Staged upper and lower lip reanimation following facial palsy: Peer-reviewed, patient-rated and objective outcomes.

BACKGROUND: One approach to reanimating both upper and lower lips following facial palsy is through staged surgery: cross-face nerve grafting at stage I, free gracilis muscle transfer to levators at stage II and pedicled anterior belly of digastric muscle transfer (ABDMT) to depressors at stage III. The results of this approach were hitherto unquantified. METHODS: This study retrospectively assessed peer-reviewed, patient-rated and objective outcomes following staged reanimation in adults between 2010 and 2020. Demographics, palsy characteristics and surgery details were recorded. Pre- and postoperative videos were rated by independent assessors using Terzis' aesthetic and symmetry scale. Photographs were analysed using Emotrics and patients completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) patient-rated outcome measure. RESULTS: Ten patients [mean age = 34 (SD = 12.48)] were eligible. All regained lip elevation and depression. All markers of symmetry improved after gracilis transfer. All markers were also improved after ABDMT except for lower lip height when smiling with teeth showing (p > 0.05). Five patients (50%) responded to the GBI (mean score = +39.44). No patients reported detriment from the reanimations. Mean Terzis' scores preoperatively and after stages II and III were 1.5, 2.26 and 2.39, respectively (p < 0.05). Nine patients underwent aesthetic refinements [lipofilling to lower lip notches (n = 5), debulking of gracilis bulk (n = 6), repositioning of muscle insertion (n = 5) and facelifts (n = 2)]. CONCLUSION: The outcomes were positive objectively and as judged by peers and patients themselves. Aesthetic refinements may also be required to enhance these results.

Lower lip depressor reanimation using anterior belly of digastric muscle transfer improves psychological wellbeing in facial palsy patients.

The authors previously published positive peer-reviewed (21 raters using the Terzis scale) and photogrammetric (Emotrics) outcomes in patients who had undergone two-stage lower lip reanimations up to 2018. Other series have published surgeon and peer-rated results, but we know of only two (n=12) that have assessed patients' views using patient satisfaction surveys. This paper presents patient-rated outcomes (PROMS) in an 11-year series of both single and two-stage anterior belly of digastric muscle (ABDM) lower lip reanimations. Demographics, paralysis characteristics, operative details, and complications were recorded. Patients were telephoned and requested to complete the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) to assess patient-rated outcomes. Thirty-two patients were eligible (mean age 36.4 years). Twenty-one (63.6%) completed the GBI (mean score +33.3). More patients reported benefit than detriment (95.2% vs 4.8%). Complications were infrequent and included three cases of superficial infections and one of dermatitis. Four patients (12.5%) underwent minor revisions, mostly lipofilling of lip notches. The median (range) duration of follow up was 2.8 (0.3 - 8.5) years. ABDM transfer for lower lip reanimation is a safe, low morbidity procedure that enhances the psychological wellbeing of patients with facial palsy.

Lower Lip Reanimation: Experience Using the Anterior Belly of Digastric Muscle in 2-stage Procedure.

Lower lip depression was historically regarded a neglected area of facial paralysis, but, with refinement of techniques, has gained increasing attention. We present the first detailed description and evaluation of a 2-stage technique, using first cross facial nerve graft and then the anterior belly of digastric muscle (ABDM), innervated by the cross facial nerve graft, to restore dynamic and spontaneous lower lip depression. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 2-stage lower lip reanimations between 2010 and 2018 was performed. Demographics, etiology, and operative details were recorded. Videos were graded pre/postoperatively using a 5-point Likert scale by 21 independent observers. Objective changes of symmetry were analyzed using Photogrammetry (Emotrics). RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were identified (median age 34.9 years, range 6-64). The mean duration between the 2 stages was 15.1 months. Follow-up ranged from 18-72 months. There were minor complications in 4 patients, and 1 case was abandoned due to insufficient length of anterior belly of digastric muscle. Average peer-reviewed scores improved from 2.1 to 3.2 (P < 0.05). Emotrics did not show improvement in static symmetry (P > 0.05). However, during open-lip smiling, lower lip height improved significantly (P < 0.05) whilst dental show improvements approached significance (P < 0.08). Lower lip symmetry was also improved during lower lip depression, as shown by improvements in lower lip height (P < 0.05), smile angle, and dental show (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show the safety and efficacy of 2-stage lower lip reanimation using anterior belly of digastric muscle transposition. This procedure is our choice for longstanding lower lip paralysis and provides coordinated spontaneous lower lip depression, thus enhancing the overall perioral animation and smile.

