Pediatric vascularized composite allotransplantation: What is the landscape for obtaining appropriate donors in the United States?

Listing the world's first pediatric bilateral hand transplant patient for a donor posed many challenges including matching the appropriate donor age, bone size, skin tone, and growth potential in an already limited donor population. This study describes the prevalence and distribution of potential pediatric VCA donors in the United States. We assessed the UNOS database from 2008 to 2015 to identify the prevalence of potential pediatric VCA donors. Standard VCA inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the dataset for all pediatric solid organ donors. Frequency analyses were performed of characteristics important for VCA matching. The dataset began with 57 300 brain-dead donors and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria including age <18, decreased to 4663 (8.1%). The number of pediatric potential VCA donors per UNOS region ranged from 11 to 112/year. The majority of pediatric potential VCA donors were blood type O Whites, with the least common profile being blood type AB of "other" ethnicity. The present study confirmed that pediatric VCA donors are rare and may require longer travel times for procurement and listing at multiple centers in order to find a suitable donor. This will be a limiting factor for the expansion of pediatric VCA.

Autologous Breast Reconstruction is Associated with Lower 90-day Readmission Rates.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction is associated with improved quality of life after mastectomy. Options for breast reconstruction include autologous and implant-based methods. Although autologous reconstruction is more technically challenging and requires longer operative time, it is thought of as the gold standard. Our study examined differences in 90-day readmission rates between implant-based and autologous breast reconstruction using discharge data from the National Readmission Database, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. METHODS: The National Readmission Database was used to identify patients undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Patients were selected using ICD-10 PCS codes linked to autologous and implant-based reconstruction. Ninety-day readmission rates were determined. After matching the two groups on a 1:1 basis for baseline comorbidities and demographics, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to variables associated with higher readmission rates. RESULTS: The leading diagnoses associated with readmissions were infectious and pulmonary. After one to one matching, autologous breast reconstruction, private insurance versus Medicaid, and income quartile 4 versus 1 were all less likely to be readmitted within 90 days of discharge. Patients with a high Charlson index and those with a longer length of initial hospital stay are significantly more likely to be readmitted within 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction were 23% less likely to be readmitted within 90 days from discharge. Fewer comorbidities, shorter length of hospital stay, and higher socioeconomic status are also associated with lower readmission rates following breast reconstruction.

Spitz Nevus: Review and Update.

The Spitz nevus is an uncommon melanocytic nevus. These lesions classically appear in childhood as a red, dome-shaped papule. They appear rarely in adults and may be pigmented. The Spitz nevus can develop suddenly and grow rapidly, reaching a 1-cm diameter in 6 months or less. There are 3 classes of spitzoid neoplasms: typical Spitz nevus, atypical Spitz nevus, and spitzoid melanoma. The diagnosis should be cautiously differentiated, especially in children. Immunohistochemistry and molecular studies have been helpful in differentiating difficult cases; however, no set of criteria has been accepted to predict biological behavior of atypical Spitz nevi.

A Systematic Review of Surgical Management of Melanoma of the External Ear.

BACKGROUND: Historically, external ear melanomas have been treated aggressively, due to early perceptions suggesting they had poor prognosis and aggressive biological behavior. More recent evidence has not supported these notions. METHODS: We completed a complete review of the literature involving malignant melanoma of the external ear. We then completed a quantitative analysis on seventy-three cases from 8 reports that contained case-level data, assessing factors that influence recurrence, and assessing characteristics of the melanomas based on histological subtype. Baseline and outcomes data for all 20 studies were then compiled but not statistically evaluated. RESULTS: In our subanalysis, patients who had recurrence were significantly more likely to have had wedge resection versus wide-local excision, and those with no recurrence were more likely to have undergone wide local excision. Nodular tumors had significantly greater thickness. Overall, conservative excisions provided excellent outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment for external ear melanoma produces satisfactory outcomes. There is no evidence to support the use of radical amputation and little evidence to support the removal of cartilage or perichondrium. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is warranted only with positive nodes. There is no role for elective neck dissection. The roles for chemo/radiation therapy are unclear and guidelines for other cutaneous melanomas should be followed.

Prevalence and Distribution of Potential Vascularized Composite Allotransplant Donors, Implications for Optimizing the Donor-recipient Match.

BACKGROUND: Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is an emerging and growing field. Little is known about the prevalence and distribution of the adult potential donor population in the United States now that it falls under the oversight of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). METHODS: We assessed the UNOS database from 2008 to 2015 to estimate the prevalence and distribution of adult potential vascularized composite allograft donors. Donor inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed in a way to minimize risk to recipients and were applied to the dataset. Donors were categorized by factors that influence vascularized composite allograft matching including ABO blood type, cytomegalovirus status, and ethnicity (correlate for skin color) and sorted by UNOS region. RESULTS: Just under half of all brain dead donors met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Blood type O, cytomegalovirus+, White donors represented the most frequent donor profile while blood type AB, cytomegalovirus-, Asian donors were the least common. UNOS region 3 had the most and region 1 had the least potential VCA donors per year. Nearly all potential VCA donors were solid organ donors with the liver being the most commonly donated solid organ in this population. CONCLUSIONS: A large portion of the solid organ donor pool would qualify as adult vascularized composite allograft donors in the current UNOS system. These data will assist transplant teams in determining the prevalence and distribution of vascularized composite allograft donors for their individual patients awaiting composite allografts based on relevant matching characteristics in addition to standard transplant criteria.

Artery-Only Ear Replantation in a Child: A Case Report With Daily Photographic Documentation.

Objective: Ear replantation poses a significant technical challenge even for the skilled microsurgeon. Many ear amputations result from avulsion and thus have damaged and often diminutive vessels with a paucity of veins. Artery-only replantation is an option for ear salvage, but little is published on the clinical course and appearance after this procedure. Methods: A subtotal ear replantation was performed on a 10-year-old boy without a venous anastomosis. Leech therapy was used to manage venous congestion postoperatively, and daily photography was performed to document the clinical course. Results: Postoperative venous congestion was successfully managed with leech therapy. Four days after the replantation, arterial thrombosis occurred that required a take back and salvage with an interposition vein graft for arterial repair. Native venous drainage and arterial revascularization from skin edges were evident by postoperative day 12, and leeches were discontinued on day 14. The patient required debridement of the posterior ear and superior helix necrotic skin, with burying of the upper portion of the ear in a superior auricular skin flap. The ear was subsequently released from the head, and the exposed portions were covered successfully with a full-thickness skin graft. Conclusions: While arterial and venous anastomoses should always be attempted, arterial-only ear replantation can provide excellent results when venous congestion is properly managed. Daily photography can be a useful tool to monitor subtle skin color changes that may indicate native venous drainage and arterial revascularization.