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Introduction Botulinum toxin (BT) injections may play a role in preventing Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC) episodes related to internal anal sphincter (IAS dysfunction). Our aim was to determine the association of outpatient BT injections for early obstructive symptoms on the development of HAEC. Methods A retrospective review of children who underwent definitive surgery for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) from July 2010 – July 2020 was performed. The timing from pull-through to first HAEC episode and to first BT injection was recorded. Primary analysis focused on the rate of HAEC episodes and timing between episodes in patients who did and did not receive BT injections. Results Eighty patients were included. Sixty patients (75%) were male, 15 (19%) were diagnosed with trisomy 21, and 58 (72.5%) had short-segment disease. The median time to pull-through was 150 days (IQR 16, 132). Eight patients (10%) had neither an episode of HAEC or BT injections and were not included in further analysis. Forty-six patients (64%) experienced at least one episode of HAEC, while 64 patients (89%) had at least one outpatient BT injection. Compared to patients who never received BT injections (n = 9) and those who developed HAEC prior to BT injections (n = 35), significantly fewer patients who received BT injections first (n = 28) developed enterocolitis (P Conclusion Outpatient BT is associated with decreased episodes of HAEC and increased interval between HAEC episodes requiring inpatient treatment. Scheduling outpatient BT injections to manage obstructive symptoms may be beneficial after pull-through for HSCR.

Summary Amidst the unexpected losses and challenges of 2020, healthcare disparities and health equity have presided as noteworthy topics of national discussion among healthcare workers, governmental officials, and society at large. Health equity, defined as the opportunity for everyone to be as healthy as possible, may be achieved through the alleviation of healthcare disparities. Healthcare disparities are defined as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.” While these concepts may be perceived as a departure from the core responsibility of plastic surgeons, it is of paramount importance to recognize how race, socioeconomic status (SES), and physical environment impact access to care, surgical outcomes, and postoperative recovery for vulnerable populations. In this communication, our purpose is two-fold: 1) to elucidate the existent healthcare disparities and associations with race and SES in craniofacial, trauma, breast, hand, and gender-affirming reconstruction; and 2) provide tangible recommendations to incorporate the concepts of health equity and healthcare disparities in clinical, research, community, and recruitment settings for plastic surgeons. Through such knowledge, plastic surgeons may glean important insights that may enhance the delivery of equitable and accessible care for patients.

BACKGROUND Surgeons are critical for the success of any health care enterprise. However, few studies have examined the potential impact of value-based care on surgeon compensation. METHODS This review presents value-based financial incentive models that will shape the future of surgeon compensation. The following incentivization models will be discussed: pay-for-reporting, pay-for-performance, pay-for-patient-safety, bundled payments, and pay-for-academic-productivity. Moreover, the authors suggest the application of the congruence model-a model developed to help business leaders understand the interplay of forces that shape the performance of their organizations-to determine surgeon compensation methods applicable in value-based care-centric environments. RESULTS The application of research in organizational behavior can assist health care leaders in developing surgeon compensation models optimized for value-based care. Health care leaders can utilize the congruence model to determine total surgeon compensation, proportion of compensation that is short term versus long term, proportion of compensation that is fixed versus variable, and proportion of compensation based on seniority versus performance. CONCLUSION This review provides a framework extensively studied by researchers in organizational behavior that can be utilized when designing surgeon financial compensation plans for any health care entity shifting toward value-based care.

PURPOSE The final result following orthognathic surgery may be hidden for months due to postoperative swelling. However, no substantial evidence supports this time estimate. Our study aims to three-dimensionally quantify volumetric changes in facial edema following triple-jaw surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective, three-dimensional (3D) study of patients who underwent primary orthognathic triple jaw surgery (Le Fort I, Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (BSSO), and osseous genioplasty) by the senior author (DMS). Vectra 3D Software (Canfield, Fairfield, NJ) was used to assess and quantify volumetric changes between serial 3D photos. An inverse line of best-fit was plotted to assess reduction in postoperative facial edema. The effects of gender, age, body mass index, and tranexamic acid administration on swelling resolution were analyzed through mixed linear model analysis. RESULTS A total of 46 patients (198 images) met the study criteria. The equation for the inverse function line of best fit was y = -13.14ln (x) + 39.54 (P

