Trends in Management and Cost Burden of Facial Fractures: A 14-Year Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss patient demographics and management and better understand the economic impact associated with the treatment of facial fractures at a major metropolitan level 1 trauma center. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: We identified 5088 facial fractures in 2479 patients who presented from 2008 to 2022. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, treatment information, and hospital charges were collected and analyzed to determine factors associated with surgical management and increased cost burden. RESULTS: Our 14-year experience identified 1628 males and 851 females with a mean age of 45.7 years. Orbital fractures were most common (41.2%), followed by maxilla fractures (20.8%). The most common mechanism was fall (43.0%). Surgical management was recommended for 41% of patients. The odds of surgical management was significantly lower in female patients, patients age 65 and older, and patients who presented after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The odds of surgical management was significantly higher for patients who had a mandible fracture or greater than 1 fracture. The average cost of management was highest for naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures ($37,997.74 ± 52,850.88), followed by LeFort and frontal fractures ($29.814.41 ± 42,155.73 and $27,613.44 ± 39.178.53, respectively). The highest contributor to the total average cost of management was intensive care unit-related costs for every fracture type, except for mandible fractures for which the highest contributor was operating room (OR)-related costs. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents one of the largest comprehensive databases of facial fractures and one of the first to provide a descriptive cost analysis of facial trauma management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Type 3 Laryngeal Clefts Presenting with Upper Airway Obstruction without Aspiration.

Traditionally, otolaryngologists are taught that the defining clinical feature of a laryngeal cleft is aspiration. However, in a small subset of patients-even those with extensive clefts-the sole presenting feature may be airway obstruction. Here, we report two cases of type III laryngeal clefts that presented with upper airway obstruction without aspiration. The first patient was a 6-month-old male with history of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) who presented with noisy breathing, initially thought to be related to tracheomalacia. Polysomnogram (PSG) demonstrated moderate OSA and modified barium swallow (MBS) was negative for aspiration. In-office laryngoscopy was notable for a mismatch of tissue in the interarytenoid region. A type III laryngeal cleft was identified on bronchoscopy, and airway symptoms resolved after endoscopic repair. The second patient was a 4-year-old male with a diagnosis of asthma who presented with progressive exercise-induced stridor and airway obstruction. In-office flexible laryngoscopy revealed redundant tissue in the posterior glottis and MBS was negative for aspiration. He was found to have a type III laryngeal cleft on bronchoscopy and his stridor and upper airway obstruction resolved after endoscopic repair. While aspiration is the most common presenting symptom of a laryngeal cleft, it is important to consider that patients can have a cleft in the absence of dysphagia. Laryngeal cleft should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with obstructive symptoms not explained by other etiologies and in those with suspicious features on flexible laryngoscopy. Laryngeal cleft repair is recommended to restore normal anatomy and relieve obstructive symptoms. Laryngoscope, 134:977-980, 2024.

How Many Nodes to Take? Lymph Node Ratio Below 1/3 Reduces Papillary Thyroid Cancer Nodal Recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for the majority of thyroid malignancies; risk of PTC recurrence over a 30-year period is approximately 30%, of which 70% occur as nodal metastases. Patients with nodal disease who are treated with therapeutic dissection are at higher risk for recurrence, but optimal nodal yield has not been defined. We aim to determine variables predictive of nodal recurrence of PTC within the first 5 years of surgery, with a focus on lymph node ratio (LNR), to inform clinical decision-making. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 41 patients with nodal recurrence of PTC and 284 without nodal recurrence following thyroid surgery from 2000 to 2015. Cohorts were compared with regards to clinical history, surgical findings, and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: The fraction of the patients who underwent therapeutic central or lateral lymph node dissection was significantly higher in the nodal recurrence cohort. Maximum tumor size, presence of extrathyroidal extension, largest lymph node focus, LNR, postoperative thyroglobulin level, and administration of postoperative radioactive iodine were significantly increased in the PTC nodal recurrence group. LNR greater than 0.3 held the highest level of significance as a binary cutoff and captured the larger proportion of patients in the nodal recurrence cohort (68.3%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates characteristics to help assess risk of nodal recurrence of PTC and suggests LNR of lower than 0.3 is optimal to reduce risk of recurrence. The next steps include cohort studies to validate findings and weight variable analysis to optimize the extent of surgical therapeutic dissection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:1883-1887, 2022.

