Faculty Bibliography

Background: Comparison of long-term survival of patients with clinical Stage I non-smallcell lung cancer (NSCLC) with and without mediastinal lymph node resection (MLNR) in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program, a large prospective cohort in a lowdose CT screening program. Methods: All instances of thoracic surgery for first solitary primary non-small-cell lung cancer prompted by low-dose CT screening, performed under an IRB approved common protocol at each of the participating institutions since 1992 to 2014, are included. Follow-up time was calculated from diagnosis to death from lung cancer, last contact, or December 31, 2014, whichever came first. Univariate logistic regression analysis of the demographic, CT, and surgical findings for those with and without MLNR was performed. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival rates and Cox regression analysis was performed using all significant univariate variables. Results: The 10-year Kaplan-Meier (K-M) NSCLC-specific survival rate for the 225 patients manifesting as a subsolid nodule was 100%, regardless of whether they had MLNR (N = 169) or not (N = 56). For the 373 NSCLC patients manifesting as a solid nodule, for those who had MLNR (N = 285) and those who did not (N = 88), the K-M NSCLC-survival rate was not significantly different (86 % vs. 93%, P = 0.23). The rate was 95% vs. 96% (P = 0.86) for those whose pathologic tumor diameter was <= 10 mm; 83% vs. 94% (P = 0.19) for 11-20 mm, and 79% vs. 86% (P = 0.67) for 21-20 mm. Cox regression analysis comparing MLNR with no MLNR showed that survival rates were not significantly different (P = 0.33), but significantly survival decreased when the tumor diameter was above 20 mm (HR= 5.1, 95% CI: 1.6-15.7). Conclusion: Lymph node evaluation is not necessary for resection of subsolid nodules in patients with screen-detected lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) deformities commonly develop nasal airway obstruction, necessitating septoplasty at the time of definitive rhinoplasty. We assessed the contribution of the bony septum to airway obstruction using computed tomography (CT) and cone beam CT (CBCT). METHODS: A 2-year retrospective review of all subjects with unilateral CLP who underwent CBCT imaging (n = 22) and age-matched controls (n = 9) who underwent CT imaging was conducted. Control CT scans were used to determine the segment of nasal septum comprised almost entirely of bone. The CBCT of the nasal airway was assessed using Dolphin software to determine the contribution of the bony septum to septal deviation and airway obstruction. RESULTS: The nasal septum posterior to the midpoint between anterior and posterior nasal spine is comprised of 96% bone. The nasal airway associated with this posterior bony segment was 43.1% (P < 0.001) larger by volume on the non-cleft side in patients with unilateral CLP. The average septal deviation within the posterior bony segment was 5.4 mm, accounting for 74.4% of the maximal deviation within the nasal airway. The average airway stenosis within the posterior bony nasal airway was 0.45 mm (0-2.2 mm). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with unilateral CLP, the bony nasal septum can demonstrate significant deviation and airway stenosis. Surgeons should consider a bony septoplasty in their treatment algorithm in unilateral CLP patients who have reached skeletal maturity.

Patients with multisutural craniosynostosis can develop anomalous venous connections between the intracranial sinuses and cutaneous venous system through enlarged emissary veins. Cranial vault remodeling in this subset of patients carries the risk of massive intraoperative blood loss and/or occlusion of collateral draining veins leading to intracranial venous hypertension and raised intracranial pressure, increasing the morbidity of cranial expansion. The authors report the use of spring-mediated expansion as a technique for cranial reconstruction in which the collateral intracranial venous drainage system can be preserved. A patient with bilateral lambdoid, sagittal, and unicoronal synostosis presented for cranial reconstruction. A tracheostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt were placed prior to intervention. At the time of reconstruction, a Luckenschadel skull abnormality and Chiari malformation Type I were present. A preoperative CT venogram demonstrated large collateral superficial occipital veins, small bilateral internal jugular veins, and hypoplastic jugular foramina. Collateral flow from the transverse and sigmoid sinuses through large occipital emissary veins was seen. Spring-mediated cranial vault expansion was performed with care to preserve the large collateral veins at the occipital midline. Four springs were placed at each lambdoid and the posterior and anterior sagittal sutures following 1-cm strip suturectomies. Removal of the springs was performed 2 months postoperatively. Cranial vault expansion was performed without disturbing the aberrant intracranial/extracranial venous collateral system. Estimated blood loss was 150 ml. A CT scan obtained 3 months postoperatively showed resolution of the Luckenschadel deformity and a 40% volumetric increase in the skull compared with the preoperative CT. Patients with anomalous venous drainage patterns and multisutural synostosis can undergo spring-mediated cranial vault expansion while preserving the major emissary veins draining the intracranial sinuses. Risks of blood loss, intracranial venous hypertension, and increased intracranial pressure may be decreased compared with traditional techniques of repair.

