Raja Sawhney

Levator Ani Muscle Anatomy Evaluated by Origin-Insertion Pairs

OBJECTIVE: To examine the published literature and suggest a resolution to the confusion that exists in levator ani muscle descriptions and terminology. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was performed using the keyword “levator ani,” limited to human studies in women. References found in these articles were reviewed to identify research reported before 1966 and articles not included in the search. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were accepted if they contained direct observations of female specimens. Only those that contained specific descriptions or illustrations of the muscle origins and insertions in more than 5 female specimens were included. Review of 265 human studies yielded 9 qualifying articles, and reference tracing disclosed 3 additional reports. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The literature review identified 5 origin-insertion pairs consistently described in studies directly examining the levator ani muscle in women, but 16 terms were used by authors for these 5 components of the muscle. Labeled illustrations often provided more precise information than was provided in the text. Terms were reviewed for inconsistencies of usage and appropriateness of term choice. The terms puboperineal, pubovaginal, and puboanal (for components of the pubovisceral [“pubococcygeal”] muscle), along with puborectal and iliococcygeal, are sufficient to describe the divisions of the levator ani muscle. CONCLUSION: Although there was great diversity and conflict in terms chosen among the original articles, the number of origin and insertion pairs was relatively consistent among authors and confusion can be avoided by standardizing terminology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Tongue base schwannoma: report, review, and unique surgical approach

Base of tongue schwannomas are exceedingly rare and therefore often are not immediately included in the differential diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal tumors. After a thorough review of the English literature, we found only 6 previously reported cases of tongue base schwannomas. We are contributing a report of a 37-year-old woman with progressive dysphagia, dysarthria, and large tongue base schwannoma. Diagnosis was confirmed by imaging studies and biopsy followed by surgical excision designed to preserve nerve function. A number of surgical approaches have been described for tongue base schwannomas. Each has its own degree of postoperative morbidity. The use of a unilateral transcervical incision with blunt dissection was simple and quickly accomplished with protection of nearby nerves. Histologic identification of Antoni A and B areas along with strong and diffuse staining with S-100 stain pathologically completed the diagnosis of schwannoma.

DNA Methylation in Thyroid Tumorigenesis

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer with 1,690 deaths each year. There are four main types of which the papillary and follicular types together account for >90% followed by medullary cancers with 3% to 5% and anaplastic carcinomas making up <3%. Epigenetic events of DNA hypermethylation are emerging as promising molecular targets for cancer detection. Our immediate and long term goal is to identify DNA methylation markers for early detection of thyroid cancer. This pilot study comprised of 21 patients to include 11 papillary thyroid cancers (PTC), 2 follicular thyroid cancers (FTC), 5 normal thyroid cases, and 3 hyperthyroid cases. Aberrant promoter methylation was examined in 24 tumor suppressor genes using the methylation specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) assay and in the NIS gene using methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The frequently methylated genes were CASP8 (17/21), RASSF1 (16/21) and NIS (9/21). In the normal samples, CASP8, RASSF1 and NIS were methylated in 5/5, 4/5 and 1/5 respectively. In the hyperthyroid samples, CASP8, RASSF1 and NIS were methylated in 3/3, 2/3 and 1/3 respectively. In the thyroid cancers, CASP8, RASSF1, and NIS were methylated in 9/13, 10/13, and 7/13 respectively. CASP8, RASSF1 and NIS were also methylated in concurrently present normal thyroid tissue in 3/11, 4/11 and 3/11 matched thyroid cancer cases (matched for presence of both normal thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer), respectively. Our data suggests that aberrant methylation of CASP8, RASSF1, and NIS maybe an early change in thyroid tumorigenesis regardless of cell type.

Management of pathologic fractures of the mandible secondary to osteoradionecrosis.

