Head and Neck Vascular Anomalies in Children.

Craniomaxillofacial vascular anomalies encompass a diverse and complex set of pathologies that may have a profound impact on pediatric patients. They are subdivided into vascular tumors and vascular malformations depending on biological properties, clinical course, and distribution patterns. Given the complexity and potential for leading to significant functional morbidity and esthetic concerns, a multidisciplinary approach is generally necessary to optimize patient outcomes. This article reviews the etiology, clinical course, diagnosis, and current management practices related to vascular anomalies in the head and neck.

Eyeing Risks: A Critical Analysis of the Use of Periorbital Steroids in Fronto-orbital Advancement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes associated with two techniques of periorbital steroid administration in bilateral fronto-orbital advancement (FOA). DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective chart review. SETTING: Two high volume, tertiary US craniofacial centers. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent FOA between 2012 and 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into three cohorts based on method of steroid administration. Groups GEL and INJ represent those who received steroids in the form of triamcinolone soaked gelfoam or direct injection of dilute triamcinolone to the frontal/periorbital region, respectively. Group NON did not receive any periorbital steroids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Peri-operative outcomes including hospital length of stay and complications were evaluated based on method of periorbital steroid administration. Variables predictive of infectious complications were assessed using stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Four hundred and twelve patients were included in our sample (INJ:249, GEL:87, NON:76). Patients in the INJ group had a higher ASA class (P < .001) while patients in the NON group were significantly more likely to be syndromic (P < .001) and have multisuture craniosynostosis (P < .001). Rate of infectious complications for each cohort were NON: 2.6%, INJ: 4.4%, and GEL: 10.3%. There was no significant difference between groups in hospital length of stay (P = .654) or rate of post-operative infectious complications (P = .061). Increased ASA class (P = .021), increased length of stay (P = .016), and increased intraoperative narcotics (P = .011) were independent predictors of infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a dose-dependent relationship between periorbital steroids and rate of postoperative infections, with key contributions from ASA class, hospital length of stay, and dose of intraoperative narcotics.

Current Trends in Orthognathic Surgery.

Orthognathic surgery has evolved significantly over the past century. Osteotomies of the midface and mandible are contemporaneously used to perform independent or coordinated movements to address functional and aesthetic problems. Specific advances in the past twenty years include increasing fidelity with computer-assisted planning, the use of patient-specific fixation, expanding indications for management of upper airway obstruction, and shifts in orthodontic-surgical paradigms. This review article serves to highlight the contemporary practice of orthognathic surgery.

DOES THE LOW AND SHORT MEDIAL CUT AFFECT LINGUAL NERVE RECOVERY AFTER SAGITTAL SPLIT OSTEOTOMY?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the recovery of lingual nerve (LN) neurosensory function in patients undergoing sagittal split osteotomy (SSO) with a low and short medial horizontal cut. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients with mandibular deformities undergoing SSO with a low and short medial horizontal cut over a 4-year period. The outcomes of interest were neurosensory recovery of the LN, as assessed objectively using functional sensory recovery (FSR) and subjectively by patient report. RESULTS: The sample included 123 SSOs in 62 subjects with a mean age of 19.3 ± 3.1 years. Thirty-seven (61.7%) subjects were female. Mandibular advancements were performed in 52 SSOs (42.3%); mandibular setbacks were performed in 71 SSOs (57.7%). One subject underwent revision BSSO. FSR was achieved at 122 LNs (99.1%) within 6-weeks post-operatively, with 120 sites (97.5%) having S4 sensation at 6-weeks. Decreased LN sensation was reported at 10 (8.3%) sites at 1-week post-operatively. At 6-weeks post-operatively, 118 sites (97.5%) had reported normal sensation. By 12-weeks post-operatively, all LN sites had S4 sensation and there were no subjective complaints. Revision sagittal split osteotomy was associated with prolonged (≥6 weeks) time to S4 sensation (p = 0.02) and subjective complaint of decreased sensation (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: LN sensory recovery occurs rapidly following the low and short SSO, with 99% of sites achieving FSR and subjectively normal sensation within 6-weeks of surgery and all patients achieving FSR with S4 sensation by 12-weeks post-operatively. LN sensory recovery may be prolonged in patients undergoing revision SSO.

