Pediatric Dog Bites to the Face May Have Been Less Severe During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Pediatric dog bite injuries are one of the most common nonfatal injuries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children stayed at home more than pre-pandemic. The effect of the pandemic on severity of dog bites to the face in children has not been examined. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of dog bite injuries to the face in children during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to the previous year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for children with dog bite injuries to the head and neck region who presented to the emergency department at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta from March 2019 to March 2021. The predictor variable was the time of injury, and this was divided into pre-lockdown [control group (March 15, 2019, to March 15, 2020), ie pre-L] and lockdown (March 15, 2019, to March 15, 2020), ie post-L. The outcome variable was severity of dog bite defined as one or more of the following: 1) patient required sedation or general anesthesia for repair, 2) 3 or more regions in the head and neck were involved, and/or 3) surgical consultation took place. The investigators used a two-sample t-test, multivariable linear regression models, and modified analysis of variance and multivariate ANOVA tests to analyze the data (P-value < .05 determined significance). RESULTS: 712 children (370 males) with an average age of 6 years old (range, 7 months-18 years) fit the inclusion criteria. There were 381 cases in the pre-L and 331 in the post-L period. There were more cases on average per month pre-L (31.8 cases/month) than post-L (27.6 cases/month) (P-value = .26). There were 183 pre-L surgical consults compared to 75 post-L (48 vs 22.8% of cases, respectively; P-value ≤ .001). There were 52 pre-L cases that had 3 or more sites in the head and neck compared to 28 during the post-L period (P-value = .032). CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there may have been a decrease in the severity of dog bite injuries. This trend may demonstrate a consequence that is not a direct result of the virus.

Socioeconomic Profile is Associated with the Type of Firearm Injuries to the Head and Neck.

PURPOSE: Socioeconomic status (SES) describes social standing of an individual or a group. SES has been directly associated with violence. The purpose of this study is to measure the association between SES profiles and firearm injuries (FIs) to the head and neck. METHODS: This cross-sectional study reviewed patients at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia from January 2016 to June 2021. The study included patients who sustained FIs to the head and neck. The primary predictor variable was Distressed Community Index as a surrogate for SES. The primary outcome variable was type of FI (assault-induced firearm injury [AFI] or self-inflicted firearm injury [SFI]). Covariates were patient characteristics, distribution, and severity of FI. Univariate and bivariate analyses were calculated. The χ2 test was used for categorical variables. Independent t test was used for continuous variables. Statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-four patients met inclusion criteria. AFIs were statistically more frequent in young (AFI = 32.2; SFI = 42.2; P ≤ .001) and/or Black patients (AFI: n = 483, 86.3%; SFI: n = 40, 29.9%; P ≤ .001). Patients who sustained AFIs were statistically more likely to live in areas associated with high Distressed Community Index score (AFI: 64.8, range = 3.7 to 99.7; SFI: 54.4, range = 2.8 to 98; P ≤ .001). A statistically significant number of SFI patients presented with lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (AFI: 10.7, range = 3 to 15; SFI: 5.5, range = 3 to 15; P ≤ .001), and/or required tracheostomy (AFI: n = 56, 10%; SFI: n = 27, 20.1%; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who lived in economically distressed areas were positively associated with AFIs to the head and neck. However, SFIs were statistically more sever. More studies on the impact of current gun prevention programs and how to be addressed to at-risk populations is needed.

Does the Treatment Approach for Mandibular Condyle Fractures Impact Self-Perceived Quality of Life?

