Sashank Reddy

Clinical outcomes in cranioplasty: risk factors and choice of reconstructive material.

Background: Continuing advances in cranioplasty have enabled repair of increasingly complicated cranial defects. However, the optimal materials and approaches for particular clinical scenarios remain unclear. This study examines outcomes following cranioplasty for a variety of indications in patients treated with alloplastic material, autogenous tissue, or a combination of both. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis on 180 patients who had 195 cranioplasties performed between 1993 and 2010. Results: Materials used for cranioplasty included alloplastic for 42.6 percent (83 of 195), autologous for 19.0 percent (37 of 195), and both combined for 38.5 percent (75 of 195). Mean defect size was 70.5 cm2. A subset of patients had undergone previous irradiation (12.2 percent; 22 of 180) or had preoperative infections (30.6 percent; 55 of 180). The most common complication was postoperative infection (15.9 percent; 31 of 195). Factors that significantly predisposed to complications included preoperative radiation, previous infection, and frontal location. Preoperative radiation was the strongest predictor of having any postoperative complications, with an adjusted odds ratio of 6.91 (p < 0.005). Irradiated patients (OR, 7.96; p < 0.05) and patients undergoing frontal cranioplasties (OR, 2.83; p < 0.05) were more likely to require repeated operation. Preoperative infection predisposed patients to exposure of hardware in alloplastic reconstructions (OR, 3.13; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Despite the evolution of cranioplasty techniques and materials, complications are not uncommon. The choice of reconstructive material may modify the risk of developing postoperative complications but appears less important than the clinical history in affecting outcome. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Breast cancer recurrence following postmastectomy reconstruction compared to mastectomy with no reconstruction.

Background:Continuing advances in breast reconstruction have provided surgeons with a multitude of reconstructive options. Concerns remain, however, about the effects of the various reconstructive methods on ultimate oncologic outcome. This study compares incidence, detection, and management of recurrent breast cancer in a large series of patients treated with mastectomy alone or with mastectomy and various forms of reconstruction. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent mastectomy and/or immediate reconstruction for breast cancer at our institution between January 1999 and December 2006. The 921 patients were divided into 2 groups: mastectomy and reconstruction (n = 494) and mastectomy alone (n = 427). All modern reconstructive methods were included. Patients were followed for a mean of 4.5 years. Results:The total incidence of recurrence—locoregional and/or distant—was 5.9% in patients who had mastectomy with reconstruction and 11.5% in patients who had mastectomy alone (P < 0.0023). The incidence of locoregional recurrence only was 2.2% in patients who had mastectomy with reconstruction and 4.0% in patients who had mastectomy alone (P = 0.1220). Of the 11 reconstructed patients with a locoregional recurrence, all recurrences were detected by self or clinical examination. Median time to detection was the same in both groups: 1.6 years (P = 0.5471). Conclusions:Reconstruction with a variety of methods does not adversely affect the incidence or time to detection of recurrent breast cancer. Further, our data point to an important role for physical examination in tumor surveillance after mastectomy and reconstruction.

Severe infectious complications following frontal sinus fracture: the impact of operative delay and perioperative antibiotic use.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a delay in operative management of frontal sinus fractures is associated with increased risk of serious infections. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed of 242 consecutive patients with surgically managed frontal sinus fractures who presented to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center between 1996 and 2011. Collected patient characteristics included demographics, surgical management, hospital course, and complications. All computed tomographic imaging was reviewed to evaluate involvement of the posterior table and nasofrontal outflow tract. Serious infections included meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, frontal sinus abscess, and osteomyelitis. Delayed operative interventions were defined as procedures performed more than 48 hours after admission. Adjusted relative risk estimates were obtained using multivariable regression. Results: There were 14 serious infections (5.8 percent). All patients with serious infections had both involvement of the posterior table and nasofrontal outflow tract injury. The cumulative incidence of serious infection in these patients was 10.8 percent. After adjustments for confounding, multivariable regression showed that operative delay beyond 48 hours was independently associated with a 4.03-fold (p < 0.05) increased risk for serious infection; external cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheter use and local soft-tissue infection conferred a 4.09-fold (p < 0.05) and 5.10-fold (p < 0.001) increased risk, respectively. Antibiotic use beyond 48 hours postoperatively was not associated with fewer infections. Conclusions: Delay in operative management of frontal sinus fractures in patients requiring operative intervention is associated with an increased risk for serious infections. Continued antibiotic prophylaxis beyond the perioperative period provides little benefit in preventing serious infections. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum After Breast Surgery: Diagnostic Pearls and Treatment Recommendations Based on a Systematic Literature Review.

BackgroundPyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare cutaneous disorder that poses a diagnostic challenge in the postoperative period. A systematic literature review was performed to determine distinguishing characteristics of PG in the setting of breast surgery that can facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for articles with cases of PG occurring after breast surgery. Forty-three relevant articles, including 49 case reports, were identified. ResultsPG manifested bilaterally in 30 of 34 cases (88%) in which bilateral surgery was performed. Abdominal wounds were present in 6 of 7 cases in which an abdominal donor site was used for breast reconstruction. Nipples were spared from wound involvement in 33 of 37 cases (89%) in which nipples were present after surgery. Presence of fever was noted in 27 cases (55%) and leukocytosis in 21 cases (43%). A total of 33 patients (67%) underwent wound debridement. Successful medical treatment most commonly involved steroids (41 cases, 84%) and cyclosporine (10 cases, 20%). ConclusionsPertinent clinical features were identified that may aid in timely diagnosis and treatment of PG after breast surgery. Appearance of discrete wounds involving multiple surgical sites that surround but spare the nipples should raise suspicion for PG rather than infection or ischemia, even with concomitant fever and leukocytosis. Wound debridement should be minimized and skin grafting considered only after medical therapy is initiated. Cognizance of these features may enable prompt therapeutic intervention that minimizes morbidity and improves outcomes.

Does Formal Research Training Lead to Academic Success in Plastic Surgery? A Comprehensive Analysis of U.S. Academic Plastic Surgeons.

INTRODUCTION It is currently unknown whether formal research training has an influence on academic advancement in plastic surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether formal research training was associated with higher research productivity, academic rank, and procurement of extramural National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding in plastic surgery, comparing academic surgeons who completed said research training with those without. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of full-time academic plastic surgeons in the United States. The main predictor variable was formal research training, defined as completion of a postdoctoral research fellowship or attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The primary outcome was scientific productivity measured by the Hirsh-index (h-index, the number of publications, h that have at least h citations each). The secondary outcomes were academic rank and NIH funding. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple regression statistics were computed. RESULTS A total of 607 academic surgeons were identified from 94 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited plastic surgery training programs. In all, 179 (29.5%) surgeons completed formal research training. The mean h-index was 11.7 ± 9.9. And, 58 (9.6%) surgeons successfully procured NIH funding. The distribution of academic rank was the following: endowed professor (5.4%), professor (23.9%), associate professor (23.4%), assistant professor (46.0%), and instructor (1.3%). In a multiple regression analysis, completion of formal research training was significantly predictive of a higher h-index and successful procurement of NIH funding. CONCLUSION Current evidence demonstrates that formal research training is associated with higher scientific productivity and increased likelihood of future NIH funding.

