Re-cognizing the new self: The neurocognitive plasticity of self-processing following facial transplantation.

The face is a defining feature of our individuality, crucial for our social interactions. But what happens when the face connected to the self is radically altered or replaced? We address the plasticity of self-face recognition in the context of facial transplantation. While the acquisition of a new face following facial transplantation is a medical fact, the experience of a new identity is an unexplored psychological outcome. We traced the changes in self-face recognition before and after facial transplantation to understand if and how the transplanted face gradually comes to be perceived and recognized as the recipient's own new face. Neurobehavioral evidence documents a strong representation of the pre-injury appearance pre-operatively, while following the transplantation, the recipient incorporates the new face into his self-identity. The acquisition of this new facial identity is supported by neural activity in medial frontal regions that are considered to integrate psychological and perceptual aspects of the self.

Comparative Outcomes of Malar Implants Versus Fat Transfer to Cheeks Among Transfeminine Individuals Undergoing Malar Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Malar augmentation is a key procedure sought out by transfeminine individuals seeking to feminize their facial appearance. Different surgical techniques have been described in the literature including fat transfer to the cheeks and malar implant placement. Because of the paucity of information in the literature, there is no consensus on best practices for this procedure. The objective of our study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of malar implants as compared with fat transfer to the cheeks in transfeminine individuals. METHODS: We examined all patients with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria that were referred to the senior author seeking consultation for feminizing facial procedures between June 2017 and August 2022. Patients who underwent fat transfer to the cheeks or malar implant placement were included in our study. We reviewed the electronic medical record of each patient, and we retrieved and analyzed data regarding demographics, medical and surgical history, operative dictations, clinic notes, and postoperative follow-up. Univariate analysis was used to assess for differences in postoperative complications between these 2 groups. RESULTS: We identified 231 patients underwent feminizing facial gender affirming surgery, with 152 patients receiving malar augmentation through malar implants or fat grafting. One hundred twenty-nine patients (84.9%) underwent malar implant placement and 23 (15.1%) underwent fat grafting to the cheeks. The mean follow-up time was 3.6 ± 2.7 months. Patient satisfaction was greater in the malar implant group (126/129, 97.7%) compared with the fat transfer group (20/23, 87%, P < 0.045). Two patients who received implants (1.8%) experienced postoperative complications. No patient undergoing fat transfer experiences similar adverse outcomes. Nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the contention that malar implants are a safe alternative for malar augmentation among transfeminine individuals. While autologous fat transfer to the cheek is an indispensable option in patients requiring minor malar enhancement, malar implants offer a more permanent option with a better aesthetic outcome in patients requiring major malar enhancement. To minimize postoperative complications, surgeons should emphasize patient compliance with postoperative directions.

Techniques and Trends of Facial Feminization Surgery: A Systematic Review and Representative Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Facial feminization surgery is composed of a variety of craniomaxillofacial surgical procedures that are increasingly sought after by male-to-female transgender patients and by those seeking feminization of the face. Facial feminization surgery can play a prominent role in alleviating gender dysphoria. In consideration of an observed increase in gender-affirming procedures performed in recent years, a broad knowledge base in the techniques, outcomes, and challenges of facial feminization surgery should be established by surgeons offering these procedures. Our review was designed to critically appraise the current literature and inform future advancements in gender-affirming surgical practice. In addition, we detail a representative case to illustrate the senior author's approach to full facial feminization. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted for studies published through June 2020 using following the search terms: "Face" OR "facial" OR "craniofacial" AND "Feminization" OR "Feminization Surgery" OR "Gender Reassignment" OR "Gender Affirming Surgery" OR "Gender Confirmation Surgery." Data on procedures, outcomes, patient age, follow-up time, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected. The data were categorized by facial thirds and then further stratified by facial feature. RESULTS: Our search yielded 388 articles. Thirty articles fit our inclusion criteria, and of these, 23 articles were included in the review. We extracted primary data pertaining to 3554 patients with an age range of 18 to 73 who underwent 8506 total procedures. Most of the procedures addressed the upper facial third (hairline, forehead, and brow), comprising 49.1% of total procedures performed. Further categorization by facial feature revealed that the most commonly addressed feature was the forehead (34.6% of procedures), followed by the nose (12.8%) and the chin (12.2%). In studies that used quantitative measures to gauge patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction was high. CONCLUSIONS: Facial feminization surgery seems to be safe, whether it is conducted in a single stage or as a staged procedure. Patients report high satisfaction and better gender congruency after facial feminization procedures. Further research is needed to establish best surgical practice and gauge patient satisfaction beyond the length of average follow-up and determine the frequency with which adjunctive procedures are sought out.

