Risk Factors for Hardware Removal Following Bimaxillary Surgery: A National Database Analysis.

Orthognathic surgery typically relies on the rigid fixation of fracture fragments using metal hardware. Though hardware is usually intended to be implanted permanently, the removal of hardware (ROH) is sometimes indicated for a variety of reasons. The authors sought to identify risk factors for ROH following orthognathic surgery. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of the Merative MarketScan Research Databases, 2007-2021 using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes to identify patients who underwent an index Le Fort 1 osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy operation on the same day. Statistical analysis involved χ2, Shapiro-Wilk, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Poisson regression, and multivariable logistic regression tests. 4698 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 25 years, and 57% were female. ROH occurred in 5.9% of patients. The mean time to hardware removal was 190.5±172.4 days. In a multivariate logistic regression, increased odds of ROH were associated with older patient age [OR: 1.02 (1.01-1.03), P=0.046], sleep apnea [OR: 1.62 (1.13-2.32), P=0.018], and craniofacial syndrome and/or cleft diagnoses [OR: 1.88 (1.14-2.55), P<0.001]. In the same model, postoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis was not associated with ROH (P=0.494). The incidence of all-cause complications [IRR: 1.03 (1.01-1.05), P<0.001] rose over the study period, while the incidence of ROH did not change significantly (P=0.281). Patients at elevated risk should be counseled on the increased possibility of a second operation for ROH before having orthognathic surgery to ensure expectations and health care utilization decisions align with the evidence.

Spatial subsetting enables integrative modeling of oral squamous cell carcinoma multiplex imaging data.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a prevalent and aggressive neoplasm, poses a significant challenge due to poor prognosis and limited prognostic biomarkers. Leveraging highly multiplexed imaging mass cytometry, we investigated the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in OSCC biopsies, characterizing immune cell distribution and signaling activity at the tumor-invasive front. Our spatial subsetting approach standardized cellular populations by tissue zone, improving feature reproducibility and revealing TIME patterns accompanying loss-of-differentiation. Employing a machine-learning pipeline combining reliable feature selection with multivariable modeling, we achieved accurate histological grade classification (AUC = 0.88). Three model features correlated with clinical outcomes in an independent cohort: granulocyte MAPKAPK2 signaling at the tumor front, stromal CD4+ memory T cell size, and the distance of fibroblasts from the tumor border. This study establishes a robust modeling framework for distilling complex imaging data, uncovering sentinel characteristics of the OSCC TIME to facilitate prognostic biomarkers discovery for recurrence risk stratification and immunomodulatory therapy development.

Towards multiomic analysis of oral mucosal pathologies.

Oral mucosal pathologies comprise an array of diseases with worldwide prevalence and medical relevance. Affecting a confined space with crucial physiological and social functions, oral pathologies can be mutilating and drastically reduce quality of life. Despite their relevance, treatment for these diseases is often far from curative and remains vastly understudied. While multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal pathologies, the host's immune system plays a major role in the development, maintenance, and resolution of these diseases. Consequently, a precise understanding of immunological mechanisms implicated in oral mucosal pathologies is critical (1) to identify accurate, mechanistic biomarkers of clinical outcomes; (2) to develop targeted immunotherapeutic strategies; and (3) to individualize prevention and treatment approaches. Here, we review key elements of the immune system's role in oral mucosal pathologies that hold promise to overcome limitations in current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We emphasize recent and ongoing multiomic and single-cell approaches that enable an integrative view of these pathophysiological processes and thereby provide unifying and clinically relevant biological signatures.

Epistaxis After Orthognathic Surgery: Literature Review and Three Case Studies.

Study Design: This is a literature review with 3 case studies. Objective: Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding are the most common complications of orthognathic surgery and have the potential to become life-threatening. The rarity of severe postoperative epistaxis has resulted in limited characterization of these cases in the literature. The purpose of this study is to 1) differentiate various presentations of epistaxis following orthognathic surgery in the literature, 2) identify management approaches, and 3) to synthesize a treatment algorithm to guide future management of postoperative epistaxis. Methods: A literature search of PubMed was conducted and 28 cases from 17 studies were assessed. Results: Bleeding within the first week may indicate isolated epistaxis, often resolved with local tamponade. Half of cases were attributed to pseudoaneurysm rupture (n = 14), with epistaxis onset ranging from postoperative day 6 to week 9. Angiography was used in most cases (n = 17), often as the primary imaging modality (n = 11). Nasal endoscopy is a less invasive and effective alternative to angiography with embolization. Proximal vessel ligation was used in 3 cases but is not preferred because collaterals may reconstitute flow through the defect and cause rebleeding. Repeat maxillary down-fracture with surgical exploration was described in 4 cases. Conclusions: As outlined in our management algorithm, nasal packing and tamponade should be followed by either local electrocautery or vascular imaging. Angiography with embolization is the preferred approach to diagnosis and management, whereas surgical intervention is reserved for cases of embolization failure or unavailability.

