Faculty Bibliography

History of smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for reconstructive complications in nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), however there have been no direct analyses of outcomes in smokers and nonsmokers. All patients undergoing NSM at New York University Langone Medical Center from 2006 to 2014 were identified. Outcomes were compared for those with and without a smoking history and stratified by pack-year smoking history and years-to-quitting (YTQ). A total of 543 nipple-sparing mastectomies were performed from 2006 to 2014 with a total of 49 in patients with a history of smoking. Reconstructive outcomes in NSM between those with and without a smoking history were equivalent. Those with a smoking history were not significantly more likely to have mastectomy flap necrosis (p = 0.6251), partial (p = 0.8564), or complete (p = 0.3365) nipple-areola complex (NAC) necrosis. Likewise, active smokers alone did not have a higher risk of complications compared to nonsmokers or those with smoking history. Comparing nonsmokers and those with a less or greater than 10 pack-year smoking history, those with a > 10 pack-year history had significantly more complete NAC necrosis (p = 0.0114, <0.0001). Those with <5 YTQ prior to NSM trended toward an increased rate of complete NAC necrosis (p = 0.0752). Outcomes for those with a < 10 pack-year smoking history or >5 YTQ prior to NSM were equivalent to those without a smoking history. We demonstrate that NSM may be safely offered to those with a smoking history although a > 10 pack-year smoking history or <5 YTQ prior to NSM may impart a higher risk of reconstructive complications, including complete NAC necrosis.

Virus-mediated gene delivery shows promise for the treatment of chronic pain. However, viral vectors have cytotoxicity. To avoid toxicities and limitations of virus-mediated gene delivery, we developed a novel nonviral hybrid vector: HIV-1 Tat peptide sequence modified with histidine and cysteine residues combined with a cationic lipid. The vector has high transfection efficiency with little cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines including HSC-3 (human tongue squamous cell carcinoma) and exhibits differential expression in HSC-3 ( approximately 45-fold) relative to HGF-1 (human gingival fibroblasts) cells. We used the nonviral vector to transfect cancer with OPRM1, the mu-opioid receptor gene, as a novel method for treating cancer-induced pain. After HSC-3 cells were transfected with OPRM1, a cancer mouse model was created by inoculating the transfected HSC-3 cells into the hind paw or tongue of athymic mice to determine the analgesic potential of OPRM1 transfection. Mice with HSC-3 tumors expressing OPRM1 demonstrated significant antinociception compared with control mice. The effect was reversible with local naloxone administration. We quantified beta-endorphin secretion from HSC-3 cells and showed that HSC-3 cells transfected with OPRM1 secreted significantly more beta-endorphin than control HSC-3 cells. These findings indicate that nonviral delivery of the OPRM1 gene targeted to the cancer microenvironment has an analgesic effect in a preclinical cancer model, and nonviral gene delivery is a potential treatment for cancer pain.

Nowadays, bioactive coatings or modifications on titanium surface have been tested in vitro and in vivo. In this study, two types of calcium phosphate coatings were produced by a chemical deposition method and their bioactivity assay in cell culture medium were investigated. The calcium phosphate coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun (FEG-SEM) analyses. Titanium substrate was successfully coated with brushite using chemical deposition method and, after a second step of conversion, the hydroxyapatite coating was obtained. The hydroxyapatite coating showed a bioactivity property after 14 days' incubation in McCoy medium culture

The increasing interest in the use of brushite and monetite as resorbable calcium phosphate cements or graft materials is related to the fact of these phases being metastable under physiological environment, with higher solubility than hydroxyapatite phase. In this study, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun (FEG-SEM) analyses were performed in order to assess the temperature influence on the production of calcium phosphate coatings by a chemical deposition method. Titanium substrates were successfully coated with brushite and monetite by a chemical deposition method and a brushite-monetite transformation was assessed with the increasing temperature. Brushite deposition was kinetically favored at low temperatures, whereas monetite was the major phase at higher temperatures

