Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Oral Cancer Patients Reconstructed With Double Free Flaps: A Preoperative and Postoperative Assessment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QOL) in patients with locally advanced oral cancer who underwent surgical resection followed by simultaneous double free flap reconstruction. METHODS: Institutional database was reviewed from 2015 to 2021 and prospectively collected University of Washington Quality of Life data that were extracted for patients who met the inclusion criteria. Mean, composite, and best percentage scores were computed. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze differences between groups. RESULTS: Thirteen patients completed the assessment, all of them being male with a mean follow-up of 2.2 ± 1.2 years. Most common double free flap combination was fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap and anterolateral thigh flap (n = 11). Improvement in pain ( P = 0.01) domain score with decline in speech ( P = 0.01) and taste ( P = 0.02) was noted along with an overall decline in QOL ( P = 0.001) after cancer diagnosis. A decrease in physical function was seen postoperatively. Chewing and saliva were the most cited postoperative patient-reported domain affecting QOL. CONCLUSIONS: In double free flap reconstructed patients, in the postoperative phase, pain scores improved, whereas speech and taste scores declined. The overall health-related QOL declined compared with before cancer diagnosis.

Serial assessment and long-term radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus after inferior maxillectomy and soft tissue free flap reconstruction in patients with oral cancer.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates serial radiographic changes in the maxillary sinus of patients with oral cancer after an inferior maxillectomy and a soft tissue free flap reconstruction. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were evaluated between Oct 2005 and Mar 2017 from an institutional database. Preoperative and surveillance imaging was reviewed at set time-points. Maxillary sinus scores were allotted based on a modification of the Lund-MacKay staging system. Patients were evaluated for change in sinus score. A univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) analysis was performed. RESULTS: There were 53.5% T3/T4 category tumors and 68% received adjuvant treatment. Median follow-up was 24.4 months. Preoperative mean sinus score was 0.27 ± 0.44 and postoperative mean sinus score at 24 months was 1.2 ± 1.3 (p = <0.001). On UV analysis advanced T-stage at 12 months (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.2-50.3, p = 0.01) and 24 months (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.03-36.8, p = 0.04) was associated with significantly higher sinus score. On MV analysis, advanced T-stage continued to be associated with increased odds for higher sinus score (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.1-26.8, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: A mild increase in postoperative sinus score is seen in this cohort of patients. Advanced T-stage is associated with increased odds for higher sinus scores.

A large language model's assessment of methodology reporting in head and neck surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of a Large Language Model - ChatGPT 3.5 to appraise the quality of scientific methodology reporting in head and neck specific scientific literature. METHODS: Authors asked ChatGPT 3.5 to create a grading system for scientific reporting of research methods. The language model produced a system with a max of 60 points. Individual scores were provided for Study Design and Description, Data Collection and Measurement, Statistical Analysis, Ethical Considerations, and Overall Clarity and Transparency. Twenty articles were selected at random from The American Head and Neck Society's (AHNS) fellowship curriculum 2.0 for interrogation and each 'Methods' section was input into ChatGPT 3.5 for scoring. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed between different scoring categories and a post-hoc tukey HSD test was performed. RESULTS: Twenty articles were assessed, eight were categorized as very good and nine as good based on cumulative score. Lowest mean score was noted with category of statistical analysis (Mean = 0.49, SD = 0.02). On ANOVA a significant difference between means of the different scoring categories was noted, F(4, 95) = 13.4, p ≤ 0.05. On post-hoc Tukey HSD test, mean scores for categories of data collection (Mean = 0.58, SD = 0.06) and statistical analysis (Mean = 0.49, SD = 0.02) were significantly lower when compared to other categories. CONCLUSION: This article showcases the feasibility of employing a large language model such as ChatGPT 3.5 to assess the methods sections in head and neck academic writing.

Building Sustainable Reconstructive Microsurgery in Countries with Limited Resources: The Rwandan Experience.

