Faculty Bibliography

Background/UNASSIGNED:Amniotic Band Syndrome is a clinical constellation of congenital anomalies characterized by constricting rings, tissue synechiae and amputation of body parts distal to the constriction bands. Involvement of the hand with loss of multiple digits not only leads to devastating deformities but also loss of functionality. Methods/UNASSIGNED:In this series, utilizing microvascular transfer of the second toe from both feet, along with local tissue reconfiguration, a tetra-digital hand with simile of normal cascade was reconstructed. A consecutive series of eight children with Amniotic Band Syndrome, younger than two years in age operated on by single surgeon over a twenty five year interval was reviewed. Results/UNASSIGNED:There was no flap loss. The hands were sensate with effective simple prehensile function. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Application of Microvascular toe-to-hand transfer for well selected, albeit severe hand deformity in Amniotic Band Syndrome is a valid surgical concept.

OBJECTIVE:Despite the presence of self-inflicted wounds (SIWs) across all of medicine, our current understanding of SIWs in surgery is limited. Here, we detail the pertinent aspects of the history, diagnosis, decision making, and management of SIWs as they relate to the field of surgery. In addition, we present the first comprehensive review of SIWs across the surgical literature. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA/BACKGROUND:Self-inflicted wounds have been recognized for much of recorded human history and span a wide spectrum of patient behaviors, motivations, and underlying psychiatric illnesses. METHODS:We performed a comprehensive literature review of SIWs in the surgical literature. In total, 189 articles were identified. RESULTS:The most common site of primary SIW was the upper extremity (36.2%), and the most common presenting injuries were lacerations (22.7%). Forty-two percent of patients had received prior surgical procedures for their SIWs, and the average length of time preceding treatment or diagnosis of an injury as an SIW was 2.29 years. Self-inflicted wounds resulting from foreign body insertions were most common (25.9%). Psychiatric factors accounted for most SIW production (35%), of which factitious disorder was the most common (12.7%). Other motivations for SIW production included autoeroticism (8.6%), substance related (6.6%), organic brain disease (5.0%), and self-therapy/surgery by patients (1.7%). Surgical management was ultimately required for nearly 75% of SIWs and was successful in most cases. CONCLUSIONS:Self-inflicted wounds are frequently encountered in all surgical specialties and encompass many anatomic locations, presentations, and patient-motivating factors. Surgical intervention is common, and successful outcomes are often achieved.

The unique anatomical characteristics of the forearm region make it especially popular as a free flap donor site for craniofacial soft-tissue reconstruction. The free ulnar forearm flap is less hirsute and allows for better concealment of donor site scar as compared with its radial counterpart. Despite these factors, the free radial forearm flap remains more popular among reconstructive surgeons. Through the presented case series, we hope to emphasize the versatile nature of the free ulnar forearm flap in addressing various craniofacial soft-tissue defects. Following institutional review board approval, a retrospective review of the senior authors' clinical experience performing microvascular free ulnar forearm flap reconstruction of craniofacial soft-tissue defects was performed. A total of 10 patients were identified through our review. Soft-tissue defect locations included lower eyelid (n = 2), tongue and floor of mouth (n = 2), lower lip (n = 2), palatopharyngeal area (n = 1), nose (n = 1), and palate (n = 1). Trauma was the most common defect etiology (n = 5), followed by malignancy (n = 4), and iatrogenic injury in 1 case. All patients demonstrated good aesthetic and functional outcomes related to vision, speech, and oral intake at follow-up when applicable. The free ulnar forearm flap is a versatile reconstructive option that can be used to address a wide spectrum of craniofacial soft-tissue defects and offers numerous advantages over its radial counterpart.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Widespread application of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is currently limited by the required lifelong systemic immunosuppression and its associated morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the efficacy of ex vivo (after procurement but before transplantation) engineering of allografts using small interfering RNA to knockdown major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) and prolong rejection-free survival. Methods/UNASSIGNED:Endothelial cells (ECs) were transfected with small interfering RNA targeted against MHC-I (siMHC-I) for all in vitro experiments. MHC-I surface expression and knockdown duration were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and flow cytometry. After stimulating Lewis recipient cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) with allogeneic controls or siMHC-I-silenced ECs, lymphocyte proliferation, CTL-mediated and natural killer-mediated EC lysis were measured. Using an established VCA rat model, allografts were perfused ex vivo with siMHC-I before transplantation. Allografts were analyzed for MHC-I expression and clinical/histologic evidence of rejection. Results/UNASSIGNED:< 0.05). Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Ex vivo siMHC-I engineering can effectively modify allografts and significantly prolong rejection-free allograft survival. This novel approach may help reduce future systemic immunosuppression requirements in VCA recipients.

Increased emphasis on competency-based learning modules and widespread departure from traditional models of Halstedian apprenticeship have made surgical simulation an increasingly appealing component of medical education. Surgical simulators are available in numerous modalities, including virtual, synthetic, animal, and non-living models. The ideal surgical simulator would facilitate the acquisition and refinement of surgical skills prior to clinical application, by mimicking the size, color, texture, recoil, and environment of the operating room. Simulation training has proven helpful for advancing specific surgical skills and techniques, aiding in early and late resident learning curves. In this review, the current applications and potential benefits of incorporating simulation-based surgical training into residency curriculum are explored in depth, specifically in the context of plastic surgery. Despite the prevalence of simulation-based training models, there is a paucity of research on integration into resident programs. Current curriculums emphasize the ability to identify anatomical landmarks and procedural steps through virtual simulation. Although transfer of these skills to the operating room is promising, careful attention must be paid to mastery versus memorization. In the authors' opinions, curriculums should involve step-wise employment of diverse models in different stages of training to assess milestones. To date, the simulation of tactile experience that is reminiscent of real-time clinical scenarios remains challenging, and a sophisticated model has yet to be established.

BACKGROUND:Airway management in children with Pierre Robin sequence in the infantile period can be challenging and frequently requires specialized approaches. AIM/OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to review our experience with a multistage approach to oral and nasal intubation in young infants with Pierre Robin sequence. METHODS:1.0 using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. In cases that required a nasotracheal tube, the oral tube was left in place while a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope loaded with a similar internal diameter nasal Ring-Adair-Elwyn (RAE) tube was introduced into the nares. Once the scope was in proximity to the glottis, the oral tube was removed and the patient was intubated with the nasal RAE over the fiberscope. RESULTS:All 13 patients with Pierre Robin sequence were successfully intubated. We observed no periods of desaturation during placement and induction with the LMA-Classicâ„¢ or ProSealâ„¢ laryngeal mask airway except in one patient who was in extremis in the neonatal intensive care unit and required emergent transport to the operating room with the laryngeal mask airway in place. We observed several brief periods of desaturation during the apneas associated with fiberoptic intubation. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, we were able to use a ventilation-driven, multistaged approach using the unique properties of different supraglottic airways to facilitate oral and nasal intubation in 13 infants with Pierre Robin sequence.