Editor's Choice - An Endovascular Approach to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture is Associated With Improved Outcomes for Patients With Prior Aortic Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether outcomes of rupture repair differ by aortic repair history and determine the ideal approach for rupture repair in patients with previous aortic repair. METHODS: This retrospective review included all patients who underwent repair of a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm from 2003 - 2021 recorded in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry. Pre-operative characteristics and post-operative outcomes and long term survival were compared between patients with and without prior aortic repair. To assess the impact of open and endovascular approaches to rupture, a subgroup analysis was then performed among patients who ruptured after a prior infrarenal aortic repair. Univariable and adjusted analyses were performed to account for differences in patient characteristics and operative details. RESULTS: A total of 6 197 patients underwent rupture repair during the study period, including 337 (5.4%) with prior aortic repairs. Univariable analysis demonstrated an increased 30 day mortality rate in patients with prior repairs vs. without (42 vs. 36%; p = .034), and prior repair was associated with increased post-operative renal failure (35 vs. 21%; p < .001), respiratory complications (32 vs. 24%; p < .001), and wound complications (9 vs. 4%; p < .001). Following adjustment, all outcomes were similar with the exception of bowel ischaemia, which was decreased among patients with prior repair (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6 - 0.9). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with a prior aortic repair history who underwent open rupture repair had increased odds for 30 day death (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 - 1.7) and adverse secondary outcomes compared with those managed endovascularly. CONCLUSION: Prior infrarenal aortic repair was not independently associated with increased morbidity or mortality following rupture repair. Patients with a prior aortic repair history demonstrated statistically significantly higher mortality and morbidity when treated with an open repair compared with an endovascular approach. An endovascular first approach to rupture should be strongly encouraged whenever feasible in patients with prior aortic repair.

Three-Dimensional Imaging and Breast Measurements: How Predictable Are We?

BACKGROUND: Outcomes in aesthetic breast surgery are dependent on preoperative breast measurements. The accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) imaging in measuring critical landmarks in augmentation mammaplasty surgery has not been described. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the predictability of 3D imaging compared to direct measurements. METHODS: Two raters measured the breasts of 28 women using four anthropometric (direct) measurements: sternal notch to nipple distance (Sn-N), nipple to midline (N-M), nipple to inframammary-fold distance under maximal stretch (N-IMF), and base width (BW). Measurements (indirect) were also obtained using 3D imaging. Statistical analysis was completed with Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Each rater collected 56 data points for each of the four measurements. This resulted in 224 data points per rater. The Sn-N measurement had a 0.05 cm (SD, 0.65) difference in the mean values obtained between direct and indirect measurements. N-M had a mean difference of 0.20 cm (SD, 0.62). The mean difference for BW was 1.26 cm (SD, 0.69 cm), and N-IMF showed a mean difference of 1.22 cm (SD, 0.74 cm). Three-dimensional imaging overestimated Sn-N, N-M, and BW, while it underestimated N-IMF. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional imaging has good utility and is most accurate for Sn-N and N-M measurements, which require frontal imaging of a standing patient. BW and N-IMF are less accurate due to obscured landmarks on frontal imaging. The medial and lateral aspects of the breast may be obscured when measuring BW on 3D imaging, which may explain this difference. N-IMF is a dynamic measurement, and as a result, 3D imaging has limited ability to measure this distance accurately.

Squamosal Suture Synostosis: Incidence, Associations, and Implications for Treatment.

Squamosal suture craniosynostosis is thought to be a relatively rare entity. In the authors' experience, it is underreported in imaging examinations and the existing literature. The authors sought to determine the incidence of squamosal synostosis, whether it is increasing in frequency, and its relationship with synostosis of the major calvarial sutures.Patients undergoing computed tomography imaging for suspected craniosynostosis over a 15-year period were reviewed by a plastic surgeon and pediatric neuroradiologist. Patients with synostosis of the squamosal sutures were identified and involvement of additional sutures, gender, and the presence of a known syndromic diagnosis were recorded. Patients greater than 4 years of age or those with prior craniofacial surgery were excluded.One hundred twenty-five patients met inclusion criteria, 26 of whom had squamosal suture synostosis (26/125, 20.8%). Squamosal synostosis was found in isolation in 3 patients (3/26, 11.5%), with 1 additional major suture in 10 patients (10/26, 38.5%), and ≥2 major sutures in 13 patients (13/26, 50%). Squamosal synostosis was more common in patients with a syndromic diagnosis (11/26 syndromic, 15/99 nonsyndromic, P < 0.001). Eleven of 26 patients with squamosal synostosis were identified in the radiology report (42.3%).Craniosynostosis of the squamosal suture is much more common than previously reported and can contribute to abnormal head shape in isolation, or in combination with major sutures. Squamosal suture synostosis is underdiagnosed clinically and radiologically, although insufficient evidence exists to determine if its true incidence is increasing.