Background: Reconstructive microsurgery practice has been well adopted in developed countries, but this has not been the same in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Injuries related to road traffic accidents are highest in these countries, with 93% of the world's fatalities on the roads occurring in LMICs. The objective of this study was to highlight the need for sustainable microsurgery in LMICs and share strategies undertaken in Rwanda. Methods: We review the contemporary literature about the needs and challenges facing reconstructive microsurgery in LMICs. We describe the strategies undertaken in Rwanda towards developing microsurgery. We also report the outcomes of the first ever microsurgery visiting professorship organized in the country and the steps taken towards achieving sustainable microsurgery practice in Rwanda. Results: There is a huge unmet need for reconstructive microsurgery in LMICs. Most of the microsurgical operations in these countries are done in short term surgical mission setups. No data focusing on sustaining reconstructive microsurgery in LMICs has been described in the contemporary literature. There is a 2.5-fold increase in the number of trained plastic surgeons in Rwanda over the past 5 years, with increasing skills in microsurgery and opportunities for formal overseas fellowships. Conclusion: With dedicated local champions, a comprehensive approach, and reliable partners, establishing sustainable microsurgery services is possible in countries with limited resources. In our experience, the fly-in-fly-out microsurgical missions aimed at mainly providing surgical care to patients seem to have a limited long-term impact and sustainability. We recommend integrating these missions into planned microsurgical initiatives of pre-existing local plastic surgery training programs.

ChatGPT in head and neck scientific writing: A precautionary anecdote.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of ChatGPT references in scientific writing relevant to head and neck surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five commonly researched keywords relevant to head and neck surgery were selected (osteoradionecrosis of the jaws, oral cancer, adjuvant therapy for oral cancer, TORS, and free flap reconstruction in oral cancer). The AI chatbot was then asked to provide ten complete citations for each of the keywords. Two independent authors reviewed the results for accuracy and assigned each article a numerical score based on pre-selected criteria. RESULTS: Among 50 total references provided by ChatGPT, only five (10 %) were found to have the correct title, journal, authors, year of publication, and DOI. Merely 14 % of the presented references had correct DOI. References regarding free flap reconstruction for oral cancer were the least accurate from all the five categories, with no correct DOI. Complete inter-rater agreement was noted while evaluating the citations. CONCLUSION: Only 10 % of the articles provided by ChatGPT, relevant to head and neck surgery, were correct. A high degree of academic hallucination was noted.

Commissuroplasty using the triangular cheek flap in patients with free flap reconstruction of through and through buccal defects.

Extensive resections of advanced stage oral cavity cancers can sometimes lead to significant through and through buccal defects with compromise of the oral commissure/lips. Post free flap reconstruction, such patients often require a secondary delayed commissuroplasty to assist with improved oral function and quality of life. In current literature, limited methods exist for free flap commissuroplasty with some key limitations, particularly their negative impact on buccal sulcus or oral vestibule. Our technique of the triangular cheek flap commissuroplasty allows the surgeon to reconstruct a neo-commissure without compromising the oral vestibular depth or decreasing mouth opening. Through this pictorial essay we describe a detailed surgical technique for secondary reconstruction of the oral commissure.

Lifestyle and career satisfaction among US-based oral and maxillofacial surgeons: Results of a nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate overall career satisfaction rate amongst US-based oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) and to evaluate possible predictors of professional stress and quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: Members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were invited to complete an online survey-based assessment. Descriptive statistics were computed; univariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for satisfaction. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 29%. Most of respondents were male (88.6%), aged >45 years (71.7%), married (91.7%), and working at private and/or group-based practices (55.9%) for >15 years (66.6%). Most surgeons 91.3% reported being satisfied with their career with 84.9% willing to choose a career in OMS again. No significant difference was noted in satisfaction rates between academic and non-academic surgeons. On univariate analysis, no demographic characteristic was predictive of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Reportedly, 91.3% of US-based OMSs have a significant degree of career satisfaction, and a majority would choose the specialty as their profession again.

Impact of depth of invasion on local recurrence in R0 resected node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the impact of depth of invasion (DOI) on local recurrence (LR) in node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Fifty-one patients were retrospectively reviewed from an institutional database. Patients were evaluated for local control (LC). Cox-proportional hazards modeling was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS: There were 84.3% T1/2 and 15.7% T3/4 classification tumors. The 3-year overall survival rate was 97.9%. Local failure rate was 5.7% with a 3-year LC of 93.6%. On Univariate analysis, increased hazard of LR was noted with each unit increase in DOI (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07-1.83, p = 0.014). Age, sex, T classification, margins ≥5 mm, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI), and adjuvant treatment were not associated with LR. On Multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and adjuvant treatment, results for DOI remained significant (aHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08-1.98, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: On evaluation of our institutional dataset increasing DOI was associated with increased hazard of local recurrence with oral tongue SCC.