Nonsurgical Orthodontic Airway Plate Treatment for Newborns With Robin Sequence.

Despite promising outcomes for >50 years, nonsurgical orthodontic airway plates (OAP) are only infrequently offered for babies with Robin sequence in a few parts of the world. This article demonstrates possibility of providing functional improvement using an OAP to help these babies overcome their functional and structural difficulties on their own. Two consecutively treated cases are presented exemplifying that OAP treatment that had originated from Europe is reproducible and effective in an institution in the United States.

A Systematic Review of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Versus Orthodontic Airway Plate for Airway Obstruction Treatment in Pierre Robin Sequence.

OBJECTIVE: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is frequently performed to address airway obstruction in patients with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS), though more recently the technique of orthodontic airway plating (OAP) has gained traction. We aimed to evaluate OAP compared to MDO for airway obstruction in PRS. DESIGN: A systematic literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar identified all studies published in English, which involved MDO or any form of OAP as treatments for PRS. All relevant articles were reviewed in detail and reported on, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Airway (tracheostomy avoidance, decannulation rate), feeding (full oral feeding tolerance). RESULTS: Literature search identified 970 articles, of which 42 MDO studies and 9 OAP studies met criteria for review. A total of 1159 individuals were treated with MDO, and 322 individuals were treated with OAP. Primary outcomes appear similar for MDO and OAP at face value; however, this must be interpreted with different pretreatment contexts in mind. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic airway plating may be considered for airway obstruction in PRS, as some airway-related and feeding-related outcomes appear similar with MDO, per existing evidence in the literature. However, since PRS severity differed between studies, OAP cannot be uniformly considered a replacement for MDO. Further research is required to more comprehensively assess these treatment modalities inclusive of metrics that allow for direct comparison.

Readability of Online Patient Information Relating to Cleft Palate Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: It is important for health care education materials to be easily understood by caretakers of children requiring craniofacial surgery. This study aimed to analyze the readability of Google search results as they pertain to "Cleft Palate Surgery" and "Palatoplasty." Additionally, the study included a search from several locations globally to identify possible geographic differences. DESIGN: Google searches of the terms "Cleft Palate Surgery" and "Palatoplasty" were performed. Additionally, searches of only "Cleft Palate Surgery" were run from several internet protocol addresses globally. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Readability Ease, Gunning Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index, and Coleman-Liau Index. RESULTS: Search results for "Cleft Palate Surgery" were easier to read and comprehend compared to search results for "Palatoplasty." Mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores were 7.0 and 10.11, respectively (P = .0018). Mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease scores were 61.29 and 40.71, respectively (P = .0003). Mean Gunning Fog Index scores were 8.370 and 10.34, respectively (P = .0458). Mean SMOG Index scores were 6.84 and 8.47, respectively (P = .0260). Mean Coleman-Liau Index scores were 12.95 and 15.33, respectively (P = .0281). No significant differences were found in any of the readability measures based on global location. CONCLUSIONS: Although some improvement can be made, craniofacial surgeons can be confident in the online information pertaining to cleft palate repair, regardless of where the search is performed from. The average readability of the top search results for "Cleft Palate Surgery" is around the seventh-grade reading level (US educational system) and compares favorably to other health care readability analyses.

Conformity of the Virtual Surgical Plan to the Actual Result Comparing Five Craniofacial Procedure Types.