The Reliability of Anthropometric Measurements Used Preoperatively in Aesthetic Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patient outcomes in aesthetic breast surgery are highly dependent on breast measurements used in preoperative planning. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the reliability of anthropometric breast measurements. METHODS: Four raters measured 28 women using 7 measurements: sternal notch to nipple distance (Sn-N), nipple to midline (N-M), nipple to inframammary-fold distance under maximal stretch (N-IMF), breast base width (BW), soft tissue pinch thickness of the upper pole (STPT:UP), STPT at the inframammary fold (STPT:IMF), and anterior pull skin stretch (APSS). Reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability was excellent for Sn-N, N-M, and BW (ICC = 0.94, 0.90, and 0.76, respectively) and was good for N-IMF (ICC = 0.70). The STPT:UP, STPT:IMF, and APSS measurements were not reliable between raters (ICC < 0.2). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for Sn-N, N-M, and BW for all raters (all ICC > 0.75). The N-IMF intra-rater reliability was excellent in senior raters (ICC > 0.75) and good in junior raters (ICC > 0.6). The STPT:UP, STPT:IMF, and APSS measurements showed fair or poor reliability for most raters (ICC < 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The Sn-N, N-M, and BW measurements are very reliable. Dynamic measurements including APSS, STPT:UP, and STUP:IMF are unreliable. N-IMF is the only reliable dynamic measurement, and its reliability improves with increasing clinical experience. The variable reliability of preoperative measurements must be considered in the planning of aesthetic breast surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Diagnostic.

Development and Evaluation of a High-Fidelity Rhinoplasty Simulator.

SUMMARY: Rhinoplasty is a challenging procedure with a steep learning curve. Surgical simulators provide a safe platform to gain hands-on experience without compromising patient outcomes. Therefore, rhinoplasty is an ideal procedure to benefit from an effective surgical simulator. A high-fidelity rhinoplasty simulator was developed using three-dimensional computer modeling, three-dimensional printing, and polymer techniques. The simulator was tested by six surgeons with experience in rhinoplasty to assess realism, anatomic accuracy, and value as a training tool. The surgeons performed common rhinoplasty techniques and were provided a Likert-type questionnaire assessing the anatomic features of the simulator. A variety of surgical techniques were performed successfully using the simulator, including open and closed approaches. Bony techniques performed included endonasal osteotomies and rasping. Submucous resection with harvest of septal cartilage, cephalic trim, and tip suturing, as well as grafting techniques including alar rim, columellar strut, spreader, and shield grafts, were performed successfully. Overall, there was agreement on the simulator's anatomic accuracy of bony and soft-tissue features. There was strong agreement on the simulator's overall realism and value as a training tool. The simulator provides a high-fidelity, comprehensive training platform to learn rhinoplasty techniques to augment real operating experience without compromising patient outcomes.

The Role of Augmented Reality in the Next Phase of Surgical Education.

Concomitant with such a shift toward competency-based curricula, there has been increasing adoption of surgical simulation coupled with virtual, mixed, and augmented reality. These technologies have become more commonplace across multiple surgical disciplines, in domains such as preoperative planning, surgical education, and intraoperative navigation. However, there is a relative paucity of literature pertaining to the application of this technology to plastic surgery education. This review outlines the advantages of mixed and augmented reality in the pursuit of an ideal simulation environment, their benefits for the education of plastic surgery trainees, and their role in standardized assessments. In addition, we offer practical solutions to commonly encountered problems with this technology. Augmented reality has tremendous untapped potential in the next phase of plastic surgery education, and we outline steps toward broader implementation to enhance the learning environment for our trainees and to improve patient outcomes.

Gingivosupraperiosteoplasty following Presurgical Maxillary Orthopedics Is Associated with Normal Midface Growth in Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Patients at Mixed Dentition.