Early experiences using bromelain-based enzymatic debridement in a tertiary burns centre in the United Kingdom: A retrospective case series review.

BACKGROUND: The modern ethos of burn care requires a holistic approach that helps patients to not only survive but also maintain a good quality of life. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement with Nexobrid™ (NXB) has been shown to selectively debride burnt tissue and allow dermal preservation, which has the potential to reduce surgical burden and improve scarring. In this study, early experience with the use of Nexobrid™ at a tertiary burns centre between July 2016 and December 2019 is presented. In particular, the study assessed whether NXB had changed the acute care delivered to this cohort. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the patients' records was performed. Results were analysed and presented in the context of current literature. RESULTS: Twenty adult patients (17 male, 3 female) underwent enzymatic debridement with NXB. Median age was 42.5 years. Mean total burn surface area (TBSA) on admission was 20%. Twelve patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and eight were admitted to the adult burns ward. Mean TBSA treated with NXB was 8.2%, usually within 24 h of admission (mean). All patients had anaesthetist-led analgesia. NXB debridement was successful in 55% of patients, obviating the need for escharotomy in some patients. Sixty percent of all patients required further surgery, and 80% of facial burns treated with NXB required further surgery. Inotrope support was associated with NXB failure (p = 0.015). Mean length of stay was 29 days. DISCUSSION: Current evidence, including our own findings, cannot justify replacing the current surgical standard of care with NXB, but it certainly solidifies enzymatic debridement as a useful adjunct that should form part of the modern burn surgeon's armamentarium.

A simple computerised technique for estimating resting lip position and symmetry.

The angle between the commisure-commisure and the endocantus-commisure lines (CCE angle) is approximately equal to the contralateral angle. A computerised technique for assessing the gross symmetry and position of the lips by comparing left- and right-sided CCE angles was developed. This study established (1) the repeatability of computerized CCE angle measurement; (2) mean CCE angle magnitudes in healthy controls and suggest a "normal" reference range. Two authors independently measured CCE angles on frontal repose facial photographs of 104 volunteers on three separate occasions using facial analysis software. Twenty right-sided hemifaces with the largest CCE differences were then mirrored in the sagittal plane to produce symmetrical photographs. Measurements were repeated by a single author. There was high agreement of angle measurements between authors (inter-rater ICC of 0.89) and within each authors' repeated measurements (intra-raters ICCs of 0.85 and 0.77). Differences in the mean right and left-sided CCE angles in controls were small but statistically significant (82.4° and 81.7°, respectively, mean absolute difference 2.2 ± 1.7°, p < 0.05). The mean absolute differences had a skewed distribution. The 2.5th and 97.5th centiles were therefore set as limits of the range of asymmetries which could be regarded as "normal" (95% reference range, or 95% reference interval): 0.2°-6.2°. Measurements of opposing CCE angles in symmetrical mirrored images were similar (82.4° versus 82.3°, mean absolute difference 0.6°, p > 0.05). In conclusion, computerised CCE angle measurement is highly repeatable and may be a useful tool with which to assess gross resting lip symmetry.

The use of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) for the treatment of burn wounds: a systematic review.

Moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) is an oil-based herbal paste, purported to be efficacious in managing burn wounds and more commonly used in Asia and the Middle East. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed to analyse the evidence for the use of MEBO on burn wounds. Wound healing rate was the primary outcome of interest. PubMed-listed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of MEBO with placebo, standard care or other therapies in the treatment of partial thickness burns in adults and children were eligible for inclusion (November 2019). Six RCTs were eligible. The majority of trials comparing wound healing between MEBO and SSD favoured MEBO (two of three). There may be improved healing in MEBO-treated wounds vs. those treated with povidone-iodine + bepanthenol cream. There was no difference between MEBO and Acquacel Ag, but Helix Aspersa had faster healing rates than MEBO. However, all evidence was from moderately to poorly reported trials with a high risk of bias, thereby limiting the strength of this evidence. In conclusion, the evidence for MEBO in English-language literature was poor and inconsistent with respect to wound healing rate and analgesis compared to 1% SSD, Acquacel Ag, Helix aspersa cream and povidone-iodine + bepanthenol cream. Blinded RCTs comparing MEBO to both placebo and other common topical treatments may further improve the confidence in concluding their analysis. There is some evidence that MEBO is as safe as its comparators as shown by the low complication rate.

