Characteristics and Patterns of Facial Fractures in the Elderly Population in the United States Based on Trauma Quality Improvement Project Data.

ABSTRACT: With the increase in the elderly population in the United States, the number of people seeking care for trauma injuries is expected to increase. However, nationwide studies on epidemiological profile of elderly facial fractures remain sparse. The authors present the epidemiological measures of elderly facial fractures on national scale. Characteristics of facial fractures among younger adults (18-64 years old) and the elderly population (65-74 years old, 75-84 years old and 85 years and above) have been examined using the 2016 American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank. Variables studied included facial fracture patterns, mechanisms of injury, treatment variables, and demographic descriptive data. Of 104,183 elderly trauma patients, 3415 presented with facial fractures, making up 3.3% (versus 6.5% in younger adults). Majority of facial fractures in 85 and over group (60.7%) were experienced by females, compared to only 19.5% in the younger adult group. Most common mechanism of injury in the elderly was falls, versus motor vehicle trauma in younger adults. The most common type of facial fractures among both groups were nasal fractures. Elderly patients presented with fewer zygoma, mandibular and nasal fractures when compared to younger adults, whereas showing more maxillary/malar and orbital bone fractures. Elderly patients experienced less operative management (4.3%-8.2%) compared to younger adults (15.6%). Concurrently, mortality rates were higher in the elderly patients (9.9%-11.8%) when compared to the younger adults (8.0%). Elderly patients presented with different causes of injury, distribution of fractures, and rates of operative management compared to younger adults.

Zygoma Fractures Are Associated With Increased Morbidity and Mortality in the Pediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Trauma involving the facial bones has been shown to be associated with high severity in previous studies. Characteristics of facial fractures in adults have been well described in the adult population, less so in the pediatric literature. Our investigation aims to define these epidemiological measures and risk factors for poor outcomes using the most recent data. METHODS: The 2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Program data bank was examined to study facial fracture pattern, mechanism of injury, and demographic descriptive data to characterize pediatric trauma patients. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess risk factors for morbidity and mortality in pediatric facial fracture patients. RESULTS: Of 51,168 total pediatric trauma patients, 2917 (5.7%) presented with facial fractures. Motor vehicle trauma was the most common mechanism of injury. Maxillary/malar fractures was the most common fracture type overall. Mandibular fractures were most common in the 0 to 1 age category while nasal bone fractures were more common in older patients. Patients with mandible fractures experienced the highest rate of operative management. Zygoma fracture was highly associated with concomitant traumatic brain injury. Multivariable regression analysis showed that fracture of the zygoma, concomitant traumatic brain injury, and cervical spine injury were risk factors for increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Facial fractures are a rare but significant form of trauma in the pediatric population. Our data suggests a slight change in fracture patterns compared to previous studies. Zygoma fractures, traumatic brain injury, and cervical spine injury are risk factors of increased mortality that clinicians should be aware of.

Preferences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Persons in Gender-Confirming Surgical Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Increased awareness for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals may lead to increased demand for surgical interventions in gender-confirming care. However, limited literature exists regarding transgender and gender-nonconforming preferences and experiences with medical or surgical care. The authors aim to characterize the medical and surgical care sought by this population, as well as their surgical preferences, motivations, and barriers to care. METHODS: An online questionnaire about opinions and personal experiences with medical and surgical care during gender transition was publicized via regional online social networking forums in Connecticut and surrounding areas catering to transgender communities. RESULTS: Responses were received from 313 participants. Participants were 97% male gender at birth and 92% white with an average (SD) age of 51.6 (13.5) years. Fifty-nine percent identified as male-to-female transgender and 20% as gender nonconforming. Respondents were aware of their gender identity at a mean (SD) age of 9.6 (9.0) years, but did not begin transitioning until a mean (SD) age of 38.9 (20.8) years, with gender-nonconforming respondents choosing to transition at a significantly younger age as compared with transgender respondents (29.8 vs 41.4 years; P = 0.0061, unpaired t test). Only 42% of all respondents, with a significantly greater number of transgender as opposed to gender-nonconforming individuals, had previously met with a physician to discuss transitioning (49% vs 21%, P = 0.002, χ test). Eight percent of the study population had undergone gender confirmation surgery (GCS), 52% were interested in GCS, and 40% were not interested in GCS. Primary motivation for GCS included discomfort in one's current body (28%), and barriers to GCS included cost (40%) and reactions of family (40%), partners (32%), and friends (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals lack medical support for gender transition, with fewer than half of survey respondents reporting a prior meeting with a physician to discuss transitioning. The reported perspectives offer important insight into transgender preferences that should act as the basis of future efforts to improve the efficacy of gender-confirming care.

