Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: Adenotonsillectomy is commonly performed in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, yet its usefulness in reducing symptoms and improving cognition, behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic findings has not been rigorously evaluated. We hypothesized that, in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome without prolonged oxyhemoglobin desaturation, early adenotonsillectomy, as compared with watchful waiting with supportive care, would result in improved outcomes. METHODS: We randomly assigned 464 children, 5 to 9 years of age, with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome to early adenotonsillectomy or a strategy of watchful waiting. Polysomnographic, cognitive, behavioral, and health outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 7 months. RESULTS: The average baseline value for the primary outcome, the attention and executive-function score on the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (with scores ranging from 50 to 150 and higher scores indicating better functioning), was close to the population mean of 100, and the change from baseline to follow-up did not differ significantly according to study group (mean [+/-SD] improvement, 7.1+/-13.9 in the early-adenotonsillectomy group and 5.1+/-13.4 in the watchful-waiting group; P=0.16). In contrast, there were significantly greater improvements in behavioral, quality-of-life, and polysomnographic findings and significantly greater reduction in symptoms in the early-adenotonsillectomy group than in the watchful-waiting group. Normalization of polysomnographic findings was observed in a larger proportion of children in the early-adenotonsillectomy group than in the watchful-waiting group (79% vs. 46%). CONCLUSIONS: As compared with a strategy of watchful waiting, surgical treatment for the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in school-age children did not significantly improve attention or executive function as measured by neuropsychological testing but did reduce symptoms and improve secondary outcomes of behavior, quality of life, and polysomnographic findings, thus providing evidence of beneficial effects of early adenotonsillectomy. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; CHAT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00560859.).

OBJECTIVE: To reflect on lessons learned placing endotracheal nitinol stents in children. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All children who underwent nitinol cervical tracheal stenting were included. Records were carefully reviewed for intraoperative and postoperative complications, management choices, outcomes, and factors that influenced results. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2011, 7 children underwent 13 stent placements. Median follow-up was 5 years (range, 1-12 years). Six patients underwent stenting as a salvage procedure following open attempts at airway reconstruction. Four patients remain decannulated with their stent in place (median follow-up 7 years). The fifth patient had his stent removed endoscopically after 50 days because it became apparent that his obstruction was primarily laryngeal. The sixth child had his stent removed via a tracheal fissure after 14 months because of recalcitrant subglottic inflammation at the superior stent border. The seventh patient was decannulated for over 2 years but ultimately required tracheotomy replacement because of stenosis with the stent lumen. Complications included stent migration (23%), restenosis (29%), edema (29%), and granulation (57%). CONCLUSION: Endotracheal nitinol stents provide a realistic opportunity for decannulation in children for whom other options have failed but should be reserved only as a salvage procedure in severely complicated airways. Our experience has taught valuable lessons about stent indications, sizing, characteristics, and deployment, as well as means to avoid and manage their complications.