Oral cancer patients achieve comparable survival at high safety-net burden hospitals.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of hospital safety-net burden and social demographics on the overall survival of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 48,176 oral cancer patients diagnosed between the years 2004 to 2015 from the National Cancer Database and categorized treatment facilities as no, low, or high safety-net burden hospitals based on the percentage of uninsured or Medicaid patients treated. Using the Kaplan Meier method and multivariate analysis, we examined the effect of hospital safety-net burden, sociodemographic variables, and clinical factors on overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 1269 treatment facilities assessed, the median percentage of uninsured/Medicaid patients treated was 0% at no, 11.6% at low, and 23.5% at high safety-net burden hospitals and median survival was 68.6, 74.8, and 55.0 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). High safety-net burden hospitals treated more non-white populations (15.4%), lower median household income (<$30,000) (23.2%), and advanced stage cancers (AJCC III/IV) (54.6%). Patients treated at low (aHR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.91-1.04, p = 0.405) and high (aHR = 1.05; 95% CI = 0.98-1.13, p = 0.175) safety-net burden hospitals did not experience worse survival outcomes compared to patients treated at no safety-net burden hospitals. CONCLUSION: High safety-net burden hospitals treated more oral cancer patients of lower socioeconomic status and advanced disease. Multivariate analysis showed high safety-net burden hospitals achieved comparable patient survival to lower burden hospitals.

Treatment of tophaceous pseudogout in the temporomandibular joint with resection and alloplastic reconstruction: a single-staged approach.

Tophaceous pseudogout is a rare variant of the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) disorder, with predilection for the TMJ. It is characterized by calcific deposits composed of rhomboid- or rectangular-shaped crystals that exhibit birefringence when examined under polarized light. We hereby present a case of a 65-year-old man with left pre-auricular tenderness and malocclusion. CT imaging was notable for a left TMJ mineralized mass with erosion of the condylar head. Treatment involved excision of the mass with eminectomy, condylectomy, and a stock total TMJ reconstruction. In this report, important considerations for diagnosis, biopsy, and surgical treatment with emphasis on reconstruction for tophaceous pseudogout of the TMJ have been highlighted by the authors.

Dental Practice Patterns for Oral Care in Medical Oncology Patients-a Survey-Based Assessment of Massachusetts Dentists.

Oral complications associated with cancer therapy lead to a significant deterioration of oral health and overall quality of life. The primary aim of this study was to assess dental practice patterns followed by dentists for oral care of medical oncology patients and to identify potential barriers to recommended care. A questionnaire-based survey was developed using the Qualtrics online platform. It was electronically distributed to all dentists within the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS). Descriptive statistics were automatically computed by Qualtrics. A total of 363 responses (10.7%) were received. Dentists reported minimal correspondence from the oncology team during referrals. Most dentists communicate treatment recommendations to the oncology team with regard to extractions (74.6%), restorations (66.7%), periodontal health (68.8%), and other urgent needs (73.5%). Potential obstacles to providing care included insufficient time for dental care before start of therapy (61%), lack of patient education on oral complications associated with therapy (56%), and lack of dental insurance (31%). Only 50% of the dentists felt adequately trained to treat oncology patients, and 46% of dentists infrequently followed the recommendations set by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial research (NIDCR). The findings of this study indicate significant variability in the referral patterns and practice protocols for medically necessary oral care in oncology patients. The major barriers to following established guidelines for care may be attributed to the lack of correspondence between provider teams, inadequate training of professionals, and financial or insurance factors associated with increased cost of supportive care.

Craniofacial Anthropometry: Normative Data for Caucasian Infants.