The Impact of Component Dorsal Hump Reduction on Patient-Perceived Nasal Aesthetics and Obstruction in Rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate functional and aesthetic patient-reported outcomes using validated metrics after component dorsal hump reduction (DHR) with spreader graft placement, which have not been previously reported. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care medical center. Participants underwent septorhinoplasty (SRP) with spreader graft placement with cosmetic, component DHR (cosmetic DHR), or SRP with spreader graft placement without dorsal hump reduction (noncosmetic, non-DHR). The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and the FACE-Q Satisfaction with Nose, Nostrils, and Social Functioning scales were administered to patients preoperatively and postoperatively (at 2, 4, 6, and/or 12 months). Pre- and postoperative NOSE and FACE-Q scores were compared. RESULTS: A total of 226 patients underwent SRP with spreader graft placement; 113 (50.0%) with cosmetic DHR and 113 (50.0%) noncosmetic, non-DHR (control). Patients who completed the NOSE and FACE-Q surveys preoperatively and at least at one postoperative time point were included. Both cohorts had a statistically and clinically significant improvement in NOSE and FACE-Q scores. There were similar improvements in NOSE scores in both cohorts. Postoperative FACE-Q scores were higher in the cosmetic DHR cohort despite lower preoperative FACE-Q scores when compared to the control cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are multiple techniques for DHR, component DHR with spreader graft placement has long been considered the standard. Therefore, it is important to note the significant postoperative cosmetic and functional improvements reported by patients who have undergone this procedure to compare to newer techniques as they evolve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:2157-2161, 2022.

The Impact of Upper Lateral Cartilage Release on Patient-Perceived Nasal Appearance and Obstruction.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Although upper lateral cartilages are commonly released from the dorsum of the septum during spreader graft placement in septorhinoplasty (SRP), there has been a focus on maintaining integrity of connections in the middle vault. Avoiding release of upper lateral cartilages in certain patient groups may represent an early step in this paradigm shift. We aim to assess satisfaction with nasal appearance and correction of nasal obstruction in patients who underwent SRP with spreader graft placement without upper lateral cartilage release and compared it to the traditional upper lateral cartilage release cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 559 patients who underwent SRP with spreader graft placement with upper lateral cartilage release and 30 patients who underwent SRP with spreader graft placement without release between 2012 and 2020 were administered the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), FACE-Q Satisfaction with Nose, and FACE-Q Social Functioning scales pre- and postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative NOSE FACE-Q, and negative inspiratory force (NIF) scores and changes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Results demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvement at follow-up for both groups. There was no significant difference between groups in mean improvement of NOSE, FACE-Q, and NIF scores at time of last follow-up. CONCLUSION: SRP with spreader graft placement with and without upper lateral cartilage release provide clinically and statistically significant improvement, and no significant difference in functional outcome. This suggests that upper lateral cartilages do not need to be released to achieve functional improvement and that surgeons should consider whether release is necessary to achieve goals of surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1189-1195, 2022.

Identifying Brigham and Women's Hospital stage T2a cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas at risk of poor outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although most of the poor outcomes with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) occur in high-stage tumors, 26% of nodal metastases and 8% of disease-specific deaths develop in Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) T2a tumors. OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors associated with poor outcomes (nodal metastasis, distant metastases, and disease-specific deaths) in BWH T2a CSCC. METHODS: A 17-year retrospective multi-institutional cohort study of primary CSCC BWH T2a tumors. A predictive model based on tumor characteristics was developed to identify those at higher risk of poor outcomes. RESULTS: Presence of 1 major criterion (primary tumor diameter ≥40 mm, invasion depth beyond subcutaneous fat, poor differentiation, or large-caliber perineural invasion) and ≥ 1 minor criterion (invasion depth in subcutaneous fat, moderate differentiation, small-caliber perineural invasion, or lymphovascular invasion) was most predictive of developing poor outcomes (area under the curve, 0.53; C-statistic, 0.60). This model has a sensitivity of 7.7%, specificity of 97.4%, and a positive and negative predictive value of 33.3% and 86.1%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence of poor outcomes in these tumors is 8.0% (95% CI, 5.1-13.7) compared to 2.8% (95% CI, 1.9-4.1) in other T2a tumors (sub-hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.5-5.8). LIMITATIONS: Multi-institutional cohort study was not externally validated. CONCLUSIONS: BWH T2a-high CSCCs have an 8% chance of developing poor outcomes.

