Hypertelorbitism Corrected by Facial Bipartition Improves Exotropia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to detail perioperative ophthalmologic evaluations to characterize functional ocular outcomes after facial bipartition surgery. METHODS: Patients with hypertelorbitism who underwent facial bipartition surgery were studied specifically for eye motility disorders by separating patients into rare craniofacial clefts (midline and paramedian) (n = 34) and craniofacial dysostosis (Apert, Crouzon, and Pfeiffer) (n = 74). Preoperative and postoperative (12 months) ophthalmologic examinations (with depth perception tests), computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed. RESULTS: Among craniofacial cleft patients, mean interdacryon distance was reduced from 39 ± 4 mm to 17 ± 2 mm, with strabismus improved from 88 percent (exotropia 82 percent) preoperatively to only 29 percent postoperatively. Depth perception improved to a lesser degree, with abnormal tests at a rate of 79 percent preoperatively to 56 percent postoperatively. Wider hypertelorbitism had a higher degree of strabismus. Among craniofacial dysostotic patients, mean interdacryon distance was reduced from 37 ± 3 mm to 17 ± 2 mm, and strabismus improved from 55 percent to only 14 percent. Depth perception improved to a lesser degree, with 68 percent abnormal tests preoperatively and 46 percent postoperatively. Apert patients had more V-pattern strabismus and exotropia (79 percent) than did other craniofacial dysostosis patients (42 percent). CONCLUSIONS: The authors' data indicate that facial bipartition for hypertelorbitism-known to improve periorbital aesthetics-also improves eye motility disturbances. Thus, vision problems related to exotropia should be considered a functional indication for facial bipartition surgery in patients with hypertelorbitism. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Mandibular Subcondylar Fracture: Improved Functional Outcomes in Selected Patients with Open Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Subcondylar fractures represent 25 to 35 percent of all mandibular fractures, yet the treatment paradigm has remained controversial. Closed treatment relies on the plasticity of the condyle head during recovery, whereas open treatment is challenging and risks facial nerve injury. Perioperative, functional, and patient-reported outcomes were measured to compare methods of open versus closed treatment of subcondylar fractures. METHODS: Selected displaced subcondylar fracture cases with open (open reduction and internal fixation of subcondylar fracture with maxillomandibular fixation) versus closed (maxillomandibular fixation) treatment were compared (n = 60). Demographics, perioperative data, complications, persistent symptoms, chin deviation, malocclusion, change in mouth opening, functional scores, and FACE-Q patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: Open versus closed groups had similar demographics and perioperative data, except the open group had longer operating room time (76.39 minutes versus 56.15 minutes). In long-term follow-up, open-treated patients had fewer symptoms (9 percent versus 67 percent), less chin deviation (0 percent versus 40 percent), a less restricted mouth opening (3mm versus 5mm), and better functional scores (1.92 versus 0.861). Transient facial nerve weakness was seen in 6 percent of open cases. CONCLUSION: For selected subcondylar fracture patients, open treatment with endoscopic assistance, nerve monitoring, and specialized plates provides superior long-term results compared to closed treatment when considering symptoms and functional parameters. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Turning Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence Recognition of Age Reduction after Face-Lift Surgery Correlates with Patient Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Patients desire face-lifting procedures primarily to appear younger, more refreshed, and attractive. Because there are few objective studies assessing the success of face-lift surgery, the authors used artificial intelligence, in the form of convolutional neural network algorithms alongside FACE-Q patient-reported outcomes, to evaluate perceived age reduction and patient satisfaction following face-lift surgery. METHODS: Standardized preoperative and postoperative (1 year) images of 50 consecutive patients who underwent face-lift procedures (platysmaplasty, superficial musculoaponeurotic system-ectomy, cheek minimal access cranial suspension malar lift, or fat grafting) were used by four neural networks (trained to identify age based on facial features) to estimate age reduction after surgery. In addition, FACE-Q surveys were used to measure patient-reported facial aesthetic outcome. Patient satisfaction was compared to age reduction. RESULTS: The neural network preoperative age accuracy score demonstrated that all four neural networks were accurate in identifying ages (mean score, 100.8). Patient self-appraisal age reduction reported a greater age reduction than neural network age reduction after a face lift (-6.7 years versus -4.3 years). FACE-Q scores demonstrated a high level of patient satisfaction for facial appearance (75.1 ± 8.1), quality of life (82.4 ± 8.3), and satisfaction with outcome (79.0 ± 6.3). Finally, there was a positive correlation between neural network age reduction and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Artificial intelligence algorithms can reliably estimate the reduction in apparent age after face-lift surgery; this estimated age reduction correlates with patient satisfaction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, IV.

