The Severity of Initial Unilateral Cleft Lip and Nasal Deformity Predicts Long-Term Postoperative Esthetic Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Infantile cleft lip and nasal severity influence the final esthetic result of the repair. Although various authors have described methods of cleft lip and nasal repair, there is a paucity of data that correlates cleft severity with esthetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between presurgical severity of unilateral cleft deformity and long-term postoperative esthetic outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study, based at a single institution, investigated patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, who underwent repair by a single surgeon, had preoperative infantile facial casts, and had postoperative facial photographs at 6 to 11 years of age (N=31). Preoperative nostril width ratio and columellar angle measurements were taken from facial casts. Postoperative, long-term nasolabial appearance was rated by 5 blinded observers used a modified Kuijpers-Jagtman scale. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between preoperative cleft severity and postoperative ratings. RESULTS: Preoperative nostril width ratio directly correlated with postoperative nasal form score (r=0.40; P=0.026); likewise, preoperative columellar angle predicted postoperative nasal form score (r=0.37; P=0.040). Preoperative cleft severity was not significantly correlated with vermillion border appearance. Cronbach α values of 0.91 (nasal form) and 0.79 (vermillion border) indicated good inter-rater reliability. Kappa values of 0.87 (nasal form) and 0.70 (vermillion border) indicated good intrarater reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative unilateral cleft nose severity directly correlates with long-term postoperative nasal appearance in childhood. Outcome studies should present and control for preoperative severity to allow more accurate assessment of repair techniques.

Topical vanadate improves tensile strength and alters collagen organisation of excisional wounds in a mouse model.

Wound dehiscence, oftentimes a result of the poor tensile strength of early healing wounds, is a significant threat to the post-operative patient, potentially causing life-threatening complications. Vanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, has been shown to alter the organisation of deposited collagen in healing wounds and significantly improve the tensile strength of incisional wounds in rats. In this study, we sought to explore the effects of locally administered vanadate on tensile strength and collagen organisation in both the early and remodelling phases of excisional wound healing in a murine model. Wild-type mice underwent stented excisional wounding on their dorsal skin and were divided equally into three treatment conditions: vanadate injection, saline injection control and an untreated control. Tensile strength testing, in vivo suction Cutometer analysis, gross wound measurements and histologic analysis were performed during healing, immediately upon wound closure, and after 4 weeks of remodelling. We found that vanadate treatment significantly increased the tensile strength of wounds and their stiffness relative to control wounds, both immediately upon healing and into the remodelling phase. Histologic analysis revealed that these biomechanical changes were likely the result of increased collagen deposition and an altered collagen organisation composed of thicker and distinctly organised collagen bundles. Given the risk that dehiscence poses to all operative patients, vanadate presents an interesting therapeutic avenue to improve the strength of post-operative wounds and unstable chronic wounds to reduce the risk of dehiscence.

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacture of Intraoral Splints: A Potential Role in Cleft Care.

BACKGROUND: Nasoalveolar molding is a nonsurgical modality for the treatment of cleft lip and palate that uses an intraoral splint to align the palatal shelves. Repeated impressions are needed for splint modification, each carrying risk of airway obstruction. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has the ability to simplify the process. As a precursor to CAD/CAM splint fabrication, a proof-of-concept study was conducted to compare three-dimensional splints printed from alginate impressions versus digital scans. We hypothesized that intraoral digital scanning would compare favorably to alginate impressions for palate registration and subsequent splint manufacture, with decreased production times. METHODS: Alginate and digital impressions were taken from 25 healthy teenage volunteers. Digital impressions were performed with a commercially available intraoral scanner. Plaster casts made from alginate impressions were converted to Standard Triangle Language files. Patient-specific matched scans were evaluated for total surface area with the concordance correlation coefficient. Acrylic palatal splints were three-dimensionally printed from inverse digital molds. Subjective appliance fit was assessed using a five-point scale. RESULTS: A total of 23 participants were included. Most subjects preferred digital impression acquisition. Impression methods showed moderate agreement (concordance correlation coefficient 0.93). Subjects rated splints from digital impressions as having a more precise fit (4.4 versus 3.9). The digital approach decreased impression phase time by over 10-fold and overall production time by 28%. CONCLUSIONS: CAD/CAM has evolved extensively over the past two decades and is now commonplace in medicine. However, its utility in cleft patients has not been fully realized. This pilot study demonstrated that CAD/CAM technologies may prove useful in patients requiring intraoral splints.