PURPOSE: There is no consensus in mandibular condylar fracture/s treatment. In medicine, quality of life (QOL) includes the individual's satisfaction toward their own health condition, disease, or treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate self-perception QOL outcomes for patients who sustained mandibular condylar fracture/s. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed patients at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia from November 2016 to June 2020. The study included patients who were at least 16 years old at the time of injury, diagnosed with mandibular condylar fracture/s, treated by close reduction or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), presented for 6-months post-operative follow-up, and had a valid phone number. The primary predictor variable was treatment approach. The primary outcome variable was mood. Covariates were demographics, injury details, and self-perception QOL questionnaire. Univariate, bivariate, and ordinal regression analysis were performed (P < .05 significance). RESULTS: A total of 108 patients met inclusion criteria. Response rate was 84.2%. Our data showed that patients who underwent ORIF treatment were statistically more likely to experience no or milder pain when chewing (tau = 0.390, P = .002), to not require pain medications (tau = 0.389, P = .002), to report larger maximum mouth opening (tau = 0.402, P = .0003), and to report better QOL (tau = 0.440, P = 7.407e-05). Ordinal regression analysis showed that patients who had undergone ORIF treatment were positively associated with better mood (estimate: -0.062; OR: 0.54; P = .29) and statistically significant associated with excellent QOL (estimate: -2; OR: 0.13; P = 3.99e-05). Patients who sustained class III Lindahl mandibular condyle fracture were statistically significantly associated with depressed mood (estimate: 1.46; OR: 4.33; P = .002). CONCLUSION: ORIF treatment was positively associated with better QOL when compared to closed reduction for mandibular condyle fracture.

Which Method of Transportation Is Associated With Better Outcomes for Patients With Firearm Injuries to the Head and Neck?

BACKGROUND: In firearm injuries (FI), rapid transportation is important for survival. Information regarding different methods of transportation for head and neck FI is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to measure the association between method of transportation and the need for tracheostomy and/or intensive care unit (ICU). STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed patients in Trauma Registry at Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) in Atlanta, Georgia, from January 2016 to June 2021. Patients ≥18 years old who sustained FI to the head and neck and were transported via ground emergency medical services (GEMS) or helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) were included. Patients who arrived at the hospital by foot, private vehicle, or transported from a different hospital were excluded. PREDICTOR/EXPOSURE/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: The primary predictor variable was method of transportation (GEMS: ambulance transportation to GMH vs HEMS: helicopter transportation to GMH helipad). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE(S): The primary outcome variables were tracheostomy (yes/no) and ICU admission (yes/no). COVARIATES: Patient, injury, and hospital-related covariates were collected. ANALYSES: Univariate analysis, χ2 test for categorical variables, and independent t test for continuous variables were calculated. Statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: Of total, 609 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 560 patients (483 males) with a mean age of 33.6 years old (range, 18 to 90) transported by GEMS. There were 49 patients (40 males) with a mean age of 44 years old (range, 18 to 82) transported by HEMS. Patients transported by HEMS were statistically more likely to have longer transportation time in minutes [13.2 (range, 5 to 132) versus 24.2 (range, 9 to 46), P= <.001], lower Glasgow Coma Scale score [9.9 (range, 3 to 15) versus 6.3 (range, 3 to 15); P= <.001], higher Injury Severity Score [19.3 (range, 3.7 to 98) versus 24.2 (range, 10.3 to 98); P = .007], require transfusion [195 (34.8%); versus 26 (53.1%); P = .013], tracheostomy [46(8.2%) versus 13 (26.5%); P = <.001], and/or admitted to ICU [169, 30.2% versus 24 (49%); P = .007]. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: HEMS was positively associated with more tracheostomy and/or ICU admission. Additionally, patients transported by HEMS experienced longer transportation time and severe injuries. HEMS triage criteria specific for FI to the head and neck should be developed.

Do Gender Differences Exist Among Victims of Head and Neck Injuries due to Intimate Partner Violence?

PURPOSE: The frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) is much lower in males than females. Data regarding IPV-related injuries patterns and characteristics in males are scant. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare patterns of IPV-related head and neck injuries between men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study reviewed cases of IPV at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia from January 2016 to August 2019. The study sample was collected from electronic medical records by identifying IPV subjects using a natural language processing algorithm and then cross-referencing the trauma registry to identify patients who sustained head and neck injuries. The primary analyses of interest were to measure the association between gender and the following covariates: age, race, insurance status, setting of injury, day of injury, social history, report of physical abuse, mechanism of injury, injury location, brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, facial fractures, other associated injuries, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and discharge status. Univariate and bivariate analyses were calculated. Statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: One hundred fifty six patients met inclusion criteria. There were 120 (76.9%) female patients with a mean age of 34.5 years (range, 16 to 67 years). There were 36 (23%) male patients with a mean age of 43.8 years (range, 18 to 77 years). Women were statistically more likely than men to have government-subsidized insurance (47 [39.2%] vs 7 [19.4%]; P = .03), positive alcohol exposure (27 [22.5%] vs 19 [52.8%]; P = .0001), positive illicit drugs toxicology screen (25 [20.8%] vs 13 [36.1%]; P < .02), report physical abuse (24 [20%] vs 0; P = .004), have subarachnoid hemorrhage (14 [11.7%] vs 0; P = .04), and/or lower extremity injuries (39 [32.5%] vs 5 [13.9%]; P = .03). CONCLUSION: Males tend not to report physical abuse; this behavior contributes to IPV under-reporting in males.