BACKGROUND: For men with significant genitourinary injury, penile transplantation is being considered as an option when reconstruction is not feasible or proves unacceptable to the injured patient. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted to assess the current state of penile reconstruction and transplantation options, as well as to evaluate scholarly research addressing the ethical dimensions of penile transplantation. RESULTS: The state of penile transplantation is elementary. If reconstruction is not a possibility, proceeding ethically with research on penile vascularized composite allotransplantation will require the articulation of guidelines. To date, very little has been published in the scholarly literature assessing the ethics of penile transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines should be developed to address penile transplantation and must cover the donation of tissue, consent, subject selection, qualifications of the surgical team, and management of both failure and patient dissatisfaction. Unless guidelines are established and disseminated, penile transplants should not be undertaken. The preliminary recommendations suggested in this article may help to inform development of guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy is the latest advancement in the treatment of breast cancer. The authors aimed to investigate the effects of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in nipple-sparing mastectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing nipple-sparing mastectomy from 2006 to June of 2015 were identified. Results were stratified by presence of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 840 nipple-sparing mastectomies were performed. Twenty-eight were in those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 93 were in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients receiving both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the neoadjuvant group. Nipple-sparing mastectomies that received neoadjuvant (with or without adjuvant) chemotherapy were compared to those in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Those with neoadjuvant (with or without adjuvant) chemotherapy were more likely to have explantation (p = 0.0239) and complete nipple-areola complex necrosis (p = 0.0021). Those with neoadjuvant (with or without adjuvant) chemotherapy were more likely to have implant explantation (p = 0.0015) and complete nipple-areola complex necrosis (p = 0.0004) compared to those with no chemotherapy. Compared to nipple-sparing mastectomies in patients with no chemotherapy, those with adjuvant chemotherapy were more likely to have a hematoma (p = 0.0021). Those that received both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy were more likely to have complete nipple-areola complex necrosis compared with both the neoadjuvant chemotherapy-only and adjuvant chemotherapy-only groups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nipple-sparing mastectomy is safe to perform in the setting of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. As a whole, neoadjuvant (with or without adjuvant) chemotherapy increases risk of complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

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.

BACKGROUND: The senior author has previously described a deep-plane cervicofacial hike flap as a workhorse for reconstruction mid-cheek defects. One important modification commonly used involves overcorrection of the defect in order to reduce the incidence of ectropion. This report outlines the senior author's experience in surgical treating complex cheek defects with an overcorrected deep-plane cervicofacial hike flap. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of the senior author's patients with cheek and eyelid reconstruction. The authors initially identified all patients who had undergone a deep-plane cervicofacial hike flap, then filtered those charts for patients who had overcorrection of their deformity in order to prevent ectropion. RESULTS: A total of 3 patients had an overcorrected flap. Overcorrection was accomplished either by cheek advancement with suture fixation to the deep temporal fascia, or by placement of drill holes and bone anchors. Lower eyelid malposition was avoided in all 3 patients. Patient satisfaction at long term follow-up was very high, and no revision surgery was needed. CONCLUSION: If gravitational or cicatricial forces can potentially distort the eyelid in patients with cheek or eyelid reconstruction, it is necessary to overcorrect the cheek flap. This modification of the deep-plane cervicofacial flap is an important tool in reconstructing defects in this area.

In select patients with advanced disease resulting in large composite tissue defects, consideration is often given to multiple flap reconstruction. The authors propose an alternative option. Using virtual surgical planning the authors demonstrate how modest sacrifice in projection translates into a substantial decrease in the volume and surface area of soft tissue needed, in turn maximizing soft tissue coverage with a single fibula free flap. The authors used 3-dimensional virtual surgery to simulate angle-to-angle reconstructions using free fibula flaps. The reference 3-segment reconstruction was done using symphyseal projection to the plane perpendicular to the anterior nasal spine, a customary landmark. Additional simulations were then performed using recessed projections 0.5 mm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, and 2 cm posterior to anterior nasal spine plane. Program analytics were used to calculate the surface area and volume of the floor of mouth. With projection recessed by 1 cm, surface area decreased 22% to 14 cm. With projection recessed by 2 cm, surface area decreased 44% to 10 cm. With a 3-segment construct converted to a 2-segment construct, surface area decreased 22% to 14 cm. This demonstrates for the first time an official analysis of an intraoperative modification that sacrifices little and gains a lot. Ultimately, 1 compound flap can be used in extensive reconstructions with increased confidence that it will not be overly stressed.