Autologous Fat Grafting in Cleft Lip and Palate.

Structural fat grafting is a technically simple procedure that has revolutionized the field of plastic surgery, with applications ranging from tissue regeneration to scar modulation to volume restoration. This technique has found applications in the treatment of cleft lip and palate, where it can be used to fill deficient midfacial volume and treat velopharyngeal insufficiency. In this article, the authors summarize the current literature supporting the use of fat grafting in patients with clefts. Evidence as to the safety, efficacy, longevity, and potential complications of the technique are discussed.

The Americleft Project: Comparison of Ratings Using Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images for Evaluation of Nasolabial Appearance in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

This study was conducted to determine if nasolabial appearance is rated with comparable results and reliability on 3-dimensional stereophotogrammetric facial images versus standard clinical photographs (2-dimensional). Twenty-seven consecutively treated patients with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were selected. Six trained and calibrated raters assessed cropped 2- and 3-dimensional facial images. Nasolabial profile, nasolabial frontal, and vermillion border esthetics were rated with the 5-point scale described by Asher-McDade using the modified Q-sort method. Cropped 3-dimensional images were available for viewing by each rater, allowing for complete rotational control for viewing the images from all aspects. Two- and three-dimensional ratings were done separately and repeated the next day.Interrater reliability scores were good for 2-dimensional (κ = 0.607-0.710) and fair to good for 3-dimensional imaging (κ = 0.374-0.769). Intrarater reliability was good to very good for 2-dimensional (κ = 0.749-0.836) and moderate to good for 3-dimensional imaging (κ = 0.554-0.855). Bland-Altman analysis showed satisfactory agreement of 2- and 3-dimensional scores for nasolabial profile and nasolabial frontal, but more systematic error occurred in the assessment of vermillion border.Although 3-dimensional images may be perceived as more representative of a direct clinical facial evaluation, their use for subjective rating of nasolabial aesthetics was not more reliable than 2-dimensional images in this study. Conventional 2-dimensional images provide acceptable reliability while being readily accessible for most cleft palate centers.

Topical vanadate enhances the repair of median laparotomy incisions.

BACKGROUND: There are over two million laparotomies performed in the United States each year with an incisional hernia rate between 2% and 11%. A total of 100,000 ventral hernia repairs are undertaken each year with recurrences as high as 50%. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Full thickness midline fascia incisions from the xiphoid to the pubic symphysis were made in rats. The fascia and/or muscular layer was sutured closed and a gel with 300 µM of sodium orthovanadate or saline was placed over the suture line with the skin closed over it. On day 10, 1-cm strips from the superior, middle, and inferior regions of the abdominal wall were tested for breaking strength and processed for histology. RESULTS: The mean wound breaking strength of vanadate-treated wounds was 18.6 ± 2.7 N compared with 9.4 ± 3.6 N for controls (P < 0.0001). Similar quantities of granulation tissue were deposited in treated and control wounds. Fine green birefringence patterns, characteristic of immature connective tissue, were seen in control samples viewed with polarized light. In contrast, vanadate-treated wounds showed thick yellow-orange birefringence patterns characteristics of more mature connective tissue. Using α-smooth muscle actin immunostaining, myofibroblasts were prominent in control incisions, but few were identified in vanadate-treated incisions. CONCLUSIONS: In rat laparotomy wounds, a single application of vanadate increases wound breaking strength, through enhanced connective tissue organization. These combined data suggest topical application of vanadate immediately after fascial closure will increase wound strength, possibly reducing hernia recurrences in the repaired abdominal wall.