The Use of Urinary Bladder Matrix for Reconstructing Avulsed Traumatic Soft Tissue Injuries to the Maxillofacial Region.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to provide an overview of our initial experience utilizing urinary bladder matrix (UBM) for reconstructing avulsed injuries resulting from trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case series evaluated patients presented with avulsed soft tissue injuries to the head and neck who underwent reconstruction with UBM. Patients were treated by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service in Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (Baton Rouge, LA). Descriptive variables were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Eight patients (mean age 55.8 y) met our inclusion criteria. Wounds were located in the scalp (n=2, 25%), mandible (n=2, 25%), upper eyelid (n=1, 12.5%), cheek (n=1, 12.5%), nose (n=1, 12.5%), or neck (n=1, 12.5%). The depth of the wound extended from the skin to the subcutaneous tissue (n=1, 12.5%), muscle (n=2, 25%), bone (n=3, 37.5%), and/or cartilage (n=1, 12.5%). The mean wound diameter was 47.9 cm 2 (range 17-85 cm 2 ). Wounds were classified as acute (n=6, 75%) or chronic wounds (n=2, 25%). At 6 months, all patients had achieved complete healing with no need for additional surgical procedures (n=8, 100%) with a mean healing time of 36.5 days (range 14-90 d). CONCLUSION: Urinary bladder matrix minimize donor-side morbidity, eliminates contraction, and offers a wide range of product sizes to cover a wide range of maxillofacial soft tissue defects in a single-stage manner.

How Accurate Are Surgeons at Calculating Orbital Volumes?

PURPOSE: Bilateral orbital volume (OV) symmetry is imperative for successful orbital reconstruction to prevent complications such as enophthalmos, diplopia, and orbital dystopia. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of surgeon-led in-house OV calculation for reconstructed orbits after orbital floor fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional observational study of maxillofacial computed tomography scans for patients undergone orbital fracture repair by Emory Oral and Maxillofacial service at Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta, Georgia) from 2018 to 2020.The primary predictor variable was OV calculation approach (outsourced vs surgeon-led in-house approach). The primary outcome variable was OV. Secondary variables were age, gender, and race. Interobserver reliability was calculated with a 2-way mixed-effects model, intraclass correlation coefficients, 95% confidence intervals, and P values. Differences between OV (in-house and outsourced) were calculated using student t-test. Statistical significance was determined at P < .05. RESULTS: During the study period, 172 patients sustained orbital floor fracture. Of them, 49 patients (31 male, 18 females; 98 orbits) with the mean age of 41.3 years (range, 19 to 89 years) met inclusion criteria. Subjects with incomplete medical records and inadequate computed tomography scans were excluded from the study. The racial distribution in descending order was 87.8% African American, 8.2% Caucasian, 2% Hispanic, and 2% Asian. There was excellent inter-rater reliability for calculating uninjured OV (OV-U, P < .0001) and reconstructed OV (OV-R, P < .0001). The mean OV difference of outsourced approach was 0.8 cm3and for surgeon-led in-house approach was 0.07 cm3. There was no significant difference in OV difference between outsourced and in-house approach (P = .16). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, using open-source 3-dimensional imaging software is a reliable and a predictable method at calculating reconstructed OV in patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of orbital fractures. By having this software in our personal computers and laptops, one can easily calculate OVs in an efficient manner.

Temporomandibular Joint Acoustic Emissions in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Differ From Those in Healthy Children.