Predicting postoperative complications following mastectomy in the elderly: Evidence for the 5-factor frailty index.

Understanding the risk factors that contribute to post-mastectomy complications can better inform preoperative discussions. Here, we assess the impact of the 5-Factor Frailty Index Score (mFI-5) in predicting 30-day postoperative complications in patients undergoing mastectomy. A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) data base was conducted for patients older than 65 undergoing mastectomy between 2010 and 2015. We assessed each patient's Frailty Index Score using the mFI-5. Primary outcomes included wound complications and overall complications. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were used to determine the ability of the mFI-5 to predict postoperative outcomes. A total of 13,783 patients were analyzed. The rate of wound complications was 3.0%, while the rate of overall complications was 6.0%. An mFI-5 score greater than 2 was an independent risk factor for wound complications and overall complications. Overall, patients undergoing mastectomy with an mFI-5 of 2 or greater experienced higher rates of postoperative complications. The mFI-5 is an accessible tool that can be used to risk-stratify patients undergoing mastectomy and can positively contribute to the informed consent and shared decision-making process.

Hepatic Artery Microvascular Anastomosis in Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The operating microscope is used in many centers for microvascular hepatic arterial reconstruction in living as well as deceased donor liver transplantation in adult and pediatric recipients. To date, a systematic review of the literature examining this topic is lacking. METHODS: This systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Three different electronic databases (PubMed, Embase OVID, and Cochrane CENTRAL) were queried. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included. The rate of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) in noncomparative studies (28) ranged from 0% to 10%, with 8 studies reporting patient deaths resulting from HAT. Within comparative studies, the rate of HAT in patients who underwent arterial reconstruction using the operating microscope ranged from 0% to 5.3%, whereas the rate of HAT in patients who underwent arterial reconstruction using loupe magnification ranged from 0% up to 28.6%, and 2 studies reported patient deaths resulting from HAT. Two comparative studies did not find statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive systematic review of the literature seems to suggest that overall, rates of HAT may be lower when the operating microscope is used for hepatic arterial reconstruction in liver transplantation. However, matched comparisons are lacking and surgical teams need to be mindful of the learning curve associated with the use of the operating microscope as compared with loupe magnification, as well as the logistical and time constraints associated with setup of the operating microscope.

Consideration of Human Immunodeficiency Status in Patients Seeking Facial Feminization Surgery.

ABSTRACT: Facial feminization surgery (FFS) with its proven safety and efficacy has become a mainstay surgical approach for those desiring gender-specific perceived feminine facial aesthetics. To date, specific characteristics of patients seeking FFS have been limited, with no studies investigating the role of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on FFS outcomes. The potential clinical implications of HIV and more specifically HIV-associated lipodystrophy, which can cause facial lipoatrophy, require further investigation. Given the importance of midface projection in feminizing the face, the authors aimed to investigate any associations HIV or Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy may have on outcomes, including clinical consequences of facial lipoatrophy. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria referred to the senior author (EDR) for FFS between 2017 and 2020. Patients were grouped based on HIV status and demographics, history, and outcomes were assessed. Seventy-seven patients were included, with 28 patients (36.4%) having a diagnosis of HIV. A total of 25 (32.5%) and 23 (29.9%) patients underwent malar fat grafting and cheek implants, respectively. No significant difference was found between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients when looking at the use of malar fat grafting, cheek implants, age, or complication rates. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the largest cohort of HIV status assessment of FFS patients to date. Future studies, particularly on the long-term outcomes, are warranted, as is continued information sharing among providers and centers performing FFS, in order to continue advancing the literature and subsequently patient care.

Current Trends in Facial Feminization Surgery: An Assessment of Safety and Style.

