Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE: To report the associations of oro-nasal fistulae on the patient-centered outcomes oral health-related quality of life and self-reported speech outcomes in school aged-children. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized multicenter design. SETTING: Six ACPA-accredited cleft centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with cleft palate at the age of mixed dentition. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of fistula and location of fistula (Pittsburgh Classification System). Patients were placed into one of three groups based on the following criteria: alveolar cleft present, no previous repair (Group 1); alveolar cleft present, previously repaired (Group 2); no congenital alveolar cleft (Group 3). Presence of fistula and subgroup classification were correlated to oral health-related quality of life (Child Oral Health Impact Profile [COHIP]) and perceived speech outcomes. RESULTS: The fistula rate was 5.52% (62 of 1198 patients). There was a significant difference in fistula rate between the three groups: Group 1 (11.15%), Group 2 (4.44%), Group 3 (1.90%). Patients with fistula had significantly lower COHIP scores (F1,1188 = 4.79; P = .03) and worse self-reported speech scores (F1,1197 = 4.27; P = .04). Group 1 patients with fistula had the lowest COHIP scores (F5,1188 = 4.78, P =.02) and the lowest speech scores (F5,1188 = 3.41, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of palatal fistulas was associated with lower oral health-related quality of life and perceived speech among youth with cleft. The poorest outcomes were reported among those with the highest fistula rates, including an unrepaired alveolar cleft.

BACKGROUND: We present an outcomes analysis of the surgical treatment of Robin sequence including all infants and comorbid conditions treated by tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) or mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). METHODS: A 19-year single-institution, multisurgeon retrospective review of all syndromic and nonsyndromic neonates with Robin sequence treated with TLA (1994-2004) or MDO (2004-2013) was performed. Comorbid conditions were recorded in all patients. Outcomes include incidence of tracheostomy, improvement in obstructive breathing, and surgical complications. Need for repeat distraction and conversion from TLA to MDO were included as secondary end-points. Polysomnography data were recorded preoperatively at 1 month and 1 year as a measure of airway improvement. RESULTS: Seventy-four MDO patients and 15 TLA patients during the study period met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in mean age at intervention (32.1 +/- 29.0 vs 35.5 +/- 32.1 days), birth weight (2.9 +/- 0.7 vs 3.2 +/- 0.6 kg), prematurity (23.0 vs 35.7%), or intrauterine growth restriction (31.1 vs 15.4%). Central nervous system anomalies (24.3% vs 0.0%; P < 0.04) and gastrostomy tubes (66.2% vs 33.3%; P < 0.03) were present more frequently in MDO patients versus TLA patients. Rates of other organ system anomalies were similar between the groups. The success rate was significantly higher in the MDO group (90.5% vs 60.0%; P < 0.008). Postoperative tracheostomies occurred in 8.1% of the MDO group and 33.3% of the TLA group (P < 0.02). Preoperative apnea-hyponea index was similar between the two groups (38.3 vs 38.1). The apnea-hyponea index was significantly improved in the MDO group at 1 month (4.0 vs 21.7; P < 0.002) and 1 year (5.7 vs 20.5; P < 0.005). Surgical complications were statistically less in the MDO group (20.3 vs 53.3%; P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In the heterogeneous population of Robin sequence, MDO demonstrates superior outcomes measures at 1 month and 1 year compared to TLA. Fewer complications occurred in the MDO group compared to the TLA.

PURPOSE: Alveolar bone graft (ABG) has traditionally been performed with a postoperative inpatient stay secondary to donor site pain. Upon transitioning from an open iliac bone harvesting technique to an Acumed trephine, the authors observed that donor site pain was reduced eliminating an inpatient stay. This study examines the cost savings associated with outpatient ABG surgery. METHODS: A retrospective single-institution review was conducted on all patients who had an ABG performed from 2012 to 2015. Patients were categorized based upon hospital stay: inpatient, observation (23-hour), or outpatient. Cost data reported included: total direct cost, total variable direct cost, fixed direct cost, and the sum of total direct costs for both medical/surgical supplies and operating room costs. T tests were used to determine differences in various cost categories between groups of patients. RESULTS: Sixty-two procedures were performed: 7 procedures were inpatient, 16 observation, and 39 outpatient. The total direct costs averaged $4536 for inpatients, $3222 for the observation group, and $3340 for the outpatient group. Inpatient and outpatient costs were significantly different (P <0.01). Total variable direct costs (P <0.05) and fixed direct costs (P <0.01) were significantly lower in the outpatient/observation group. All costs for the observation group were significantly lower than inpatient costs, but were not significantly different than outpatient costs. There were no readmissions reported. CONCLUSIONS: Cost of an inpatient stay is significantly higher than outpatient or 23-hour observation for ABG procedures. The Acumed trephine technique allows for same-day discharge. In the face of declining reimbursement, safe and cost-efficient treatments are an appealing option.

