Faculty Bibliography

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:Simulation is progressively being integrated into surgical training, yet its utility in plastic surgery has not been well described. We present a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comparing digital simulation to a surgical textbook for conceptualization of cleft-lip repair. METHODS:Thirty-five medical students were randomized to learning cleft repair using a simulator or textbook. Participants outlined markings for a standard cleft-lip repair before (pre-intervention) and after (post-intervention) 20 minutes of studying their respective resource. Two expert reviewers blindly graded markings according to a 10-point scale, on two separate occasions. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients. Paired and independent t-tests were performed to compare scoring between study groups. A validated student satisfaction survey was administered to assess the two resources separately. RESULTS:Intra-rater grading reliability was excellent among both raters for pre-intervention and post-intervention grading (rater 1 ICC=0.94 and 0.95, respectively; rater 2 ICC=0.60 and 0.92, respectively; p<0.001). Mean pre-intervention performances for both groups were comparable (0.82±1.17 vs. 0.64±0.95; p=0.31). Significant improvement from pre-intervention to post-intervention performance was observed in the textbook (0.82±1.17 v. 3.50±1.62; p<0.001) and simulator (0.64±0.95 vs. 6.44±2.03; p<0.001) groups. However, the simulator group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement (5.81±2.01 vs. 2.68±1.49; p<0.001). Participants reported the simulator to be more effective (p<0.001) and a clearer tool (p<0.001), that allowed better learning (p<0.001) than textbooks. All participants would recommend the simulator to others. CONCLUSIONS:We present level I evidence supporting online digital simulation as a superior educational resource for novice learners, compared to traditional textbooks.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Rhinoplasty relies on clear patient communication and precise execution of a three-dimensional (3D) plan to achieve optimal results. As 3D imaging and printing continue to grow in popularity within the medical field, rhinoplasty surgeons have begun to leverage these resources as an aid to preoperative planning, patient communication, and the technical performance of this challenging operation. Objective/UNASSIGNED:Utilizing departmentally-available resources and open access 3D imaging platforms, we have developed an affordable, reproducible protocol for rapid in-house virtual surgical planning (VSP) and subsequent manufacture of 3D-printed rhinoplasty models. Methods/UNASSIGNED:Preoperative 3D photographic images underwent virtual rhinoplasty using a freely-available 3D imaging and sculpting program (BlenderTM [Version 2.78, Amsterdam, The Netherlands]). Once the ideal postoperative result was digitally achieved, scaled, sterilizable and patient-specific 3D models of the preoperative and ideal postoperative result were manufactured in-house using a departmentally-owned 3D printer. Results/UNASSIGNED:3D-printed models have successfully been manufactured and employed for 12 patients undergoing rhinoplasty. The average time to prepare a set of pre- and postoperative models was 3 hours, while the printing process required 18-24 hours per model. Each set of surgical models can be manufactured at a total materials cost of approximately $5.00. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:We describe an affordable means to construct sterilizable, scaled, patient-specific 3D-printed models for rhinoplasty. This technique may become of increasing interest to academic and cosmetic centers as hardware costs of 3D printers continues to fall.

Adenosine receptor activation has been investigated as a potential therapeutic approach to heal bone. Bone has enhanced regenerative potential when influenced by either direct or indirect adenosine receptor agonism. As investigators continue to elucidate how adenosine influences bone cell homeostasis at the cellular and molecular levels, a small but growing body of literature has reported successful in vivo applications of adenosine delivery. This review summarizes the role adenosine receptor ligation plays in osteoblast and osteoclast biology and remodeling/regeneration. It also reports on all the modalities described in the literature at this point for delivery of adenosine through in vivo models for bone healing and regeneration.

Background/Purpose: In October 2012, a freely available, Internetbased cleft simulator was created in partnership among academic, nonprofit, and industry sectors. The purpose of this educational resource was to address disparities in surgical education resulting from resident work-hour restraints in developed countries and limited resources in developing nations. This report assesses demographics, utilization, and global impact of our simulator, in its fifth year since inception. Methods/Description: Simulator modules demonstrate surgical anatomy, markings, detailed procedures, and intraoperative footage to supplement digital animation. Available data regarding number of users, sessions, countries reached, and content access was collected. Surveys evaluating the demographic characteristics of registered users and simulator utility were collected by direct e-mail.
Result(s): The total number of simulator new and active users reached 2865 and 4086 in June 2017, respectively. A steady increase in number of new users (217-327), active users (407-555), and sessions (1956-2304) was noted from January 2016 to June 2017. From March 2015 to June 2017, our simulator was accessed in an increasing number of countries (85-136). In the same time frame, the number of sessions was 11 176, with a monthly average of 399.0 +/- 190.0. Developing countries accounted for 35% of sessions. New users generated the majority of sessions (59.8% +/- 8.5%), and the average session duration was 9.0 +/- 7.3 minutes. This yields a total simulator screen time of 100 584 minutes (1676 hours) and an average of 3725 minutes (62 hours) per month. A total of 151 users responded to our survey, the majority of whom were surgeons or trainees (87%) specializing in plastic, maxillofacial or general surgery (89%). Most users found the simulator to be useful (88%), at least equivalent or more useful than other resources (83%), and used it for teaching (58%).
Conclusion(s): Internet-based distribution of a freely available cleft surgery simulator can deliver an interactive teaching platform that reaches the intended target audience, is not restricted by socioeconomic barriers to access, and is judged to be useful by surgeons. Our simulator has reached more than 4000 active users since inception. The great majority of users are surgeons or surgical trainees. The total screen time over approximately 2 years exceeded 1600 hours. This suggests that future educational simulators of this kind may be sustainable by stakeholders interested in reaching this target audience