BACKGROUND: Facial feminization surgery (FFS) plays an instrumental role in the process of gender affirmation. These procedures are becoming increasingly appreciated for their ability to improve patient satisfaction and gender identity in a way that alleviates gender dysphoria and improves the quality of life. Despite the recent surge in popularity across the US, the current literature lacks evidence on the safety profile of combined facial feminization procedures. Our goal was to determine the safety profile of facial feminization procedures registered on a national surgical database. METHODS: Patients with a primary diagnosis of gender dysphoria undergoing facial surgical procedures were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between the years 2013 and 2018. Demographic characteristics along with 30-day postoperative complications were recorded. Logistic regression models adjusted for confounders were used to determine the independent predictors of postoperative complications. RESULTS: A cohort of 77 patients who underwent a total of 220 procedures was identified. The number of patients undergoing surgery per year increased from three (3.9%) in 2013 to 41 (53.2%) in 2018, a 13.6-fold increase. The most commonly performed procedure was forehead contouring/frontal sinus setback, performed on 52 patients (67.5%), followed by orbital contouring (n = 37, 48%), rhinoplasty (n = 34, 44%), mandibuloplasty (n = 34, 44%), chondrolaryngoplasty (n = 27, 35.1%), genioplasty (n = 11, 14%), brow lift (n = 9, 11.7%), cheek augmentation (n = 9, 11.7%), and lip lift (n = 7, 9.1%). The number of patients who underwent 5 or more procedures in a single anesthetic event was 41 (53.2%). The complication rate was 3.9%. Univariate analysis suggested an association between older age and postoperative morbidity (P  < 0.02). However, this was not found to be an independent predictor on multivariate analysis adjusted for confounders (P < 0.083). Additionally, an increase in operative time and the number of procedures performed during a single anesthetic were not independent predictors of 30-day postoperative complications (P < 0.317 and P  < 0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: FFS can be safely performed and has a low risk of postoperative morbidity. The number of patients seeking FFS surgery has risen exponentially, with the highest demand seen for the reconstruction of the upper facial third. These findings should guide expectations for patients seeking FFS, as well as for plastic surgeons looking to perform multiple procedures per anesthetic event.

Comparative Outcomes of Partial and Full Facial Feminization Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The demand for facial feminization surgery (FFS) amongst transgender women is on the rise, and requests for a single-stage full FFS (F-FFS) are becoming more frequent. The specific aim of this article is to present our institutional experience with both partial-FFS (P-FFS) and F-FFS with a specific emphasis on safety of each approach. METHODS: We examined the electronic medical record of all patients with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria that were referred to the senior author for FFS consultation at our institution, between June 2017 and October 2020. Patients were sub-grouped into those who underwent F-FFS (upper, middle, and lower facial thirds in a single anesthetic event) and those who underwent P-FFS. Univariate analysis was used to assess for difference in postoperative complications. RESULTS: We identified 77 patients who underwent 382 total procedures. The mean follow-up time was 7.5 months (Sd = 7.3) (interquartile range 1.75-12.0 months). Fifty-one (71.4%) patients underwent F-FFS and 21 (28.6%) patients underwent P-FFS. Compared to P-FFS, F-FFS was not associated with an increase in postoperative complication (1 out of 21 [4.8%] versus 4 out of 51 [7.8%]) ( P < 0.556). When comparing characteristics of patients with postoperative complications to patients with no postoperative complications, the average body mass index was significantly higher (30.9 versus 25.4, respectively). ( P < 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Full-FFS is a set of procedures that has gained increased popularity among male-to-female transgender patients. Our results support the understanding that F-FFS is a safe and reliable approach, which may be preferable to patients and providers alike.

Equity in access to facial transplantation.

We examine ethical considerations in access to facial transplantation (FT), with implications for promoting health equity. As a form of vascularised composite allotransplantation, FT is still considered innovative with a relatively low volume of procedures performed to date by a small number of active FT programmes worldwide. However, as numbers continue to increase and institutions look to establish new FT programmes, we anticipate that attention will shift from feasibility towards ensuring the benefits of FT are equitably available to those in need. This manuscript assesses barriers to care and their ethical implications across a number of considerations, with the intent of mapping various factors relating to health equity and fair access to FT. Evidence is drawn from an evolving clinical experience as well as published scholarship addressing several dimensions of access to FT. We also explore novel concerns that have yet to be mentioned in the literature.

Neonatal Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis in Infants With Pierre Robin Sequence.

Pierre Robin sequence is the constellation of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and tongue-based airway obstruction. When airway obstruction is severe, feeding, growth, and respiratory demise are at risk. Neonatal mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a technique which improves tongue-based airway obstruction and avoids tracheostomy in patients with severe expressions of Pierre Robin sequence. Its efficacy in relieving airway obstruction is well documented, and it has become the surgical intervention of choice at many craniofacial centers. However, this is an uncommon procedure which can be performed within the first weeks of life, offering little space for a learning curve. The success of neonatal distraction and avoidance of complications is highly dependent on proper surgical technique. This report provides a brief overview of the disease, details the technique of the senior surgeon with captioned videos, describes the protocol used at our institution and reports long-term outcomes with a case description.

