A Comparison of Case Volume in Craniofacial Surgery by Plastic Surgery Residency Training Model.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgeons in the United States are trained under 2 residency training models: integrated and independent. This study analyzes the variability of craniofacial surgery cases performed both between and within training models. METHODS: Case volume data from national data reports of 5 plastic surgery resident cohorts were analyzed (2011-2015). Craniofacial surgery case volumes across 4 major categories and 23 subcategories were compared between training models via t tests. Differences in intramodel variability were compared with F tests. Fold differences were calculated between mean case volumes and minimum requirements in craniofacial surgery. RESULTS: A total of 526 independent/combined (64%) and 292 integrated (36%) plastic surgery residents were included. Integrated residents reported more cases classified as congenital defect (118.8 ± 49.3 vs 110.3 ± 42.9, P = 0.013), neoplasm (202.0 ± 79.7 vs 163.2 ± 60.8, P < 0.001), and trauma (149.0 ± 61.8 vs 127.0 ± 52.0, P < 0.001), but not aesthetic (122.3 ± 68.6 vs 116.5 ± 50.5, P = 0.201). Integrated residents reported more case volume in 12 case subcategories, whereas independent/combined residents reported more cases in 3 case subcategories. Integrated residents had greater intramodel variability in 12 case subcategories, whereas independent/combined residents had greater intramodel variability in 2 case subcategories. Fold differences between mean case volumes and minimum requirements ranged from 1.8 times to 6.0 times. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated residents tended to report significantly more craniofacial surgery cases and exhibit greater intrapathway variability. More research is needed to understand the impact of disparate case volume on core competency training in craniofacial surgery during plastic surgery residency.

Paste-pinch-cut conjunctivoplasty: subconjunctival fibrin sealant injection in the repair of conjunctivochalasis.

PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical technique for the repair of conjunctivochalasis (CCh) using subconjunctival injection of fibrin sealant followed by conjunctival resection and to present a case series demonstrating our experience with the paste-pinch-cut technique. METHODS: A total of 139 eyes of 70 patients (43 women, 27 men) with CCh unresponsive to medical therapy received the described surgical treatment. The procedure consists of 3 primary steps-paste: fibrin sealant is injected subconjunctivally in a line inferior to the limbus; pinch: the conjunctiva is grasped with curved ptosis forceps, gathering the excess conjunctiva into a ridge, which is held, allowing the sealant to polymerize; and cut: the ridge of excess conjunctiva and sealant is resected. Subjective symptoms were assessed after surgery. RESULTS: Conjunctival redundancy was absent postoperatively in all eyes, resulting in a smooth conjunctival surface and restored tear meniscus. At the 3-month follow-up visit, 91.4% of patients reported improvement in symptoms. There were no recurrences or significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: The present retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series study introduces paste-pinch-cut conjunctivoplasty as a simple and an effective surgical treatment for the repair of CCh in symptomatic patients.