Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the mandibular condyle are common following blunt facial trauma and carry an increased risk for concomitant blunt carotid artery injuries (BCAI), a potentially life-threatening complication. Further elucidation of the relationship between specific condylar fracture patterns and BCAI may improve vascular injury screening and management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed for all craniofacial trauma patients sustaining condylar fractures that presented to a large trauma center from 2000 to 2012. Condylar fracture locations were classified according to the Strasbourg Osteosynthesis Research Group (SORG) system (SORG 1: condylar head, SORG 2: condylar neck, SORG 3: extracapsular condylar base). BCAI severity was based on the Biffl scale. Severe BCAI was defined as a Biffl score greater than I. RESULTS: We identified 605 patients with mandibular condyle fractures consisting of 21.0% (n=127) SORG 1, 26.8% (n=162) SORG 2, and 52.2% (n=316) SORG 3. Overall incidence of BCAI in this population was 5.5%(n=33), of which 75.8 % (n=25) were severe. Severe BCAIs occurred in 1.6% (n=2) of SORG 1, 2.5% (n=4) of SORG 2, and 6.0% (n=19) of SORG 3 fractures (p<0.05). SORG 3 fractures were independently associated with a 2.94-fold increased risk of a severe BCAI compared to other condyle fractures on multivariable analysis (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of extracapsular subcondylar fractures should heighten suspicion for concomitant BCAI. Our data additionally support a force transmission mechanism of injury in addition to direct vascular injuries from bony fragments.

Microvascular reconstruction offers patients with facial deformities excellent composite tissue restoration and improves functional outcomes. However, such techniques require facial skin incisions, leaving the patient with unsightly scarring. Implementing an intraoral microvascular anastomosis can obviate the need for facial skin incisions, yielding aesthetically favorable results. We present the case of a 29-year-old, cosmetically conscientious woman who underwent a free iliac osteomuscular flap with intraoral microvascular anastomosis for reconstruction of a right maxillary defect secondary to fibrous dysplasia. Endosseous dental implants were successfully placed using computer-aided design and manufacturing to effectively restore the dentition. Intraoral microvascular reconstruction provided the patient with an aesthetically pleasing result, effectively achieving functional restoration with patient satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION: The anatomy of the facial artery, its tortuosity, and branch patterns are well documented. To date, a reliable method of identifying the facial artery, based on surface landmarks, has not been described. The purpose of this study is to characterize the relationship of the facial artery with several facial topographic landmarks, and to identify a location where the facial artery could predictably be identified. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, 20 hemifacial dissections on 10 cadaveric heads were performed. Distances from the facial artery to the oral commissure, mandibular angle, lateral canthus, and Manson's point were measured. Distances were measured and confirmed clinically using Doppler examination in 20 hemifaces of 10 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Manson's point identifies the facial artery with 100% accuracy and precision, within a 3 mm radius in both cadaveric specimens and living human subjects. Cadaveric measurements demonstrated that the facial artery is located 19 mm +/- 5.5 from the oral commissure, 31 mm +/- 6.8 from the mandibular angle, 92 mm +/- 8.0 from the lateral canthus. Doppler examination on healthy volunteers (5 male, 5 female) demonstrated measurements of 18 mm +/- 4.0, 50 mm +/- 6.4, and 79 mm +/- 8.2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of the facial artery is critical for the craniofacial surgeon in order to avoid inadvertent injury, plan for local flaps, and in preparation of a recipient vessel for free tissue microvascular reconstruction. Manson's point can aid the surgeon in consistently indentifying the facial artery.

This article aims to demonstrate an individualized approach to an elderly patient requiring scalp reconstruction, to describe the methodology in flap selection, lessons learned, and report outcomes. A retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience of scalp reconstruction (E. D. R.) using free tissue transfer from 2005 to 2011, in patients older than 70 years, was completed. A total of eight patients met the inclusion criteria, five males and three females, with a mean age of 80.4 years (range, 73-92). Free tissue transfer achieved 100% soft tissue coverage. Six of the eight patients required cranioplasty. The mean size calvarial defect was 92 cm(2) (range, 35-285 cm(2)). The mean flap size was 117.6 cm(2) (range, 42-285 cm(2)). Free flaps included three ulnar, three anterolateral thigh, one latissimus dorsi, and one thoracodorsal perforator flap. The mean follow-up time was 18.4 months (range, 3-46 months). Donor site morbidity was minimal. Mortality was 0%. Immediate flap failure was 0%. Other complications occurred in six of the eight patients. Mean revisionary procedures were 1.25 procedures per patient. It was concluded that chronological age does not increase mortality or catastrophic flap complications; however, morbidity is increased in the elderly and revisionary surgery is likely.

