Clinical outcomes following intraoperative pedicle disruption in fibula free flaps.

OBJECTIVES: Iatrogenic injury of the fibula free flap pedicle is rare. Postoperative flap survival and reconstructive outcomes following intraoperative pedicle severance are unknown. This study assesses free flap outcomes following accidental severance of the peroneal vessels. METHODS: Multi-institutional retrospective chart review from 2000 to 2020. RESULTS: Of 2975 harvested fibula free flaps, 26 had a history of pedicle severance during surgical reconstruction. Reasons for intraoperative pedicle severance included transection during muscular dissection 10/26 (39%), accidental severance with the bone saw 12/26 (46%), and other 4/26 (15.6%). The surgeon responsible for pedicle severance included residents 5/26 (19%), fellows 10/26 (39%), attendings 10/26 (39%), and unknown 1/26 (3.9%). The pedicle artery and vein were severed 10/26 (39%), artery 8/26 (31%), and vein 8/26 (31%). Truncated pedicle vessels were used 3/26 (11.7%), intraoperative anastomoses were performed 23/26 (89%). Postoperative revision in the OR within 7 days of surgery was required 6/26 (23%); 4 flaps were salvaged and 2 flaps failed, both arterial thrombosis. Flap failure was attributed to vascular thrombosis. Long-term flap survival and successful reconstructions were reported 24/26 (92%). CONCLUSION: Accidental severance of fibula free flap pedicle vessels can be corrected with intraoperative repair, without affecting long-term flap survival or reconstructive outcomes. Protecting the flap vessels while using the bone saw and during intramuscular dissection prevents accidental severance.

Nonsurgical Rejuvenation of the Neck.

Nonsurgical skin tightening in the neck is an area of significant growth with seemingly countless devices. Optimal treatment choice depends on the patient's concerns, anatomy, and lifestyle. Patients with minimal skin laxity, but dynamic platysmal bands may benefit from botulinum toxin injections. Mild to moderately lax skin can be addressed with microfocused ultrasound or radiofrequency with microneedling. Significant sun damage and laxity can both be addressed with fractional ablative lasers. Options for submental preplatysmal fat include percutaneous radiofrequency, radiofrequency-helium plasma, deoxycholic acid injections, and cryolipolysis. Of these, percutaneous radiofrequency has the highest patient satisfaction and lowest complication rate.

Nonsurgical Rejuvenation of the Neck.

Nonsurgical skin tightening in the neck is an area of significant growth with seemingly countless devices. Optimal treatment choice depends on the patient's concerns, anatomy, and lifestyle. Patients with minimal skin laxity, but dynamic platysmal bands may benefit from botulinum toxin injections. Mild to moderately lax skin can be addressed with microfocused ultrasound or radiofrequency with microneedling. Significant sun damage and laxity can both be addressed with fractional ablative lasers. Options for submental preplatysmal fat include percutaneous radiofrequency, radiofrequency-helium plasma, deoxycholic acid injections, and cryolipolysis. Of these, percutaneous radiofrequency has the highest patient satisfaction and lowest complication rate.

Fellowship training in microvascular surgery and post-fellowship practice patterns: a cross sectional survey of microvascular surgeons from facial plastic and reconstructive surgery programs.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of published literature on the training in microvascular reconstructive techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS) fellowships or of the extent these techniques are continued in practice. This cross-sectional web-based survey study was conducted to describe the volume, variety, and intended extent of practice of free tissue transfers during fellowship and the post-fellowship pattern of microsurgical practice among FPRS surgeons in various private and academic practice settings across the United States. METHODS: This survey was sent to recent graduates (n = 94) of a subset of U.S. Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship programs that provide significant training in microvascular surgery. RESULTS: Among survey respondents (n = 21, 22% response rate), two-thirds completed 20-100 microvascular cases during fellowship using mainly radial forearm, fibula, anterior lateral thigh, latissimus and rectus free tissue transfers. In post-fellowship practice, those who continue practicing microvascular reconstruction (86%) complete an average of 33 cases annually. The choice of donor tissues for reconstruction mirrored their training. They are assisted primarily by residents (73%) and/or fellows (43%), while some worked with a micro-trained partner, surgical assistant, or performed solo procedures. Interestingly, among those who began in private practice (29%), only half remained with that practice, while those who joined academic practices (71%) largely remained at their initial post-fellowship location (87%). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first formal description of the training and practice patterns of FPRS-trained microvascular surgeons. They describe a diverse fellowship training experience that often results in robust microvascular practice. The maintenance of substantial microsurgical caseloads after fellowship runs counter to the perception of high levels of burnout from free tissue transfers among microvascular surgeons. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved as exempt by the University of Florida Institutional Review Board (#201601526).

Fracture patterns of the nasal septum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fracture patterns of the nasal septum. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cadaveric study. SETTING: Synthes research laboratories, Philadelphia, PA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen cadavers were divided into three groups. Group A was subjected to low-level force administered to the nasal tip. Group B underwent moderate-level force and group C high-level force. Cadavers subsequently underwent dissection of the nose and nasal septum. RESULTS: Fracture patterns were apparent and related to the force applied. Fracture patterns were classified into three types depending on the location and extent. Group A was the most variable. Three cadavers were classified as type 1, two as type 2, and one as type 3. The average amount of force required to produce a fracture in this group was 100 N. Group B cadavers all developed type 3 fractures. Group C cadavers primarily developed type 3 fractures except for one that developed a type 1. Fractures were further classified in regard to the septum being displaced off the nasal spine. CONCLUSION: Based on our observation, we conclude that fracture patterns of the nasal septum do exist and appear to be related to the amount of force sustained.