Structural Fat Grafting to Improve Reconstructive Outcomes in Secondary Cleft Lip Deformity.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique and results of structural fat grafting in cleft lip revision, including patient satisfaction and aesthetic outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Multidisciplinary cleft care center. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent structural fat grafting between June 2006 and September 2012 for cleft lip revision, with appropriate photographic follow-up included. Twenty-two cases were reviewed; 18 had sufficient data to be included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent structural fat grafting for cleft lip revision, most commonly injecting fat under deficient philtral columns, the nostril base, and upper lip. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blinded observers rated outcomes using the Asher-McDade nasolabial appearance rating scale. Patients completed questionnaires assessing their satisfaction. A paired Student's t-test was used to test outcomes for significance (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Patients were an average of 16 years old (range: 6-43); average length of follow up was 11.7 months. Overall symmetry and aesthetics were improved based on the nasal form (P = 0.006) and vermillion border (P = 0.04) when rated using the Asher-McDade scale. No complications were recorded. Patients were significantly happier with their appearance after fat grafting (P < 0.001) and were uniformly positive when questioned about the ease of the surgery and rate of recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Structural fat grafting is a safe and effective way to improve symmetry and enhance facial proportions in patients with cleft lip. Given the high degree of patient satisfaction, few complications, and durable results, fat grafting offers many advantages in cleft lip revision.

The Expanding Role of Education and Research in International Healthcare.

A recent report of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery has continued to emphasize the importance of surgery in global health. Plastic surgeons have been involved in humanitarian care of children in developing countries for many years. The ability to repair children with cleft lip and palate in resource-poor settings has made this desirable for many plastic surgeons. A number of philanthropic plastic surgery organizations arose to deal with the problem in a more structured way. Dr. Donald Laub at Stanford established Interplast (now ReSurg) in 1969. Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee established Operation Smile in 1982, and many others have followed. The unifying theme of these organizations has been the desire to provide safe and effective surgical care to children who would otherwise be forced to live out their lives with deformity. Most care has been for children with clefts, but efforts have expanded to include hand surgery and burn reconstruction. The initial effort was provided through surgical missions. A paradigm shift has occurred as sustainability and local capacity have become paramount. Education and training of local colleagues and assistance in surgical safety infrastructure are expanding the reach of plastic surgical care around the globe. The inauguration of in-country permanent surgical centers allows high-volume outcomes research, as well as unique educational collaboration between plastic surgeons of both the developed and developing world.

Do Pharyngeal Flaps Restrict Early Midface Growth in Patients With Clefts?

OBJECTIVE: To compare facial growth characteristics in patients with cleft palate who have undergone pharyngeal flap with those who had palatal lengthening or pharyngoplasty and to control subjects who have not had surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). DESIGN: Matched retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary cleft care center. PATIENTS: All patients with cleft palate who had undergone pharyngeal flap or pharyngoplasty/palatal lengthening for VPI were included. Patients with craniofacial syndromes or those who had undergone maxillary protraction were excluded. A control group did not undergo surgery for VPI. The three groups were matched based on cleft type and ages at VPI surgery and cephalogram. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirteen craniofacial measurements were evaluated on postoperative cephalograms using an analysis of variance with a Bonferroni adjustment for significant measures (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included; mean ages at VPI surgery and postoperative cephalogram were 5 and 8 years, respectively. Twelve of thirteen craniofacial measures were not significantly different; notably, this included maxillary height and projection. Only gonial angle was found to differ significantly (P = .018) in that pharyngoplasty and pharyngeal flap yielded a smaller angle compared with that in control subjects. CONCLUSION: Facial growth, and in particular maxillary growth, was not altered as expected after pharyngeal flap surgery. Pharyngeal flap appears to be equivalent to pharyngoplasty and palatal lengthening in that no significant effects on early facial growth were detected after surgery for VPI in this cohort of children with cleft palate.

Obtaining Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Approval for International Rotations During Plastic Surgery Residency Training.

Global medicine and international rotations are becoming increasingly popular and relevant in training the next generation of Plastic Surgeons. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties have started to address the issues that will ensure our residents are protected as well as ensuring that they gain a valuable educational experience. The principles and the process for getting an International Rotation approved by the Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee are outlined in this article.

Challenges of Organizing Mission Surgery in Resource Limited Environments.