Stasis from obstruction at the level of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) can lead to Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) and may be improved by botulinum toxin (BT) injections. Our aim was to determine if BT injection during HAEC episodes decreased the number of recurrent HAEC episodes and/or increased the interval between readmissions. A retrospective review was performed of patients admitted for HAEC from January 2010 to December 2019. Demographics and outcomes of patients who received BT were compared to patients who did not receive BT during their hospital stay. A total of 120 episodes of HAEC occurred in 40 patients; 30 patients (75%) were male, 7 (18%) had Trisomy 21 and 10 (25%) had long-segment disease. On multivariate analysis, patients who received BT during their inpatient HAEC episode had a longer median time between readmissions (p = 0.04) and trending toward an association with fewer readmissions prior to a follow-up clinic visit (p = 0.08). The use of BT in HD patients hospitalized for HAEC is associated with an increased time between recurrent HAEC episodes and trended toward fewer recurrent episodes. The use of BT should be considered in the management of patients admitted with HAEC.

This study is the first to investigate pediatric craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma patients that present with concomitant burns. The authors aim to identify differing etiologies, presentations, facial fracture patterns, interventions, and outcomes between pediatric CMF trauma patients with versus without concomitant burns. In this retrospective cohort study of a tertiary care center between the years 1990 and 2010, concomitant burns were identified among pediatric patients presenting with CMF fractures. Patient charts were reviewed for demographics, presentation, burn characteristics (total body surface area %, location, and degree), imaging, interventions, involvement of child protective services, and long-term outcomes. Data were analyzed using two-tailed Student t tests and chi-square analysis. Of the identified 2966 pediatric CMF trauma patients (64.0% boys; age 7 ± 4.7 years), 10 (0.34%) patients presented with concomitant burns. Concomitant burn and CMF traumas were more likely to be due to penetrating injuries (P

PURPOSE To critically examine reported data to compare patient outcomes between load-sharing and load-bearing plate fixation for edentulous mandibular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to test the null hypothesis of no difference in postoperative outcomes between load-sharing and load-bearing plate fixation in atrophic, edentulous mandibular fractures. The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Elsevier text mining tool database, and clinicaltrials.gov trial registries were queried up until July 2016. The quality of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. RESULTS A total of 1212 studies were screened for inclusion of which we included 1 high-quality Cochrane review, 6 narrative reviews, and 21 publications of case reports and case series. Overall, the quality of evidence was low. No difference was found between load-bearing and load-sharing fixation in functional recovery, nonunion, or infection. An uncontrolled case series portrayed complete functional and morphological restoration in 96.9% of patients (83.2-99.5; 95% confidence interval) in load-bearing osteosynthesis while another demonstrated the same outcome in only 40.0% of patients (17.5-65.0; 95% confidence interval). CONCLUSIONS The authors did not find a statistically significant difference between load-bearing and load-sharing plate fixation in edentulous atrophic mandibular fracture patients; although this finding may be influenced by type 2 statistical error. Surgeons should continue to use their best clinical judgment in deciding on treatment approach for these challenging fractures. Future studies with higher level evidence are necessary to guide optimal fracture management.

PURPOSE Racial disparities can influence surgical care in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine if race and ethnicity were independent risk factors for adverse 30-day outcomes after surgical management of benign craniomaxillofacial bone tumors. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases. Patients undergoing surgical removal of craniomaxillofacial benign lesions based on Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes were included. Patients who had unrelated concurrent surgeries, or malignant, skull-based or soft tissue lesions were excluded. Primary outcomes were surgical complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). Univariate analyses were used with race as the independent variable to identify predictors of primary outcomes. Statistically significant factors were added to a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS This study included 372 patients. Postoperative complications were highest among Black patients, who had a 4-fold increase in minor complications (P = 0.023) and over a 6-fold increase in major complications (P = 0.008) compared to White patients. Black patients also had a mean increase of 2.3 days in LOS compared to White patients (P