Contemporary plastic surgery residents are increasingly challenged to learn a greater number of complex surgical techniques within a limited period. Surgical simulation and digital education resources have the potential to address some limitations of the traditional training model, and have been shown to accelerate knowledge and skills acquisition. Although animal, cadaver, and bench models are widely used for skills and procedure-specific training, digital simulation has not been fully embraced within plastic surgery. Digital educational resources may play a future role in a multistage strategy for skills and procedures training. The authors present two virtual surgical simulators addressing procedural cognition for cleft repair and craniofacial surgery. Furthermore, the authors describe how partnerships among surgical educators, industry, and philanthropy can be a successful strategy for the development and maintenance of digital simulators and educational resources relevant to plastic surgery training. It is our responsibility as surgical educators not only to create these resources, but to demonstrate their utility for enhanced trainee knowledge and technical skills development. Currently available digital resources should be evaluated in partnership with plastic surgery educational societies to guide trainees and practitioners toward effective digital content.

Importance: Septal deviation commonly occurs in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP); however, the contribution of the cartilaginous and bony septum to airway obstruction in skeletally mature patients is poorly understood. Objectives: To describe the internal nasal airway anatomy of skeletally mature patients with CLP and to determine the contributors to airway obstruction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-center retrospective review included patients undergoing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) from November 1, 2011, to July 6, 2015, at the cleft lip and palate division of a major academic tertiary referral center. Patients met inclusion criteria for the study if they were at least 15 years old at the time of CBCT, and images were used only if they were obtained before Le Fort I osteotomy and/or formal septorhinoplasty. Twenty-four skeletally mature patients with CLP and 16 age-matched control individuals were identified for the study. Main Outcomes and Measures: Septal deviation and airway stenosis were measured in the following 3 coronal sections: at the cartilaginous septum (anterior nasal spine), bony septum (posterior nasal spine), and midpoint between the anterior and posterior nasal spine. The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and vomer displacement were measured as angles from the vertical plane at the coronal section of maximal septal deviation. The site of maximal septal deviation was identified. Results: Among the 40 study participants, 26 were male. The mean (SD) age was 21 (5) and 23 (6) years for patients with CLP and controls, respectively. Septal deviation in patients with CLP was significantly worse than that of controls at the anterior nasal spine (2.1 [0.5] vs 0.8 [0.2] mm; P < .05) and posterior nasal spine (2.9 [0.5] vs 1.0 [0.3] mm; P < .01) and most severe at the midpoint (mean [SD], 4.4 [0.6] vs 2.1 [0.3] mm; P < .01). The point of maximal septal deviation occurred in the bony posterior half of the nasal airway in 27 of 40 patients (68%). The CLP bony angular deviation from the vertical plane was significant in the CLP group compared with the control group (perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, 14 degrees [2 degrees ] vs 8 degrees [1 degrees ]; vomer, 34 degrees [5 degrees ] vs 13 degrees [2 degrees ]; P < .05 for both), and vomer deviation was significantly associated with anterior nasal airway stenosis (r = -0.61; P < .01). Conclusions and Relevance: Skeletally mature patients with CLP have significant septal deviation involving bone and cartilage. Resection of the bony and cartilaginous septum should be considered at the time of definitive cleft rhinoplasty. Level of Evidence: NA.