BACKGROUND: The "accuracy" of virtual surgical planning across multiple procedure types is not known. The authors aimed to compare the planned outcome from virtual surgical planning to the actual postoperative outcome for five craniofacial procedure types performed by a single surgeon: implant cranioplasty, cranial vault remodeling, orthognathic surgery, mandible reconstruction, and mandibular distraction. METHODS: Stereolithography formats were obtained from virtual surgical planning and compared to postoperative computed tomographic scans for consecutive patients who underwent one of the five procedure types. Volumetric renderings of the operated bony region of interest were overlaid and compared using a Boolean operation to compute conformity (as a percentage of the region of interest). Conformity across procedure type was analyzed using analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni analysis, where appropriate. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients were included (51.5 percent male and 49.5 percent female; mean age, 27 years; 59 orthognathic surgery, 32 cranial vault remodeling, 16 mandible reconstruction, 12 mandibular distraction, and 11 implant cranioplasty patients). The highest tier of conformity was obtained for implant cranioplasty (median, 76.8 ± 10.3 percent) and mandible reconstruction (mean, 69.4 ± 11.2 percent), followed by orthognathic surgery (mean, 55.0 ± 7.3 percent) and mandibular distraction (median, 41.9 ± 20.3 percent), followed by cranial vault remodeling (mean, 22.2 ± 12.1 percent) (p < 0.001 between tiers and p > 0.05 among tiers). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual surgical planning resulting in custom permanent implants and intraoperative guides provides more predictable results compared to virtual surgical planning used for procedures involving higher degrees of skeletal repositioning and postoperative movement (i.e., mandibular distraction and nonrigid cranial vault remodeling). In cases with expectedly lower conformity, excellent outcomes can be achieved with sound intraoperative judgment.

Three-Dimensional Analysis and Surgical Planning for Open Correction of Trigonocephaly.

SUMMARY: Metopic craniosynostosis results in trigonocephaly, characterized by a triangular forehead with metopic ridge, bitemporal pinching, and narrow-set eyes with recessed lateral orbital rims. Surgical management is controversial but may include open expansion and vault remodeling, to enhance neurocognitive and aesthetic outcomes. This article and video vignette depict the diagnosis and treatment of metopic craniosynostosis, demonstrating the senior author's open approach, three-dimensional virtual surgical planning, and technical steps.

Facial Asymmetry in Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia: Comparing Treatment for Active versus Burnt-Out Disease.

BACKGROUND: Facial asymmetry caused by unilateral condylar hyperplasia requires treatment to address facial and occlusal imbalances. There is no definitive evidence to suggest that a single intervention strategy (during either active condylar overgrowth or the burnt-out phase) results in better/more symmetric correction. This study sought to quantify preoperative and postoperative facial asymmetry in unilateral condylar hyperplasia patients comparing treatment for active versus burnt-out disease. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional photographs were obtained. Images were compared to those of unaffected controls as a standard for normal facial symmetry. Facial asymmetry was assessed using root-mean-square deviation. Paired t tests were performed to compare the root-mean-square deviations of preoperative and postoperative images between the unilateral condylar hyperplasia groups and against controls. RESULTS: Forty patients were included (11 active, nine burnt-out, and 20 controls) and 60 three-dimensional images were evaluated. Preoperatively, patients in the burnt-out group had worse asymmetry than those with active unilateral condylar hyperplasia (p = 0.011). Both groups demonstrated significantly improved symmetry postoperatively (active, p = 0.0069; burnt-out, p = 1.74E-4). However, burnt-out patients remained with some residual asymmetry (p = 4.75E-4), whereas their active counterparts showed no significant difference compared to unaffected controls (p = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with end-stage unilateral condylar hyperplasia have more severe facial asymmetry that is more difficult to normalize compared to earlier intervention during active unilateral condylar hyperplasia. These findings suggest that, if possible, corrective intervention is preferable during active unilateral condylar hyperplasia. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Management and Complications of Non-Thumb Metacarpal Fractures in the Incarcerated Population.

We reviewed the patient demographics, injury mechanisms, fracture characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of incarcerated patients who were referred for metacarpal fracture evaluation and treatment to our high-volume tertiary care center from a New York City Department of Correction infirmary facility. There is a scarcity of information in the orthopedic and plastic surgery literature on treating these common fractures in this vulnerable population. We conducted a basic statistical analysis and discuss the potential implications of these findings. We found a high incidence of stiffness that may relate to the high rates of follow-up noncompliance coupled with prolonged immobilization. Awareness of these findings may influence treating hand specialists to use less restrictive immobilization devices such as functional bracing, elastic bandage, or neighbor strapping as an effort to promote bony union without the risk of developing stiffness and the potential to compromise general hand function when treating non-thumb metacarpal fractures.

