Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:This study aims to develop guidelines for the transfer of patients with isolated craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma. METHODS:A national, multidisciplinary, expert panel was assembled from leadership in national organizations and contributors to published literature on facial reconstruction. The final panel consisted of five plastic surgeons, four otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons, and four oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The expert panelist's opinions on transfer guidelines were collected using the modified Delphi process. Consensus was pre-defined as ≥ 90% agreement per statement. RESULTS:After 4 Delphi consensus building rounds, 13 transfer guidelines were established, including statements on fractures of the frontal sinus, orbit, midface and mandible, as well as soft tissue injuries. Twelve guidelines reached consensus. CONCLUSIONS:The decision to transfer a patient with CMF trauma to another facility is complex and multifactorial. While a percentage of overtriage is acceptable to promote safe disposition of trauma patients, unnecessarily high rates of secondary overtriage divert emergency medical services, increase costs, delay care, overload tertiary trauma centers, and result in tertiary hospital staff providing primary emergency coverage for referring hospitals. These CMF transfer guidelines were designed to serve as a tool to improve, and safely streamline, the care of facial trauma patients. Such efforts may decrease the additional healthcare expenditures associated with secondary overtriage while decompressing emergency medical systems and tertiary emergency departments.

BACKGROUND:Computerized surgical planning (CSP) in osseous reconstruction of head and neck cancer defects has become a mainstay of treatment. However, the consequences of CSP-designed titanium plating systems on planning adjuvant radiation remains unclear. METHODS:Two patients underwent head and neck cancer resection and maxillomandibular free fibula flap reconstruction with CSP-designed plates and immediate placement of osseointegrated dental implants. Surgical treatment was followed by adjuvant intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). RESULTS:Both patients developed osteoradionecrosis (ORN), and one patient had local recurrence. The locations of disease occurred at the areas of highest titanium plate burden, possibly attributed to IMRT dosing inaccuracy caused by the CSP-designed plating system. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Despite proven benefits of CSP-designed plates in osseous free flap reconstruction, there may be an underreported risk to adjuvant IMRT treatment planning leading to ORN and/or local recurrence. Future study should investigate alternative plating methods and materials to mitigate this debilitating outcome.

BACKGROUND:Acute rejection (AR) is a common complication in facial transplant (FT) patients associated with allograft edema and erythema. Our study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of using software-based 3-dimensional (3D) facial analysis to quantify edema as it resolves during/after AR treatment in an FT patient. METHODS:Our patient is a 23-year-old man who underwent a face and bilateral hand allotransplant in August 2020. The Vectra H1 (Canfield, Fairfield, NJ) portable scanner was used to capture 3D facial images at 8 time points between postoperative day (POD) 392 and 539. The images were analyzed with the Vectra Software using a rejection-free image (POD 539) as a control. RESULTS:Edema increased in the periorbital, lower third, and submandibular regions before AR treatment (POD 392-415). At POD 448, total facial edema was reduced to near baseline values in response to plasmapheresis and thymoglobulin (+156.94 to +28.2 mL). The fastest and most notable response to treatment was seen in the periorbital region, while some edema remained in the submandibular (+19.79 mL) and right lower third (+8.65 mL) regions. On POD 465, after the initial improvement, the edema increased but was resolved with steroid use. Facial edema did not correlate with the histopathological evaluation in our patient. CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrated the feasibility of analyzing 3D facial images to quantify edema during/after AR treatment in an FT patient. Our analysis detected edema changes consistent with AR followed by an improvement after treatment. This technology shows promise for noninvasive monitoring of FT patients.

Liposuction is a relatively safe surgical procedure, with most complications being minor in nature. However, there are a few life-threatening complications that should not be underestimated. We present a case of a patient who developed bilateral pneumothoraces, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum after combined liposuction and abdominoplasty. Although this presentation is rare, clinicians should keep a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or abdominal pain after liposuction.

BACKGROUND:We aimed to histomorphometrically evaluate the effects of Leucocyte-Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF), with and without the combination of a bone grafting material, for alveolar ridge preservation using an in vivo canine model. MATERIAL AND METHODS/METHODS:Seven dogs (Female Beagles, ~18-month-old) were acquired for the study. L-PRF was prepared from each individual animal by drawing venous blood and spinning them through a centrifuge at 408 RCF-clot (IntrasSpin, Intra-Lock, Boca Raton, FL). L-PRF membranes were obtained from XPression fabrication kit (Biohorizons Implant Systems, Inc., AL, USA). A split mouth approach was adopted with the first molar mesial and distal socket defects treated in an interpolated fashion of the following study groups: 1) Empty socket (negative control); 2) OSS filled defect 3) L-PRF membrane; and 4) Mix of Bio-Oss® with L-PRF. After six weeks, samples were harvested, histologically processed, and evaluated for bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO), vertical/horizontal ridge dimensions (VRD and HRD, respectively), and area of coronal soft tissue infiltration. RESULTS:BAFO was statistically lower for the control group in comparison to all treatment groups. Defects treated with Bio-Oss® were not statistically different then defects treated solely with L-PRF. Collapsed across all groups, L-PRF exhibited higher degrees of BAFO than groups without L-PRF. Defects filled with Bio-Oss® and Bio-Oss® with L-PRF demonstrated greater maintenance of VRD relative to the control group. Collapsed across all groups, Bio-Oss® maintained the VRD and resulted in less area of coronal soft tissue infiltration compared to the empty defect. Soft tissue infiltration observed at the coronal area was not statistically different among defects filled with L-PRF, Bio-Oss®, and Bio-Oss® with L-PRF. CONCLUSIONS:Inclusion of L-PRF to particulate xenograft did not promote additional bone heading at 6 weeks in vivo. However, we noted that L-PRF alone promoted alveolar socket regeneration to levels comparable to particulate xenografts, suggesting its potential utilization for socket preservation.

GENERAL PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To discuss a standardized methodology for wound photography with a focus on aiding clinicians in capturing high-fidelity images. TARGET AUDIENCE/BACKGROUND:This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVE:After participating in this educational activity, the participant will be able to:1. Discriminate the components of high-quality wound photography.2. Identify the technological innovations that can augment clinical decision-making capacity.3. Choose strategies that can help clinicians avoid adverse medicolegal outcomes.