Have We Achieved Optimal Skin Color Matching in Partial Facial Transplantation? A Survey Study of the General Public and Medical Professionals.

BACKGROUND: Skin color matching is an essential factor in achieving optimal aesthetic outcome in partial facial transplantation. However, there is no published literature evaluating the success of color matching to date. Furthermore, a medical professional's perception of an optimal color match may not necessarily translate to that of the general public. The purpose of our study was to evaluate skin color matching between the donor allograft and recipient native tissue in partial facial transplantations to determine the level of success perceived by the general public and medical professionals. METHODS: Published photographs of partial face transplant recipients were used to create a survey where recipient native and donor allograft skin samples were juxtaposed. Thirty-three members of the general public and 30 medical professionals were asked to rate skin color match on a scale from "excellent match" to "not a match." RESULTS: Overall, 47% of given ratings were positive, indicating an "excellent" or "good match," and 53% of ratings were negative, indicating a "poor match" or "lack of match" between the skin sample pairings shown. Of the 19 partial face transplant patients who were rated, 9 patients received >50% positive ratings, and 10 patients received <50% positive ratings. Medical professionals consistently gave more positive ratings, with statistically significant differences in 7 of the 19 rated patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that there is need for improvement in color matching in partial facial transplantation, and that the general public is more critical of skin color matching compared to medical professionals.

Survival Rates for Patients with Resected Gastric Adenocarcinoma Finally have Increased in the United States.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, the overall survival rates for gastric adenocarcinoma have remained low, with surgical resection as the only therapy for many patients. Given the advances in multimodality treatment and the development of guidelines recommending adequate lymph node evaluation, the authors determined whether overall survival rates for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma have increased in the United States. METHODS: The study used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to examine overall survival for patients with the diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma between 1988 and 2013. The study cohort was divided into five periods: 1988-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2002, 2003-2007, and 2008-2013. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to determine the effect that year of diagnosis had on overall survival. RESULTS: The diagnosis was determined for 13,470 patients between 1988 and 2013. The use of radiation therapy and the proportion of patients who had at least 15 lymph nodes evaluated significantly increased during the study period. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated significantly better survival rates for the patients with a diagnosis of gastric cancer in the later periods (2003-2007 and 2008-2013) than for those in the three earlier periods. In our Cox proportional hazards model, recent period was associated with a significantly lower hazard of 5-year mortality. CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrated for the first time that gastric cancer survival rates have significantly improved in the United States during the past 2 decades. This observation likely reflects improved adherence to cancer treatment guidelines, including adequate lymph node evaluation and delivery of adjuvant treatment more consistently.

Postmastectomy Reconstruction Outcomes After Intraoperative Evaluation with Indocyanine Green Angiography Versus Clinical Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Mastectomy flap necrosis is a major complication in patients undergoing tissue expander-based reconstruction. This study compared the complication rates following mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography evaluation to those with clinical assessment only. METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective study of mastectomy patients who underwent immediate tissue expander-based reconstruction between September 2009 and December 2013. ICG angiography was adopted in March 2012. The rates of complications in the ICG and clinical assessment only groups were compared. Factors associated with complications were identified with the Fischer exact test and univariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were identified; clinical assessment only, 53 patients; ICG angiography, 61 patients. The overall complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups (ICG angiography, 50.8 %; clinical assessment, 43.4 %; p = 0.46). There was no significant difference in the rates of unexpected return to the operating room, cellulitis, hematomas, and seromas. The overall rates of flap necrosis were not significantly different (ICG angiography, 27.9 %; clinical assessment, 18.9 %; p = 0.28). However, the rates of severe flap necrosis were significantly lower with intraoperative ICG angiography (4.9 %) than with clinical assessment only (18.9 %, p = 0.02). On univariate analysis, breast weight (≥500 g) was significantly associated with increased rates of severe flap necrosis (p = 0.04), whereas body mass index, age, smoking status, prior breast surgery, history of radiation therapy, and receipt of nipple-sparing mastectomy were not. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that the implementation of intraoperative ICG angiography was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of severe flap necrosis.