PURPOSE: Articulation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) generates sounds with specific characteristics known as joint acoustic emissions (AEs). The purpose of this project was to determine if AEs as described by the joint health score (JHS) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) differ from AEs in healthy children. METHODS: The investigators implemented a cross-sectional study with age- and sex-matched controls to compare AEs from 4 groups: (1) healthy subjects without TMJ sounds, (2) healthy subjects with TMJ sounds, (3) subjects with JIA without TMJ sounds, and (4) subjects with TMJ sounds. Predictor variables were JIA status (ie JIA/healthy) and joint sounds (present/absent). The outcome variable was AEs. Subjects wore a specialized headset and performed specific jaw movements that generated AEs. AEs were recorded and analyzed using an aggregated decision tree classification model that calculates a JHS for each group. JHSs were compared using a receiver operating characteristic curve and classification accuracies. The study team used a 2-tailed unpaired t-test to determine if score distributions were different. Significance was P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 51 subjects (102 TMJs; 37 females) with an average age of 13.1 years (range, 7 to 18) participated. Children with JIA and TMJ sounds had AEs with large repetitive clicks. Children with JIA without sounds had smaller repetitive clicks. Healthy children had grinding sounds with lower amplitude. The receiver operating characteristic curve had a classification accuracy of 71.6%. This accuracy compares against the gold standard clinical assessment for placing these patients into their groups (JIA vs healthy). JHSs of children with TMJ sounds and children with JIA and TMJ sounds were statistically significant (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: In our sample, the AE of TMJs in healthy children may be different than that in children with JIA. Assessment of an AE is a promising and noninvasive technique to determine involvement of TMJs in children with JIA.

Head and Neck Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in Children.

PURPOSE: Controversy exists among head and neck surgical specialties regarding management of Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). The purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnosis, management, and treatment outcomes in children with LCH of the head and neck. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of children with LCH of the head and neck who presented to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital from 2009 to 2021. The independent variables were demographic information, lesion locations, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, diagnostic workup, treatment, and length of follow-up. The patients were grouped based on these variables. The outcome variable was disease reactivation. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: There were 3 presentations of LCH of the head and neck. Group 1 presented as a lesion in 1 system without CNS risk (SS-). There were 24 patients with an average age of 10 years. Lesions were located in calvaria and/or mandible. Majority of the patients were treated with only debridement. Two of the patients experienced reactivation. Group 2 presented as a lesion in 1 system with CNS risk (SS+). There were 30 patients with an average age of 6 years. Common locations were temporal bone and/or orbit. These patients present with recurrent ear infections and ptosis. Majority of the patients were treated with chemotherapy (n = 28). One patient had disease reactivation. Group 3 presented with multisystem involvement. There were 13 patients with an average age of 2 years. LCH was found in skin and the lymphatic system. Imaging demonstrated extracranial organ involvement. All of them were treated with chemotherapy. There was 40% reactivation of LCH. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of LCH depends on presentation. SS- subgroup can be adequately treated via surgical debridement. SS+ and multisystem groups benefit from an early disease diagnosis and require chemotherapy.

Do Racial Differences in Orbital Volume Influence the Reconstruction of Orbital Trauma.

PURPOSE: Successful orbital reconstruction relies on an accurate restoration of orbital volume (OV). The purpose of this study was to determine if the OV of African American (AA) subjects differs from that of Caucasian subjects. METHODS: The authors implemented a retrospective observational study of successive subjects who received a maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) scan at a level I trauma center between 2017 and 2020. The primary predictor variable was race (AA/Caucasian). The primary outcome variable was orbital volume. Two independent examiners calculated OV with an open access OsiriX MD software version 10.0.5 (Pixmeo, Switzerland). Inter-rater reliability was calculated. Differences between races, genders, and sides were tested using independent samples t test with a significance of P < .05. RESULTS: Sixty subjects (120 orbits) were included in the study. The mean age was 36.7 (SD ± 13.2) years with a range of 22 to 78 years. Gender distribution was equal with 30 male (50%) and 30 female (50%) subjects. Inter-examiner reliability was 0.973. The mean OV of AA and Caucasians was 22.38 and 23.23 cm3, respectively (P = .07). The mean OV of AA and Caucasian males was 23.92, and 24.17cm3, respectively (P = .71). The mean OV in AA and Caucasian females was 20.84 and 22.28cm3, respectively (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: African-American female subjects appear to have a smaller OV when compared with Caucasians which may influence orbital reconstruction. Laterality does not appear to be associated with any differences in OV.

Preliminary experience with black bone magnetic resonance imaging for morphometry of the mandible and visualisation of the facial skeleton.