Objective To review our experience with late Marx stage III osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible in patients who present with pathologic fracture. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods Thirty-seven patients were identified from June 1998 to August 2010 who underwent treatment of Marx grade III osteoradionecrosis with pathologic fracture of the mandible. All patients underwent reconstruction with osteocutaneous free tissue transfer and when possible underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy Marx protocol. Results The average time between completion of radiation therapy and presentation of ORN-induced pathologic fracture was 3.2 years. Sixteen patients developed ORN following tooth extraction. Sixteen patients had no previous documented ORN prior to presenting with pathologic fracture. Follow-up after surgery averaged 4.5 years with no recurrence of disease. The overall complication rate was 24% with no total flap loss. Of the patients, 95% returned to prefracture dietary intake. Twenty-six patients underwent a staged protocol, in which after resection and plate reconstruction, they underwent 20 hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) dives. They then underwent free tissue transfer followed by a further 10 HBO dives. There were no flaps lost or nonbony unions. Eleven patients did not receive HBO therapy as part of their surgical treatment plan. Again, there was no total flap loss, but 2 skin paddles were lost and 4 bony nonunions occurred. Conclusions Pathologic fracture in conjunction with ORN has a relatively high treatment complication rate. Free tissue transfer and HBO are the treatment of choice for this population.

Miniplate Fixation of Fractures of the Symphyseal and Parasymphyseal Regions of the Mandible: A Review of 218 Patients

OBJECTIVE To review our experience with miniplate fixation of fractures of the symphyseal and parasymphyseal regions of the mandible. METHODS A retrospective review of all mandible fractures treated from July 1, 1999, through July 31, 2011, by one of us (Y.D.) was performed. Intraoral, open rigid fixation of noncomminuted symphyseal and parasymphyseal fractures was performed using a combination of 2 miniplates that were either a 4-hole or a 6-hole miniplate using monocortical screws. The miniplates were 1-mm thick with a 2-mm screw diameter. RESULTS A total of 218 patients with noncomminuted symphyseal and parasymphyseal mandible fractures were included in this study. Eighteen patients (8.3%) with concurrent panfacial fractures and other indications were left in postoperative maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), whereas 200 patients (91.7%) did not require postoperative MMF. All patients in this series achieved bony union. The following complications were noted: plate exposure, 2.3%; malocclusion, 1.4%; wound infection, 1.4%; and tooth root injury, 0.9%. The use of postoperative antibiotics and either a nonlocking or locking system was not associated with significant differences in the rates of complications. CONCLUSIONS For noncomminuted symphyseal and parasymphyseal mandible fractures, the application of 2 miniplates with monocortical screws offers good surgical outcomes in most patients with minimal complications. The advantages of using miniplates include easy plate adaptability, no need for MMF unless indicated, small screw diameter, and provision of adequate load-sharing rigid fixation for simple, noncomminuted symphyseal and parasymphyseal mandible fractures.

Management of the thyroid gland during total laryngectomy in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The goal of the study was to determine the role of routine total thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy in patients undergoing total laryngectomy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Improving quality outcomes in head and neck free flap surgery with the use of a physician inpatient coordinator

Head and neck free flap patients require complex postoperative care. The quality of care for these patients often depends on their management from the time they leave the operating room. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a postoperative inpatient coordinator (IC) for head and free flap patients on quality outcomes: length of stay (LOS), 30‐day unplanned return to the emergency department (30dRED), 30‐day unplanned readmissions (30dUR), and complication rates.

A Review of Complications and Their Treatments in Facial Aesthetic Surgery

Aesthetic surgery has become increasingly popular in the last several decades, with facial aesthetic surgery accounting for a large percentage of the procedures performed. With this surge in popularity and the increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries and procedures completed, comes an inevitable increase in the number of complications encountered. This review elucidates common complications and effective management of frequently performed cosmetic facial surgeries. This article represents a general overview of the topic. For a more exhaustive review, the reader is encouraged to turn their attention to the facial plastics and additional surgical subspecialty literature. Aesthetic procedures discussed in this article include rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, facial augmentation, otoplasty, brow lift, blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing and chemical peels, and facial injections.

Endoscopic Treatment of Subcondylar Fractures

The purpose of this article is to discuss the treatment indications of condylar and subcondylar fractures. It also reviews the endoscopic approach and compares it to other treatment modalities with the goal of optimizing its use.

Predictors of returns to the emergency department after head and neck surgery

Thirty‐day hospital readmissions have become a measure of quality of care. Many readmissions enter through the emergency department. The purposes of this study were to determine the rate, risk factors, and costs of 30‐day returns to the emergency department (30dEDRs) after head and neck surgery.