Incorporating Virtual Reality to Improve Otolaryngology Resident Wellness: One Institution's Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Burnout is defined as work-related emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of accomplishment. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for various conditions related to anxiety, however, few studies have assessed its role for stress management in residents. We hypothesize that VR-based mindfulness meditation can reduce resident burnout in real-world settings. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized crossover trial. METHODS: Resident participants completed the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). One group used a VR-based meditation app; the second group received no intervention. After a 2-month rotation, all subjects completed an MBI and crossed over to the other arm. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare MBI scores before and after intervention, and to compare results by gender and postgraduate year. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess qualitative differences between participants. RESULTS: Eighteen residents completed the study. Five participants were female and 13 were male. Weekly use of VR-guided meditation and paced breathing was associated with a significant decrease in emotional exhaustion (P = .009), and on subgroup analysis, male gender specifically was associated with a decrease in emotional exhaustion (P = .027). In the post-intervention survey, 42.9% subjects reported that VR encouraged them to employ paced breathing techniques, 71.4% reported that they would use the technology if regularly available, and 21.4% reported they would use paced breathing in the future. CONCLUSION: VR-based therapy may serve as a successful tool in stress management and reduce the rate of burnout among otolaryngology residents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:1972-1976, 2021.

Surgical Outcomes With Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Enlarged Cochlear Aperture: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate surgical outcomes in patients with enlarged cochlear aperture (ECA) after cochlear implantation. DATABASES REVIEWED: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using standardized methodology. Studies were included if they included subjects with ECA who underwent cochlear implantation. Exclusion criteria included non-English articles, abstracts, letters/commentaries, case reports, and reviews. Bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. RESULTS: Out of 1,688 identified articles, 7 articles representing 23 subjects with ECA were included. Publication rates increased between the period of study from 2009 to 2018. Four studies were level 4 evidence and three studies were level 3 evidence. In total, 20 subjects underwent cochlear implantation. Cerebrospinal fluid gushers were encountered in the majority of cases that reported complications (16/17, 94.1%); one patient developed postoperative meningitis, and another experienced postimplantation facial nerve stimulation. No study provided measurements on cochlear aperture size or defined size criteria used to identify ECA. Four studies recognized X-linked deafness to be associated with ECA, and the most common mutation was in POU3F4 gene. CONCLUSION: An association exists between ECA and cerebrospinal fluid gusher, underscoring the importance of reviewing preoperative imaging. Size criteria are not well defined, and there is a paucity of data with respect to normative measurements. Many cases of ECA may give a genetic link. Although level of evidence of current studies remains modest, ECA reports have increased and will likely continue to expand with advancements in imaging and genetic testing.

Skull Base Osteomyelitis Complicated by Petrous Internal Carotid Artery Blowout.

Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is an invasive infection of the external auditory canal, with involvement of the skull base, typically in the elderly diabetic population. Diagnosis may be challenging, as it requires a combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiographical findings. The mainstay of treatment is long-term antibiotic therapy, but surgical debridement of the temporal bone may be necessary in refractory cases. Commonly reported complications include cranial neuropathies, meningitis, temporal lobe abscess, and dural venous sinus thrombosis. A rare and life-threatening complication of SBO is petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) blowout, which has been described as presenting with bleeding from the ear. Here, we describe the case of a 77-year-old woman with SBO complicated by a petrous ICA blowout, which presented with fulminant epistaxis. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of a massive hemorrhage from a petrous ICA blowout secondary to SBO and the first presentation with massive epistaxis. We present this case to raise awareness of this potential impending complication in patients with SBO and recommend consideration of this etiology when assessing patients with massive epistaxis in the appropriate clinical setting. Level of evidence: III.

