Faculty Bibliography

Background/Purpose: Multidisciplinary Cleft and Craniofacial Centers require significant investment and maintenance by medical schools and/or departments, and yet the variables contributing to their academic productivity remain unknown. This study characterizes the elements that result in high academic productivity in Cleft and Craniofacial Centers. Methods/Descriptions: All cleft and craniofacial centers accredited by American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association were included. Vari-ables such as university affiliation (UNI); resident training (RES); number of active surgical and orthodontic faculty (FAC); and investment in a craniofacial surgery (CF) or craniofacial orthodontics (CO) fellowship program, or both (CF+CO), were obtained for each center. All craniofacial and cleft-related research published between July 2005 and June 2015 was identified using the National Library of Medicine database; for each article, journal of publication and impact factor were also recorded. A stepwise multivariable linear regression analysis was performed on the listed variables to outcome measures of total publications, summative impact factor, and basic science publications. Results: A total of 160 centers were identified, comprising 690 active faculty, 29 craniofacial fellowships and 9 orthodontic fellowships; 2,093 articles were published in 199 journals within the study period. Variables most positively associated to a high number of publications were, in order: CF+CO (beta, CF+CO = 0.555, p < 0.001), CF (beta, CF= 0.248, p < 0.001), RES (beta, RES = 0.198, p = 0.003). Variables most positively associated to a high summative impact factor are, in order: CF+CO (beta, CF+CO = 0.551, p < 0.001), CF (beta, CF = 0.313, p < 0.001), FAC (beta, FAC = 0.183, p = 0.006). Variables most positively associated to basic science publications are, in order: CF+CO (beta, CF+CO=0.491, p < 0.001), CF (beta, CF=0.322, p < 0.001), and RES (beta, RES = 0.164, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Participation in both craniofacial surgery and orthodontic fellowships demonstrate the strongest association with academic success; craniofacial fellowship alone, residency programs and number of active faculty are also predictive. Cleft and Craniofacial Centers interested in academic performance should allocate funds and resources into these variables, particularly interdisciplinary partnerships between surgery and dentistry

Background/Purpose: Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) produces complex deformities of the maxilla, mandible, nasal airway and palate, all of which may impact speech. Clinical outcomes of cleft palate repair in TCS have not been well-defined. Methods/Descriptions: A 35 year, single-institution retrospective review of all patients with TCS and cleft palate was performed. Variables evaluated included Veau-type palate classification, age and technique of repair, Pruzansky-type mandible classification, history of tracheostomy and age of decannulation, history of mandibular distraction, bone grafting, or orthognathic surgery, palatoplasty complications or readmissions, and presence of palatal fistula. A craniofacial speech pathologist assessed velopharyngeal dysfunction, resonance and sound production long-term. Results: 58 patients with TCS were identified of whom 25 (43%) had a cleft palate and 9 (15.5%) underwent palatoplasty at our institution. Veau-type palate classifications included Veau 1 (1/9), Veau 2 (5/9), Veau 3 (1/9), and Veau 4 (2/9). Pruzansky-type mandible classifications included IIA 1/9; IIB 6/9; III 2/9. Mean age of palatoplasty was 24.4 months (13-80), average length of stay 2.2 days (1-5), and followup time of 12.2 years (2.2-24.3). There were no peri-operative complications or unplanned re-admissions. Post-operative palatal fistula rate was 33%, including both of the Veau 4 patients. Seven patients had tracheostomies, of which three were ultimately decannulated. Seven patients had long-term follow-up with a speech pathologist 6.9-22.4 years after surgery. Three (42%) presented with sound errors related to cleft palate (2/3 had an oronasal fistula, while one presented with structurally-based velopharyngeal dysfunction requiring surgical management). Six (86%) presented with articulatory- based VPD. All seven patients presented with sound errors and resonance quality consistent with the anatomical dental-skeletal anomalies associated with TCS. Conclusions: Patients with TCS and cleft palate undergo palatoplasty at an older age and have higher incidences of palatal fistula and longterm sound and resonance disorders compared to patients with isolated cleft palate. Highest risk patients had Veau 4 cleft palates and Pruzansky-type III mandibles. Given the high incidence of articulatory- based velopharyngeal dysfunction, comprehensive speech therapy should be a critical component of long-term care in this patient population