Facial fractures of the upper craniofacial skeleton predict mortality and occult intracranial injury after blunt trauma: an analysis

Purpose The aim of this article was to assess how regional facial fracture patterns predict mortality and occult intracranial injury after blunt trauma. Methods Retrospective chart review was performed for blunt-mechanism craniofacial fracture patients who presented to an urban trauma center from 1998 to 2010. Fractures were confirmed by author review of computed tomographic imaging and then grouped into 1 of 5 patterns of regional involvement representing all possible permutations of facial-third injury. Mortality and the presence of occult intracranial injury, defined as those occurring in patients at low risk at presentation for head injury by Canadian CT Head Rule criteria, were evaluated. Relative risk estimates were obtained using multivariable regression. Results Of 4540 patients identified, 338 (7.4%) died, and 171 (8.1%) had intracranial injury despite normal Glasgow Coma Scale at presentation. Cumulative mortality reached 18.8% for isolated upper face fractures, compared with 6.9% and 4.0% for middle and lower face fractures (P < 0.001), respectively. Upper face fractures were independently associated with 4.06-, 3.46-, and 3.59-fold increased risk of death for the following fracture patterns: isolated upper, combined upper, panfacial, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients who were at low risk for head injury remained 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer an occult intracranial injury if they had involvement of the upper face. Conclusions The association between facial fractures, intracranial injury, and death varies by regional involvement, with increasing insult in those with upper face fractures. Cognizance of the increased risk for intracranial injury in patients with upper face fractures may supplement existing triage tools and should increase suspicion for underlying or impending neuropathology, regardless of clinical picture at presentation.

Rising incidence and aggressive nature of cutaneous malignancies after transplantation: An update on epidemiology, risk factors, management and surveillance.

Although immunosuppression has been a key component to the success of solid-organ transplantation, the morbidity associated with long-term immunosuppression remains a substantial burden, particularly as recipients of transplants live longer. Indeed, malignancy is one of the most common reasons for mortality following transplantation and the most common of these cancers are cutaneous in origin. Recently, the incidence of these malignancies has been on the rise, partly due to the fact that recipients of these transplants are living longer as a result of improvements in surgical technique, immunosuppression and perioperative management. Although there have been initiatives to increase awareness of cutaneous malignancies following transplantation, such programs are not standardized and there continues to be gaps in skin cancer education and post-operative surveillance. This review provides an update on the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical management, prevention and surveillance of cutaneous malignancies.

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) Mutation Related Syndromic Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis results from the premature fusion of cranial sutures, with an incidence of 1 in 2,100-2,500 live births. The majority of cases are non-syndromic and involve single suture fusion, whereas syndromic cases often involve complex multiple suture fusion. The fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene is perhaps the most extensively studied gene that is mutated in various craniosynostotic syndromes including Crouzon, Apert, Pfeiffer, Antley-Bixler, Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata, Jackson-Weiss, Bent Bone Dysplasia, and Seathre-Chotzen-like syndromes. The majority of these mutations are missense mutations that result in constitutive activation of the receptor and downstream molecular pathways. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with ultimate surgical fixation of the cranial deformity to prevent further sequelae. Understanding the molecular mechanisms has allowed for the investigation of different therapeutic agents that can potentially be used to prevent the disorders. Further research efforts are need to better understand screening and effective methods of early intervention and prevention. Herein, the authors provide a comprehensive update on FGFR2-related syndromic craniosynostosis.

Facial Paralysis in Children

Facial paralysis can have devastating physical and psychosocial consequences. These are particularly severe in children in whom loss of emotional expressiveness can impair social development and integration. The etiologies of facial paralysis, prospects for spontaneous recovery, and functions requiring restoration differ in children as compared with adults. Here we review contemporary management of facial paralysis with a focus on special considerations for pediatric patients.

Abstract 117: Preoperative Anemia Increases the Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Free Tissue Transfer: a Critical Analysis of 2135 Patients from the ACS-NSQIP Database.

Suday, M arch 9, 2014 develop an oronasal fistula but use of decelluarized dermis may be protective. When fistulae do occur, they do so most often at the junction of the primary and secondary palate. A deeper understanding of fistula formation will help cleft palate surgeons improve their outcomes in the operating room and will allow them to effectively communicate expectations with patients’ families in the clinic. 117 Preoperative anemia increases the risk of adverse outcomes in Patients Undergoing Free tissue transfer: a critical analysis of 2135 Patients from the acS-nSQiP database