BACKGROUND: Passive orthodontic appliances and gingivosupraperiosteoplasty are adjuncts that can be used by surgeons at the time of primary cleft lip repair. These treatments, along with the surgical technique of cleft lip and palate repair, may impact midface growth. The objective of this study was to describe the authors' protocol for unilateral and bilateral cleft lip repair and to evaluate midfacial growth in a cohort of patients at mixed dentition who had undergone presurgical passive orthodontic appliance therapy and gingivosupraperiosteoplasty at the time of unilateral and bilateral cleft lip repair. METHODS: Fifteen complete unilateral and 15 complete bilateral cleft lip and palate patients underwent passive orthodontic appliance treatment and primary lip repair with gingivosupraperiosteoplasty. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed by three blinded reviewers. Mean cephalometric measurements at mixed dentition were compared to cephalometric values for noncleft patients, unilateral cleft lip and palate patients who did not undergo gingivoperiosteoplasty or presurgical treatment, and unilateral cleft lip and palate patients who underwent gingivoperiosteoplasty/nasoalveolar molding with independent samples t tests. RESULTS: Mean cephalometric values were within age-specific normal values for sella-nasion-A point, sella-nasion-B point, A point-nasion-B point, and facial axis. Eighty-seven (13/15) percent of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients and 93 percent (14/15) of bilateral cleft lip and palate patients did not exhibit skeletal class III malocclusion. There was no significant difference between cephalometric values for our patients and patients who did not receive gingivosupraperiosteoplasty or presurgical treatment or who underwent the gingivoperiosteoplasty/nasoalveolar molding protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical passive orthodontic appliances, combined with gingivosupraperiosteoplasty at the time of lip repair, leads to normal maxillary development in most patients at mixed dentition. Assessment of midface growth at skeletal maturity is required. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Inpatient Management of Primary Spinal Cord Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities, such as differential treatment and provider bias, negatively affect quality of life for minority patients. However, literature evaluating racial/ethnic differences in the treatment of primary spinal cord tumors (SCTs), a rare condition relying primarily on neurosurgical care, is lacking. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all primary SCT discharges from 2012 to 2016 within the National Inpatient Sample, a 20% all-payer database from hospitals across 47 U.S. states. Relative risks (RRs) for the association of race with mortality, receipt of surgery, and disposition, as well as length of stay and hospital charges, were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1296 discharges met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inpatient mortality was similar across all racial/ethnic groups. Compared with white patients, African Americans were less likely to receive surgical intervention for the same diagnosis (RR, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.93) and to be discharged home (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50-0.91) as opposed to a skilled nursing or intermediate-care facility (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06-2.27). Hispanic patients remained in the hospital 2-3 days longer (6.12 ± 5.86 vs. 8.61 ± 10.97; P = 0.028), resulting in higher hospital charges (U.S. $111,357.02 ± $99,468.44 vs. $163,416.30 ± $228,420.60; P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: African Americans were less likely to receive surgical intervention for treatment of primary SCTs compared with whites. Hispanic patients faced longer hospital stays. These disparities may be attributed to compromised access, provider attitudes and biases, communication barriers, or historical distrust in the medical community: issues that health care reform should address.

The Epidemiology of Scapholunate Advanced Collapse.

Background: Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) is the most common pattern of wrist arthritis. Sparse data exist regarding the SLAC wrist pattern of arthritis. This study aimed to document the epidemiology of advanced SLAC in terms of patients' sociodemographics and possible association with trauma. Methods: Sixty-one patients with severe SLAC wrist were included. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics were reviewed. To evaluate the relationship to injury, this group of cases was compared with a control group of 61 patients with first carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA). The following data were collected for both groups: age, gender, history of traumatic injury, history of manual labor, duration of symptoms, and dominant hand involvement. Pearson chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent samples t test for continuous variables were performed to determine differences between groups. Results: Patients with SLAC wrist were more likely to be male (80.3% vs 31.1%; p<0.001), have a history of a traumatic injury (69.5% vs 25.9%, P < .001), have longer symptom duration (10.3 ± 13.3 vs 3.5 ± 2.5 years, P = .001), be involved in a manual labor job (49.0% vs 20.0%, P = .002), and be younger (53.1 ± 10.4 vs 58.3 ± 9.8; P = .006) compared with patients with CMC OA. There was no difference in dominant hand involvement (49.2% vs 53.3%; P = .571) between the groups. Conclusions: This study identified the characteristics of patients with advanced SLAC wrist. Compared with a control cohort of CMC OA, patients with SLAC wrist were more likely to be male, have a history of a traumatic injury, and be younger.

Hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke: prediction with CT perfusion.