Management of intraarticular proximal interphalangeal joint fracture-dislocations and pilon fractures with the Ligamentotaxor® device.

INTRODUCTION: Fracture-dislocation and pilon injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ) continue to pose significant management challenges. Stable fracture configurations can be treated with extension block splinting or pinning. Unstable fractures usually require open or closed reduction and fixation either directly/internally onto the fracture using Kirschner wires, cerclage wires, screws or miniplates or indirectly/externally by ligamentotaxis using external fixators which can be dynamic or static. Dynamic external fixators, such as Suzuki's pins and rubber traction system, S-Quattro and Hynes/Giddins frame, appear intuitive as they provide axial distraction, which reduces the fracture whilst obviating the need to open the fracture. They also allow immediate active movement whilst maintaining reduction. The Ligamentotaxor® (Arex, Pallaiseau Cedex, France) is a commercially-available dynamic external fixator which has been used at our institution since 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study assessed the outcomes (interphalangeal joint active range of movement (AROM), QuickDASH score and complications) in 19 patients [mean age of 48.6 (SD 16.2)] whose proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) fracture-dislocations and/or pilon fractures were treated with the Ligamentotaxor®. Injuries were classified according to Seno i.e. (1) volar lip fracture ± dorsal dislocation (2) dorsal lip fracture ± volar dislocation (3) pilon fracture. RESULTS: There were fifteen (79%) pilon/Seno 3, three (16%) Seno 1 and one (5%) Seno 2 fractures. The mean PIPJ AROM was 70.6° (SD 4.48°) for all Seno classes and 70° (SD 5.6°) for the pilon subgroup. The QuickDASH score averaged to 2.65 (SD 0.88). There were two pin-site infections, three pin-site inflammations, one osteomyelitis and two complex regional pain syndrome diagnoses. One patient required arthroplasty after missing several appointments. CONCLUSIONS: These results, considering the predominance of pilon fractures, compare favourably the published Ligamentotaxor® and other dynamic external fixator systems.

An audit of best evidence topic reviews in the International Journal of Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: IJS launched best evidence topic reviews (BETs) in 2011, when the guidelines for conducting and reporting these reviews were published in the journal. AIMS: (1) Audit the adherence of all published BETs in IJS to these guidelines. (2) Assess the reach and impact of BETs published in IJS. METHODS: BETs published between 2011 and February 2014 were identified from http://www.journal-surgery.net/. Standards audited included: completeness of description of study attrition, and independent verification of searches. Other extracted data included: relevant subspecialty, duration between searches and publication, and between acceptance and publication. Each BET's number of citations (http://scholar.google.co.uk/), number of tweets (http://www.altmetric.com/) and number of Researchgate views (https://www.researchgate.net/) were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-four BETs were identified: the majority, 19 (56%), relating to upper gastrointestinal surgery and none to cardiothoracic, orthopaedic or paediatric surgery. Twenty-nine BETs (82%) fully described study attrition. Twenty-one (62%) had independently verified search results. The mean times from literature searching to publication and acceptance to publication were 38.5 weeks and 13 days respectively. There were a mean 40 (range 0-89) Researchgate views/article, mean 2 (range 0-7) citations/article and mean 0.36 (range 0-2) tweets/article. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to BET guidelines has been variable. Authors are encouraged to adhere to journal guidelines and reviewers and editors to enforce them. BETs have received similar citation levels to other IJS articles. Means of increasing the visibility of published BETs such as social media sharing, conference presentation and deposition of abstracts in public repositories should be explored. More work is required to encourage more submissions from other surgical subspecialties other than gastrointestinal specialties.