Immunologic Outcomes in Cross-Sex Solid Organ Transplants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to Inform Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Of nearly 90 hand and 50 face transplant recipients, only five have received a cross-sex vascularized composite allotransplantation (CS-VCA). CS-VCA has the potential to expand the donor pool and has been proven anatomically feasible and ethically acceptable in previous studies. However, there is a lack of immunologic data. This study evaluated the immunologic feasibility of CS-VCA through analysis of the solid organ transplant literature, given the paucity of CS-VCA data. The authors hypothesize that rates of acute rejection (AR) and graft survival (GS) in CS versus same-sex (SS) solid organ transplantation are similar. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Studies comparing GS or AR episodes in CS and SS adult kidney (KT) and liver transplant (LT) populations were included. Odds ratios were calculated for overall GS and AR for all SS and CS transplant combinations [male-to-female (MTF), female-to-male, and overall]. RESULTS: A total of 693 articles were initially identified with 25 included in the meta-analysis. No significant difference in GS was noted between SS-KT versus CS-KT [OR, 1.04 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.07); P = 0.07), SS-KT versus MTF-KT [OR, 0.97 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.04); P = 0.41), and SS-LT versus MTF-LT [OR, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.00); P = 0.05). No significant difference in AR was noted between SS-KT versus MTF-KT [OR, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1.02); P = 0.57), SS-LT versus CS-LT [OR, 0.78 (95% CI, 0.53 to 1.16); P = 0.22], or SS-LT versus female-to-male LT [OR, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.12); P = 0.47]. For the remaining pairings, GS was significantly increased and AR was significantly decreased in the SS transplants. CONCLUSIONS: Published data suggest immunologic feasibility of CS-KT and CS-LT with the potential for generalization to the VCA population. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: In theory, CS-VCA could expand the potential donor pool, ultimately leading to decreased wait times for recipients and improve the likelihood of establishing a immunologically favorable donor-recipient match.

Do Corporate Payments Influence Research Related to the Use of Acellular Dermal Matrices in Breast Surgery?

BACKGROUND: No study has assessed the impact of financial conflicts of interests (COIs) on the reporting of breast reconstruction outcomes with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in peer-reviewed publications. The authors hypothesized that there is (1) an association between financial COIs and likelihood of studies reporting benefits in using ADM, and (2) inconsistent reporting of financial COIs. METHODS: The PubMed database was used to identify articles that reported on the use of ADM in breast surgery in four leading plastic surgery journals from January of 2014 to December of 2019. Financial COIs for authors were determined using the open payments database. RESULTS: Fifty-five articles were included. Twenty-four articles (43.6%) supported use of ADM, 12 (21.8%) did not promote ADM use, and 19 (34.5%) were neutral. Fifty-one studies (92.7%) had either a first or senior author with a COI, and authors with a COI more commonly reported positive outcomes ( P = 0.02). Studies with positive outcomes featured first authors who received significantly larger financial payments ($95,955 versus $15,642; P = 0.029) compared with studies with negative or neutral outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that studies with first authors receiving over $376.28 were more likely to report positive results. Eight senior authors and three first authors received greater than $500 from ADM producers yet did not report any financial disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Financial COI is associated with higher likelihood of studies reporting benefit of using ADM in breast surgery. There remains inconsistent reporting of COIs, and better oversight is needed to ensure unbiased publication on the use of ADM in breast surgery.

Evolution of a Plastic Surgery Summer Research Program: Lessons Learned from Programmatic Evaluation and Quality Enhancement.

Early surgical exposure and research fellowships can influence medical students' specialty choice, increase academic productivity, and impact residency match. However, to our knowledge, there is no published guidance on the programmatic evaluation and quality enhancement necessary for the sustainability of formal plastic surgery summer research programs for first year medical students. We present seven years (2013-2020) of institutional experience in an effort to inform program development at other institutions. Methods: From 2013 to 2016, a sole basic science research arm existed. In 2017, a clinical research arm was introduced, with several supplemental activities, including surgical skills curriculum. A formalized selection process was instituted in 2014. Participant feedback was analyzed annually. Long-term outcomes included continued research commitment, productivity, and residency match. Results: The applicant pool reached 96 applicants in 2019, with 85% from outside institutions. Acceptance rate reached 7% in 2020. With adherence to a scoring rubric for applicant evaluation, good to excellent interrater reliability was achieved (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.75). Long-term outcomes showed that on average per year, 28% of participants continued involvement in departmental research and 29% returned for dedicated research. Upon finishing medical school, participants had a mean of 7 ± 4 peer-reviewed publications. In total, 62% of participants matched into a surgical residency program, with 54% in integrated plastic surgery. Conclusions: A research program designed for first year medical students interested in plastic surgery can achieve academic goals. Students are provided with mentorship, networking opportunities, and tools for self-guided learning and career development.