Perioperative complications and secondary retethering after pediatric tethered cord release surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Tethered cord syndrome refers to a constellation of symptoms characterized by neurological, musculoskeletal, and urinary symptoms, caused by traction on the spinal cord, which can be secondary to various etiologies. Surgical management of simple tethered cord etiologies (e.g., fatty filum) typically consists of a single-level lumbar laminectomy, intradural exploration, and coagulation and sectioning of the filum. More complex etiologies such as lipomyelomeningoceles or scar formation after myelomeningocele repair involve complex dissection and dural reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate operative complications and long-term outcomes of secondary retethering related to pediatric tethered cord release (TCR) at a tertiary children's hospital. METHODS: Medical records of children who underwent surgery for TCR from July 2014 to March 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographics, perioperative characteristics, surgical technique, and follow-up duration. Primary outcomes were 60-day postoperative complications and secondary retethering requiring repeat TCR surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with complications and secondary retethering. RESULTS: A total of 363 TCR surgeries (146 simple, 217 complex) in 340 patients were identified. The mean follow-up was 442.8 ± 662.2 days for simple TCRs and 733.9 ± 750.3 days for complex TCRs. The adjusted 60-day complication-free survival rate was 96.3% (95% CI 91.3%-98.4%) for simple TCRs and 88.7% (95% CI 82.3%-91.4%) for complex TCRs. Lower weight, shorter surgical times, and intensive care unit admission were associated with complications for simple TCRs. Soft-tissue drains increased complications for complex TCRs. The secondary retethering rates were 1.4% for simple TCRs and 11.9% for complex TCRs. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival rates in complex cases were 94.7% (95% CI 89.1%-97.4%), 77.7% (95% CI 67.3%-85.3%), and 62.6% (95% CI 46.5%-75.1%), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior detethering (OR 8.15, 95% CI 2.33-28.50; p = 0.001) and use of the operative laser (OR 10.43, 95% CI 1.36-80.26; p = 0.024) were independently associated with secondary retethering in complex cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series to date examining postoperative complications and long-term secondary retethering in TCR surgery. Simple TCR surgeries demonstrated safety, rare complications, and low secondary retethering rates. Complex TCR surgeries presented higher risks of complications and secondary retethering. Modifiable risk factors such as operative laser use influenced secondary retethering in complex cases.

Preoperative Imaging and Surgical Findings in Pediatric Frontonasal Dermoids.

OBJECTIVE: To review cases of congenital frontonasal dermoids to gain insight into the accuracy of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting intracranial extension. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent primary excision of frontonasal dermoids at an academic children's hospital over a 23-year period. Preoperative presentation, imaging, and operative findings were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) statistics were generated to determine CT and MRI accuracy in detecting intracranial extension. RESULTS: Search queries yielded 129 patients who underwent surgical removal of frontonasal dermoids over the study period with an average age of presentation of 12 months. Preoperative imaging was performed on 122 patients, with 19 patients receiving both CT and MRI. CT and MRI were concordant in the prediction of intracranial extension in 18 out of 19 patients. Intraoperatively, intracranial extension requiring craniotomy was seen in 11 patients (8.5%). CT was 87.5% sensitive and 97.4% specific for predicting intracranial extension with an ROC of 0.925 (95% CI [0.801, 1]), whereas MRI was 60.0% sensitive and 97.8% specific with an ROC of 0.789 (95% CI [0.627, 0.950]). CONCLUSION: This is the largest case series in the literature describing a single institution's experience with frontonasal dermoids. Intracranial extension is rare and few patients required craniotomy in our series. CT and MRI have comparable accuracy at detecting intracranial extension. Single-modality imaging is recommended preoperatively in the absence of other clinical indications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 2023.

Pediatric Cranial Vault and Skull Base Fractures.

Cranial vault and skull base fractures in children are distinctly different from those seen in adults. Pediatric skull fractures have the benefit of greater capacity to remodel; however, the developing pediatric brain and craniofacial skeleton present unique challenges to diagnosis, natural history, and management. This article discusses the role of surgical treatment of these fractures, its indications, and techniques.