Interest in global burden of disease that can be surgically treated is on the rise, and plastic surgeons, with a wide scope of practice, have the tools that make them integral in providing much of the needed surgical support in the world. Since the 1950 s, plastic surgeons have been closely involved in volunteer surgery, and it is through the success and growth of organizations such as Interplast and Operation Smile that we are able to take part in the current paradigm shift to local empowerment and self-sufficiency instead of service delivery alone. This kind of growth started with medical mission work that fostered international partnerships and that remain an important aspect of addressing the unmet surgical burden of disease. Building a mission comprised of an international team of volunteers that travels to a resource-limited environment and provides top-quality surgical care is not without challenges. The aim of this article is to discuss some of these challenges and how they might be overcome.

A Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Prescribing Practices for Prophylactic Antibiotics in Operative and Nonoperative Facial Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports short-term perioperative prophylaxis for facial fractures. It is unknown, however, whether there is any professional consensus on how to manage these injuries. No multidisciplinary evaluation of the prophylactic antibiotic prescribing patterns for neither operative nor nonoperative facial fractures has been performed. AIM: To evaluate the prophylactic antibiotic prescribing patterns of multiple specialties in operative and nonoperative facial fractures. METHODS: A 14 question anonymous online-based survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) and the American Association of Facial Plastic Surgeons to evaluate current practices. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 205 respondents, including 89 plastic surgeons, 98 otolaryngologists, 12 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and 7 with double board certification practicing throughout the United States with ranging experience from 11 to 30 years. As expected, preoperative, perioperative, or postoperative prophylactic antibiotics are either "always" or "sometimes" prescribed, 100% of the time with more varied practice upon further inspection. A total of 85.1% either "always" or "sometimes" use antibiotics while awaiting surgery. Dentate segment fractures are the most frequent type of facial fractures to receive prophylactic antibiotics for both operative (90.5%) and nonoperative (84.1%) fractures. Duration of antibiotic use is more varied with the majority providing 3 to 7 days despite current evidence. First generation cephalosporins alone are prescribed by 49% of respondents, which may not adequately cover oral flora. There is no multidisciplinary consensus for prophylactic antibiotics for specific operative fracture types or nonoperative facial fractures, an area with little published evidence.

Analysis of clinically significant seroma formation in breast reconstruction using acellular dermal grafts.

With a rise in tissue expander-based breast reconstructions (TEBRs) using acellular dermal matrix (ADM), we have seen an increase in ADM-specific complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinically significant seroma (CSS) formation-defined by the need for a drainage procedure-to determine if there was a difference in incidence between product types: AlloDerm (AL), DermaMatrix (DM), and FlexHD (FHD). This was a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent TEBR at a single institution. The total number of reconstructed breasts was separated into the following 4 groups according to the product type: AL, DM, FHD, or no ADM. We identified the total number of CSSs and compared these data between product types. A logistic regression was performed in an attempt to identify independent risk factors associated with seroma formation. In total, we identified 284 consecutive TEBRs. Overall, there were 17 (7.7%) seromas in 220 breast reconstructions in which ADM was used. When comparing the number of CSS between groups-AL (n = 2, 4.0%), DM (n = 6, 5.4%), FHD (n = 9, 14.75%), and no ADM (n = 1, 1.5%)-we found a significant difference in seroma incidence between product types (P = 0.016). Multivariate analysis identified a strong trend toward FHD as an independent predictor of seroma formation (P = 0.061). Our review suggests that there is strong trend in CSS formation with the use of FHD as compared to other product types and reconstructions in which no ADM was used.

Interfacility Transfer Guidelines for Isolated Facial Trauma: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop guidelines for the transfer of patients with isolated craniomaxillofacial trauma. METHODS: A national, multidisciplinary expert panel was assembled from leadership in national organizations and contributors to published literature on facial reconstruction. The final panel consisted of five plastic surgeons, four otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, and four oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The expert panelists' opinions on transfer guidelines were collected using the modified Delphi process. Consensus was predefined as 90 percent or greater agreement per statement. RESULTS: After four Delphi consensus building rounds, 13 transfer guidelines were established, including statements on fractures of the frontal sinus, orbit, midface, and mandible, as well as soft-tissue injuries. Twelve guidelines reached consensus. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to transfer a patient with craniomaxillofacial trauma to another facility is complex and multifactorial. While a percentage of overtriage is acceptable to promote safe disposition of trauma patients, unnecessarily high rates of secondary overtriage divert emergency medical services, increase costs, delay care, overload tertiary trauma centers, and result in tertiary hospital staff providing primary emergency coverage for referring hospitals. These craniomaxillofacial transfer guidelines were designed to serve as a tool to improve and streamline the care of facial trauma patients. Such efforts may decrease the additional health care expenditures associated with secondary overtriage while decompressing emergency medical systems and tertiary emergency departments.