Older age cleft palate (CP) repair in international settings has been associated with increased surgical morbidity. This study assesses the prevalence and risks associated with late-age CP repair (age 5 years) in the United States.Primary CP repair patients less than the age of 18 years were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement pediatric database from 2012 to 2018. Total postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations, duration of surgery, and length of stay were recorded. T-tests and χA total of 10,022 primary CP procedures were identified from 2012 to 2018, of which 868 (8.6%) received repair at age 5 years. Hispanic patients constituted a larger proportion of CP repair from ages 11 to 17 years than repair at other ages (P .001). In comparison with children treated from ages 0 to 5 years, children operated on between ages 6 and 10 or 11 and 17 years experienced no increases in unplanned readmissions, reoperations, or complication rates after surgery. Patients of ages 6-10 years and 11-17 years had decreased operating room time (P .001) compared with younger patients. Patients of ages 11-17 years also had decreased hospital length of stay (P = .04).Many children in the United States received primary CP repair after the age of 5 years likely due to late treatment of submucosal clefts or delayed care among international immigrants/adoptees. Old age procedures were not associated with increased short-term surgical morbidity in comparison with surgery at earlier time points. The causes and implications of older age primary surgery warrant further study.

Background Encephaloceles are herniations of intracranial neural tissue and meninges through defects in the skull. Basal encephaloceles are rare anterior skull base defects incident in 1 in 35,000 live births. Sphenoethmoidal encephaloceles are even more uncommon, with an incidence of 1 in 700,000 live births. Anterior skull base encephaloceles may be life-threatening in infants, presenting as airway obstruction and respiratory compromise. They can also present with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, purulent nasal drainage, or meningitis. Objective To report a novel technique for repairing a giant sphenoethmoidal encephalocele containing eloquent neural tissue. Methods A 16-mo-old girl presented with progressive airway obstruction from a giant sphenoethmoidal encephalocele that filled her oral cavity. She had multiple congenital anomalies including agenesis of the corpus callosum and cleft lip and palate. Computed tomography showed complete absence of the bony anterior cranial base, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the presence of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the hernia sac. Results We repaired the encephalocele using a combined microsurgical and endoscopic multidisciplinary approach working through transcranial, transnasal, and transpalatal corridors. The procedure was completed in a single stage, during which the midline cleft lip was also repaired. The child made an excellent neurological and aesthetic recovery with preservation of pituitary and hypothalamic function, without evidence of CSF fistula. Conclusion The authors describe a novel multidisciplinary technique for treating a giant sphenoethmoidal encephalocele containing eloquent brain. The cleft lip was also repaired at the same time. The ability to work through multiple corridors can enhance the safety and efficacy of an often-treacherous operative endeavor.

Background Rhinoplasty in older adults requires unique consideration of the aging nose. Objectives The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature pertaining to rhinoplasty in the aging population, review the senior author’s experience, and describe techniques aimed at addressing age-related features. It was hypothesized that consistent age-related nasal dysmorphology is described in the literature and standard rhinoplasty techniques may effectively address these changes. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that rhinoplasty is more commonly performed for posttraumatic and functional indications than for aesthetic reasons. Methods A literature review including publications describing rhinoplasty in patients over 55 years old was conducted. Additionally, a retrospective review of the senior author’s cases was performed. Pre- and postoperative photographs were used to compare anthropometric changes. Demographic factors, surgical indications, and operative details were collected. Results Nine articles met the study criteria. Manifestations of the aging nose included soft tissue atrophy, bony fragility and resorption, tip ptosis, internal and external valve collapse, and worsening dorsal hump. Twenty-seven patients were included in this institutional review. Primary indication for rhinoplasty was posttraumatic deformity in 17 (63%) patients and nasal obstructive symptoms in 10 (37%) patients. Tip refinement and ptosis were addressed through tip grafts (70%), columellar struts (26%), and caudal septal extension grafts (67%). Nasal obstruction was relieved through septoplasty (96%), turbinate ablation (85%), and spreader grafts (70%). Conclusions This study presents a systematic review of rhinoplasty in the older adult as well as a retrospective review of the senior author’s patients. Unique considerations specific to this population should be integrated into treatment planning. Level of Evidence: 4

