Faculty Bibliography

Background/Purpose: Informed decision-making in cleft care relies heavily on available information, including online resources. The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends that the readability of these resources does not exceed the sixth grade reading level. We evaluated the comprehensiveness and readability of patientoriented online resources provided by American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association (ACPA) Approved cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) Teams in the United States. Methods/Description: ACPA Approved CLP Team listings were reviewed between July 16, 2018, and July 30, 2018. Listings with nonfunctional website links prompted an Internet search for the corresponding websites. Teams with no accessible website or <30 sentences of content were excluded. Content comprehensiveness was scored by presence/absence of 20 variables derived from ACPA team approval standards. Content readability, defined as estimated reading grade level, was evaluated with 8 validated scales using a Professional Readability Software (Oleander Software, Ltd, Vandalia, Ohio). Readability was then compared to AMA recommendations. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between comprehensiveness and readability.
Result(s): From 167 reviewed teams, 47 (28.1%) had nonfunctional links. After an Internet search, 17 (10.2%) had no accessible website, and 39 (23.4%) had <30 sentences. A total of 56 teams were thus excluded. The average comprehensiveness score for all 111 team websites included was 14.5 +/- 2.6 out of 20. The combined average reading level across all scales (10.7 +/- 1.9) exceeded the AMArecommended sixth grade reading level; this finding held true for each individual website. Children's Hospital-affiliated teams (n = 86) had a significantly higher comprehensiveness score (14.8 vs 13.5; P = .03) and better readability as evidenced by lower reading grade level (10.5 vs 11.4; P = .04). On linear regression, a higher comprehensiveness score significantly predicted better readability (beta = -0.226; P < .001; 95% CI: -0.359 to -0.092).
Conclusion(s): Online resources of ACPA Approved CLP Teams vary in accessibility and comprehensiveness, and exceed the recommended reading level. In order to better serve and educate patients with cleft lip and/or palate and their caregivers, future efforts should be directed toward developing standardized, comprehensive, accessible, and intelligible online resources, while ensuring validation of their content and language

Background/Purpose: Knowledge of cleft lip (CL) surgical markings is essential prior to performing the repair. Work hours restrictions, increased patient care documentation time, and requests by patients not to have trainees involved in their care are limiting the acquisition of this skill in the operating room. Textbooks provide 2-dimensional illustrations of CL markings; while the cost of 3-dimensional (3D) printed CL models prohibit their widespread utilization for this purpose. We propose 3D stone models as simple and affordable tools to teach surgical trainees unilateral CL markings. Methods/Description: Polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression material was used to create a negative of a patient with unilateral CL. Snapstone mixed with water was poured into the PVS impression to create unilateral CL stone models. Eleven plastic surgery residents were prospectively recruited in the study. They were provided with a textbook chapter and online module detailing surgical markings for unilateral CL repair, and were given 15 minutes of study time, before providing them with a unilateral CL stone model for performing the CL markings within 10 minutes. The participants were then provided with a standardized patient photograph for the same purpose. Learner satisfaction with the stone model and patient photograph as educational tools for learning surgical markings were evaluated using a modified survey based on the Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) survey, a validated tool for measuring higher education student satisfaction. Learner satisfactions with each tool were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test.
Result(s): The total production time of one stone model, including the PVS impression, was 10 minutes. The cost of one PVS impression and one stone model were 64 and 83 cents respectively, for a total of $1.47. Participants reported that when compared to the standardized patient photograph, the stone model was more stimulating (4.72 +/- 0.47 vs 3.82+/-0.87; U = 25.5; P = .01), increased their interest in the subject (4.63 +/- 0.50 vs 3.45 +/- 1.29; U = 26.5; P = .02), allowed better learning of the subject matter (4.54 +/- 0.52 vs 2.91 +/- 0.83; U = 5.0; P < .001), had greater clarity (4.64 +/- 0.50 vs 3.00 +/- 0.89; U = 6.0; P < .001), and was a more effective means of teaching CL markings (4.73 +/- 0.47 vs 2.91 +/- 1.04; U = 6.0; P < .001). Participants were also more likely to recommend the stone model (4.82+/-0.40) over the standardized patient photograph (3.00 +/- 1.10; U = 5.0; P < .001).
Conclusion(s): 3D stone models of the unilateral cleft lip deformity are affordable and simple to produce. Plastic surgery residents report that these models are superior training tools to learn cleft lip markings compared to patient photographs. These educational tools have the potential to overcome significant financial, logistic, and time constraints in teaching cleft lip surgery markings