Patient-Perceived Nasal Appearance After Septorhinoplasty With Spreader Versus Extended Spreader Graft.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Standard spreader grafts (SSGs) are commonly used in septorhinoplasty to treat internal nasal valve narrowing and have been shown to improve nasal airway obstruction. Extended spreader grafts (ESGs) have also been proven effective for correcting nasal deviation. To date, the effectiveness of ESGs using patient-reported outcome measures has not been demonstrated, and results of ESGs have not been compared to SSGs. This study aims to assess satisfaction and nasal appearance in patients who have undergone septorhinoplasty with SSG versus ESG. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Five hundred sixty-eight patients who underwent septorhinoplasty with SSGs and 126 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty with ESGs between 2012 and 2018 were administered the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and FACE-Q Satisfaction With Nose, FACE-Q Satisfaction With Nostrils, and FACE-Q Social Functioning scales pre- and postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative NOSE and FACE-Q scores, negative inspiratory force (NIF), and changes in these values were compared between groups. RESULTS: Results demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvement at follow-up for both groups. There was no significant difference between the SSG and ESG groups in mean improvement of NOSE scores, FACE-Q scores, and NIF at follow-up of 6 months and at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that SSGs and ESGs both provide clinically and statistically significant improvement, and no significant difference in functional outcome. Both techniques can be effective. The etiology of the nasal obstruction and/or deformity should be considered when deciding which type of spreader graft to use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:765-772, 2021.

Review of literature of saddle nose deformity reconstruction and presentation of vomer onlay graft.

OBJECTIVE: Saddle nose deformity is a well-described condition that most commonly results from trauma or prior surgery. For larger saddle nose deformity defects, bone grafts are a reconstructive option that provide adequate structure for repair. One new technique for repair of these deformities is a vomerian bone onlay graft. We aim to provide a review of literature on autogenous repair of saddle nose deformities, as well as introduce a new technique in which the vomer bone is used as an onlay bone graft. METHODS: Literature review and case series. Five cases in which vomer onlay grafts were used for repair of saddle nose deformity were reviewed between January 2013 and December 2015. Aesthetic outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated at subsequent follow-up visits in clinic. RESULTS: In all cases where vomer bone was harvested, the vomer onlay graft provided adequate structure to traverse the saddle nose deformity. No postoperative complications were observed in an 18 month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Vomerian bone onlay grafts are a reconstructive option for saddle nose deformity and nasal dorsum defects. While septal cartilage is commonly used, and ethmoidal bone has been previously described as an option for composite graft reconstruction, vomer bone onlay grafting has not been well described in the literature. This method may be of use when previous nasal surgery has been performed and standard septal cartilage is not possible to harvest. The aesthetic outcomes following nasal dorsum reconstruction using onlay grafts are favorable, but long-term outcomes of these grafts require further study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Unilateral Nasal Obstruction Causes Symptom Severity Scores Similar to Bilateral Nasal Obstruction.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the differences between unilateral and bilateral nasal obstruction with subjective symptomatology in nasal obstruction. This is a retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data of patients with nasal obstruction presenting to a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery clinic for evaluation and treatment. Patient demographics including age and gender were recorded along with nasal physical exam findings. These included internal valve narrowing (IVN), external valve narrowing, internal valve collapse, external valve collapse, and septal deviations (inferior and superior). Findings were reported for the left, the right, and both sides. Nasal valve and septal findings were recorded on 3- and 4-point Likert scales, respectively, for each side of the nose. A total of 1,646 patients were included in the study. On univariate analysis, a significant correlation was seen between Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores and all individual exam findings (p < 0.001). On multiple linear regression, total, left, and right septal deviation (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.007, respectively) and total, left, and right IVN (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001) were all predictive of an increased NOSE score. Patients with unilateral septal deviation or internal nasal valve narrowing have symptoms of nasal obstruction similar to those with bilateral nasal obstruction. Unilateral and bilateral septal deviation and internal nasal valve narrowing are predictive of having an increased NOSE score. Unilateral nasal obstruction should be recognized and treated as a cause for severe symptomatic nasal obstruction despite a normal contralateral nasal exam.

A 10-year Retrospective Review of Botulinum Toxin Injections and Surgical Management of Sialorrhea.