Background/Purpose: Septal deviation is a common finding in skeletally mature patients with cleft lip and palate (CL/P), however the contribution of the cartilaginous and bony septum to airway obstruction is poorly defined. This study characterizes the septal and airway anatomy in skeletally mature patients with CL/P utilizing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and will help guide airway management of this patient population at the time of definitive rhinoplasty. Methods/Descriptions: This is a retrospective single institution review of all CL/P patients over the age of 15 who have undergone CBCT analysis. Septal deviation was measured in coronal sections of CBCT scans at the cartilaginous septum [anterior nasal spine (ANS)], and bony septum [posterior nasal spine (PNS) and midpoint between the ANS and PNS (MID)]. Airway obstruction was defined as the smallest linear distance between nasal septum and adjacent turbinate and was similarly measured at all three points. Superior (perpendicular plate of ethmoid) and inferior (vomer) bony septal displacement was measured as an angle from vertical at the coronal slice of maximal septal deviation. CL/P patients were compared to age-matched controls using Student's t-test. Stepwise multivariable linear regression was used to compare septal deviation to obstruction. Measurements were performed by two separate raters and interrater reliability was assessed using Pearson's r coeffecient. Statistical significance was held at p<0.05. Results: 24 CL/P patients and 16 age-matched controls were identified for the study. Interrater reliability for 210 independent measurements was r=0.94 (p<0.0001). Results are reported as CL/P versus control. Septal deviation was significantly increased at the ANS (2.1+/-2.2 mm vs 0.7+/-1.0 mm, p=0.03), MID (4.6+/-3.1 mm vs 2.2+/-1.2 mm, p=0.01), and PNS (2.9+/-1.8 mm vs 1.0+/-0.6 mm, p=0.0002). The airway was significantly obstructed at the ANS (1.8+/-0.8 mm vs 2.3+/-0.6 mm, p=0.03). Maximal septal deviation occurred at the bony septum in 39 of 40 patients. Both the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid (14+/-7.8degree vs 8.0+/-5.4degree, p=0.01) and vomer (25+/-15degree vs 9.0+/-7.9degree, p=0.0006) were significantly displaced from vertical. Midpoint bony septal deviation was a good predictor of anterior nasal airway obstruction (r=-0.525, p=0.008). Conclusions: Skeletally mature patients with a cleft demonstrate severe septal deviation which includes both cartilage and bone. Resection of the bony and cartilaginous septum should be considered at time of definitive rhinoplasty in CL/P patients

Background/Purpose: Treacher Collins (TC) and Robin Sequence (RS) are both associated with a retrognathic mandible, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. TC is associated with aberrations of the lower jaw, upper jaw and nasal airway in a manner distinct from RS. Although in both TC and RS, airway obstructions in severe cases may benefit from mandibular distraction (MDO), the different pathophysiology suggests MDO to be less successful in TC compared to the current literature on RS. The purpose of this study is to report on the clinical outcomes of tracheostomy removal utilizing MDO in the TC patient population. Methods/Descriptions: A single center, twenty-year retrospective review (1991-2010) was conducted of all patients with TC treated with MDO. Recorded variables included: age of MDO, number of MDO procedures, presence of tracheostomy and complications. Literature review of clinical outcomes of MDO in the RS population demonstrates age of MDO of under one year, average on distraction per patient and avoidance of tracheostomy in over 90% of patients. Results: 24 patients with TC who underwent MDO were included in our analysis. The follow up time was 9.2 years (range1.7-17 years). The mean age of the first MDO was 4.97 years. The mean number of distractions was 1.42 with 46% of patients who had more than onedistraction attempted. The distraction devices used were external in 67% and internal in 33% of cases. 19 patients (79%) had a tracheostomy prior to MDO and only 9 (47%) patients were decannulated within one year of distraction. An additional 5 patients were decannulated several years later after further distraction and other airway procedures. Complications were divided into major (ankylosis, device failure) moderate and minor (pin infection, hypertrophic scar). Overall, 67% of TC patients had at least one complication with 41% having major complications. There was a 20% incidence of TMJ ankylosis. Conclusions: Compared to the RS population, TC patients undergo MDO at a later age, require more distraction and have less successful decannulation. Further surgery is required to effectively treat airway obstruction. The incidence of major complications