Background/Purpose: Previous in vivo and in vitro animal studies demonstrate that the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonist dipyridamole (DIPY) stimulates robust osteogenic differentiation and proliferation without adverse effects on craniofacial suture development. However, no studies to date have been performed on human tissue. This study compares the effects of DIPY, BMP-2, and standard osteogenic media on osteogenic differentiation by human mesenchymal stem cells to lay the foundation for translating this bone tissue engineering approach to pediatric craniofacial reconstruction. Methods/Description: Pediatric mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from surplus bone taken from consented patients undergoing craniofacial surgery. Cells were cultured at early passage for 3 weeks in 1 of 7 experimental conditions: control media; osteogenic media (control + 100 muM beta-glycerophosphate, 0.1 muM dexamethasone and 100 mg/ mL L-ascorbic acid); osteogenic media + 200 ng/mL BMP-2; osteogenic media + 10, 100, 1000, or 10 000 muM DIPY. All experiments were performed in biological triplicates. Samples were analyzed using Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay at 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days as a marker of early osteogenic differentiation. At the end of the 3-week differentiation period, cells underwent immunocytochemistry to verify phalloidin, osteocalcin, and collagen I expression. Alizarin red staining was used to detect mineralization. Statistical analysis used 1-way ANOVA with Tukeys post hoc correction and multiple t test comparison of means.
Result(s): In all osteogenic conditions, relative peak ALP activity occurred at 48 hours. One thousand micrometer DIPY showed significantly increased peak ALP activity compared to BMP-2 (3.6 +/- 0.1 fold increase vs 3.1 +/- 0.1; P = .006). There was no significant difference between 1000 muM DIPY and osteogenic media (4.1 +/- 0.1; P = .36). At 3 weeks, immunocytochemistry revealed differentiation in all osteogenic conditions compared to control. One thousand micrometer DIPY cells showed greater evidence of mature osteogenic differentiation including cuboidal cell morphology and deposition of collagen I in an extracellular fibrillar network pattern compared to both control osteogenic media and BMP-2. Alizarin red quantification demonstrated significantly increased extracellular matrix mineralization at 100 muM(2.4+/-0.4; P = .002), 1000 muM (4.3+/-0.6; P = .001), and 10 000 muM (5.1 +/- 0.2; P < .0001) DIPY compared to nonosteogenic control medium (1.0 +/- 0.1). Matrix mineralization was not significantly different between BMP-2 (2.4 +/- 0.2) and 1000 muM DIPY (P = .08). ImageJ analysis revealed increased proportion of osteocalcin expressing cells (40.0% +/- 2.8%) in stem cells treated with 1000 muM of dipyridamole compared to control (1.0% +/- 0.6%), osteogenic (5.8% +/- 1.0%), and BMP-2 (16.9% +/- 2.2%; P < .0001).
Conclusion(s): Dipyridamole promotes early osteogenic differentiation and maturation of human bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells. These data suggest that dipyridamole may be an effective tissue engineering strategy for pediatric craniofacial reconstruction