PURPOSE: Craniofacial anthropometry is a valuable tool for characterization of facial dysmorphology and evaluation of treatment outcomes. Databases of normal anthropometric ranges are limited for infants. The aim of this study is to establish normative data for craniofacial anthropometric measurements in Caucasian infants. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study including Caucasian infants (≤12 months old) that were recruited from a pediatric medicine practice and Boston Children's Hospital. Infants with craniofacial deformities, trauma or operations were excluded. The sample was stratified by age (in months) into 4 groups: 0 to 3, 3.1 to 6, 6.1 to 9, and 9.1 to 12. Three dimensional (3D) photographs were obtained for all subjects. Forty-five standard anthropometric points were plotted, and 37 measurements were made on the 3D photographs. Two evaluators independently performed all measurements. One examiner repeated the measurements on 25% of the subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess inter-rater and intra-rater agreement. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean age for the entire sample was 6.3 ±â€Š3.0 months, and 17 subjects (52%) were female. The mean ages (months) for each group were: 1.9 ±â€Š0.7 for group 1 (n = 6); 4.4 ±â€Š0.7 for group 2 (n = 8); 7.5 ±â€Š1.1 for group 3 (n = 11); and 9.9 ±â€Š1.0 for group 4 (n = 8). Descriptive statistics are presented for each group. Inter- and intra-rater agreements were acceptable (ICC >0.6) for 21 anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This study generated normative craniofacial anthropometric measurements for Caucasian infants. These data can be used in the interpretation of measurements for research studies evaluating craniofacial anomalies in this population.

Recategorization of tumor stage in patients with node-negative oral tongue cancer: Impact of the eighth edition American Joint Committee staging system.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate recategorization of pT1-3N0 oral tongue cancer, from seventh to eighth editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging classification, and impact on overall survival (OS). METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database, 1277 patients were categorized using tumor size and depth of invasion with seventh and eighth AJCC staging systems and evaluated for OS. RESULTS: Tumor-category was unchanged in 82.9% and upstaged in 17.1% patients with eighth AJCC. The 3-year OS was 85.3%, 76.6%, and 77.0% with seventh AJCC compared to 87.1%, 75.1%, and 81% with eighth AJCC, for patients with pT1N0, pT2N0, and pT3N0 disease, respectively. Improved discrimination of pT1N0 vs pT2N0 for OS on multivariate analysis was seen for eighth AJCC (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.98, P = .03) but not for patients with pT3N0, with seventh AJCC (HR = 1.02, 95% CI:0.53-1.98, P = .95), and eighth AJCC (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.52-1.42, P = .55). CONCLUSION: Eighth edition AJCC staging leads to improved discrimination of OS between pT1N0 and pT2N0 but not for patients with pT3N0.

Augmentation of the Median Tubercle with Dermis-Fat Graft in Children with Repaired Cleft Lip.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency of the median tubercle is a common residual deformity after repair of cleft lip. The purpose of this study was to analyze the change in labial contour after insertion of a dermis-fat graft. METHODS: Patients with repaired cleft lip who underwent secondary dermis-fat grafting of the median tubercle between 2012 and 2015, along with preoperative and greater than or equal to 3-month postoperative three-dimensional photographs, were included. The photographs were registered to one another and measurements made before and after grafting using anthropometric landmarks. Outcome variables included the following: labial surface area, midline labial height (ls-sto), and lateral labial height (cphi-sto'). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included: 14 with unilateral and 11 with bilateral repaired cleft lip. Mean age at graft placement was 10.9 ± 3.2 years. Preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional images were taken at 13.6 ± 21.6 weeks before and 34.8 ± 25.1 weeks after the procedure, respectively. There were significant increases in labial surface area (11.5 percent; p = 0.019) and labial height (14.1 to 18.5 percent; p = 0.002) after grafting. Augmentation was greater in bilateral clefts (25.5 percent at midline and 16.8 percent laterally) compared with unilateral clefts (11.6 percent at midline and 12.5 percent on the grafted noncleft side). Intrarater and interrater reliability was excellent for all measurements. CONCLUSION: Dermis-fat grafting significantly increases contour of the median tubercle in patients with repaired cleft lip. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency After Le Fort I Osteotomy in a Patient With Undiagnosed Occult Submucous Cleft Palate.