Rhinoplasty Using Three-Dimensional Analysis and Simulation.

Treatment of nasal deformity and obstruction requires analysis, planning, and precise execution of rhinoplasty techniques. When performed well, rhinoplasty is a powerful tool for achieving appealing nasal morphology and optimizing function. This article aims to highlight an open approach to septorhinoplasty using a number of techniques that are preferred by the senior author (D.M.S.) to successfully correct a congenital nasal deformity and deviated septum.

Concurrent Platysmaplasty and Genioplasty Using a Novel Intraoral Approach.

Facial aging patients frequently seek improved neck and jawline definition. Microgenia, or lack of chin support, is often overlooked or underdiagnosed in these patients. The authors propose a simultaneous genioplasty, in addition to platysmaplasty and face/neck lift, to address both soft-tissue and bony components, and enhance the cervicomental area. The platysmaplasty is performed in a novel fashion using the intraoral genioplasty incision. The operative sequence includes intraoral incision, platysmal exposure, fat excision, platysmal tightening, genioplasty osteotomy/fixation, and external skin redraping (face/neck lift). Case examples are shown to illustrate appropriate candidate selection and results. Parameters for success include increased chin-throat distance and definition, improved cervicomental angle, and soft-tissue rejuvenation. The novel approach the authors describe enables discrete access to the platysmal and submental region and provides bony definition to help optimize the soft-tissue drape and definition. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, V.

Management of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: A Survey of Hand Surgeons.

Background Length of immobilization after operative fixation of unstable distal radius fractures and management in elderly patients is an area of debate. Purpose The purpose of this study is to delineate common practices of fellowship-trained hand surgeons and how they compare with current evidence-based protocols. Methods Surveys were distributed to American Society for Surgery of the Hand members on preferred methods of fixation, postoperative immobilization, and variations in treatment of elderly patients with unstable distal radius fractures. Responses were analyzed in comparison to a literature review. Subgroups were compared with regard to training, practice type, and years in practice. Results Four-hundred eighty-five surveys were analyzed. Volar fixed-angle plating was the most common choice of fixation (84.7%). Patients are most often immobilized for 1 to 2 weeks (40.0%) with range of motion (ROM) therapy begun most commonly between 1 and 4 weeks (47.2%). The majority of surgeons do not treat fractures differently in patients more than 65 years old. Physicians with more than 20 years of experience were significantly more likely to begin wrist ROM sooner with volar plating versus other fixation techniques compared with physicians with less than 20 years of experience (40.7% vs. 34.2%, respectively). Also, physicians in academic-only practices were more likely to immobilize patients for a shorter time after volar plating compared with those in privademics. Conclusion Volar fixed-angle plating is the dominant fixation method for unstable distal radius fractures among fellowship-trained hand surgeons. Elderly patients are not treated more conservatively and rigid immobilization after operative fixation remains the treatment of choice despite current evidence-based protocols.

Concurrent High Condylectomy and Orthognathic Surgery to Address Mandibular and Facial Asymmetry.

Correction of facial asymmetry caused by active unilateral condylar hyperplasia (CH) requires proper diagnosis, arrested ongoing condylar growth, and ultimately orthognathic surgery. Traditionally, prior to performing orthognathic surgery, active CH is addressed either by: awaiting natural cessation of condylar overgrowth, or performing an interval high condylectomy (to stop growth). However, these strategies both add to the total treatment time, by either waiting and confirming no active growth, or performing a first stage growth-arresting procedure. In this report, the authors describe concurrent high condylectomy, and 3-jaw orthognathic surgery, to address the root of the problem and provide aesthetic correction in the same setting. This clinical series illustrates a detailed description of this approach, highlighting operative order, and an analysis of outcomes.

Comparing Outcomes in Orthognathic Surgery Using Clear Aligners Versus Conventional Fixed Appliances.