BACKGROUND: Children with orofacial deformity may require repeated imaging of the facial skeleton. OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility and accuracy of "black bone" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing facial deformity in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional (3-D) black bone gradient echo sequences (flip angle 5°, submillimetre spatial resolution) from 10 children (median age: 13 years, range: 2-16 years), who underwent MRI of the temporomandibular joints, were evaluated with multiplanar reconstruction and 3-D rendering tools. Intra- and inter-reader agreement was investigated for measuring the height of the mandibular ramus and condyle, basal length of the mandible, gonion angle and mandibular inclination angle by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Absolute percentage error was calculated with the average of all measurements serving as reference. RESULTS: Sixty linear and 40 angle measurements were obtained on reformatted multiplanar black bone images with excellent inter-reader agreement (ICC > 0.99, agreement bias < 1.4 mm/ < 1.5°) and small error (median absolute error < 3%). The black bone images required inversion of the signal intensity and removal of air before they could be processed with standard volume rendering tools. The diagnostic utility of 3-D views for assessing the facial skeleton was sufficient except for assessing dental relationship. CONCLUSION: Morphometric measurements of the mandible can be obtained from black bone MRI with comparable inter-rater agreement to that reported for cone beam computed tomography (CT). With improvements of 3-D rendering techniques and software, black bone MRI may become a radiation-free alternative to CT in children with facial deformities.

Osteoinductive effect of soluble transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 on human osteoblast lineage.

The development of bone requires carefully choregraphed signaling to bone progenitors to form bone. Our group recently described the requirement of transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 (TGFßR3), a receptor involved in TGFß pathway signaling, during osteoblast lineage commitment in mice. The TGFß pathway is known to play multiple osteo-inductive and osteo-inhibitory roles during osteoblast development and TGFßR3 human mutations are associated with reduced bone mineral density, making TGFßR3 a unique target for bone inductive therapy. In this article, we demonstrated increased mineralization of human pediatric bone-derived osteoblast-like cells (HBO) when treated with soluble TGFßR3 (sR3) using Alizarin Red staining. Osteogenic commitment of HBO cells was demonstrated by induction of osteogenic genes RUNX2, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and osterix. Evaluation of the canonical TGFß pathway signaling demonstrated that sR3 was able to induce bone formation in HBO cells, mainly through activation of noncanonical targets of TGFß pathway signaling including AKT, ERK, and p38 MAP kinases. Inhibition of these osteogenic noncanonical pathways in the HBO cells also inhibited mineralization, suggesting they are each required. Although no induction of SMAD1, 5, and 9 was observed, there was the activation of SMAD2 and 3 suggesting that sR3 is primarily signaling via the noncanonical pathways during osteogenic induction of the HBO. Our results highlight the important role of TGFßR3 in osteoblast induction of mineralization in human bone cells through noncanonical targets of TGFß signaling. Future studies will focus on the ability of sR3 to induce bone regeneration in vivo using animal models.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lip Infections.

PURPOSE: Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, cocci bacterium that naturally colonizes the skin. S aureus can cause a mild to severe infection depending on the location, depth of invasion, and immune status. Guidelines regarding treatment of patients with lip infections are scant. The purpose of this study was to present the diagnosis, management, and outcome of a cohort of patients with lip infections caused by S aureus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a lip infection caused by S aureus treated by Emory Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service (Atlanta, GA). Predictor variables were patient demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, imaging characteristics, intervention, and length of stay. The outcome variable was infection resolution or persistence. Data were collected using a standardized collection form. Descriptive statistics were computed. RESULTS: Seven patients (mean age, 38 years) with lip swelling met the inclusion criteria. The patients did not undergo recent hospitalization and/or recent surgery. Patients had immunodeficiency virus or other medical comorbidities. Radiographic findings were consistent with abscess formation. Management consisted of antibiotics only or surgical intervention with antibiotics. Lip cultures showed S aureus with methicillin-sensitive or -resistant S aureus. Treatment was intravenous followed by oral antibiotics. The average length of inpatient stay was 4 days. There were no postoperative complications. All lip infections achieved complete clinical resolution. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, treatment of lip swelling caused by S aureus required surgical intervention and/or antibiotics. Immune compromise and antibiotic resistance should be considered in a patient with a similar presentation.

Does Burnout Exist in Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the United States?