Background/Purpose: 3D-printed bioactive ceramic (3DPBC) scaffolds composed of beta-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) and coated in the osteogenic agent dipyridamole have been previously shown to heal critically sized calvarial defects in an adult animal model. This bone tissue engineering construct has yet to be applied in a pediatric craniofacial model and there has been evidence that other osteogenic agents such as BMP-2 can prematurely fuse growing sutures. The purpose of this study is to apply the described bone tissue engineering construct in a pediatric growing animal model and 1) quantify osteogenic potential in a growing calvarium; 2) maximize the scaffold design and dipyridamole (DIPY) concentration for the growing calvarium; and 3) characterize the effects of this bone tissue engineering construct on the growing suture. Methods/Description: Bilateral calvarial defects (10 mm) were created in 5-week-old New Zealand White rabbits (n = 14) 2 mm posterior and lateral to the coronal suture and sagittal sutures, respectively. 3DPBC scaffolds were constructed in quadrant form composed by varying pore dimensions (220, 330, and 500 mum). Each scaffold was collagen coated and soaked in varying concentrations of DIPY (100, 1000, and 10 000 muM). Controls comprised empty defects and collagen-coated scaffolds. Scaffolds were then placed into the calvarial defects to fill the bone space. Animals were euthanized 8 weeks postoperatively. Calvaria were analyzed using micro-computed tomography and 3D reconstruction.Mixed model analyses were conducted considering pore size and dosage effects on bone growth (a = 0.05).
Result(s): Scaffold group healing presented bone formation throughout the scaffold structure (defect marginal and central regions) while bone healing in empty sites was restricted to the defect margins, confirming its critical size dimension at 8 weeks in vivo. No significant difference in bone formation was detected when experimental groups were collapsed over pore size (P > .40). When pore size was collapsed over DIPY concentration, higher mean values were observed for the DIPYimmersed groups, and significance was shown between the 1000-muM and collagen groups (P < .05). Pore size and DIPY interaction was more pronounced for the 330-mum pore size where both the 100-and 1000-mum dosages presented significantly higher bone formation compared to collagen (P < .05). Across all concentrations of DIPY, including 10 000 mM (10 times greater than the experimental concentration, yielding the highest bone formation), sutures remained patent.
Conclusion(s):We present an effective bone tissue engineering scaffold design and dipyridamole concentration that significantly improve bone growth in a pediatric growing calvarial model and preserves cranial suture patency

Background/Purpose: Surgical education is increasingly relying on digital and online resources. However, the educational benefit of learning through digital media has not been rigorously tested in the field of cleft care. We present a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comparing the educational efficacy of a textbook vs digital simulation in teaching cleft lip repair. Methods/Description: Medical student volunteers (N = 35) were asked to draw a cleft lip repair on a standardized patient photograph of a complete unilateral cleft lip deformity (Pretest). They were then randomized to 1 of 2 study groups that demonstrated unilateral cleft lip repair markings: textbook (n = 17) or digital simulation (n = 18). After 20 minutes of study, volunteers were asked to draw a cleft lip repair a second time on the same standardized photograph (Posttest). Volunteers were then shown the educational material provided to the other study group and given a validated survey to compare the educational value of both resources. Cleft lip marking was graded in a blinded manner on 2 separate occasions using a 0-to 10-point scale created by 2 senior cleft surgeons. Paired and independent t tests were used to compare differences between groups. Intrarater reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).
Result(s): Intrarater reliability was excellent for both pretest (ICC = 0.94; P < .001) and posttest (ICC = 0.95; P < .001) grading. Pretest performances between the textbook and simulator groups were comparable (0.82 +/-1.17 vs 0.64+/-0.95; P = .31). There was significant improvement in posttest performance compared to pretest in both the textbook (3.50 +/- 1.62 vs 0.82 +/- 1.17; P < .001) and simulator (6.44 +/- 2.03 vs 0.64 +/- 0.95; P < .001) groups. However, significantly greater improvement was demonstrated by the simulator group when compared to the textbook group (5.81 +/- 2.01 vs 2.68 +/- 1.49; P < .001). Participants thought the simulator increased interest (3.91 +/- 1.01 vs 2.31+/-1.21; P < .001); allowed learning (3.83+/-0.95 vs 2.17 +/-1.20; P < .001); was stimulating (3.74+/-0.98 vs 1.69+/-0.87; P < .001), clearer (3.66+/-1.08 vs 2.17+/-1.22; P < .001), and effective in teaching (4.14 +/- 0.94 vs 2.31 +/- 1.21; P < .001); and that they were likely to be recommended to others (4.00+/-1.11 vs 2.14+/-1.19; P < .001) more than the textbook.
Conclusion(s): A prospective, randomized, blinded study demonstrates superior cleft lip repair learning through digital simulation compared to textbook. Learners subjectively found digital simulation to be the superior educational medium. The cleft and craniofacial society should strongly consider investment into digital media platforms to teach future cleft surgeons