BACKGROUND: Microtia reconstruction remains one of the most challenging procedures encountered by the reconstructive surgeon. A national report on the current management of microtia has never been presented before. The purpose of this project was to survey members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to identify their preferences and practices and report their opinions regarding issues related to microtia reconstruction. METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey consisting of 19 questions was distributed to the members of the ASPS. Questions focused on the management of microtia. The study design was descriptive, using categorical data analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of all respondents perform microtia reconstruction; 91 % learned the autogenous cartilage-based reconstruction technique, while only 16 % were exposed to alloplastic reconstruction. Seventy percent of all respondents learned autogenous cartilage-based ear reconstruction exclusively. Fifty percent of respondents who perform microtia reconstruction reported a steep learning curve. In the pediatric patient population, 49 % of microtia surgeons prefer performing the surgery when the patient is between 7 and 10 years of age, while 40 % of microtia surgeons prefer the patient to be 4-6 years of age. Fifty-nine percent of all respondents believe that in 15 years tissue engineering will represent the gold standard of microtia reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Staged microtia repair using autogenous cartilage remains the heavily favored method of microtia reconstruction among plastic surgeons. Moreover, there is a deficiency in training the newer surgical techniques, such as alloplastic and osseointegrated options. This study also highlights the continuing need to elucidate the optimal timing for microtia repair in the pediatric patient to mitigate the potential psychosocial morbidity well described in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although cervical spine reconstruction with osteocutaneous fibular flap microvascular grafting has been described, simultaneous reconstruction of the cervical vertebral column and laryngectomy have not been described. PURPOSE: To present a unique case of combined cervical spine and laryngectomy reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: We modified a previously reported procedure reconstituting the cervical spine and pharynx with a single fibular flap in a case of posterior pharyngeal ulceration and osteomyelitis/osteoradionecrosis without spinal deformity. RESULTS: We present a case of simultaneous cervical stabilization and pharynx reconstruction with a fibular graft in a life-saving treatment of osteoradionecrosis complicated by acute cervical kyphosis and spinal cord compression in a 55-year-old patient with extensive head and neck cancer history and recent recurrence of hypopharyngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid anterior plate fixation and subsequent posterior fixation were required after corpectomy and total laryngectomy in our patient with extensive surgical scarring and radiation history because of severe spinal deformity secondary to osteoradionecrosis. We achieved successful preservation of neurologic function and resolution of pain.

OBJECTIVE: The reasons why adenotonsillectomy (AT) is less effective treating obese children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are not understood. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate how anatomical factors contributing to airway obstruction are affected by AT in these children. METHODS: Twenty-seven obese children with OSAS (age 13.0 +/- 2.3 y, body mass index Z-score 2.5 +/- 0.3) underwent polysomnography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head during wakefulness before and after AT. Volumetric analysis of the upper airway and surrounding tissues was performed using commercial software (AMIRA(R)). RESULTS: Patients were followed for 6.1 +/- 3.6 mo after AT. AT improved mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 23.7 +/- 21.4 to 5.6 +/- 8.7 (P < 0.001). Resolution of OSAS was noted in 44% (12 of 27), but only in 22% (4 of 18) of those with severe OSAS (AHI > 10). AT increased the volume of the nasopharynx and oropharynx (2.9 +/- 1.3 versus 4.4 +/- 0.9 cm(3), P < 0.001, and 3.2 +/- 1.2 versus 4.3 +/- 2.0 cm(3), P < 0.01, respectively), reduced tonsils (11.3 +/- 4.3 versus 1.3 +/- 1.4 cm(3), P < 0.001), but had no effect on the adenoid, lingual tonsil, or retropharyngeal nodes. A small significant increase in the volume of the soft palate and tongue was also noted (7.3 +/- 2.5 versus 8.0 +/- 1.9 cm(3), P = 0.02, and 88.2 +/- 18.3 versus 89.3 +/- 24.4 cm(3), P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to quantify volumetric changes in the upper airway in obese children with OSAS after adenotonsillectomy showing significant residual adenoid tissue and an increase in the volume of the tongue and soft palate. These findings could explain the low success rate of AT reported in obese children with OSAS and are important considerations for clinicians treating these children.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Hard palate and maxillary alveolus are two commonly grouped oral cavity subsites due to their anatomic contiguity and oncologic disease behavior. Few studies have been conducted investigating clinical presentation, staging, prevalence of cervical metastases, and outcomes in this population. The primary objective of this study was to analyze predictors of disease-free survival (DFS) in surgically treated patients, particularly as it relates to the role of neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study with planned data collection. METHODS: This cohort study used planned data collection over 15 years (1994-2008) at a large tertiary care cancer center to study all patients presenting with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary alveolus and hard palate treated surgically. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictors of DFS. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients met the inclusion criteria (54 male, 56%). The majority of patients (54, 56%) presented with locally advanced disease (cT3, cT4). Occult nodal metastases were noted in 26% (17 of 65) of patients clinically staged as N0. The 3-year DFS was 70% (95% confidence interval = 59%-78%) with a median time to failure of 1.1 years (range = 0.3-9.7 years). Cox regression multivariate model demonstrated that advanced pathologic T stage, hard palate tumor site, and poorly differentiated tumor grade were each independent predictors of DFS. CONCLUSIONS: A significant portion of the patients with hard palate and maxillary alveolus tumors harbor occult cervical metastases. Elective neck dissection in the high-risk patients may potentially be beneficial in providing more accurate staging and improving DFS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