Increased post-operative complications with methylene blue versus lymphazurin in sentinel lymph node biopsies for skin cancers.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB) is the standard of care in staging of melanoma and other skin cancers. Early studies used lymphazurin (LZ) for SLNB. A national shortage of LZ promoted methylene blue (MB) as an alternate stain. OBJECTIVE: This study compares complication rates between LZ and MB in SLNB patients, and the reliability dyes in locating sentinel lymph nodes. METHODS: Charts were reviewed for patients who underwent SLNB for skin cancers between September 2006 and November 2008 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The type and quantity of dye, the presence of blue stained sentinel nodes, and any complications were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients underwent SLNB (46 LZ, 47 MB). The amount of dye used was similar (avg. 0.93 ml LZ, 1.24 ml MB). The complication rate of LZ was 8.7%, and MB was 25.5%. There was significantly more (P = 0.003) skin graft complications in the MB patients (6/12) versus LZ (0/15). CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher rate of complications with MB, especially with skin grafting. The reported risk of anaphylaxis with LZ has not been reported in volumes <2 ml. The sentinel lymph node identification rate is historically similar between dyes, and in this study was noted to be higher with LZ.

Ethnic and Gender Diversity Comparison between Surgical Patients and Caring Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Diversity within the medical workforce remains a topic of discussion in academia, particularly when it comes to the underrepresentation of certain ethnic groups and gender in the surgical specialties. In this article, we look at how the gender and ethnicity of surgeons at a large academic institution in a rural setting compare with those of the population it serves. METHODS: We looked at demographic data from 2008 to 2018 and compared population trends among surgeons and patients. RESULTS: We found that while whites represent the large majority in both the surgeon and patient populations, absolute number and percentage of whites in the patient population seem to be trending downward from 2008 to 2018, but trending upward among surgeons (attendings and residents). In addition, we found that while Asians make up only 1% of the patient population, they represent the second largest group (17%) among surgeons, with more than twice the proportion percentage of the second largest group within the patient population, composed of Hispanics (6%). Finally, we found a significant gender difference between the 2 populations with almost two-thirds of the surgeons being men, compared with the nearly even split of men and women within the patient population. CONCLUSIONS: Ultimately, understanding how gender and ethnic diversity in the surgical workforce compares with that of the patient population being served may aid in designing training programs to address cultural competency and awareness as well as in impacting administrative decisions and hiring.

A Prospective Approach to Inform and Treat 1340 Patients at Risk for BIA-ALCL.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence and associated mortality of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has become alarming. However, many patients remain unaware of their risk for BIA-ALCL and may overlook early warning signs of the cancer. The authors aim to contact all breast implant patients at a single institution to educate them on the disease and provide screening and treatment as indicated. METHODS: All patients who had breast implants placed at Penn State Hershey Medical Center from 1979 to November of 2017 were mailed a letter to describe BIA-ALCL and to encourage a follow-up visit. Patient information regarding demographics, implant type, the number of calls and follow-up visits, physical examination findings, and patient decisions after being informed of the disease were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred eighty-four letters were mailed to 1020 patients (79.4 percent) with smooth implants and 264 patients (20.6 percent) with textured implants. Seventy-six calls were received and 100 patients (84 smooth and 16 textured) were evaluated within the first 2 months. Of the 16 patients with textured implants, nine are undergoing secondary surgery to remove or replace their textured device. CONCLUSIONS: Informing patients at risk for BIA-ALCL is an important endeavor. Patients educated on the disease will likely be diagnosed and treated earlier, which can prevent the need for adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and decrease mortality. The authors provide a method, supporting documents, and preliminary data to help other institutions contact their breast implant patients at risk for BIA-ALCL.