The Pierre Robin Mandible is Hypoplastic and Morphologically Abnormal.

BACKGROUND: For Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) patients, there is incomplete characterization of 3D differences and effects of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) on the mandible compared to normal controls. METHODS: PRS infants who underwent MDO at 2 craniofacial referral centerals with pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were identified. A group of age-matched control patients with CTs were identified in the PACS database. Demographic and perioperative data were recorded. Mandibular lengths, angles, and volumes were measured. Morphologic and outcomes data were analyzed in a case-control comparison. RESULTS: Sixty-three CT scans were analyzed. Fifteen pre-op PRS patient and 15 control CTs were well matched in terms of age and sex. Mandibular volume (78%), ramus length (87%), and body length (95%) were all decreased in the PRS patients. Anterior symphyseal angle (84%) was significantly reduced in PRS patients while mandibular angle (102%) was maintained. Eighteen post-op PRS patient and 15 control CTs were well matched in terms of age and gender. Mandibular volumes (106%) were normalized following distraction with shorter mandibular rami (88%) and longer mandibular bodies (109%). Postoperatively, mandibular angle (100%) and anterior symphyseal angle (99%) were ultimately indistinguishable from controls. CONCLUSIONS: The mandible in PRS is dysmorphic compared to age-matched controls. Overall, they have a smaller volume, shorter ramus, and an obtuse symphyseal angle. MDO improves mandibular volume and normalizes the symphyseal angle, but results in a longer mandibular body and shorter mandibular ramus.

Does Mandibular Distraction Vector Influence Airway Volumes and Outcome?

PURPOSE: The goal of mandibular distraction in the Pierre-Robin sequence is to maximally expand the oropharyngeal airway. It has been hypothesized that a steep oblique distraction vector might allow greater airway enlargement compared with horizontal distraction. This study compared vector orientation in relation to airway volume and overall clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micrognathic infants who underwent mandibular distraction with sufficient computed tomographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, diagnostic, perioperative, and distraction data were recorded. Groups were separated based on distraction vector (group 1, horizontal; group 2, oblique). Airway and mandibular volumes were measured using Mimics (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). Morphologic and outcomes data were analyzed. Statistics involved 2-tailed t test, Pearson correlation, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Mean age at distraction was 40 days, with devices maintained for 82 days on average. Fifty percent of patients were girls and 65% had cleft palate. Forty computed tomograms were analyzed. Airway (1,234 vs 3,501 mm3; P < .01) and mandibular (5,457 vs 11,827 mm3; P < .01) volumes, minimal airway area (12.5 vs 63.7 mm2; P < .01), and posterior airway space distance (2.3 vs 9.8 mm; P = .04) were significantly increased after distraction. Patients also had clinically improved sleep studies after distraction (apnea hypopnea index, 51.3 vs 5.5; P < .01). Vector analysis showed an average of 5.3° and 14.0° in groups 1 and 2, respectively (n = 10 each). Intergroup analysis showed a trend toward increased airway volume in horizontal vectors (548 vs 255% of preoperative volume; P = .058), with slightly longer distraction length (20.3 vs 16.6 mm; P = .17). However, ANCOVA regression analysis showed no difference in the relation between vector and length. Other morphologic data and sleep study outcomes (apnea hypopnea index, 7.0 vs 3.9; P = .09) also were not statistically different between groups. Longer lengths of distraction correlated with narrower anterior mandibular angle and longer mandibular body length. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial airway enlargement occurs after mandibular distraction. Final airway volumes were similar between groups regardless of vector, which was confirmed by multivariate ANCOVA regression. The 2 methods achieved airway stabilization, with clinical outcomes similar between the 2 groups.

