Faculty Bibliography

Microsurgical restoration of shoulder abduction with free muscle transfers is one of the most challenging reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to analyze retrospectively the outcomes of free muscle transfer for shoulder abduction. Since 1981, 22 muscles have been transferred for shoulder abduction in posttraumatic brachial plexopathy. Two techniques have been used: a double muscle transfer of adductor longus and gracilis was used for shoulder abduction and elbow flexion, respectively (n = 18), and latissimus dorsi transfer for shoulder abduction (n = 4). For the double muscle transfer, the mean range of motion of shoulder abduction was found postoperatively to be 30 +/- 24 degrees and the mean muscle grade was to be 2.61 +/- 0.76 (P < 0.001). For latissimus transfer, the mean postoperative muscle grade of the transferred muscle was 3.25 +/- 0.73, and the shoulder abduction was 40 +/- 32 degrees. Free muscle transfer can enhance shoulder abduction after inadequate results from primary reconstruction or in late cases. In this study, all patients achieved a stable shoulder, 53% yielded shoulder abduction against gravity, and 9% achieved abduction to the horizontal level

Endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) and kinesin family member 1A (KIF1A) are candidate tumor suppressor genes that are inactivated in cancers. In this study, we evaluated the promoter hypermethylation of EDNRB and KIF1A and their potential use for risk classification in prospectively collected salivary rinses from patients with premalignant/malignant oral cavity lesions. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR was performed to analyze the methylation status of EDNRB and KIF1A in salivary rinses of 191 patients. We proceeded to determine the association of methylation status with histologic diagnosis and estimate classification accuracy. On univariate analysis, diagnosis of dysplasia/cancer was associated with age and KIF1A or EDNRB methylation. Methylation of EDNRB highly correlated with that of KIF1A (P < 0.0001). On multivariable modeling, histologic diagnosis was independently associated with EDNRB (P = 0.0003) or KIF1A (P = 0.027) methylation. A subset of patients analyzed (n = 161) without prior biopsy-proven malignancy received clinical risk classification based on examination. On univariate analysis, EDNRB and risk classification were associated with diagnosis of dysplasia/cancer and remained significant on multivariate analysis (EDNRB: P = 0.047, risk classification: P = 0.008). Clinical risk classification identified dysplasia/cancer with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 58%. The sensitivity of clinical risk classification combined with EDNRB methylation improved to 75%. EDNRB methylation in salivary rinses was independently associated with histologic diagnosis of premalignancy and malignancy and may have potential in classifying patients at risk for oral premalignant and malignant lesions in settings without access to a skilled dental practitioner. This may also potentially identify patients with premalignant and malignant lesions that do not meet the criteria for high clinical risk based on skilled dental examination.

Great variability exists in microsurgical postoperative care in the United States. Lack of standardized postoperative monitoring protocols and appropriate training of monitoring personnel leads to inefficiency and increased cost of providing microsurgical postoperative care. A 45-question survey was sent to all plastic surgery and plastic surgery-based microsurgery program directors in the United States. Questions focused on the number and type of flaps performed, length of stay, complications, postoperative monitoring setting, training provided to monitoring personnel, and limitations in flap monitoring. The response rate was 31% with 3407 microvascular free flaps performed annually at 26 centers. A total of 1533 flaps were monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU) for an average of 3.1 days. In 45% of responding centers patients were cared for in an ICU secondary to a lack of adequately trained nurses at alternative sites. Printed postoperative protocols were provided to nurses in 39% of centers. With a comparative increase cost of $2878 to $3345 per day for ICU care, this translates into an annual increased cost of $13.7 to $15.9 million to the responding centers. Improved nursing training and the use of standardized postoperative protocols may allow patients to be monitored in non-ICU settings postoperatively, thereby reducing the costs associated with providing postoperative microsurgical care

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bone healing response to different implant root shape designs in a dog model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three by eight millimeter screw-type short-pitch (SP) and large-pitch (LP) implants (Intra-Lock International, Boca Raton, FL, USA), and 4.5 x 6 mm plateau (P) implants (Bicon LLC, Boston, MA, USA) were placed along the proximal tibia of six dogs for 2 and 4 weeks. The combination of implant design and final osteotomy drilling resulted in healing chambers for the LP and P implants. The implants were nondecalcified processed to plates of approximately 30-microm thickness and were evaluated by optical microscopy for healing patterns and bone-to-implant contact (BIC). One-way analysis of variance at 95% level of significance and Tukey's test were utilized for multiple comparisons among the groups' BIC. RESULTS: Microscopy showed a approximately 150-microm region of newly deposited bone along the whole perimeter of SP implants, near the edge of the LP implant threads, and plateau tips for P implants. Rapid woven bone formation and filling was observed in regions where surgery and implant design resulted in healing chambers. No significant differences in BIC were observed (p > .75). CONCLUSIONS: Different implant design/surgical protocol resulted in varied bone healing patterns. However, the BIC and bone morphology evolution between implant designs were comparable. Regardless of the combination between implant design and final osteotomy drilling, bone morphology evolution from 2 to 4 weeks was comparable.

