Computer assisted skull base surgery: a contemporary review.

Skull base surgery has evolved significantly since Harvey Cushing's first descriptions in the early 1900s. Computer aided surgery (CAS) applications continue to expand; they include virtual surgical planning, augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing of models/cutting guides/implants, surgical navigation, and intraoperative imaging. The authors will review the current skull base CAS literature and propose a computer aided surgical workflow categorizing these applications into 3 phases: 1) Virtual planning, 2) Surgical execution, 3) Intraoperative verification.

Reducing Surgical Risks for Otoplasty.

Prominauris is a common auricular deformity most often due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold or overdevelopment of the conchal bowl. Significant psychosocial distress may result from prominent ears, leading to the development of a variety of surgical techniques over the years. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of both the normal and prominent ear is crucial for accurate analysis and surgical correction of the deformity. The procedure is well-tolerated and careful preoperative evaluation and adherence to meticulous cartilage-sparing techniques will lead to good results and low complication rates.

Successful Hypoglossal Nerve Upper Airway Stimulator Implantation After Chemoradiotherapy for Oropharynx Malignancy Complicated by Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis.

This case demonstrates the first successful treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with hypoglossal nerve upper airway stimulation in a patient with prior radiation for oropharynx cancer complicated by osteoradionecrosis of the mandible.

Frontal Sinus Fractures: A Contemporary Approach in the Endoscopic Era.

Although frontal sinus fractures are relatively uncommon, the potential for long-term morbidity is significant. Management strategies remain controversial due to a lack of strong clinical evidence. Despite a paucity of strong literature, a logical treatment algorithm is presented based on the structural integrity of three anatomic parameters: anterior table, frontal sinus outflow tract, and the posterior table/dura. The literature supports a paradigm shift from open surgical management to a more conservative treatment algorithm emphasizing observation and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. Long-term follow-up for complex frontal sinus injuries is critical.

Bilateral external auditory canal masses following repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and open decompressive exploratory laparotomy for compartment syndrome: A rare case of spontaneous bilateral otorrhagia.

Very few cases of spontaneous otorrhagia (SO) following nonotolaryngologic surgery have ever been reported in surgical literature and none in radiographic. Of the surgical cases reported, SO occurred in the perioperative period following laparoscopic surgeries in the Trendelenburg position. We report the first case of spontaneous bilateral otorrhagia which presented as bilateral external auditory canal masses following endovascular surgery and open decompressive laparotomy in a 60-year-old male with a prior history of hypertension and smoking. We seek to inform radiologists that SO can present on neck imaging as external auditory canal masses as a complication of nonotolaryngologic surgery away from the imaged field of view.

Reconstruction technique following total laryngectomy affects swallowing outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: How reconstruction affects function following total laryngectomy is unclear. This study seeks to determine whether reconstruction method is associated with differences in swallowing outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of reconstruction technique in patients undergoing TL was compared by pharyngeal transit time (PTT), patient-reported dysphagia (EAT-10), and diet-tolerated (FOIS). RESULTS: Ninety-five patients met inclusion criteria, with 40 patients (42.1%) undergoing primary closure and 55 patients (57.9%) undergoing tissue transfer. There was no difference in EAT-10 scores between the groups (P = .09). There was a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving oral diet (FOIS >3) with primary closure (P = .003). Patients undergoing PMC vs free flap had similar rates of g-tube dependency. Primary closure had the shortest PTT (1.89 seconds) compared to free flap (3.47-4.65 seconds) or PMC (5.1 seconds; P = .035). CONCLUSIONS: When primary closure is achievable, these results suggest improved swallowing outcomes with better tolerance of oral diet and shorter pharyngeal transit times. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Nerve grafts in head and neck reconstruction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews recent literature on repair of peripheral nerve injuries in the head and neck with a focus on autografts, allografts, nerve conduits, and technical considerations. RECENT FINDINGS: Contemporary nerve grafting techniques offer the potential to improve peripheral nerve outcomes and reduce donor site morbidity. A variety of donor nerves autografts have been described that offer favorable outcomes for segmental reconstruction of facial nerve defects. Recent studies have demonstrated promising results in repair of inferior alveolar nerve injuries with human allografts. Animal models describe successful reinnervation of small defects with neural conduits. The latest data do not favor protocolled nerve graft polarity or use of a motor versus sensory donor nerves. SUMMARY: Interposition nerve grafting is the gold standard for repair of peripheral nerve injuries when a tension-free primary neurorrhaphy is not possible. Autografts are the work-horse for the majority of head and neck neural defects, however, can result in some degree of donor site morbidity. Recent developments in allografting and neural conduits have the potential to further diversify the head and neck reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium. It is unclear if nerve graft makeup or polarity affect functional outcome.

Controversies in Cleft Rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty for cleft lip nasal deformities challenges all cleft surgeons. There is great variability of phenotypical anatomy, but iatrogenic changes and scarring from the previous surgeries add another layer of complexity. Rhinoplasties on a patient with cleft lip-palate are technically and intellectually challenging to master requiring a patient-tailored approach. The shape and structure of the nose are changed to improve both function and aesthetic appearance. In the primary setting, nasoalveolar molding is a form of presurgical infant orthopaedics used for preparation before the cleft lip and nose repair. Intermediate stages should be conservative to minimize scarring, while the definitive cleft rhinoplasty utilizes cartilage grafts from septum, ear, or rib to sculpt the nose. Hereinto, we will outline the controversies, the evidence supporting certain techniques, and our preferences.

