otolaryngologists in the United States is limited to excision of a vallecular cyst. This report reviews our experience with two cases of robot-assisted endocrine surgery and, to our knowledge, represents its first reported application in otolaryngology literature.

Professional perceptions of plastic and reconstructive surgery: what primary care physicians think.

Background: The great breadth of the specialty of plastic surgery is often misunderstood by practitioners in other specialties and by the public at large. The authors investigate the perceptions of primary care physicians in training toward the practice of different areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Methods: A short, anonymous, Web-based survey was administered to residents of internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics training programs in the United States. Respondents were asked to choose the specialist they perceived to be an expert for six specific clinical areas, including eyelid surgery, cleft lip and palate surgery, facial fractures, hand surgery, rhinoplasty, and skin cancer of the face. Specialists for selection included the following choices: dermatologist, general surgeon, ophthalmologist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, otolaryngologist, and plastic surgeon. Results: A total of 1020 usable survey responses were collected. Respondents believed the following specialists were experts for eyelid surgery (plastic surgeon, 70 percent; ophthalmologist, 59 percent; oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 15 percent; dermatologist, 5 percent; and otolaryngologist, 5 percent); cleft lip and palate surgery (oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 78 percent; plastic surgeon, 57 percent; and otolaryngologist, 36 percent); facial fractures (oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 88 percent; plastic surgeon, 36 percent; otolaryngologist, 30 percent; orthopedic surgeon, 11 percent; general surgeon, 3 percent; and ophthalmologist, 2 percent); hand surgery (orthopedic surgeon, 76 percent; plastic surgeon, 52 percent; and general surgeon, 7 percent); rhinoplasty (plastic surgeon, 76 percent; otolaryngologist, 45 percent; and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 18 percent); and skin cancer of the face (dermatologist, 89 percent; plastic surgeon, 35 percent; oral and maxillofacial surgeon, 9 percent; otolaryngologist, 8 percent; and general surgeon, 7 percent). Conclusion: As the field of plastic surgery and other areas of medicine continue to evolve, additional education of internal medicine, pediatrics, and family practice physicians and trainees in the scope of plastic surgery practice will be critical.

Surgical Treatment of Subperiosteal Orbital Abscess

OBJECTIVE To determine the factors influencing the surgical approach to a pediatric subperiosteal orbital abscess (PSPOA), more specifically, comparing external (E) vs transnasal endoscopic (TNE) surgical approaches. DESIGN A retrospective medical chart review. SETTING Childrens National Medical Center in Washington, DC. PATIENTS All pediatric patients who underwent surgical treatment of PSPOA from 2004 to 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Age at presentation, presentation duration of periorbital edema before presentation, white blood cell count and temperature at initial presentation, preoperative radiographic location of abscess, and number of extraocular muscles displaying radiographic abnormalities. RESULTS Thirteen patients, 10 boys and 3 girls, were identified (mean age, 8.7 years [range, 6 weeks to 13 years]). Five patients were successfully treated with only a TNE approach, whereas 8 patients required an E approach. Location of PSPOAs and radiographic changes of extraocular muscles differentiated the patients in TNE and E groups. All patients had eventual resolution of their disease without any surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS Factors influencing the choice of surgical approach for the treatment of PSPOAs extend beyond surgeon preference. Patient clinical presentation and radiographic findings may help guide the physician in choosing an appropriate surgical approach.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy in patients with a history of reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy: how safe is it?

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy has gained popularity, but the question remains of whether it can be offered safely to women with a history of reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. The authors present their experience with nipple-sparing mastectomy in this patient population. Methods: Patients at the authors’ institution who had reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy before nipple-sparing mastectomy were identified. Outcomes measured include nipple-areola complex viability, mastectomy flap necrosis, infection, presence of cancer in the nipple-areola complex, and breast cancer recurrence. Results: The records of the nipple-sparing mastectomy patients at the authors’ institution from 2006 through 2012 were reviewed. The authors identified 13 breasts in eight patients that had nipple-sparing mastectomy following reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. Within this subset of patients, the mean age was 46.6 years and the mean body mass index was 25.1. Nine of 13 breasts had therapeutic resections, whereas the remaining four were for prophylactic indications. Average time elapsed between reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy and nipple-sparing mastectomy was 51.8 months (range, 33 days to 11 years). In all cases, prior reduction mammaplasty/mastopexy incisions were used for nipple-sparing mastectomy. Ten breasts underwent reconstruction immediately with tissue expanders, one with a latissimus dorsi flap with immediate implant and two with immediate abdominally based free flaps. Complications included one hematoma requiring evacuation and one displaced implant requiring revision. There were no positive subareolar biopsy results, and the nipple viability was 100 percent. Mean follow-up time was 10.5 months. Conclusions: The authors’ experience demonstrates that nipple-sparing mastectomy can be offered to patients with a history of reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy with reconstructive outcomes comparable to those of nipple-sparing mastectomy alone. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

The role of autologous fat grafting in secondary microsurgical breast reconstruction.

