Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: We have adopted an intraoral microsurgical anastomosis to the facial vessels to eliminate the need for any visible facial incisions. METHODS: Cadaveric dissection was used to demonstrate accessibility of the facial artery and vein through an intraoral approach. Additionally, 5 patients underwent free tissue transfer for reconstruction of major defects of the midface through an intraoral, transmucosal approach, obviating the need for visible skin incisions. RESULTS: The pathology included palatal defects due to mucoepidermoid carcinoma and ischemic necrosis from cocaine abuse, maxillary defects secondary to fibrous dysplasia and avascular necrosis from traumatic blast injury, and a residual posttraumatic bony deformity of the zygoma. Reconstructions were performed with a free ulnar forearm flap, a free vastus lateralis muscle flap, a deep circumflex iliac artery myoosseous flap, a free fibula flap, and a deep circumflex iliac artery osseous flap, respectively. The facial artery and vein were used as recipient vessels for microvascular anastomosis for all cases. Mean follow-up was 12.2 months. All free tissue transfers were successful, and each patient had a satisfactory aesthetic outcome with no associated facial scars. CONCLUSION: This technique can be employed during reconstruction of an array of bony or soft-tissue midface deficits with minimal morbidity. This small series effectively demonstrates the varied pathologies and tissue deficiencies that can be successfully reconstructed with free tissue transfer using an entirely intraoral approach to the recipient facial vessels, resulting in no visible scars on the face and an improvement in the overall aesthetic outcome.

Chronic frontal sinus infections in the setting of previous trauma or tumor removal are challenging clinical scenarios. To remove and debride all chronically infected tissue, obliterate dead space, and provide a stable reconstructive yet aesthetic contour are critical tasks in managing these patients. The vascularized free fibula is an ideal flap for this situation; in this article, the authors detail their technique in a patient with chronic frontal sinus infections complicated by mucocele formation.

Purpose: Facial composite defects resulting from trauma can cause devastating and life limiting deformities. Full face transplants have been restoring the oral cavity and the upper airway in a single stage procedure. Literature on face transplants mostly consists of detailed surgical techniques and allograft selection, but do not constitute a compilation of data on postoperative outcomes such as swallow function. This is the first reported case of systematic review of the swallowing rehabilitation course post-facial transplantation. Method(s): Fourty one-year old male with oropharyngeal dysphagia after full face vascularized allotransplant is presented. Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) was conducted prior to surgery and at 8 time points post-operatively (day 13, 26, 48, 63, 77, 105, 6 months and 9 months) to assess swallow function. Outcome measures included Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) and ordinal ratings of residue in the valleculae and pyriform sinuses for 3 and 5 ml thin liquid boluses. Worst PAS scores categorized subject as unsafe (>=3) or safe (<=2). Result(s): Despite rigorous daily swallow treatment, the patient's liquid dysphagia did not imrpove. Unsafe PAS (>=3) were present in the first 7 VFSS post-operatively for 3 ml and 5 ml thin liquid boluses. Worse residue was noted in pyriform sinuses vs. valleculae in all VFSS. Conclusions (Including Clinical Relevance): Early swallow treatment is crucial for safety and successful oral intake of thin liquid postfull facial transplantation. Future analyses will examine the relationship between post-operatively edema and residue with the longterm goal of maximizing therapeutic protocols

An accurate and comprehensive understanding of lower extremity arterial anatomy is essential for the successful harvest and transfer of a free fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap (FFF). Minimum preoperative evaluation includes detailed history and physical including lower extremity pulse examination. Controversy exists regarding whether preoperative angiographic imaging should be performed for all patients. Elevation of an FFF necessitates division of the peroneal artery in the proximal lower leg and eradicates its downstream flow. For patients in whom the peroneal artery comprises the dominant arterial supply to the foot, FFF elevation is contraindicated. Detailed preoperative knowledge of patient-specific lower extremity arterial anatomy can help to avoid ischemia or limb loss resulting from FFF harvest. If preoperative angiographic imaging is omitted, careful attention must be paid to intraoperative anatomy. Should pedal perfusion rely on the peroneal artery, reconstructive options other than an FFF must be pursued. Given the complexity of surgical decision making, the authors propose an algorithm to guide the surgeon from the preoperative evaluation of the potential free fibula flap patient to the final execution of the surgical plan. The authors also provide 3 clinical patients in whom aberrant lower extremity anatomy was encountered and describe each patient's surgical course.

Historically, periodic academic meetings held by surgical societies have set the stage for discussion and exchange of ideas, which in turn have led to advancement of clinical practices. Since 2007, the AONA State of the Art: Facial Reconstruction and Transplantation Meeting (FRTM) has been organized to provide a forum for specialists around the world to engage in open conversation about the approaches currently at the forefront of facial reconstruction. Review of registration data of FRTM iterations from 2007 to 2015 was performed. The total number of participants, along with their level of medical training, location of practice, and medical specialty, was recorded. Additionally, academic programs and 2015 participant feedback were evaluated. From 2007 to 2011, there was a decrease in the overall number of participants, with a slight increase in the number of clinical specialties present. In 2013, a sharp increase in total participants, international attendance, and represented clinical specialties was observed. This trend continued in 2015. Adjustments to academic programs have included reorganization of lectures and optimization of content. FRTM is a unique forum for multidisciplinary professionals to discuss the evolving field of facial reconstruction and join forces to accelerate progress and improve patient care.

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.