PURPOSE: Orthognathic surgery for dentofacial deformities is typically preceded and followed by orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, orthodontic hardware is secured to the dentition to allow dental movement and stabilization. Clear-aligner therapy (eg, Invisalign) provides an aesthetic alternative, consisting of a series of transparent trays. Its use has not been described in complex triple-jaw orthognathic surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate perioperative outcomes and 3-dimensionally quantify postoperative edema in Invisalign patients undergoing triple-jaw orthognathic procedures, comparing this to patients treated with conventional fixed appliances. The surgical approach to patients with clear-aligners is also outlined. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review and 3-dimensional morphometric study of Invisalign patients undergoing triple-jaw surgery (LeFort I osteotomy, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, and genioplasty). An identical assessment of demographically matched patients treated with conventional fixed appliances was performed and compared with the Invisalign group. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients, with a mean age of 19.99 years, were included: 13 with Invisalign and 20 with conventional fixed appliances. No significant difference was observed in operating time, concurrent extraction of teeth, fat grafting, duration of hospital stay, diet advancement, and use of narcotic analgesics between the 2 groups. Nine patients had sufficient 3-dimensional images for volumetric analysis (4 with Invisalign and 5 with conventional fixed appliances). Postoperative edema was not significantly different (P = 0.712) when comparing conventional fixed appliances (44.29 ±â€Š23.16 cm) to Invisalign (37.36 ±â€Š31.19 cm). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that complex multiple-jaw orthognathic procedures can be successfully performed in Invisalign patients. Perioperative and short-term clinical outcomes are not compromised.

Fat Grafting in Orthognathic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Fat grafting is widely utilized in craniofacial surgery. The authors describe a series of consecutive patients who underwent orthognathic surgery with fat grafting by the senior author and review relevant literature in the field; fat grafting technique is discussed in detail. The authors also highlight 3 patients to illustrate postoperative outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of consecutive orthognathic surgery patients was reviewed. Age, sex, BMI, procedure, area of harvest, location of injection, donor site complications, and need for repeat fat grafting were analyzed. Inclusion criteria included history of orthognathic surgery and concomitant fat grafting performed by the senior author in 2015. RESULTS: Fifty-three orthognathic surgery patients with concurrent fat grafting were reviewed. The cohort comprised 20 males (37.7%) and 33 females (62.3%). Thirty-three patients (62.3%) underwent Le Fort I operations either in conjunction with genioplasty and/or bilateral sagittal split osteotomies. Twenty-eight patients (52.8%) underwent second operations involving additional fat grafting. The majority of these patients (15/28, 53.6%) received additional fat grafting during ensuing rhinoplasty. There were no donor site complications (ie, infection, wound breakdown) recorded in the authors' patient cohort. Amount of fat injected averaged 13.1 cc (range 5-25 cc). Follow-up generally occurred through the 1-year mark. CONCLUSIONS: Fat grafting is a proven technique to facilitate optimal postoperative wound-healing in orthognathic surgery. The senior author uses Telfa processing and the Coleman system to deliver the fat atraumatically. The authors' cohort of consecutive patients corroborates the benefits of fat grafting in craniofacial surgery; the authors observe wound-healing benefits, enhanced aesthetic outcomes and an anti-inflammatory effect with this technique.

Do Vertical Soft Tissue and Actual Bony Landmarks Correlate in Le Fort I Orthognathic Surgery?

PURPOSE: Vertical changes in Le Fort I orthognathic surgery are critical to the overall esthetic result. Three-dimensional planning enables vertical measurements from the rendered computed tomographic (CT) scan, but intraoperative points are ascribed partially from soft tissues landmarks. This study compared intraoperative soft tissue vertical measurements with pre- and postoperative CT-based values and attempted to validate intraoperative soft tissue landmarks for vertical positioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective single-cohort study, the authors examined orthognathic procedures performed by a single surgeon at their institution. Patients were excluded if measurements or pre- and postoperative CT scans were lacking. Demographic information and soft tissue perioperative data were tabulated. Clinical vertical measurements included the left medial canthus to the central incisor, the left medial canthus to the left canine, and the right medial canthus to the right canine. Bone measurements were calculated using pre- and postoperative cone-beam CT scans for the same clinical landmarks. Statistical analysis, including paired Student t test, was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were identified (mean age, 23 yr; 57% female). The change in pre- and postoperative measurements was analyzed. There was no significant difference in the absolute value pre- and postoperatively between the 2 modalities (P < .2, .1, .1), but there was a significant difference between bony and soft tissue measurements (P < .01). Subset analysis showed differences in postoperative values between Class II and III cases. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a nonlinear but predictable relation between intraoperative soft tissue (medial canthi and maxillary dentition) and CT-measured bony vertical measurements. Understanding this relation enables effective use of intraoperative measurements to reproducibly achieve the desired bony vertical position and allows adjustments to be made to optimize esthetics.