Recurrent respiratory distress and cardiopulmonary arrest caused by megaoesophagus secondary to achalasia.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory distress and arrest from tracheal compression secondary to megaoesophagus are rare complications of achalasia. We present the case of a man with end-stage achalasia who required oesophagectomy to prevent recurrent life-threatening tracheal compression and respiratory arrest. A literature review is also presented. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40-year old man presented with post-prandial stridor which resolved spontaneously, later being diagnosed with achalasia. He underwent pneumatic dilatation year later, intended as definitive treatment. Despite intervention, the patient had developed megaoesophagus. One month later he presented with tracheal compression and cardiorespiratory arrest but was successfully resuscitated. He subsequently underwent elective oesophagectomy. DISCUSSION: Over 40 case reports of achalasia presenting with stridor have been published. However, only three cases (all female, age range, 35-79 years old) of cardiac, respiratory or cardiorespiratory arrest have been published. The definitive treatments received by these patients were botulinum toxin injections, open Heller cardiomyotomy with Dor fundoplication and pneumatic dilatation. None of these patients suffered recurrent respiratory distress following definitive treatment. The patient currently reported was unique as he suffered cardiorespiratory arrest following an intended definitive treatment, pneumatic dilatation. As such oesophagectomy was considered the greatest risk-reduction intervention. CONCLUSION: Oesophagectomy should be considered for patients with end-stage achalasia and mega-oesophagus causing respiratory compromise to avoid potential fatal complications such as tracheal compression and subsequent respiratory arrest.

Cytomegalovirus pouchitis in a patient with Crohn's disease.

Colectomy with ileoanal pouch formation is usually contraindicated in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) due to the risk of recurrent disease and pouch failure. We report the case of a patient, initially thought to have ulcerative colitis (UC), who underwent such surgery but subsequently developed perianal CD. She presented with diarrhoea and weight loss. Inflammatory markers were raised. Pouchoscopy revealed deep ulcers within the pouch. The main differential diagnoses were idiopathic pouchitis and recurrent CD. However, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated positivity for cytomegalovirus (CMV). Stool frequency, C reactive protein and albumin normalised within 48 h of starting oral valgancyclovir. At 15 weeks, pouch appearances were improved, no histological evidence of CMV was found and baseline pouch function had returned. This case highlights that CD can present many years after surgery for apparent UC. Also, CMV pouchitis should be considered as a differential cause of pouchitis especially as it is treatable with antiviral therapy.

A cross-sectional study of the presence of United Kingdom (UK) plastic surgeons on social media.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: To determine the uptake and usage of websites and social media (SM) by UK consultant (attending) plastic surgeons. METHODS: Professional profiles of full BAPRAS members were searched on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, RealSelf, YouTube, ResearchGate in May 2013. Additional surgeons were identified from the follower lists of @BAPRASvoice and @BAAPSMedia. Website ownership was determined on Google. Searches were repeated three times. Dual BAAPS-BAPRAS members were identified from www.baaps.org.uk. RESULTS: There were 156 (48.3%) dual BAAPS-BAPRAS members and 36 BAPRAS-only members. Fifty seven (18%) surgeons had no account on any platform whereas 266 (82%) were on at least one platform. One hundred and sixty four (51%) had personal websites whilst 37 (11%) had profiles on partnership websites. One hundred and sixteen (36%) had no website presence whilst 2% had websites under construction. The platform most surgeons use is LinkedIn (52%) whilst smaller proportions used Facebook (4%) and Twitter (22%). Surgeons had a mean of 126 (range: 0-3270) Twitter followers and 368 (range: 7-3786) fans/'likes' of their Facebook profiles. Time spent in postgraduate practice was not predictive of website ownership or SM use. However, dual BAAPS-BAPRAS members were significantly more likely to own a personal website, Twitter, RealSelf and YouTube accounts. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase in the uptake of social media by UK plastic surgeons, especially in those with aesthetic surgery interests. However, very few surgeons have optimised their web presence. Continued education and appropriate usage guidance may promote uptake, particularly by reconstructive surgeons.

The surgically induced stress response.