BACKGROUND: A variety of tumors arise in or extend to the infratemporal fossa. We investigated the outcome of surgical management of these tumors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a craniofacial approach to resection of infratemporal fossa tumors from 1992 to 2008 in a cancer center. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent resection of a infratemporal fossa tumors (68% men). Median age was 46 years (range, 1-81 years). The most common pathology was sarcoma (13; 30%). Twenty-two tumors (51%) were recurrent. Twenty patients (46%) underwent resection of tumors from the infratemporal fossa, 5 (12%) required resection of the anterior skull base, and 18 (42%) required orbital exenteration, additionally. Thirty-one patients (72%) required reconstruction with free tissue transfer. Twenty-seven patients (62.8%) required further treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy. Complications occurred in 9 patients (21%). Six patients (14%) underwent salvage operations. Median follow-up was 24 months. Median overall survival and 3-year survival were 40 months and 59.6%. CONCLUSION: Tumors involving the infratemporal fossa can be resected with acceptable morbidity and long-term survival.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic stress testing of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is pivotal to determining treatment. Comparison to the uninjured extremity and fluoroscopy-assisted examination are readily available modalities in the assessment of these patients, with 5-10 degrees differences impacting treatment. Comparative examination, however, assumes that both extremities are normally equal, which has never been verified experimentally. Comparison of clinical and fluoroscopic examination has also never been scrutinized. METHODS: One hundred asymptomatic participants underwent both fluoroscopic and traditional stress examinations to determine maximum passive radial deviation at neutral MCP flexion. RESULTS: Absolute clinical vs. fluoroscopic differences demonstrated a significant difference of 5.6 degrees (SD 5.1 degrees ). Absolute variability between left-to-right measurements was 4.5 degrees (SD 4.1 degrees ) and increased significantly as baseline stress deviation increased (R = 0.43; p < 0.001). Left-to-right difference exhibited no correlation to age, gender, or BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The current investigation demonstrates right-left differences and differences between clinical and fluoroscopic testing of which practitioners should be aware when making treatment decisions for UCL injury of the thumb MCP joint.

IMPORTANCE: The effect of different rhinoplasty maneuvers on alar retraction remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the etiology and treatment of alar retraction based on a series of specific rhinoplasty maneuvers. DESIGN: Retrospective review of a single surgeon's rhinoplasty digital photo database, examining preoperative alar retraction from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2005, in 520 patients. Patients with more than 1 mm of alar retraction on preoperative photographs were identified. Postoperative photographs were examined to determine the effect of specific rhinoplasty maneuvers on the position of the alar margin; these maneuvers included cephalic trim, cephalic positioning of the lower lateral cartilage, composite grafts, alar rim grafts, alar batten grafts, and overlay of the lower lateral cartilage. SETTING: Tertiary care academic health center. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five patients with alar retraction met inclusion criteria, resulting in 63 nasal halves with alar retraction. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Intraoperative findings, postoperative results. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of the patients (n = 21) had prior surgery; 47% also had cephalically positioned lower lateral cartilages. Among patients with less than 4 mm of cartilage width at the outset, 46% of those who received supportive grafts achieved target correction vs only 7% for patients who did not undergo supportive cartilage grafting. In patients who underwent more than 4 mm of cephalic trim, those who received supportive grafts achieved 46% of target correction vs 11% among those who did not. Ninety-five percent of composite grafts, 69% of alar strut grafts, 47% of alar rim grafts, 43% of vertical lobule division, and 12% of alar batten grafts achieved their target correction values. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Alar retraction is a highly complex problem. It can be seen de novo and is associated with cephalically positioned lower lateral cartilages. Structurally supportive grafting-including composite grafts, alar strut grafts, alar rim grafts, vertical lobule division, and alar batten grafts-can improve alar retraction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.