Background Sialorrhea is a common comorbidity among children with neurologic disorders. Botulinum toxin injections and surgical procedures are recommended for the management of pathological sialorrhea in patients who fail conservative management or with concerns for salivary aspiration. The following review evaluates outcomes following botulinum toxin injections and surgical interventions for sialorrhea over a 10-year period with a focus on treatment options and outcomes for patients with anterior and posterior drooling. Methods The study included all patients less than 25 years of age who underwent a procedure for drooling (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42440, 42450, 42509, 42510, 64611 matched with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes 527.7 and K11.7) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. A chart review collected demographics, drooling medication use, and type of drooling (anterior, posterior, both). Outcome variables included pre- and post-procedure number of bibs, parent-reported outcomes, post-intervention drooling medication requirement, post-procedure length of stay, and complications. Results Seventy-one patients were included in our analysis, with 88 total procedures performed. The average age at first intervention was 8.9 years; 43 patients were male and 40 patients had cerebral palsy. Thirty-one patients experienced posterior drooling or anterior/posterior drooling. These patients were more likely to undergo surgery as the first invasive intervention. The most commonly performed interventions were botulinum toxin injections (28 patients, 39%) and sublingual gland excision (SLGE) with submandibular duct ligation (SMDL) (36 patients, 51%). Improvement following injections was noted in 56% of patients versus 73% of patients following any surgical intervention. Conclusion Management of drooling is complex with 18 different procedures performed over 10 years. Surgical interventions, specifically SLGE with SMDL and submandibular gland excision (SMGE), result in substantial improvement; these are commonly performed as the first intervention in patients with posterior drooling. By reviewing our experience, we hope to guide management decisions and help manage patient and caregiver expectations.

Locoregional Flap Closure for High-risk Multilevel Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative wound complications pose a challenge to patients undergoing complex spine surgery. Long-term sequelae can be devastating including decreased quality of life, meningitis, prolonged hospital stay, and need for reoperation. Among high-risk patients, postoperative wound complications have been shown to approach 40% in the literature. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for postoperative complications following soft-tissue reconstruction after high-risk spine surgery with the hypothesis that it would result in significantly fewer postoperative wound complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of 67 consecutive spine operations at an academic, tertiary care center was performed, evaluating outcomes with a single plastic surgeon in conjunction with the spine surgery team. Data regarding patient demographics, perioperative risk variables, flap type, location of defect, and postoperative outcomes were obtained through retrospective chart review. Complications included soft-tissue complications and a number of reoperations. A bivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of postoperative complication. These data were compared to literature-reported averages. RESULTS: A total of 67 consecutive spinal reconstructive operations were included with a mean follow-up of 11.8 months. Thirty-seven patients (55.2%) underwent immediate reconstruction at the time of the index operation, and 30 (44.8%) underwent delayed reconstruction for secondary wound healing problems following the index operation (in which plastic surgery was not involved). The majority of both immediate (95%, n = 35) and delayed (100%, n = 30) patients was defined as high risk based on literature standards. Patients in this series demonstrated a 7.5% complication rate, compared to 18.7% complication rate in the literature. We did not find a difference between major wound complications in the immediate (8.1%) or delayed (6.7%) reconstructive setting (P > 0.99). There were no specific variables identified that predicted postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates a postoperative complication rate of 7.5% among patients undergoing paraspinous or locoregional muscle flap closure by plastic surgery, which is significantly lower than that reported in contemporary literature for these high-risk patients.

Prepectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction: Safety Outcome Endpoints and Delineation of Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Continued evolution of implant-based breast reconstruction involves immediate placement of the implant above the pectoralis muscle. The shift to prepectoral breast reconstruction is driven by goals of decreasing morbidity such as breast animation deformity, range-of-motion problems, and pain, and is made possible by improvements in mastectomy skin flap viability. To define clinical factors to guide patient selection for direct-to-implant prepectoral implant reconstruction, this study compares safety endpoints and risk factors between prepectoral and subpectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction cohorts. The authors hypothesized that prepectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction is a safe alternative to subpectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified patients who underwent prepectoral and subpectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction, performed by a team of five surgical oncologists and two plastic surgeons. Univariate analysis compared patient characteristics between cohorts. A penalized logistic regression model was constructed to identify relationships between postoperative complications and covariate risk factors. RESULTS: A cohort of 114 prepectoral direct-to-implant patients was compared with 142 subpectoral direct-to-implant patients. The results of the penalized regression model demonstrated equivalence in safety metrics between prepectoral direct-to-implant and subpectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction, including seroma (p = 0.0883), cancer recurrence (p = 0.876), explantation (p = 0.992), capsular contracture (p = 0.158), mastectomy skin flap necrosis (p = 0.769), infection (p = 0.523), hematoma (p = 0.228), and revision (p = 0.122). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction is a safe alternative to subpectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction. Given the low morbidity and elimination of animation deformity, prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction should be considered when the mastectomy skin flap is robust. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Evaluation of capsular contracture following immediate prepectoral versus subpectoral direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.