Two locus inheritance of non-syndromic midline craniosynostosis via rare SMAD6 and common BMP2 alleles.

Premature fusion of the cranial sutures (craniosynostosis), affecting 1 in 2000 newborns, is treated surgically in infancy to prevent adverse neurologic outcomes. To identify mutations contributing to common non-syndromic midline (sagittal and metopic) craniosynostosis, we performed exome sequencing of 132 parent-offspring trios and 59 additional probands. Thirteen probands (7%) had damaging de novo or rare transmitted mutations in SMAD6, an inhibitor of BMP - induced osteoblast differentiation (p<10-20). SMAD6 mutations nonetheless showed striking incomplete penetrance (<60%). Genotypes of a common variant near BMP2 that is strongly associated with midline craniosynostosis explained nearly all the phenotypic variation in these kindreds, with highly significant evidence of genetic interaction between these loci via both association and analysis of linkage. This epistatic interaction of rare and common variants defines the most frequent cause of midline craniosynostosis and has implications for the genetic basis of other diseases.

Normalization of brain morphology after surgery in sagittal craniosynostosis.

OBJECT Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) is associated with significant learning disability later in life. Surgical reconstruction is typically performed before 1 year of age to correct the cranial vault morphology and to allow for normalized brain growth with the goal of improving cognitive function. Yet, no studies have assessed to what extent normalized brain growth is actually achieved. Recent advances in MRI have allowed for automated methods of objectively assessing subtle and pronounced brain morphological differences. The authors used one such technique, deformation-based morphometry (DBM) Jacobian mapping, to determine how previously treated adolescents with sagittal NSC (sNSC) significantly differ in brain anatomy compared with healthy matched controls up to 11.5 years after surgery. METHODS Eight adolescent patients with sNSC, previously treated via whole-vault cranioplasty at a mean age of 7 months, and 8 age- and IQ-matched control subjects without craniosynostosis (mean age for both groups = 12.3 years), underwent functional 3-T MRI. Statistically significant group tissue-volume differences were assessed using DBM, a whole-brain technique that estimates morphological differences between 2 groups at each voxel (p < 0.01). Group-wise Jacobian volume maps were generated using a spacing of 1.5 mm and a resolution of 1.05 × 1.05 × 1.05 mm(3). RESULTS There were no significant areas of volume reduction or expansion in any brain areas in adolescents with sNSC compared with controls at a significance level of p < 0.01. At the more liberal threshold of p < 0.05, two areas of brain expansion extending anteroposteriorly in the right temporooccipital and left frontoparietal regions appeared in patients with sNSC compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Compared with previous reports on untreated infants with sNSC, adolescents with sNSC in this cohort had few areas of brain dysmorphology many years after surgery. This result suggests that comprehensive cranioplasty performed at an early age offers substantial brain normalization by adolescence, but also that some effects of vault constriction may still persist after treatment. Specifically, few areas of expansion in frontoparietal and temporooccipital regions may persist. Overall, data from this small cohort support the primary goal of surgery in allowing for more normalized brain growth. Larger samples, and correlating degree of normalization with cognitive performance in NSC, are warranted.

Association between preoperative measurements and resection weight in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty.

Current guidelines used to predict appropriate resection weight for patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty are typically based on relatively nondescript patient characteristics and are most often inaccurate. The determination of patient measurements that correlate with resection weight could enable appropriate resection weight to be predicted more precisely and on an individualized basis. To better elucidate this, data from 348 patients undergoing bilateral reduction mammaplasty (696 breasts) between October 2001 and March 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. The association between resection weight and sternal notch to nipple distance (SNN), inframammary fold to nipple distance (IMFN), and body mass index (BMI) was assessed. Regression analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between resection weight and SNN distance (r = 0.672, P < 0.001), IMFN distance (r = 0.467, P < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.510, P < 0.001). The strongest correlation was observed after incorporating all 3 parameters (r = 0.740, P < 0.001). This enabled the calculation of a formula to predict resection weight: Predicted weight = 40.0(SNN) + 24.7(IMFN) + 17.7(BMI) - 1443 In conclusion, resection weight correlates strongly with SNN, IMFN, and BMI in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. When considered together, resection weight can be predicted with a strong degree of accuracy.