Pediatric Le Fort, Zygomatic, and Naso-Orbito-Ethmoid Fractures.

Fractures of the pediatric midface are infrequent, particularly in children in the primary dentition, due to the prominence of the upper face relative to the midface and mandible. With downward and forward growth of the face, there is an increasing frequency of midface injuries seen in children in the mixed and adult dentitions. Midface fracture patterns seen in young children are quite variable; those in children at or near skeletal maturity mimic patterns seen in adults. Non-displaced injuries can typically be managed with observation. Displaced fractures require treatment with appropriate reduction and fixation and longitudinal follow-up to evaluate growth.

Pediatric Panfacial Fractures.

Pediatric panfacial trauma is a rare occurrence with poorly understood implications for the growing child. Treatment algorithms largely mirror adult panfacial protocols with notable exceptions including augmented healing and remodeling capacities that favor nonoperative management, limited exposure to avoid disruption of osseous suture and synchondroses growth centers, and creative fracture fixation techniques in the setting of an immature craniomaxillofacial skeleton. The following article provides a review of our institutional philosophy in the management of these challenges injuries with important anatomic, epidemiologic, examination, sequencing, and postoperative considerations.

Cranial Shape Changes in Nonsyndromic Unilateral Lambdoid Synostosis after Open Posterior Vault Remodeling.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify change in cranial morphology in patients with nonsyndromic unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis (ULC) from presentation (t0), after open posterior switch-cranioplasty (t1), and at 2-year follow-up (t2). METHODS: Volumetric, linear, and angular analysis were performed on computed tomographic scans at the three time points and against normal control subjects. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included. ULC cranial vault asymmetry index was higher than in control subjects before surgery (6.22 ± 3.55) but decreased after surgery (3.00 ± 2.53) to become comparable with the normal asymmetry range present in the controls. After surgery, both diagonals increased, but more on the fused side. In the 2 years after surgery, both diagonals in patients with ULC grew proportionately, but the fused diagonal remained slightly shorter than the patent side. Total cranial volume was higher in patients with ULC than in control subjects after surgery but became comparable at t2. Cranial base angulation improved by t2 but did not approach normal, and ear position remained unchanged. The facial twist was higher than in controls at t0 and t1 but was comparable at t2. Coronal asymmetry improved with surgery but remained undercorrected at t2, with the greatest residual asymmetry at opisthion. CONCLUSIONS: Open-switch cranioplasty normalizes cranial vault asymmetry index by increasing the fused cranial diagonal more than the patent side and is stable at 2 years. Skull base twist does not normalize, but facial twist approaches normal. Technique improvement should focus on residual coronal asymmetry present at opisthion. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Management of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve in Large Sagittal Split Advancements: To Free or Not?

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether neurosensory recovery of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is influenced by its location following sagittal split osteotomy (SSO) in patients undergoing large mandibular movements. This was a prospective, split-mouth study of skeletally mature patients undergoing bilateral SSO. Patients were included as study subjects if they underwent bilateral SSO for mandibular advancement greater than 10 mm and, following the splits, the IAN was freely entering the distal segment on one side and within the proximal segment on the other. Descriptive, bivariate, and Kaplan-Meier statistics were computed. The study sample included 13 subjects (eight female subjects; mean age, 18.7 ± 1.8 years) undergoing 26 SSOs. Eleven subjects underwent bimaxillary surgery; 10 had simultaneous genioplasty. The mean mandibular movement was 12.2 ± 1.4 mm and was not significantly different between sides ( P = 0.43). All subjects achieved functional sensory recovery (FSR) bilaterally within 1 year of surgery. There was no difference in the median times to FSR based on the location of the IAN (distal segment, 105 days, versus proximal segment, 126 days; P = 0.57). In SSO for mandibular advancement with movements greater than 10 mm, leaving the IAN within the proximal segment may not impact time to FSR. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Morphometric Outcomes of Nonsyndromic Sagittal Synostosis following Open Middle and Posterior Cranial Vault Expansion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to quantify the change in three-dimensional skull morphometrics for patients with sagittal synostosis at presentation, after surgery, and at 2-year follow-up. METHODS: Computed tomography scans from 91 patients with isolated SS were age-, sex-, and race-matched with those from 273 controls. The authors performed vector analysis with linear regressions to model the effect of open middle and posterior cranial vault remodeling on cranial shape and growth. RESULTS: Anterior cranial volume, bossing angle, and frontal shape were not changed by surgery but normalized without surgical intervention by 2 years. Biparietal narrowing and middle cranial volume were corrected after surgery and maintained at 2 years. Occipital protuberance was improved after surgery and normalized at 2 years. Posterior cranial volume was decreased by occipital remodeling and remained slightly lower than control volumes at 2 years, whereas middle vault volume was larger than in controls. Residual deformities that persisted at 2 years were decreased superolateral width at the level of opisthion and increased anterosuperior height (vertex bulge). Linear models suggested older age at surgery resulted in more scaphocephaly and enlarged posterior cranial vault volumes at 2 years but did not affect other volume outcomes. Preoperative severity was the variable most predictive of 2-year morphometrics. CONCLUSIONS: Initial severity of sagittal synostosis deformity was the best predictor of 2-year morphometric outcomes. Upper posterior cranial width decreases with time after surgery and an anterior vertex bulge can persist after open surgery, but frontal dysmorphology self-corrects without surgical intervention. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