Background/Purpose: Outpatient primary cleft palate surgery (PCPS) has been implemented in many cleft centers; however, the prevalence of this procedure is unknown and its safety has been called into question. We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database (ACS NSQIPPediatric) to evaluate perioperative complications associated with PCPS. Methods/Description: The ACS NSQIP-Pediatric database was reviewed from 2012 to 2015 using Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes for PCPS. Patients undergoing concurrent bone grafting or cleft lip surgery were excluded. Patients aged 5 years or younger were included. The goal of our study was to compare 30-day perioperative complications following outpatient vs inpatient PCPS. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS (Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).
Result(s): We identified 4191 (2760 inpatient vs 1431 outpatient) eligible patients. The majority of patients were males (52.6%). Plastic surgeons performed these procedures most frequently (80.3%) followed by otolaryngologists (18.7%). Tympanostomy tube insertion was the most common concurrent procedure (17.1%). Mean age in days and weight in kilograms at surgery were 485.5 +/- 319.2 and 9.7 +/- 3.8, respectively. Mean age (509.3 +/- 346.9 vs 473.2 +/- 303.1; P < .001) and weight (9.9 +/- 4.0 vs 9.6 +/- 3.8; P = .01) were significantly higher in the outpatient group. The inpatient group included a significantly higher proportion of patients with congenital abnormalities (25.0% vs 21.2%; P = .01), history of stroke (1.0% vs 0.3%; P = .02), cardiac risk factors (14.4% vs 11.7%; P = .02) and oxygen dependence (1.8%vs 0.8%; P = .01). Univariate analysis showed that rates of superficial (3.5% vs 2.0%; P = .01) and deep (2.2% vs 1.0%; P = .003) wound dehiscence were significantly higher in the outpatient group. The rates of reoperation (1.2 vs 0.4; P = .02) and readmission (3.2 vs 1.5; P = .01) were significantly higher in the inpatient group. Mortality at 30 days was comparable between groups. After controlling for confounders, rates of superficial (OR = 1.99, P = .01, 95% CI [1.22, 3.24]) and deep (OR = 2.22, P = .01, 95% CI [1.25, 3.95]) wound dehiscence remained significantly higher in the outpatient group, whereas reoperation (OR = 2.8, P=.04, 95%CI [1.04, 7.14]) and readmission (OR=1.92, P= .02, 95% CI [1.14, 3.23]) rates were significantly higher in the inpatient group.
Conclusion(s): Outpatient PCPS is a common practice and appears to have an acceptable safety profile in appropriately selected patients. Outpatient surgery has a higher risk for wound complications. Inpatient surgery is associated with greater reoperation and readmission. Preoperative evaluation of patient risk factors and comorbidities is critical for optimal outcomes

Background/Purpose: Presurgical infant orthopedics has been employed since 1950 as an adjunctive neonatal therapy for the correction of cleft lip and palate. Most of these therapies did not address deformity of the nasal cartilage in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate as well as the deficiency of the columella tissue in infants with a bilateral cleft. The nasoalveolar molding (NAM) technique is a unique approach to presurgical infant orthopedics to reduce the severity of the initial cleft of the alveolar and the nasal deformity, particularly in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Methods/Description: In infants with bilateral cleft lip and palate, the premaxilla may be protrusive, mobile, and may show varying degree of asymmetrical displacement and rotation. In some instances, the premaxilla may be everted placed on top of the nasal tip with a very short columella length. Protruded premaxilla and the associated nasal deformity present a special challenge for the surgeon in achieving optimal repair during primary reconstructive surgery. This study session will demonstrate the NAM technique to treat patients with severe bilateral cleft lip and palate. The technique of correcting the protruded and asymmetrically displaced premaxilla, molding the alar cartilage and nonsurgical columella elongation will be discussed. Appliance design and weekly adjustment of the NAM appliance to accomplish the desired result will be presented. Special emphasis will be placed on leveling the premaxilla in asymmetric cases; retracting premaxilla in incomplete bilateral clefts and management of complications during the course of the NAM therapy will be discussed. For the successful outcome, the surgeon has to take the advantage of the NAM therapy during the primary repair. Surgical technique of 1-stage lip nose and alveolus surgery utilizing the presurgical preparation of infants with bilateral cleft lip and palate with NAM therapy will be discussed in detail. Long-term outcome of patients treated with NAM and primary reconstruction of nose lip and alveolus will be presented