Background/Purpose: Craniofacial surgery remains a challenging field to learn and master. We present a freely-available internet-based multimedia simulator for craniofacial surgery designed as a resource of surgeons in craniofacial fellowship training. Methods/Descriptions: Previously constructed digital animations of craniofacial surgery were upgraded in Maya 10 (Autodesk, San Rapheal, CA) in preparation for web-based simulation. These animations were exported into an internet cloud-based, surgical simulator produced by BioDigital Systems Inc. (New York, NY). High-definition intra-operative video recordings of all procedures were edited in Adobe Premiere CS5.5 (Adobe, San Jose, CA) and exported into the simulator with the addition of voiceover. Test questions were produced for each surgical module. Results: Nine craniofacial surgery procedures are demonstrated in this interactive surgical simulator. Through a customized digital interface the user can manipulate the 3D simulations in real-time including the ability to alter perspective, pace and order of the virtual operation. High-definition intra-operative video footage compliments the critical steps of each procedure demonstrated in the simulation. A voiceover and text guides the user through each tutorial. A test is included at the end of each simulation. As the simulator is internet-based, there is no need for specialized software or downloads and simulator upgrades are immediately available to all users. Access is zero cost and the tutorial can be viewed on a modern laptop or desktop computer with a current web-browser. Conclusions: We present the first internet-based surgical simulator of craniofacial surgery. This freely available resource capitalizes on recent improvements in internet capability to produce an interactive virtual surgical environment for students and teachers of craniofacial surgery. This free simulator is designed as an educational resource for the next generation of craniofacial surgeons

BACKGROUND: The application of aesthetic, craniofacial, and microsurgical principles in the execution of face transplantation may improve outcomes. Optimal soft-tissue face transplantation can be achieved by incorporating subunit facial skeletal replacement and subsequent tissue resuspension. The purpose of this study was to establish a reconstructive solution for a full face and scalp burn and to evaluate outcome precision and consistency. METHODS: Seven mock face transplants (14 cadavers) were completed in the span of 1 year. Components of the vascularized composite allograft included the eyelids, nose, lips, facial muscles, oral mucosa, total scalp, and ears; and skeletal subunits of the zygoma, nasal bone, and genial segment. Virtual surgical planning was used for osteotomy selection, and to evaluate postoperative precision of hard- and soft-tissue elements. RESULTS: Each transplant experience decreased each subsequent transplant surgical time. Prefabricated cutting guides facilitated a faster dissection of both donor and recipient tissue, requiring minimal alteration to the allograft for proper fixation of bony segments during inset. Regardless of donor-to-recipient size discrepancy, ample soft tissue was available to achieve tension-free allograft inset. Differences between virtual transplant simulation and posttransplant measurements were minimal or insignificant, supporting replicable and precise outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This facial transplant model was designed to optimize reconstruction of extensive soft-tissue defects of the craniofacial region representative of electrical, thermal, and chemical burns, by incorporating skeletal subunits within the allograft. The implementation of aesthetic, craniofacial, and microsurgical principles and computer-assisted technology improves surgical precision, decreases operative time, and may optimize function.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing use of nasoalveolar molding in early cleft treatment, questions remain about its effectiveness. This study examines clinician and caregiver appraisals of primary cleft lip and nasal reconstruction with and without nasoalveolar molding in a nonrandomized, prospective, multicenter study. METHODS: Participants were 110 infants with cleft lip/palate (62 treated with and 48 treated without nasoalveolar molding) and their caregivers seeking treatment at one of six high-volume cleft centers. Using the Extent of Difference Scale, standard photographs for a randomized subset of 54 infants were rated before treatment and after surgery by an expert clinician blinded to treatment group. Standard blocked and cropped photographs included frontal, basal, left, and right views of the infants. Using the same scale, caregivers rated their infants' lip, nose, and facial appearance compared with the general population of infants without clefts before treatment and after surgery. Multilevel modeling was used to model change in ratings of infants' appearance before treatment and after surgery. RESULTS: The expert clinician ratings indicated that nasoalveolar molding-treated infants had more severe clefts before treatment, yet both groups were rated equally after surgery. Nasoalveolar molding caregivers reported better postsurgery outcomes compared with no-nasoalveolar molding caregivers (p < 0.05), particularly in relation to the appearance of the nose. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having a more severe cleft before treatment, infants who underwent nasoalveolar molding were found by clinician ratings to have results comparable to those who underwent lip repair alone. Infants who underwent nasoalveolar molding were perceived by caregivers to have better treatment outcomes than those who underwent lip repair without nasoalveolar molding. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.