Background/Purpose: Cleft deformities of the lip and palate affect nearly one in 500 to 700 births and lead to increased morbidity and mortality if untreated. Nevertheless, significant global disparities in access to timely and appropriate care still exist. The relatively basic infrastructure required to surgically correct these deformities and large unmet disease burden have resulted in a significant number of foundation-based cleft care initiatives focused toward developing countries. In this study, we evaluate the peer-reviewed literature generated by these foundations in an attempt to assess their clinical, scientific, educational, and economic impact. Methods/Description: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using key search terms, and the level of evidence of identified articles was determined. Data were then analyzed to determine the different models of foundation-based cleft care in developing countries, as well as their clinical, scientific, educational, and economic impact.
Result(s): A total of 244 articles were identified through our search and reviewed. The levels of evidence of these articles were also determined, and included 3 (1.2%) level I, 62 (25.4%) level II, 11 (4.5%) level III, 59 (24.2%) level IV, 53 (21.7%) level V, and 56 (23.0%) articles that were not gradable. Foundation-based cleft care initiatives in developing countries have significantly contributed to a better understanding of disease epidemiology, barriers to care, safety considerations, complications and outcomes, as well as international and local cleft surgery education. The cleft care center model is more cost-effective than the surgical mission model and provides more sustainable care.
Conclusion(s): Foundation-based cleft care prevents significant morbidity in developing countries and has provided valuable resources for capacity building. The surgical mission model should be considered as a transitory conduit for establishing the more effective and sustainable cleft care center model of care

Background/Purpose: Despite the increasing trend toward ambulatory surgery rate in general, for cleft lip repair, 72.1% of patients in the United States are still hospitalized. Multiple centers have been studying this and with the very recent publishing of 2 large volume studies published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery supporting the safety of outpatient cleft lip surgery, it has become a high-profile debatable topic in cleft management. Last year at ACPA in the plastic surgery breakout session there was a heated debate on the topic between surgeons. And just this summer, one of the authors articles was featured as the PRS Journal Club article of the month via Social media, where there were 68 comments, 11 shares, and 40 likes, which placed the article in the TOP 15 most viewed article in PRS Journal's website. So this is a topic that more and more surgeons and craniofacial teams are thinking about and considering changing practice management but that deserves being brought into the spotlight to discuss all the pros and cons. The goal of the presentation are to present a literature review up to date on inpatient versus outpatient cleft lip surgery and have members of the panel share their and data behind their approach to postoperative cleft lip management. We would like to focus on what has been studied and reported versus what people practice because "that is how they were trained" or that is how they "historically" have always done it. Methods/Description: We will start with an overview of the literature surrounding inpatient versus outpatient cleft lip surgery and epidemiology about the numbers of institutions that do inpatients versus outpatient. If possible, we would like to include an audience poll to get an idea of practice patterns in the room. Then based on the recent published studies, each panelist will share different protocols that have been successful for outpatient cleft lip management and how that could be implemented if a center wants to consider outpatient cleft lip surgery. This includes: preoperative education that can be done by the team or nurse managers, perioperative management before, during, and after the operation, and postoperative care after they go home. All are very key components to a successful outpatient cleft lip management. We will also discuss the barriers to doing outpatient cleft lip surgery as well as having a panelist who consistently does inpatient cleft lip surgery to present the rationale behind their practice management and also their barriers to outpatient cleft lip surgery. I have reached out to a few people and will be discussing with them at the upcoming ASPS meeting to see who may be interested in joining the panel to discuss that. We will discuss the economic impact overall of practice changes to a predominantly outpatient surgery and also potential insurance policy impact. We think this will be a very useful topic for any team member participating in the care of a cleft lip patient