A preliminary report on the effect of gabapentin pretreatment on periprocedural pain during in-office posterior nasal nerve cryoablation.

BACKGROUND: Posterior nasal nerve (PNN) cryoablation is a novel surgical technique to address allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Periprocedural pain has been reported after PNN cryoablation and there are no standardized protocols for optimal in-office local anesthesia. This study sought to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on patient discomfort following in-office PNN cryoablation. METHODS: Multi-institutional prospective analysis of patients undergoing in-office PNN cryoablation for allergic or nonallergic rhinitis between March 2018 and April 2019. Patients received local anesthesia with or without 600 mg oral gabapentin 1 hour preprocedure. Rhinitis diagnosis, demographics, and baseline disease-specific quality of life (mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire [RQLQ] and Total Nasal Symptom Score [TNSS]) were recorded. Patient discomfort was measured by the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) posttreatment and rated 0 to 10 on an ordinal scale. Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon 2-sample tests were used to evaluate differences between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were enrolled (gabapentin n = 15, control = 11). Baseline TNSS scores in the gabapentin vs control group were median [25th percentile to 75th percentile]) 10 (7.5 to 11.0) and 9 (6.0 to 10.0) (p = 0.35). Baseline Mini-RQLQ scores in gabapentin vs control groups were 3.21 (2.0 to 4.0) and 2.92 (2.78 to 4.35) (p = 0.51). The median VAS pain scores at 5, 20, and 30 minutes in the gabapentin vs control group were 0.0 (0.0 to 2.0) vs 3.0 (1.0 to 4.0), 2.0 (0.0 to 3.0) vs 8.0 (6.0 to 10.0), and 1.0 (0.0 to 1.0) vs 5.0 (4.0 to 6.0) (p = 0.02, p = 0.0043, and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Preprocedure gabapentin significantly reduces immediate and delayed postprocedural patient discomfort following PNN cryoablation.

The anteromedial thigh free flap: a primary reconstructive option or second best?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the recent literature on the anteromedial thigh free flap. RECENT FINDINGS: The anteromedial thigh (AMT) free flap is an excellent reconstructive option for head and neck defects. It is often overshadowed by the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. Lack of familiarity with the anatomy of the AMT likely deters many surgeons from considering it as a reliable option. However, as many as one in 20 patients may not have anatomy suitable for ALT free-flap harvest, and in these cases the AMT provides an ideal alternative as it can be harvested through the same incision without added morbidity. Current areas of research include clinical, anatomic, cadaveric, and radiographic studies evaluating the AMT flap anatomy and utility. SUMMARY: The AMT flap has been successfully used to reconstruct the same types of soft tissue head and neck defects as the ALT. However, given that approximately 95% of patients appear to have anatomy favorable to harvest an ALT, the utility of the AMT should be reserved for patients with unfavorable lateral thigh anatomy or when when a chimeric flap is indicated and anatomy permits.

Transient Secondary Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy in Pediatric Postoperative Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

BACKGROUND: To develop an understanding of current practices in the management of transient secondary hypothyroidism in pediatric postoperative cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients. METHODS: Electronic survey comprising a 10-item questionnaire was sent to sixty-four high volume pediatric heart centers in the United States and United Kingdom. Survey participants included cardiologists, intensivists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and advanced practice providers. A retrospective chart review was also performed at a large regional referral center in the Midwest on subjects 0-18 years old who underwent CPB from 2005-2015. Information obtained included a unique identifier, date of birth, age, procedure performed, CPB time, date of surgery and date and type of Thyroid Function Test (TFT) ordered. RESULTS: 1,153 individuals from 64 congenital heart centers were contacted via email to participate in the electronic survey. In the 3-month response window, 129 completed surveys were received from cardiologists (55%), intensivists (17%), surgeons (15%), "other" (8%), and advanced practice providers (5%). This yielded a response rate of 11.2%. Of the 129 respondents, only 10 providers routinely order TFTs prior to (n=7) and after (n=1) CPB or when clinically indicated (n=2). All 10 providers order thyroid stimulating hormone test, 7 order thyroxine, and 3 order triiodothyronine. Only 1 provider routinely treats children with prophylactic thyroid hormone replacement therapy after CPB. Our retrospective review included 502 CPB events with 442 unique patients. Of the events, 20 patients received preoperative TFT testing while 11 received postoperative testing. CONCLUSIONS: There is a general lack of uniformity in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of transient secondary hypothyroidism in pediatric postoperative CPB patients.

Regression of massive cardiac rhabdomyoma on everolimus therapy.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the primary feature of the genetic disease, tuberous sclerosis complex, the most common cardiac tumor diagnosed in neonates and infants. Spontaneous regression is observed in most cases, but these tumors may cause hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias or other complications. We describe the case of a critically ill neonate, resuscitated after cardiac arrest secondary to massive locally invasive cardiac rhabdomyoma, who was successfully treated with everolimus (mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] inhibitor). Rapid tumor regression was observed on echocardiography, but it was unlikely that it was confounded by the natural disease course of regression. The presented case suggests that mTOR inhibitors may play a significant role in the treatment of large cardiac rhabdomyomas in critically ill neonates.