The stress response to surgery, critical illness, trauma, and burns encompasses derangements of metabolic and physiological processes that induce perturbations in the inflammatory, acute phase, hormonal, and genomic responses. Hypermetabolism and hypercatabolism result, leading to muscle wasting, impaired immune function and wound healing, organ failure, and death. The surgery-induced stress response is largely similar to that triggered by traumatic injuries; the duration of the stress response, however, varies according to the severity of injury (surgical or traumatic). This spectrum of injuries and insults ranges from small lacerations to severe insults such as large poly-traumatic and burn injuries. Burn injuries provide an extreme model of trauma induced stress responses that can be used to study the long-term effects of a prolonged stress response. Although the stress response to acute trauma evolved to confer improved chances of survival following injury, in modern surgical practice the stress response can be detrimental.

Twelve tips for running successful junior doctor-led teaching programmes for medical students.

BACKGROUND: Medical students value teaching by junior doctors and find it comparable to consultant-led teaching. Although several junior doctor-led teaching programmes have been developed, there is insufficient information in the literature to guide junior doctors planning on developing such programmes. AIM: This article gives junior doctors 12 practical tips on how they might develop and run successful teaching programmes for medical students. RESULTS: The 12 tips are (1) Clearly define the scope of your programme, (2) Ensure student-defined learning goals are included at an early stage, (3) Inform and involve your fellow junior doctors in teaching, (4) Plan teaching rotas in advance, (5) Learn to teach effectively by attending courses, (6) Promote your programme to medical students as widely as possible, (7) Use varied and interactive teaching methods, (8) Establish rapport with students, (9) Include assessment as part of the teaching programme, (10) Seek feedback from attendees and senior faculty, (11) Establish rules for tutorials and (12) Secure formal recognition for your scheme. CONCLUSIONS: These 12 tips may help junior doctors to develop and manage successful teaching programmes. It may also be a useful guide for senior faculty advising junior doctors who aspire to establish such teaching programmes.

Staple line reinforcement during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: does it affect clinical outcomes?

Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is safe and efficacious treatment for morbid obesity, this procedure is associated with major staple line complications including leakage and bleeding. Staple-line reinforcement (SLR) either through suturing or buttressing with biological or synthetic material has been suggested as a method to prevent these complications. A Best Evidence Topic was constructed to address the question of whether SLR reduced these and other complications. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL searches up to October 2012 returned 97 unique results, of which nine (one meta-analysis, two randomised controlled trials (RCTs), six prospective cohort studies) provided the best evidence to answer this clinical question. We conclude that current evidence suggests that staple-line reinforcement reduces the incidence of leakage and postoperative complications than non-reinforcement but does not significantly reduce bleeding complications. However, we cannot as yet recommend staple-line reinforcement as the strength of the presented evidence is limited by the variable quality of the published studies. The full-length publication of several abstracts of randomised, controlled trials presented at various recent conferences is awaited. This may provide more data on the effect of staple-line reinforcement on other outcomes largely neglected by currently available studies.

Is home monitoring of international normalised ratio safer than clinic-based monitoring?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol, to answer the question: 'In patients taking warfarin, is home self-monitoring of international normalized ratio (INR) safer than clinic-based testing in reducing bleeding, thrombotic events and death?' Altogether, 268 papers were found using the reported search. Five papers represented the highest level of evidence to answer the clinical question (four systematic reviews with meta-analysis and one meta-analysis). The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. The principal outcomes of interest were death, major haemorrhage, major thromboembolism, and time (or percentage time) spent within the therapeutic range, compared between self-monitoring/self-management and conventional management. Self-monitoring/self-management was associated with a significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality of 26-42%. All meta-analyses reported on major thromboembolism, finding significant reductions in risk of ~50%. One meta-analysis found a 35% reduction in the risk of major haemorrhage, with the other four studies finding no significant difference. Only one study found self-monitoring/self-management to be associated with a significantly greater proportion of time within range, with another finding no significant difference in either the percentage of therapeutic results or in the time within range. The remaining two could not combine data for meta-analysis owing to methodological heterogeneity. We conclude that self-monitoring/self-management appears to be safer than conventional management. It is associated with consistently lower rates of thromboembolism and may also be associated with reduced risk of bleeding and death. This supports the updated guidance from the American College of Chest Physicians, recommending self-management of INR for patients who are both competent and motivated.