The Effect of COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Orders on Pediatric Craniofacial Trauma.

Objectives: To investigate the impacts of the shelter-in-place orders on the injury patterns among children with craniofacial trauma. Materials and Methods: Pediatric (<18 years old) craniofacial trauma cases presenting to a regional level I trauma center 1 year before and after the initiation of Washington's shelter-in-place order were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and injury-related variables were recorded, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were computed. Results: One hundred nineteen children were evaluated over 2-year period (46 pre- and 73 post-shelter-in-place and were comparable in age, gender, and ethnicity (p ≥ 0.17)). The distribution of injury mechanisms between pre- and post-shelter-in-place were significantly different (p = 0.02), with the largest proportional increase in falls (10.5%) and had higher rates of associated brain injury (p ≤ 0.02). After adjusting for effect modifiers and confounders, children presenting during the post-shelter-in-place period were more likely to have associated brain injuries (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-10.6, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Among pediatric craniofacial injury cases, the shelter-in-place order was associated with a higher likelihood of brain injury and significant changes in injury mechanisms, with a higher proportion of falls.

Completion of an Enhanced Recovery Program in a Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Center: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) was first established in 2001 focusing on recovery from complex surgical procedures in adults and recently expanded to ambulatory surgery. The evidence for ERAS in children is limited. In 2018, recognized experts began developing needed pediatric evidence. Center-wide efforts involving all ambulatory surgical patients and procedures have not previously been described. METHODS: A comprehensive assessment and gap analysis of ERAS elements in our ambulatory center identified 11 of 19 existing elements. The leadership committed to implementing an Enhanced Recovery Program (ERP) to improve existing elements and close as many remaining gaps as possible. A quality improvement (QI) team was launched to improve 5 existing ERP elements and to introduce 6 new elements (target 17/19 ERP elements). The project plan was broken into 1 preparation phase to collect baseline data and 3 implementation phases to enhance existing and implement new elements. Statistical process control methodology was used. Team countermeasures were based on available evidence. A consensus process was used to resolve disagreement. Monthly meetings were held to share real-time data, gather new feedback, and modify countermeasure plans as needed. The primary outcome measure selected was mean postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes measures were mean maximum pain score in PACU and patient/family satisfaction scores. RESULTS: The team had expanded the pool of active ERP elements from 11 to 16 of 19. The mean PACU LOS demonstrated significant reduction (early in phase 1 and again in phase 3). No change was seen for the mean maximum pain score in PACU or surgical complication rates. Patient/family satisfaction scores were high and sustained throughout the period of study (91.1% ± 5.7%). Patient/family and provider engagement/compliance were high. CONCLUSIONS: This QI project demonstrated the feasibility of pediatric ERP in an ambulatory surgical setting. Furthermore, a center-wide approach was shown to be possible. Additional studies are needed to determine the relevance of this project to other institutions.