When free tissue transfer is employed for defects of the lower third of the leg, recipient anastomoses are typically performed to major vessels. The aim of this study was to assess soleal perforators located in the distal half of the leg as potential vessels for free flap recipient vessels. Six fresh cadavers (12 limbs) were dissected. Perforators of adequate size (>or=1 mm) were documented as was the location and ease of dissection. Lower extremity magnetic resonance angiograms (MRAs) of 18 extremities were retrospectively reviewed. Two free tissue transfers to lower extremity perforators were presented. Soleal perforators most reliably matched our recipient vessel requirements. Perforators were of adequate size to support free tissue transfer, easy to dissect, and were located at mid/distal fibula level. MRA evaluation confirmed these results. One free tissue reconstruction was performed for trauma (posterior tibial perforator) and one was performed for a chronic radiation wound (peroneal perforator). The soleus muscle is easily exposed and is supplied distally by perforators from both the posterior tibial and the peroneal artery systems. These perforating branches are more accessible than the major lower extremity arteries, making the exposure and anastomosis technically easier and sparing potential iatrogenic injury to critical vessels

BACKGROUND: Restoration of shoulder external rotation is very important for upper extremity function. The purpose of this study was to present the authors' experience with secondary restoration of external rotation in patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. METHODS: From 1978 to 2002, 46 children underwent secondary surgery for restoration of external rotation. Outcomes were analyzed in relation to various factors, including the type of procedure, muscle transfer only versus nerve reconstruction and muscle transfer, denervation time, type of injury (Erb versus global palsy), and severity score. In addition, the effect of restoration of external rotation on the final outcome of shoulder abduction was assessed. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in every case (p < 0.01) between preoperatively and postoperatively. The overall mean postoperative Mallet score for the group undergoing muscle transfer only was 3.95, whereas in the nerve reconstruction and muscle transfer group, the score was 3.88 (p >0.05). The resulting gain in external rotation was 99 degrees versus 93.8 degrees. In both populations, a very significant improvement (p <0.0001) was identified in the final outcome of shoulder abduction (109 degrees after muscle transfer versus 48.3 degrees before muscle transfer, and 112 degrees postoperatively after neurotization and muscle transfer versus 43.8 degrees before any surgery). Patients with Erb palsy had a better but not significant result (p >0.05; p = 0.94), compared with those with global palsy in both Mallet score (3.77 versus 3.76) and final active external rotation (81.7 degrees versus 77.6 degrees). CONCLUSION: Secondary surgery for the restoration of external rotation is a rewarding procedure, which also significantly improves the final outcome of shoulder abduction

OBJECTIVES: To compare the reliability of the disto-facial (DF) and mesio-lingual (ML) cusps of an anatomically correct zirconia (Y-TZP) crown system. The research hypotheses tested were: (1) fatigue reliability and failure mode are similar for the ML and DF cusps; (2) failure mode of one cusp does not affect the failure of the other. METHODS: The average dimensions of a mandibular first molar crown were imported into CAD software; a tooth preparation was modelled by 1.5 mm marginal high reduction of proximal walls and occlusal surface by 2.0 mm. The CAD-based tooth preparation was milled and used as a die to fabricate crowns (n=14) with porcelain veneer on a 0.5 mm Y-TZP core. Crowns were cemented on composite reproductions of the tooth preparation. The crowns were step-stress mouth motion fatigued with sliding (0.7 mm) a tungsten-carbide indenter of 6.25 mm diameter down on the inclines of either the DF or ML cusps. Use level probability Weibull curve with use stress of 200 N and the reliability for completion of a mission of 50,000 cycles at 200 N load were calculated. RESULTS: Reliability for a 200 N at 50,000 cycles mission was not different between tested cusps. SEM imaging showed large cohesive failures within the veneer for the ML and smaller for the DF. Fractures originated from the contact area regardless of the cusp loaded. CONCLUSION: No significant difference on fatigue reliability was observed between the DF compared to the ML cusp. Fracture of one cusp did not affect the other

BACKGROUND:: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and 1-year postsurgical stability with three different techniques of Le Fort III midface advancement. METHODS:: The records of 212 syndromic craniosynostosis patients were reviewed from the period 1973 to 2006. A total of 60 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, and the mean age of the sample at surgery was 6.2 years. In group I (1977 to 1987), fixation was performed by interosseous wiring and intermaxillary fixation; in group II (1987 to 1996), fixation was achieved by only rigid plate fixation; and in group III (2000 to 2005), the patients underwent midface distraction with the rigid external distraction device. Cephalometric landmarks were identified and digitized at each of the time intervals (preoperatively, postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively). RESULTS:: The mean advancement measured at point A in group I averaged 9.7 mm; in group II, it was 10.6 mm; and in group 3, it was 16.1 mm. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of advancement between groups I and II. However, when groups I and II were compared with group III, there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). No statistical significance was noted within and between all three groups at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:: Significantly larger midface advancement was achieved with rigid external distraction (group III) compared with classic Le Fort III midface advancement with wire (group I) or plate (group III) fixation. At 1 year after surgery, the three groups showed relative stability of the advanced midface segment