Facelift Surgery Turns Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Satisfaction Quantitate Value of Procedure Type and Specific Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Patients desire facelifting procedures to look younger, refreshed, and attractive. Unfortunately, there are few objective studies assessing the success of types of facelift procedures and ancillary techniques. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to utilize convolutional neural network algorithms alongside patient-reported FACE-Q outcomes to evaluate perceived age reduction and patient satisfaction following various facelift techniques. METHODS: Standardized preoperative and postoperative (1-year) images of patients who underwent facelift procedures were analyzed by 4 neural networks to estimate age reduction after surgery (n = 105). FACE-Q surveys were employed to measure patient-reported facial aesthetic outcome. We compared (1) facelift procedure type: skin-only vs superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS)-plication, vs SMAS-ectomy; and (2) ancillary techniques: fat grafting (malar) vs no fat grafting. Outcomes were based on complications, estimated age-reduction, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The neural network preoperative age accuracy score demonstrated that all neural networks were accurate in identifying our patients' ages (mean score = 100.4). SMAS-ectomy and SMAS-plication had significantly greater age-reduction (5.85 and 5.35 years, respectively) compared with skin-only (2.95 years, P < 0.05). Fat grafting compared to no fat grafting demonstrated 2.1 more years of age reduction. Facelift procedure type did not affect FACE-Q scores; however, patients who underwent fat grafting had a higher satisfaction with outcome (78.1 ± 8 vs 69 ± 6, P < 0.05) and decision to have the procedure (83.0 ± 6 vs 72 ± 9, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Artificial intelligence algorithms can reliably estimate the reduction in apparent age after facelift surgery. Facelift technique, like SMAS-ectomy or SMAS-plication, and specific technique, like fat grafting, were found to enhance facelifting outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Mortality in men with localized prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy with or without neoadjuvant hormone therapy.

BACKGROUND: Discrepancies exist regarding the impact of neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) on the risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) in men who receive brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine the effect of NHT on the risk of ACM in men with prostate cancer who receive with brachytherapy. METHODS: The study cohort included 2474 men with localized prostate cancer who either received NHT (N = 1083) or did not receive NHT (N = 1391) and brachytherapy without supplemental external beam radiation between 1991 and 2005 at centers within the 21st Century Oncology Consortium. All men had at least 2 years of follow-up. Low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk disease was present in 65%, 23%, and 12% of men, respectively. A Cox regression multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the risk of ACM in men who received NHT compared with all others adjusting for age, prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, and tumor classification. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 3.3-7.5 years) and adjusting for known prostate cancer prognostic factors and age, treatment with NHT was associated significantly with an increased risk of ACM (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.53; P = .04) in men aged > or =73 years. In men who were younger than the median age of 73 years, hormone therapy use was not significant (P = .34). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with men who were younger than the median age of 73 years, men aged > or =73 years with localized prostate cancer who received brachytherapy and NHT had an increased risk of ACM compared with men who did not receive NHT.

Surgically (laparotomy/laparoscopy) guided placement of high dose rate interstitial irradiation catheters (LG-HDRT): technique and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the technique and the clinical outcome of a new modality for the treatment of women with persistent or recurrent pelvic malignancies utilizing surgically (laparotomy or laparoscopic) guided high dose rate (HDR) catheters to complete high dose rate interstitial irradiation therapy (LG-HDRT). METHODS: Between 6/2000 and 6/2004, 14 women with histologic evidence of postradiation persistent (3 patients) or recurrent (11 patients) pelvic disease underwent LG-HDRT. Five patients (36%) received treatment for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th recurrence. Preoperative clinical and radiologic evaluation to exclude evidence of extrapelvic disease was routine. Initial intraoperative evaluation included intraabdominal inspection and or biopsy to determine the extent of disease. A two "team" approach was used to place the 100 cm Teflon after loading HDR catheters. Each catheter had its open ends closed with bone wax prior to placement. Using a 14 gauge intravenous catheter as a guide, each HDR catheter was individually placed transvaginally. The tumor bed (treatment volume) was marked circumferentially with clips to facilitate treatment planning. Dosimetry was typically completed on the day of surgery and HDR therapy was started within the initial 24 postoperative hours. The catheters were removed transvaginally, without anesthesia following completion of therapy. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 63.1 years and weight was 138.2 lb. Squamous cell cancer of the vagina or cervix was the most common (64%) diagnosis. The mean time from initial diagnosis to LG-HDRT was 67.9 months. The procedure was completed laparoscopically in 71% of patients, with 4 patients requiring laparotomy (3 conversions from laparoscopy). The mean duration of surgery was 94.9 min and the mean hospital stay was 4.8 days. Only 2 patients (14%) were discharged prior to the completion of therapy. The mean number of catheters placed was 6.1 and the mean dose delivered was 20 Gy over a mean of 5 fractions. There were no major intraoperative complications. Postradiation complications were limited to DVT (1), bladder bleeding (1),

Endobronchial brachytherapy and optimization of local disease control in medically inoperable non-small cell lung carcinoma: a matched-pair analysis.

PURPOSE: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone for early stage, medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (MILC) can produce local disease control and sometimes cure. We have previously reported that higher EBRT doses result in improved disease control and, for patients with tumors > or =3.0 cm, improved survival. This report describes the impact of dose escalation with endobronchial brachytherapy boost during or following EBRT upon local disease control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Medical records of 404 patients with MILC treated with radiotherapy alone were reviewed. Thirty-nine patients received a planned endobronchial brachytherapy boost during or following a course of EBRT. A matched-pair analysis of disease control and survival was performed by matching each brachytherapy patient to 2 EBRT patients from a reference group of the remaining patients. RESULTS: Endobronchial brachytherapy boost significantly improved local disease control over EBRT alone (58% vs. 32% at 5 years). The local control benefit for brachytherapy was found to be limited to patients with T(1-2) disease or tumors < or =5.0 cm. Among these patients treated with endobronchial boost, EBRT doses of > or =6500 cGy were necessary to optimize local disease control. No overall survival differences were observed at 3 years. Excess toxicity with brachytherapy was not observed. CONCLUSION: Endobronchial brachytherapy boost enhances local disease control rates in MILC treated with EBRT. Local control outcome is optimized when radical EBRT doses are used in conjunction with brachytherapy.