Capsular contracture is a common adverse outcome following implant breast reconstruction, often associated with radiation treatment. The authors hypothesize that muscle fibrosis is the main contributor of breast reconstruction contracture after radiation. Retrospective chart review identified patients that underwent DTI reconstruction with pre-or post-operative breast irradiation. Signs of capsular contracture were assessed using clinic notes and independent graders reviewing two-dimensional images and anatomic landmarks. Capsular contracture rate was greater in the subpectoral vs. prepectoral group (n = 28, 51.8% vs. n = 12, 30.0%, p = 0.02). When compared to prepectoral DTI reconstruction in irradiated patients, subpectoral implant placement was nearly 4 times as likely to result in capsular contracture (p < 0.01). Rates of explantation, infection, tissue necrosis, and hematoma were comparable between groups. We also found that when subpectoral patients present with breast contracture, chemoparalysis of the muscle alone can resolve breast asymmetry, corroborating that muscle is a key contributor to breast contracture. As prepectoral breast reconstruction is gaining popularity, there have been questions regarding outcome following radiation treatment. This study suggest that prepectoral breast reconstruction is safe in an irradiated patient population, and in fact compares favorably with regard to breast contracture.

Associations between national financial trends and facial plastic surgery procedural volume.

OBJECTIVE(S): To characterize procedural trends in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures in relation to the United States economy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study examining annual procedure rates were determined from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Procedural Statistics from January 1 2007 to December 30, 2017. Procedures were compared to economic activity of the United States as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) were compared using Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness of fit testing and piecewise multivariate regression modeling. RESULTS: Annual trends in procedural rates showed an overall decrease in the rates of rhinoplasty (284,960 to 218,924), blepharoplasty (240,660 to 209,571), and otoplasty (28,571 to 23,433) from 2007 to 2017. Total cosmetic surgery remained fairly stable, while minimally invasive cosmetic surgery increased in frequency over the study period. On piecewise regression analysis, rhinoplasty (P = .02), rhytidectomy (P = .007), invasive cosmetic surgery (P < .001) were significantly associated with GDP, whereas otoplasty (P = .98) and reconstructive surgery (P = .11) were not associated with GDP. CONCLUSION: Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures show a greater correlation to GDP than reconstructive procedures. Trends in plastic surgery cases over the last decade show a decreasing number of rhinoplasty, otoplasty, and blepharoplasty, with stabilization in the last few years. An increasing number of reconstructive cases are found. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:632-636, 2020.

The Role of Body Mass Index on Hearing Outcomes After Stapes Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Increased body mass index (BMI) has been associated with postoperative complications in multiple surgical specialties. In otologic surgery involving the stapes, where appropriate patient positioning and surgical dexterity are necessary for proper prosthesis placement, patients with higher BMI could make surgery more challenging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of BMI on outcomes after stapes surgery. METHODS: Medical records were examined from January 2015 to December 2017 in patients undergoing stapedectomy or stapedotomy at two tertiary care facilities. A retrospective cohort analysis comparing hearing outcomes on postoperative audiogram following procedural intervention with BMI was performed. The primary outcome was postoperative air-bone gap (dB) on audiogram. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty three stapedotomy and stapedectomy patients were included in the study. Six percent had BMI less than 18.5 (underweight), 30% had BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 (normal weight), 38% had BMI between 25 and 29.9 (overweight), 24% had BMI above 30 (obese). The mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 27.0 dB (standard deviation [SD] 15) and 10.4 dB (SD 10.6), respectively, with a postoperative ABG less than or equal to 20 dB in 87% of cases. There were no significant differences in postoperative ABG results when comparing the BMI categories (p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Stapedotomy and stapedectomy are effective surgeries that can be performed by experienced surgeons with successful hearing improvement. While high BMI patients may be a challenge to position appropriately for their surgery, this does not translate to altered otologic outcomes for these patients.