Gender Affirmation Surgery on the Rise: Analysis of Trends and Outcomes.

Purpose: Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has become an important component of the treatment of gender dysphoria. Although the frequency of these procedures is on the rise, a complete safety profile has yet to be established. The goal of our study is to analyze the trends and outcomes of these surgical procedures. Methods: All patients with a primary diagnosis of gender dysphoria undergoing GAS were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database between the years 2009 and 2018. Patient demographics and 30-day postoperative outcomes were recorded. We performed a multivariate logistic regression for postoperative complications, controlling for several confounding variables. Results: We identified 2956 patients, of which 1767 (59.78%) were transgender men and 1189 (40.22%) were transgender women. The number of patients undergoing GAS per year increased from 7 in 2010 to 1069 in 2018, a 152-fold increase. For patients undergoing top surgery, Black race (odds ratio [OR] = 2.255, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.189-4.277, p = 0.013) and diabetes (OR = 4.156, 95% CI 1.571-10.999, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of 30-day postoperative complications. For patients undergoing bottom surgery, total operative time in minutes (OR = 1.005, 95% CI 1.003-1.007, p = 0.001) was an independent predictor of 30-day postoperative complications. Conclusion: The demand for GAS has increased exponentially since 2014. While postoperative complication rates are acceptable, Black race was shown to be an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing top surgery, a finding that calls for further investigation of racial disparities among transgender patients.

Patient-centred outcomes and dental implant placement in computer-aided free flap mandibular reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Computerised surgical planning (CSP) and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) have been demonstrated to increase surgical accuracy and reduce operative time in free flap mandibular reconstruction, but evidence is lacking as to their impact on patient-centred outcomes. Implant-supported dental prostheses, however, have been associated with improved quality of life outcomes following free flap mandibular reconstruction. We aim to review reported patient-centred outcomes in mandibular reconstruction with CSP and CAD/CAM and determine whether use of these technologies is associated with higher rates of dental implant placement following free flap mandibular reconstruction. On December 20, 2020, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for studies reporting quality of life, functional outcomes, and rates of dental implant placement in computer-aided free flap mandibular reconstruction. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to compare dental implant placement rates between surgeries using CSP and those using conventional freehand techniques. A total of 767 articles were screened. Nine articles reporting patient-centred outcomes and 16 articles reporting dental implant outcomes were reviewed. Of those reporting dental implant outcomes, five articles, representing a total of 302 cases, were included in the meta-analysis. Use of CSP was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of dental implant placement, with an odds ratio of 2.70 (95% CI 1.52 to 4.79, p = 0.0007). Standardised reporting methods and controlled studies are needed to further investigate the impact of CSP and CAD/CAM technologies on functional outcomes and patient-reported quality of life in free flap mandibular reconstruction. Use of CSP and CAD/CAM technologies is associated with higher rates of dental implant placement in patients undergoing free flap mandibular reconstruction when compared to conventional freehand techniques.

Trends, Gaps, and Collaboration in Facial Transplantation: A Bibliometric Study.

Facial transplantation (FT) has advanced extensively over the past two decades, with over 40 transplants performed to date. Over this time, the FT literature has evolved as well, from early discussions on ethics and feasibility of FT to functional outcomes reports more recently. We aimed to evaluate the entire body of FT literature to identify trends in publications over time in addition to current existing gaps in the field. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the published FT literature from 1994, the first year FT was mentioned in the literature, through July 2020. Co-authorship and keyword information were analyzed using VOSviewer. Articles were manually categorized based on keywords and their aim to provide insight on trends. Results: A total of 2182 articles were identified. Analysis identified the top 50 publishing authors in the field and demonstrated co-authorship linkage between 84.8% of the top 1000 authors. Clinical surgical techniques, protocols, and experiments were the most frequently published category. Within clinical outcomes, immunologic outcomes were most frequent, while psychosocial were the lowest. Gaps were identified in long-term outcomes reporting and patient-reported outcomes, with physician-reported outcomes heavily outweighing patient-reported outcomes. Conclusions: As the field continues to evolve, rigorous tracking of publication patterns over time will encourage development of a more robust evidence base, identify gaps in the published literature, and highlight opportunities to enhance collaboration in the field. This data will provide surgeons and research institutions with information to further improve this life-changing procedure.