PURPOSE: To determine whether admission computed tomography (CT) perfusion-derived permeability-surface area product (PS) maps differ between patients with hemorrhagic acute stroke and those with nonhemorrhagic acute stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was institutional review board approved, and all participants gave written informed consent. Forty-one patients who presented with acute stroke within 3 hours after stroke symptom onset underwent two-phase CT perfusion imaging, which enabled PS measurement. Patients were assigned to groups according to whether they had hemorrhage transformation (HT) at follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and CT and/or whether they received tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) treatment. Clinical, demographic, and CT perfusion variables were compared between the HT and non-HT patient groups. Associations between PS and HT were tested at univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: HT developed in 23 (56%) patients. Patients with HT had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (P = .005), poorer outcomes (P = .001), and a higher likelihood of having received TPA (P = .005) compared with patients without HT. Baseline blood flow (P = .17) and blood volume (P = .11) defects and extent of flow reduction (P = .27) were comparable between the two groups. The mean PS for the HT group, 0.49 mL x min(-1) x (100 g)(-1), was significantly higher than that for the non-HT group, 0.09 mL x min(-1) x (100 g)(-1) (P < .0001). PS (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.69, 7.06; P = .0007) and size of hypoattenuating area at nonenhanced admission CT (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7; P = .002) were the only independent variables associated with HT at stepwise multivariate analysis. The mean area under the ROC curve was 0.918 (95% CI: 0.828, 1.00). The PS threshold of 0.23 mL x min(-1) x (100 g)(-1) had 77% sensitivity and 94% specificity for detection of HT. CONCLUSION: Admission PS measurement appears promising for distinguishing patients with acute stroke who are likely from those who are not likely to develop HT. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/250/3/867/DC1.

Association of for-profit hospital ownership status with intracranial hemorrhage outcomes and cost of care.

OBJECTIVE: Much of the current discourse surrounding healthcare reform in the United States revolves around the role of the profit motive in medical care. However, there currently exists a paucity of literature evaluating the effect of for-profit hospital ownership status on neurological and neurosurgical care. The purpose of this study was to compare inpatient mortality, operation rates, length of stay, and hospital charges between private nonprofit and for-profit hospitals in the treatment of intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Primary outcomes, including all-cause inpatient mortality, operative status, patient disposition, hospital length of stay, total hospital charges, and per-day hospital charges, were assessed for patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of intracranial (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, or intraparenchymal) hemorrhage, while controlling for baseline demographics, comorbidities, and interhospital differences via propensity score matching. Subgroup analyses by hemorrhage type were then performed, using the same methodology. RESULTS: Of 155,977 unique hospital discharges included in this study, 133,518 originated from private nonprofit hospitals while the remaining 22,459 were from for-profit hospitals. After propensity score matching, mortality rates were higher in for-profit centers, at 14.50%, compared with 13.31% at nonprofit hospitals (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.18; p = 0.040). Surgical operation rates were also similar (25.38% vs 24.42%; RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.91-1.02; p = 0.181). Of note, nonprofit hospitals appeared to be more intensive, with intracranial pressure monitor placement occurring in 2.13% of patients compared with 1.47% in for-profit centers (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.88; p < 0.001). Discharge disposition was also similar, except for higher rates of absconding at for-profit hospitals (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12-2.27; p = 0.018). Length of stay was greater among for-profit hospitals (mean ± SD: 7.46 ± 11.91 vs 6.50 ± 8.74 days, p < 0.001), as were total hospital charges ($141,141.40 ± $218,364.40 vs $84,863.54 ± $136,874.71 [USD], p < 0.001). These findings remained similar even after segregating patients by subgroup analysis by hemorrhage type. CONCLUSIONS: For-profit hospitals are associated with higher inpatient mortality, lengths of stay, and hospital charges compared with their nonprofit counterparts.