INTRODUCTION: Information regarding burnout in academic oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) in the United States (US) does not exist. The purpose of this project was to answer the following question: "Does burnout exist in academic OMSs in the United States?" MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 15-question anonymous survey was created based on Expanded Physician Well-Being Index (WBI, MedEd Web Solutions). The survey was sent electronically to fellows of the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (AACMS) consisting of demographics, professional obligations, wellness indicators (burnout, emotional hardening, depression, anxiety, fatigue, overwhelmed), and overall quality-of-life statements. Responses were quantified according to a scaled scoring system specific for WBI. Multivariable logistic regression was then used to create a predictive model of being "at risk" of burnout. RESULTS: Surveys were sent to 180 active AACMS fellows; 110 completed the questionnaire (61.1%). One hundred eight active fellows met inclusion criteria. Majority were males between the ages of 41 and 50. About a quarter spent more than 20 years in an academic setting. Activities concentrated on patient care, teaching, and/or administrative duties. More than half of respondents felt emotionally hardened, anxious/irritable, and/or overwhelmed. About a third had adequate time for personal and family life. Most felt that their work was meaningful. Using WBI, the average score was 2.21, meaning that as a whole oral-maxillofacial surgery academicians are not considered at risk for burnout. Risk factors for burnout were age >40 years old, female gender, patient care more than 55 hours per week, call more than 10 times per month, and majority of time spent on teaching responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: According to WBI, OMSs as a group are not at risk for burnout. Certain traits (age, gender, more than 55 weekly hours and/or more than 10 call shifts per month, high percentage of time teaching responsibilities) are at higher risk for burnout.

Frequency of Firearm Injuries to Head and Neck Increased During Covid-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: During coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospitals faced challenges which were different than previous years. The purpose this study was to report frequency of firearm injuries (FI) to head and neck during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study reviewed patients in the Trauma Registry at Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) in Atlanta, GA. Patients were included if they sustained FI to head and neck, were listed in TR, and were treated at GMH. Patients were stratified according to date of injury into 1) before COVID-19 pandemic, (BC19) or 2) during initial 5 months of COVID-19 pandemic, (C19). Variables were patient demographics, illegal substance use, etiology, place of injury, distressed communities index, location of injury, Glasgow Coma scale on arrival, cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Emergency Department (ED), shock on admission, disposition from ED, length of stay, days on mechanical ventilation and discharge status. Descriptive, univariate, and bivariate analysis were completed. Chi square test was used for categorical variables. Statistical significance was P < .05. RESULTS: There were 215 patients who met inclusion criteria. There were 96 patients (78 males) with a mean age of 31.5 years old during BC19. There were 119 patients (101 males) with a mean age 32.7 years old during C19. There was a 10.4% increase in FI to head and neck during COVID-19. Our data showed that alcohol use was associated with FI during C19 (P≤ .0001). FI to base of skull occurred 34.5% more often during C19 (P = .002). Cranial injuries occurred 26% more often during BC19 (P = .03). During BC19, 85.4% of the patients arrived alive to GMH, but only 16% arrived alive during C19 (P ≤ .0001). CONCLUSIONS: There were more FI to head and neck during COVID-10 pandemic than during the previous time period.

Parental Policy in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Programs Is Necessary but Not Available: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents' Attitudes Toward Parental Leave.

PURPOSE: Guidelines regarding parental leave in oral and maxillofacial surgery do not exist. This inconsistency may contribute to gender disparities and an increase in resident burnout. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions and attitudes of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents toward parental leave. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which an anonymous 26-item questionnaire was electronically mailed to all current oral and maxillofacial surgery residents in the United States during August 2020. The survey consisted of 5 sections: 1) resident information, 2) residency program information, 3) parental policy information, 4) attitudes regarding parental leave, and 5) attitudes regarding early parenthood. RESULTS: Surveys were sent to 860 oral and maxillofacial surgery residents; 220 completed the questionnaire (25.6%). Majority of respondents were male between the ages of 26 and 30. Half of the respondents did not know whether their oral and maxillofacial surgery program had a formal parental leave policy. Almost a third of residents reported that their program did not have a policy regarding parental leave. Only some programs had a policy regarding parental leave. Most programs allotted 2 days to 2 weeks for parental leave. Parenthood did not prevent pursuit of fellowship training. The majority of co-residents indicated that parenthood had a neutral impact on the performance of their colleagues. Lactation facilities and/or childcare services were not present in all programs. CONCLUSIONS: Most oral and maxillofacial surgery residents support parental leave despite the lack of a formal policy in their residency program. Residents who had a child during residency received up to 2 weeks as parental leave. Residents felt that their programs were supportive of parental leave. Parenthood did not prevent the pursuit of fellowship training.