Background & Purpose: We have produced a freely available, web-based, multimedia surgical simulator in partnership with Smile Train which demonstrates the cardinal procedures in primary cleft surgery. This tool is intended to help surgeons in developing countries care for their local cleft populations. Limitations of Internet access and local technology may hinder use in the developing world. We report on the international utilization of the world's first internet-based cleft simulator. Methods & Description: The Smile Train Virtual Surgery Simulator contains an internal tracking system which records the unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses all users. Using these IP addresses, each country accessing the Simulator was identified over a one year period. All users accessing the Simulator for less than 5 minutes were eliminated. The countries were analyzed based upon economic factors such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income (PCI) as well as health metrics such as health expenditures and underweight children. Results: There were 849 novel users of the Simulator from 78 countries were recorded over the one-year study period. Those countries represent 6.28 billion persons or 88.5% of the global population. Of the countries utilizing the simulator 54 were classified as developing economies, representing 5.3 billion people. The developing countries average GDP was $467.4 +/- 147 billion and PCI was $8,281 +/- 815. The poorest developing countries accessing the Simulator in terms of PCI were Congo ($400), Ethiopia ($1,200), and Nepal ($1,300). In terms of percent population living below the poverty line, the poorest countries accessing the simulator were Haiti (80%) Congo (71%) and Nigeria (70%). In developing countries, the health expenditures as a percentage of GDP averaged 6.1%. The nations with the lowest healthcare expenditures as a percentage of GDP were Myanmar 2%, Pakistan 2.2%, and Indonesia 2.6%. Penetration into advanced economies was also extensive including 24 countries representing 979 million people and an aggregate GDP of $40.98 Trillion. In the United States the simulator was used in 40 states from both academic and community Internet service providers. Surprisingly, the simulator was used in 21 countries with active armed conflicts and 28 where the US State Department advises against travel including Ukraine, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq and Nigeria. Conclusions: The presented internet-based surgical simulator is accessible globally and has quickly gained use in 78 countries representing 88% of the global population including 5.3 billion of the worlds developing population. Over 2/3rds of the countries accessing the simulator are developing nations and include regions experiencing severe poverty. Projects directed towards international education of cleft care in the developing world should strongly consider the use of web-based digital technology as a means to immediately access and educate caregivers, particularly in countries with significant economic and political constraints. Disclosure: Receipt of Intellectual Property Rights/Patent Holder-Aaron Oilker holds the intellectual property rights for the biodigital surgery simulator

INTRODUCTION: Protocols for the treatment of Robin sequence (RS) consider the presence of laryngomalacia as a contraindication to mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). The authors report their institutional experience of MDO applied to infants with RS and associated laryngomalacia. METHODS: An 8-year (2005-2013) retrospective review of all infants with RS and laryngomalacia who underwent MDO at a tertiary care children's hospital was performed. Patients were excluded if they possessed an airway anomaly other than laryngomalacia. Laryngomalacia was identified on laryngoscopy before MDO. Laser supraglottoplasty was performed at the discretion of the otolaryngologist. Recorded variables included preoperative and postoperative AHI, syndromic diagnosis or genetic anomalies, cardiac, central nervous system (CNS), and gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities. The primary outcomes measured were avoidance or decannulation of tracheostomy and decrease in postoperative AHI. RESULTS: Eleven infants met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 28 months. 18.2% of patients had a syndromic diagnosis, 36.4% cardiac, 9.1% CNS, and 72.7% GI abnormalities. Mean preoperative AHI was 46.1 +/- 31.8 and mean postoperative AHI was 4.1 +/- 3.0 (P = 0.002). All patients without a tracheostomy before intervention avoided tracheostomy after MDO. One patient had a tracheostomy before MDO and was subsequently decannulated. One patient died 1 year after MDO due to complex congenital heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with RS and laryngomalacia can be successfully treated with MDO to relieve upper airway obstruction. Close cooperation with a pediatric otolaryngologist and treatment of laryngomalacia can significantly enhance tracheostomy avoidance in infants with Robin sequence.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies report a high incidence of airway complications in patients with Robin sequence following palatoplasty. The authors' institution uses polysomnography to assess risk of airway compromise before palatoplasty in Robin sequence. This study compares airway complications in Robin sequence to cleft palate only using this screening airway protocol and identifies risk factors for airway complications after palatoplasty. METHODS: A 12-year retrospective review of patients with Robin sequence undergoing palatoplasty was performed. Robin sequence patients were divided into nonoperative management and mandibular distraction osteogenesis subgroups. Preoperative variables including comorbidities were recorded. The primary outcome was postoperative airway complication, defined as reintubation, emergency room visit, or hospital admission within 3 months of palatoplasty. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients met inclusion criteria: polysomnography, 34.5 percent; Robin sequence, 65.5 percent; and Robin sequence treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis, 30.1 percent. Screening polysomnography was used to indicate patients for palatoplasty or other airway interventions. The total airway complication rate was 7.1 percent; this was similar in Robin sequence (5.8 percent) and cleft palate only (7.7 percent). In isolated Robin sequence, the reintubation rate was 0 percent. Lower airway anomalies were associated with airway complications (p = 0.03). Significant variables for reintubation were cardiac (p = 0.046), gastrointestinal (p = 0.04), and lower airway anomalies (p = 0.025) and syndromic diagnosis (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Screening polysomnography can control airway complications following palatoplasty in Robin sequence patients to a rate that is comparable to that of patients with cleft palate only.