Background/Purpose: Alveolar cleft surgery is the most common bone reconstruction performed in patients with a cleft. Osteogenic agents such as BMP-2 have been used to restore the bony cleft without the morbidity of bone graft, but concerns remain regarding premature fusion of sutures, exuberant bone formation, and malignant degeneration. We have recently demonstrated that dipyridamole-coated, 3D printed bio-ceramic (3DPBC) scaffolds generate comparable bone amounts to BMP2 and significantly greater bone compared to negative controls in short-term growing animal model studies. No detrimental effects to growth sutures were noted in any animals. This study investigates the long-term osteogenic properties, degradation kinetics, and effects on facial growth of these tissue engineering constructs in growing animal models. Methods/Description: Twenty-two 1-month-old (immature) New Zealand white rabbits underwent creation of unilateral 3.5 x 3.5 mm alveolar defects. Each alveolar defect was repaired with either 3DPBC scaffolds coated with 1000 muM dipyridamole (n = 14) or with autogenous bone graft from the radius (n = 8). Six rabbits from the 3DPBC scaffold group were sacrificed at 8 weeks. The remaining rabbits (n = 8 each group) were euthanized following completion of craniofacial growth (6 months). Bone regeneration, scaffold degradation, and maxillary suture patency were calculated using CT images reconstructed and analyzed in Amira software. Facial symmetry was evaluated using dense-surface 3D modeling and validated with bilateral cephalometric measurements of maxillary projection. Bone growth and suture patency were qualitatively evaluated through histologic analysis.
Result(s): After 6 months, animals with defects repaired with 3DPBC scaffolds regenerated an average of 52.9% +/- 3.3% bone (mean +/- SEM), compared to 40.7%+/-4.0% in defects repaired with bone graft (P = .02). This is compared to unoperated alveolus occupied by 39.3% +/- 1.6% bone. Scaffolds showed significant degradation at 6 months (6.7% +/- 1.6%) compared to at 8 weeks (27.1% +/- 1.9%; P >= .001). Morphometric analysis using dense surface modeling showed similar symmetry indices of 55.0 +/- 3.3 for scaffold animals and 61.7% +/- 1.6% for bone graft animals (P = .10). Comparative measurements of operated and unoperated sides showed no significant differences in asymmetry between scaffold and bone graft animals (P = .86). Histologic analysis of scaffold samples revealed vascularized, organized bone within scaffold interstices without evidence of ectopic bone, excess inflammatory cells, or suture fusion.
Conclusion(s): In a growing animal model, dipyridamole-coated 3DPBC scaffolds can regenerate bone comparable to autogenous bone graft by radiographic and histologic analysis. Over 6 months, scaffolds show significant, favorable degradation and do not result in premature suture fusion or disruption of facial growth compared to bone graft. These results support long-term safety and efficacy of this tissue engineering strategy in the repair of alveolar cleft defects

The surgical treatment of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is one of the most common procedures performed by craniofacial surgeons. However, for residents and fellows, the high degree of difficulty and complex anatomy may result in slow progress along a steep learning curve. This is particularly important in the context of contemporary academic practice, where work-hour limits and other factors restrict operative exposure and opportunities for trainees to learn. These issues have prompted the development of surgical simulation modalities that, while prevalent in other surgical specialties, have not been fully adopted in reconstructive surgery.Among these resources is the Craniofacial Interactive Virtual Assistant - Professional Edition (CIVA-Pro), a procedural cognition simulator that is free of charge. By integrating 3-dimensional virtual animation, voice over, and high-definition intraoperative video, CIVA-Pro describes cardinal craniofacial surgery procedures in an engaging platform. In this study, a detailed, step-by-step description of the fronto-orbital advancement surgical technique to complement the corresponding CIVA-Pro module was presented. This synergistic combination of multimedia educational resources provides a unique didactic option for current trainees to prepare for surgery.

BACKGROUND:Single-stage primary cleft lip and palate (PCLP) repair is controversial in the United States, and most patients are treated with a staged approach. In this study, early postoperative complications of the single-stage approach as compared to primary cleft lip (PCL) or primary cleft palate (PCP) alone were evaluated. This study represents the largest cohort of patients undergoing combined cleft lip and palate repair. METHODS:The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database was used to identify patients undergoing single-stage PCLP, PCL, or PCP repairs. Preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes were compared between the 3 groups, as well as within the PCLP group between patients with and without complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS:A TOTAL OF:: 181 patients were included in the single-stage PCLP group, 1007 in the PCP group and 783 in the PCL group. There was no difference in the rates of early complications between the 3 groups. Within the PCLP group, cardiac risk factors (β = 35.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.88-75.21; P = 0.04) and complications (β = 77.31; 95% CI 35.82-118.79; P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for longer operative time. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Analysis of a national database showed that single-stage PCLP repair is not associated with increased risk of early postoperative complications as compared to primary lip or palate repair alone. In-depth long-term analyses of craniofacial morphology, fistulae rate, speech, and dental outcomes are essential for a comprehensive assessment of the effects of combined cleft lip and palate repair.