A Protocol for Resection and Immediate Reconstruction of Pediatric Mandibles Using Microvascular Free Fibula Flaps.

PURPOSE: The use of a vascularized free fibula graft (FFF) for the reconstruction of a mandible in a child with a mandibular tumor is infrequent. The purpose of this study is to report our protocol for resection of mandibular jaw tumors and immediate reconstruction using FFF in pediatric patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of children with a mandibular tumor, which was resected and immediately reconstructed with FFF. All patients were treated via the same staged protocol: 1) presurgical digital planning, 2) surgical intervention (resection and immediate reconstruction), 3) postoperative care in the pediatric intensive unit, and 4) prosthodontic dental rehabilitation. Outcomes were complications and recurrence. Medical records were reviewed to document demographic information, tumor details, surgical interventions, postoperative course, and prosthodontic rehabilitation. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (10 males, average age of 13.7 years) met inclusion criteria. Ten patients had mandibular ameloblastoma. All patients were treated by a dedicated pediatric team and followed the same protocol. The average tumor size was 4.87 × 3.22 × 2.03 cm. Most fibulas (n = 12) had one osteotomy to reestablish mandibular continuity and create appropriate contour. The most common microvascular anastomosis was with a facial artery (n = 13) and the external jugular vein (n = 9). At an average follow-up of 15.5 months, there were only 3 minor donor site complications. Eight implants were placed without complications. No tumors recurred. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that pediatric mandibular tumors can be successfully treated using a specific protocol involving resection and immediate reconstruction using FFF with minimal complications and without recurrence.

Pediatric unilateral isolated choanal atresia is not associated with mandibular condyle hypoplasia.

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that the ontogeny of unilateral isolated choanal atresia involves a field defect manifesting as ipsilateral mandibular condylar hypoplasia. The topic is important because the mechanism of the unilateral isolated choanal atresia is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective self-controlled case series. We included 20 patients (2 males and 18 females, ages 2 weeks to 13 years) with unilateral isolated non-syndromic choanal atresia. We studied their high-resolution computed tomographic scans. Two otolaryngologists measured the largest cross-sectional area of the mandibular condyle in the axial plane perpendicular to the posterior border of each mandibular ramus independently. Statistical significance and inter-rater agreement were calculated with paired Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman's non-parametric correlation coefficient respectively. RESULTS: Cross-sectional areas of the condyles ipsilateral to the choanal atresia were not statistically different than those of the contralateral condyle (P = 0.27). Inter-observer agreement of condyle areas was excellent: Spearman's r = 0.85 on the right and r = 0.94 on the left. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of children with the rarity of isolated non-syndromic unilateral congenital choanal atresia, no associated mandibular condyle hypoplasia was found. The data suggest that the underlying ontogeny was unlikely attributable to a field defect.

Endotracheal Tube Fixation via a Modified Ivy Loop in a Pediatric Patient With Facial Burns: A Technical Note.

Securing an endotracheal tube in a child with a facial burn is crucial but often challenging. The traditional method of using a facial apparatus or tape tied around the lower face is not suitable in the setting of open facial wounds as it limits wound care and, if necessary, skin grafting. We describe a straightforward, quick method to secure the endotracheal tube by means of a modified ivy loop in a pediatric patient.

Management of Post-Traumatic Maxillofacial Pseudoaneurysms: Review of the Literature and Suggested Algorithm.

A pseudoaneurysm (PA) is a collection of blood caused by an incomplete tear in the vessel wall. PA can be arterial or venous in origin. In the maxillofacial region, arterial PA can result from surgical interventions. Venous PAs in the maxillofacial region have never been described. A standardized protocol for management of post-traumatic PAs in the maxillofacial region would help clinicians make treatment decisions. On the basis of the available literature and our institutional experience, we present an algorithm for management of post-traumatic maxillofacial PAs. We also present patients from our institution who illustrate some of the management options in the algorithm.