The authors present a 16-year-old patient with no known history of cleft palate who developed velopharyngeal insufficiency after a Le Fort I osteotomy performed for the correction of maxillary hypoplasia and a Class III malocclusion. Postoperative evaluation revealed the presence of velopharyngeal insufficiency and subtle findings of an occult submucous cleft palate. She had a pharyngeal flap 6 months later with successful correction of the velopharyngeal insufficiency. This case illustrates the need to screen for submucous cleft palate prior to orthognathic surgery.

Surgical Uprighting Is a Successful Procedure for Management of Impacted Mandibular Second Molars.

PURPOSE: Impacted mandibular second molars can cause caries and root resorption on adjacent molars and can lengthen orthodontic treatment. Surgical uprighting is one management option. The purposes of this study were to 1) evaluate radiographic outcomes for surgical uprighting of impacted mandibular second molars and 2) propose an etiology for impaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had surgical uprighting of mandibular second molars and had preoperative and at least 12-month postoperative panoramic images and an age- and gender-matched control group of patients undergoing routine orthodontic treatment. Predictor variables included age, gender, impaction type, preoperative angle of impaction, preoperative periodontal bone level distal to an adjacent first molar, posterior eruption space, pathology, and concomitant extraction of the adjacent third molar. Outcome variables were change in impaction type, postoperative periodontal bone levels around the first and second molars, postoperative tooth angle and posterior eruption space, periapical radiolucency, pulpal obliteration, root resorption, and need for extraction. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The sample and control groups each had 16 patients. The mean ages at the first radiographs were 13 ± 1.1 and 13.19 ± 0.61 years for the treatment and control groups, respectively, and the mean follow-up radiographs were obtained 2.4 ± 1.4 and 2.3 ± 0.82 years later. No preoperative images showed pathologic lesions obstructing eruption. Postoperatively, all uprighted molars were Pell and Gregory type IA. The mean change in the angles of the uprighted teeth was 23.5 ± 16.1° (P < .001). The mean distal bone levels of the adjacent first molar were 3.41 ± 1.52 mm preoperatively and 1.45 ± 0.54 mm postoperatively (improvement, 42.5%; P < .001). The preoperative posterior eruption space was 53.6% longer in the control than in the treatment group (P < .001), and the increase in this distance postoperatively was greater for the treatment group than for the control group (P < .001). Pulpal obliteration (n = 6; 31.5%), periapical radiolucency (n = 2; 10.5%), and root resorption (n = 1; 5.3%) were seen on postoperative radiographs. There were 2 failures (10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical uprighting of mandibular second molars is a useful procedure with a low failure rate. Insufficient space for eruption is the likely primary etiology for impaction.

Frequency and Morbidity of Temporomandibular Joint Involvement in Adult Patients With a History of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

PURPOSE: Most patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement, but little is known about the natural history of TMJ disease as these children enter adulthood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adults with a history of JIA to document the frequency and severity of TMJ abnormalities and morbidity. The authors hypothesized that most would have persistent TMJ disease as adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included adults (>19 years of age) with JIA who were managed at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) as children and at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) as adults. History of a TMJ problem was not considered for enrollment. Patients completed a questionnaire and underwent physical examination and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Additional data were obtained from medical records. Associations between TMJ abnormalities at CBCT and arthritis history, TMJ pain and function, facial asymmetry, malocclusion, and cephalometric analysis were examined. RESULTS: Of 129 eligible patients contacted, 21 (42 TMJs) were enrolled. Mean age was 26.0 ± 6.1 years and mean duration of care for JIA at the BCH and BWH was 13.7 ± 6.5 years. TMJ pain was present in 62% of patients (n = 13); 43% (n = 9) had a TMJ functional limitation and 76% (n = 16) had lower facial asymmetry. Abnormalities were found in the TMJs on 55% of CBCT scans, with 79% showing bilateral deformities. There was at least 1 cephalometric measurement of mandibular size or position that was more than 1 standard deviation beyond normal in 81% of patients (n = 17). Only 4 patients (19%) had previously been evaluated for a TMJ problem. CONCLUSION: TMJ abnormalities and related morbidity are common in adult patients with a history of JIA. Therefore, an early screening protocol for TMJ involvement in children with a new diagnosis of JIA would be beneficial and long-term follow-up into adulthood should be routine.