Early Open Extensive Suturectomy for the Severe Multisuture Synostosis.

Neonates born with severe multisuture synostosis can present as an emergency. The severe craniocerebral disproportion with or without underlying hydrocephalus and retruded midface can result in raised intracranial pressure and airway compromise within the first few days or weeks of life. This presents a challenging multidisciplinary condition. There is no international consensus on management. There are limited publications available describing the approach to treatment. In our unit, children who present in the neonatal period with severe multisuture synostosis are offered early open extensive suturectomy within the first few months of life. The goals are; reduction in raised intracranial pressure, improvement in head shape and bone formation, and avoidance of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This is performed as an adjunct, not a replacement of other traditional skull vault procedures. We describe the technique and postoperative care without the need for a helmet that leads to excellent skull-shape outcomes and avoidance of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Androcentric bias in surgical equipment - What challenges do women face?

BACKGROUND: Increasing diversity amongst surgeons results in a wide range of sizes and strengths. There are many types of biases affecting women surgeons. This study evaluates what challenges women surgeons may have with surgical equipment. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to Women in Surgery social media groups in North America and Australasia between April 2022-July 2022. RESULTS: There were 480 respondents across the range of specialties. 453 surgeons were included. Median glove size was 6.5. Difficulty with use of surgical instruments due to size was reported by 89% of surgeons and 71% reported difficulty due to the required grip strength. One hundred and twelve different tools were reported to be problematic. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a potential source of androcentric bias which could be addressed to improve equity for women surgeons.

The Role of Airway Management on Feeding Difficulties in Children With Pfeiffer Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pfeiffer syndrome is characterized by craniosynostosis, mid-face hypoplasia, broad thumbs, and often multilevel airway obstruction. Airway management is often required, including the use of positive airway ventilation, nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), or tracheostomy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact an airway adjunct can have on feeding difficulties in children with Pfeiffer syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with Pfeiffer syndrome from January 1998 to January 2020 at one of England's 4 supraregional Craniofacial Units, Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Speech & Language Therapy case notes and medical notes were used to gather data, as well as the Oral Feeding Score component of the UK Craniofacial Outcome Score. RESULTS: Eleven patients were included. Six patients had no airway adjunct (55%): 3 had tracheostomy (27%) and 2 patients had NPA (18%). All patients with airway adjuncts were percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy/percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy fed. Those who did not require an airway adjunct had an Oral Feeding Score of 4.60 (SD: 0.49). The children who went on to have an airway adjunct had a mean preintervention Oral Feeding Score of 2.4 (SD: 0.8). The mean feeding score (postairway adjunct) in the NPA group was 2.0, compared with the tracheostomy group scoring 3.0. CONCLUSIONS: Children with Pfeiffer syndrome who require airway intervention have more significant feeding problems requiring feeding intervention. Although there were small numbers included in this study, there is a suggestion that airway adjuncts can contribute to feeding difficulties, particularly NPAs.

Mucormycosis in Burns: A Review.

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with a high mortality rate. It presents with scattered black/necrotic ulcers, white fungal elements, and progression of wounds despite seemingly adequate debridement. Diagnosis is confirmed on wound histology; however, this is often delayed. There is currently no comprehensive review of burn-related mucormycosis within the literature, making this the first article to provide evidence-based treatment guidance. We performed a review of publications from 1946 to the present. There were 151 cases of mucormycosis complicating burns. The mortality rate was 54.5%, and there was a significant increase in mortality with axial body site involvement compared with isolated peripheral involvement. The standard treatment was prompt and radical debridement. Utilization of frozen section to guide debridement aided in clinical decision making. No systemic treatment reached statistical significance; however, amphotericin B trended toward significance. Although there is no strong evidence for topical amphotericin B or hyperbaric oxygen, there may be benefit in some cases. This study recommends early radical debridement in conjunction with the European Confederation of Medical Mycology guidelines of IV liposomal/lipid complex amphotericin B more than 5mg/kg/day, with posaconazole 800 mg daily in divided doses as a salvage or oral step-down.

Outcomes following therapeutic lymphadenectomy for Stage III malignant melanoma in a single unit.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is the fourth most common cancer in New Zealand. Surgery is the only treatment modality that can achieve high cure rates for regional disease, but is associated with high complication rates. Our study documents the morbidity associated with regional lymphadenectomy; audits nodal harvest numbers and considers nodal harvest targets. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed regional lymphadenectomies for Stage III melanoma at a single tertiary centre from 2004 to 2014. Data was collected on patient demographics, site of operation, number of lymph nodes recovered, all complications within six months of surgery, loco-regional recurrence, distal progression and five-year survival. We also used key performance indicators (KPI) to assess the quality of dissection. RESULTS: A total of 219 lymphadenectomies were carried out. Forty-three percent of all patients experienced at least one complication. This was markedly higher for those undergoing a groin dissection. Recurrence, progression and survival rates did not vary between nodal basins. There was a mean of 31.6, 17.6 and 10.9 nodes recovered from neck, axillary and groin dissection groups respectively. Our KPIs were achieved in 80%, 86.6% and 90% of cases and resulted in a significant improvement in recurrence and progression rates. CONCLUSION: Lymphadenectomy has a high risk of post-operative complications, especially for groin dissections. Quality of lymphadenectomy can be assessed by monitoring nodal harvest numbers, and achieving nodal harvest targets provides significant prognostic information. We support the development of national tumour standards, including key performance indicators, for management of Stage III melanoma.