BACKGROUND: Cleft palate is present in one-third of patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome. The authors present long-term speech and surgical outcomes of palatoplasty in this challenging patient population. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome and cleft palate was conducted over a 35-year period at a single institution. Demographics, palatal, mandibular, airway, and surgical outcomes were recorded. Speech outcomes were assessed by the same craniofacial speech pathologist. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome were identified: 43% (25) had a cleft palate and 16% (9) underwent palatoplasty at our institution. Cleft palate types included 1 Veau I, 5 Veau II, 1 Veau III, and 2 Veau IV. Mean age at the time of palatoplasty was 2.0 years (range, 1.0-6.7 years). Three patients had fistulas (33%) and underwent repairs. Pruzansky classifications included 1 type IIA, 6 type IIB, and 2 type III. Seven patients completed long-term speech evaluations. Mean age at follow-up was 13.9 years (range 2.2-24.3 years). Six patients had articulatory velopharyngeal dysfunction related to Treacher-Collins syndrome. Two patients had structural velopharyngeal dysfunction and required further palatal/pharyngeal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Cleft palate repair in patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome has a high incidence of velopharyngeal dysfunction. However, the majority of patients are articulatory-based in whom further surgery would not provide benefit. Patients with Treacher-Collins syndrome and cleft palate require close evaluation by a speech pathologist as the incidence of articulatory dysfunction is high.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of extensive facial and scalp burns can be increasingly challenging, especially in patients that have undergone multiple procedures with less than ideal outcomes resulting in restricting neck and oral contractures, eyelid dysfunction, and suboptimal aesthetic appearance. METHODS: To establish a reconstructive solution for this challenging deformity, a multidisciplinary team was assembled to develop the foundation to a facial vascularized composite allotransplantation program. The strategy of developing and executing a clinical transplant was derived on the basis of fostering a cohesive and supportive institutional clinical environment, implementing computer software and advanced technology, establishing a cadaveric transplant model, performing a research facial procurement, and selecting an optimal candidate with the aforementioned burn defect who was well informed and had the desire to undergo face transplantation. RESULTS: Approval from the institutional review board and organ procurement organization enabled our face transplant team to successfully perform a total face, eyelids, ears, scalp, and skeletal subunit transplant in a 41-year-old man with a full face and total scalp burn. CONCLUSIONS: The culmination of knowledge attained from previous experiences continues to influence the progression of facial vascularized composite allotransplantation. This surgical endeavor methodically and effectively synchronized the fundamental principles of aesthetic, craniofacial, and microvascular surgery to restore appearance and function to a patient suffering from failed conventional surgery for full face and total scalp burns. This procedure represents the most extensive soft-tissue clinical face transplant performed to date. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDEMCE: Therapeutic, V.

Background/Purpose: Patients with cleft lip and palate commonly require an alveolar bone graft (ABG) at approximately 8 years old to allow for tooth descent in the location of the alveolar cleft. This procedure was previously performed with at least one post-operative overnight stay due to hip pain. Upon transitioning from an open iliac crest bone harvesting technique to an Acumed drill, we observed that most patients had limited hip pain and were treatable as outpatients. We report feasibility and cost analysis of performed ABG surgery as an outpatient using the Acumed drill technique. Methods/Descriptions: Under IRB-approval, a 3-year retrospective review was conducted of all subjects born with a cleft lip/palate (CLP) and who had an alveolar bone graft performed between 2012 and 2015. Patients were categorized based upon hospital stay: inpatient (overnight stay), observation (23-hour), or outpatient. Prior to April 2013, patients underwent ABG surgery as a planned inpatient procedure (Group 1). After April 2013, patients underwent ABG surgery as a planned outpatient procedure (Group 2). Cost data acquired included: total direct cost (costs associated directly with patient care), total variable direct cost (costs which vary according to the needs of each patient), fixed direct cost (charges that do not fluctuate depending on what is done), and the sum of total direct costs for both medical/surgical supplies and operating room costs. T-tests were used to determine differences in various cost categories between groups of patients. Results: 58 patients were enrolled with a total of 62 procedures (4 patients had 2 ABGs), and with a mean age of 10 years at the time of surgery. 7 procedures were inpatient, 16 were observation, and 39 were outpatient. 7 of 14 Group 1 patients (50%) were admitted as inpatients, whereas 0 of 48 Group 2 patients were inpatients. The total direct costs averaged $4,536 for inpatients, $3,222 for the observation group, and $3,340 for the outpatient group. These inpatient and outpatient costs were significantly different (p<.001). There were significantly reduced total variable direct costs (p<0.05) and fixed direct costs (p<0.001) when comparing the outpatient to inpatient groups. Costs for the observation group were significantly lower in all three cost categories than inpatient costs, but were not significantly different than outpatient costs. Of the 39 outpatient procedures, no patients visited urgent care within 30 days postoperatively, and observation group had two patients visit urgent care. None were readmitted in any group. Conclusions: In ABG surgery done on patients born with a CLP, the costs for an inpatient stay are significantly higher than those of patients discharged the same day or who stay in the hospital for less than 23 hours on observational status. The Acumed drill technique results in improved pain control with no appreciable harms to the outpatient group, allowing for same day discharge