White matter thresholds for ischemic penumbra and infarct core in patients with acute stroke: CT perfusion study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the parameters derived at admission computed tomographic (CT) perfusion imaging admission that best differentiate ischemic white matter that recovers from that which infarcts, with the latter retrospectively defined at a CT examination performed without contrast material (unenhanced CT) 5-7 days after the event. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. Thirty patients with stroke underwent unenhanced CT, CT angiography, and CT perfusion studies at admission. Additionally, CT angiography was performed 24 hours after the stroke, and an unenhanced CT study was performed 5-7 days after the stroke. Five patients were excluded; the remaining patients (10 men, 15 women; mean age, 70 years +/- 13 [standard deviation]) were separated into those with recanalization (n = 16) and those without recanalization (n = 9) at 24 hours. For patients with recanalization, the final infarct was outlined on unenhanced CT images obtained 5-7 days after the event and was superimposed on coregistered maps from the CT perfusion study performed at admission. Ischemic white matter tissue (cerebral blood flow [CBF] < 14 mL/min/100 g) was identified at the admission CT perfusion study, and the penumbra was defined as the difference between the ischemic region and the infarct region. RESULTS: Infarct regions showed a matched decrease in CBF and cerebral blood volume (CBV) at admission, whereas penumbra regions showed a significant (P < .05) decrease in CBF but no change in CBV (P > .05) from contralateral values. A threshold CBF . CBV value of 8.14 was the most sensitive (95%, 20 of 21 regions) and specific (94%, 32 of 34 regions) parameter for differentiating between regions of ischemic white matter that recovered and regions of ischemic white matter that infarcted. CONCLUSION: The product of CBF and CBV derived from CT perfusion data provided the best differentiation between regions of ischemic white matter that infarcted and regions of ischemic white matter that recovered 5-7 days after a stroke.

Indications and Controversies for Abdominally-Based Complete Autologous Tissue Breast Reconstruction.

This article reviews the indications and controversies in abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. The evidence regarding these indications and controversies will be appraised and summarized. Finally, we will provide a summary of our approach and technique for the patient undergoing autologous breast reconstruction using abdominally based free flaps.

Predicting Complications in Immediate Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction: How Useful Is the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Surgical Risk Calculator?

BACKGROUND: Complications following immediate breast reconstruction can have significant consequences for the delivery of postoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Identifying patients at higher risk of complications would ensure that immediate breast reconstruction does not compromise oncologic treatment. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Surgical Risk Calculator is an online tool in the public domain that offers individualized preoperative risk prediction for a wide range of surgical procedures, including alloplastic breast reconstruction. This study evaluates the usefulness of this tool in patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expanders at a single institution. METHODS: Details of 278 patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander placement were entered into the calculator to determine the predicted complication rate. This was compared to the rate of observed complications on chart review. The predictive model was evaluated for calibration and discrimination using the statistical measures used in the original development of the calculator. RESULTS: The predicted rate of complications (5.2 percent) was significantly lower that the observed rate (16.2 percent; p < 0.01). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed lack of fit of the model. The C statistic was 0.62 and the Brier score was 0.173, indicating that the model had poor predictive power and could not discriminate between those who were at risk for complications and those who were not. CONCLUSIONS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program universal Surgical Risk Calculator underestimated the proportion of patients that would develop complications in this cohort. In addition, it was unable to effectively identify individual patients at increased risk, suggesting that this tool would not make a useful contribution to preoperative decision-making in this patient group.

Chronically implanted epineural electrodes for repeated assessment of nerve conduction velocity and compound action potential amplitude in rodents.

Implanted epineural electrodes were used for the longitudinal assessment of peripheral nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and compound action potential (CAP) amplitude in rats. Custom-fabricated stimulating and recording electrodes were sutured over the tibial and sciatic nerves, respectively, and were used for weekly recordings of CAP latency and amplitude. Intra-day variability of nerve conduction velocity measurements had coefficients of variation of less than 2% for same day recordings from individual subjects. A clear trend in recovery of the NCV values following implant was observed over the 7-week trial period. These results demonstrate that implanted epineural electrodes provide a reliable method for chronic, in vivo monitoring of nerve conduction parameters in rodents.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation: an update on medical and surgical progress and remaining challenges.

BACKGROUND: In vascularized composite allotransplantation, multiple types of tissue are transferred from donor to recipient as a single functional unit. This technique has been performed for upper extremity, face, and abdominal wall transplants, among many others. OBJECTIVE: To review the existing cases of face and upper extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation performed to date and to describe the functional outcomes and challenges associated with this new procedure. We also review the immune suppression protocols required for these procedures. METHODS: A literature review was performed using PubMed and online registries where available to identify patients who have undergone upper extremity and face transplant procedures. These were compiled and cross-referenced to abstracts, conference presentations, and press releases in the media to create a list of procedures performed to date. RESULTS: More than seventy patients have undergone upper extremity transplantation with very good functional outcomes routinely achieved. Twenty-five face transplants were identified that have been completed to date and details regarding patient outcome are included. One cases of human face allotransplantation with pre- and post-operative images is included as an example of what can be achieved with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized composite allotransplantation is an emerging field that provides an exciting new avenue for reconstructive procedures and achieves functional and cosmetic outcomes not previously possible with existing techniques. However, it is not without its challenges and considerable work is still required prior to widespread adoption of these new reconstructive techniques.