BackgroundAutologous breast reconstruction offers higher rates of patient satisfaction, but not all patients are ideal candidates, often due to inadequate volume of donor sites. Although autologous fat grafting is frequently used to augment volume and contour abnormalities in implant-based breast reconstruction, its clear utility in microsurgical breast reconstruction has yet to be defined. Here, we examined patients undergoing autologous microsurgical breast reconstruction with and without the adjunct of autologous fat grafting to clearly define utility and indications for use. MethodsA retrospective review of all patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction with microvascular free flaps at a single institution between November 2007 and October 2011 was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: those requiring postoperative fat grafting and those not requiring fat grafting. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, history of radiation therapy, patient body mass index, mastectomy specimen weight, need for rib resection, flap weight, and complications were analyzed in comparison. ResultsTwo hundred twenty-eight patients underwent 374 microvascular free flaps for breast reconstruction. One hundred (26.7%) reconstructed breasts underwent postoperative fat grafting, with an average of 1.12 operative sessions. Fat was most commonly injected in the medial and superior medial poles of the breast and the average volume injected was 147.8 mL per breast (22–564 mL). The average ratio of fat injected to initial flap weight was 0.59 (0.07–1.39). Patients undergoing fat grafting were more likely to have had deep inferior epigastric perforator and profunda artery perforator flaps as compared to muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous. Patients additionally were more likely to have a prophylactic indication 58% (n = 58) versus 42% (n = 117) (P = 0.0087), rib resection 68% (n = 68) versus 54% (n = 148) (P < 0.0153), and acute postoperative complications requiring operative intervention 7% (n = 7) versus 2.1% (n = 8) (P < 0.0480). Additionally, patients undergoing autologous fat grafting had smaller body mass index, mastectomy weight, and flap weight. ConclusionsFat grafting is most commonly used in those breasts with rib harvest, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstructions, and those with acute postoperative complications. It should be considered a powerful adjunct to improve aesthetic outcomes in volume-deficient autologous breast reconstructions and additionally optimize contour in volume-adequate breast reconstructions.

Endoscopic Lysis of Anterior Glottic Webs and Silicone Keel Placement

Objectives: Acquired anterior glottic webs occur most commonly after endoscopic resection of laryngeal papilloma involving the anterior vocal folds. Treatment of anterior glottic webs has included a tracheotomy with laryngofissure and placement of a laryngeal stent or keel. We have used an endoscopic technique of web lysis and placement of a laryngeal keel without tracheotomy over the past 7 years. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all cases of endoscopic web lysis and keel placement performed by the senior author (S.A.B.). Results: Over the past 7 years, 10 patients underwent the procedure, with a mean follow-up of 18 months. The length of the anterior web was up to two thirds of the membranous vocal fold. Outcomes analysis revealed a recurrence in 1 patient and 2 minor complications necessitating treatment. Conclusions: Endoscopic web lysis and keel placement offers superior results with less morbidity compared to open techniques.

Evaluation of plastic surgery training programs: integrated/combined versus independent.

Background: The authors aimed to differentiate between combined/integrated and independent (traditional) methods of plastic surgery training with regard to quality of trainees, caliber of graduates, and practice or career outcomes once graduated. Methods: To compare combined/integrated with independent residency program training, the authors conducted a Web-based survey of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons members looking at their experience and practice outcomes (n = 1056) and interviews of plastic surgery faculty looking at the quality of trainees (n = 72). The member survey evaluated background information, research credentials, pathway satisfaction, postgraduation activities, current practice, and academic affiliation. Faculty teacher interviews focused on knowledge base, diagnostic and treatment judgment, technical abilities, research capabilities, and prediction of future career success. Results: The member survey showed no difference (p > 0.05) between combined/integrated and independent trainees in practice type (cosmetic/reconstructive), practice volume, or academic achievements. Combined/integrated trained surgeons are three times more likely to recommend their training pathway and two times more likely to enter fellowship after residency. Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society membership correlated with a greater likelihood of having an academic practice at 5 and 10 years or more and higher professorship titles. Faculty evaluations showed that combined/integrated residents were superior in knowledge (49 percent versus 32 percent) but that independent residents were superior in technical ability (51 percent versus 20 percent) and research (57 percent versus 19 percent). Most faculty were unable to choose a pathway producing superior residents. Conclusions: Regarding future practice outcomes, there was not a superior training pathway. Regarding quality of trainees, there were differences in faculty evaluations, but there was no consensus on a better pathway.

The volume-outcome relationship for immediate breast reconstruction.

Background: Efforts to improve the quality of surgical care in the United States have led many organizations to advocate the use of high-volume hospitals for complex surgical procedures and/or comprehensive multidisciplinary care. The benefits, if any, of selective referral to high-volume hospitals for immediate breast reconstruction are relatively unknown. It is this gap in knowledge that forms the basis for the current study. Methods: Using Californias Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development discharge database, all patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 1999, were identified. Information regarding demographic, comorbidity, complication, and hospital volume characteristics was obtained. Patient comorbidity was graded using a modified version of the Charlson score. Annual hospital volume was categorized into patient quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of surgical complications. Results: A total of 2691 patients were included: 1271 had immediate autogenous tissue reconstruction and 1420 had immediate tissue expander placement. The complication rate was 11.6 percent among patients undergoing autogenous reconstruction and 2.4 percent among patients receiving tissue expanders. For autogenous reconstruction, complications were more likely in patients with comorbidities (odds ratio, 2.24) and in patients receiving care at very-low-volume (less than eight) and medium-volume (20 to 41) hospitals (odds ratio,1.81 and 1.90, respectively). For tissue expander reconstruction, patient comorbidity (odds ratio, 2.42) was the only significant predictor of complications. Conclusions: Hospital volume appears to be an important predictor of patient outcome with regard to autogenous reconstruction but not tissue expander reconstruction. Patient comorbidity predicts complications for both autogenous and tissue expander reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.