BACKGROUND: The implications of allograft skin and mucosal biopsy findings on classification of rejection and treatment remain unclear. METHODS: Following facial allotransplantation, scheduled surveillance allograft skin and mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained. Clinical concern for acute rejection prompted biopsies off schedule. Compilation of biopsy results, Banff grading, immunosuppression, and clinical correlation were critically reviewed for a 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 39 biopsy specimens at 21 time points were obtained for analysis, including allograft skin (n = 21), mucosa (n = 17), and a lesion (n = 1). The patient had three episodes of acute rejection warranting treatment. Discordance between skin and mucosa occurred in 55.6 percent of biopsy specimens (p = 0.01). Mucosa concordance with the clinical evaluation occurred in 38.9 percent of biopsy specimens (p = 0.02), and skin concordance with clinical evaluation was present in 81 percent of biopsy specimens (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical utility of mucosal biopsy remains elusive. The authors' experience suggests that mucosal or skin biopsy, alone, should not drive the decision-making process in treatment. Skin biopsies are more likely to confirm clinical suspicion of rejection than mucosal histology. Data from other institutions are lacking, and future reporting may help elucidate the role of mucosal and skin biopsy in facial allotransplantation. CLINICAL QUESTIONS/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, V.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this systematic review was to critically analyze infectious complications and treatment following transcartilaginous ear piercing. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE Pubmed database. REVIEW METHODS: A MEDLINE PubMed database search using free text, including "ear chondritis," "ear perichondritis," "ear cartilage piercing," and "auricle piercing," yielded 483 titles. Based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria, the titles, abstracts, and full text articles were reviewed for inclusion and underwent data extraction. Pooled outcomes are reported. RESULTS: A total of 29 articles met inclusion criteria, including 66 patients. The mean age of the patients was 18.7 +/- 7.6 years (range: 11-49), 87.5% female. Ear deformity was more likely to occur following postpiercing perichondritis of the scapha 100% versus the helix 43% (P = 0.003). Mean duration of symptoms prior to patients seeking medical attention was 6.1 +/- 4.1 days. Greater than 5 days of symptoms prior to seeking treatment was significantly more likely to result in hospitalization. Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 87.2% infections. Of the patients with Pseudomonas, 92.3% were hospitalized versus 75% of the patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Initial oral antibiotics prescribed did not target the cultured bacterium in 53.3% of cases; of these, 87.5% were hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: Transcartilaginous postpiercing infection may lead to ear deformity and hospitalization. Patients (customers) and practitioners must be aware of optimal treatment strategies to minimize associated morbidity. Scapha piercing and delay in presentation are associated with poorer outcomes. Pseudomonas is the most common bacterial infection. Initial antibiotic selection must be optimized accordingly. Laryngoscope, 125:1827-1834, 2015.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is a lack of clear guidelines regarding evaluation and management of giant juvenile fibroadenomas. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of giant juvenile fibroadenomas and to evaluate the most common diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. METHODS: A systematic literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE databases was conducted in February 2014 to identify articles related to giant juvenile fibroadenomas. Pooled outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Fifty-two articles (153 patients) met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 16.7 years old, with a mean lesion size of 11.2 cm. Most patients (86%) presented with a single breast mass. Imaging modalities included ultrasound in 72.5% and mammography in 26.1% of cases. Tissue diagnosis was obtained using a core needle biopsy in 18.3% of cases, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in 25.5%, and excisional biopsy in 11.1% of patients. Surgical treatment was implemented in 98.7% of patients (mean time to treatment of 9.5 months, range, 3 days to 7 years). Surgical intervention included excision in all cases, of which four were mastectomies. Breast reconstruction was completed in 17.6% of cases. There were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis and treatment of giant juvenile fibroadenoma is heterogeneous. There is a paucity of data to support observation and non-operative treatment. The most common diagnostic modalities include core needle or excisional biopsy. The mainstay of treatment is complete excision with an emphasis on preserving the developing breast parenchyma and nipple areolar complex. Breast reconstruction is uncommon, but may be necessary in certain cases.