Background The purpose of this study was to examine injury patterns in pediatric mandibular condylar fractures and to propose and evaluate the validity of an institutional treatment algorithm for such fractures. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on pediatric patients who presented to the authors' institution with isolated mandibular condylar fractures between 1990 and 2016. Patients were categorized by dentition, and information regarding demographics, injury characteristics, management, and complications was compiled. Results Forty-three patients with 50 mandibular condylar fractures were identified. Twelve patients (27.9 percent) had deciduous dentition, 15 (34.9 percent) had mixed dentition, and 16 (37.2 percent) had permanent dentition. The most common fracture pattern in all groups was diacapitular [n = 30 (60 percent)]; however, older groups showed higher rates of condylar base fractures and bilateral fractures (p = 0.029 and p = 0.011, respectively). Thirty-one patients (72.1 percent) were treated with nonoperative management, 10 (23.2 percent) with closed treatment and mandibulomaxillary fixation, and two (4.7 percent) with open treatment and mandibulomaxillary fixation; nonoperative treatment was more common in younger patients (p = 0.008). Management for 10 patients (23.2 percent) was nonadherent to the treatment algorithm. Eight patients had complications (18.6 percent). Common complications included temporomandibular joint ankylosis (n = 2) and malocclusion (n = 2). Although complications were seen in all groups, adherence to the algorithm was associated with an 81.8 percent reduction in odds of complications (p = 0.032). Conclusions Nonoperative management has a low complication rate in deciduous children. Children with permanent/mixed dentition may undergo closed treatment and mandibulomaxillary fixation if they have malocclusion/contralateral open bite, significant condylar dislocation, and ramus height loss greater than 2 mm. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.

Study Design: Retrospective, quasi-experimental difference-in-differences investigation. Objective: Pediatric craniofacial fractures are often associated with substantial morbidity and consumption of healthcare resources. Maryland’s All Payer Model (APM) represents a unique case study of the health economics surrounding pediatric craniofacial fractures. The APM implemented global hospital budgets to disincentivize low-value care and encourage preventive, community-based efforts. The objective of this study was to investigate how this reform has impacted pediatric craniofacial fracture care in Maryland. Methods: Children (≤18 years) receiving inpatient craniofacial fracture-related care in Maryland between January, 2009 through December, 2016 were investigated. New Jersey was used for comparison. Data were abstracted from the Kid’s Inpatient Database (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project). Results: Between 2009–2016, 3,655 pediatric patients received inpatient care for craniofacial fractures in Maryland and New Jersey. Prior to APM implementation, around 20% of Maryland patients received care outside of urban teaching hospitals. After APM implementation, less than 6% of patients received care outside of urban teaching hospitals ( p = 0.003). Implementation of the APM in Maryland also resulted in fewer pediatric craniofacial fracture admissions than New Jersey, though this only reached borderline significance (adjusted difference-in-differences estimate: −1.1 fewer admissions, 95% confidence interval: −2.1 to 0.0, p = 0.05). Inpatient costs for pediatric craniofacial care and mean did not change post-APM. Conclusions: Maryland’s APM consolidated pediatric craniofacial fracture inpatient care at urban, teaching hospitals. Inpatient costs and lengths of stay did not change after policy implementation, but overall admission rates decreased. Such considerations are important when considering national expansion of global hospital budgeting.

Introduction The U.S. Navy Medicine has a long history of conducting global health missions that foster international diplomacy through medical knowledge exchange with a goal of increasing partner nation’s health care capacity. Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Navy-sponsored joint operation that enhances medical collaboration with participating nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Since 2015, a U.S. Navy Cardiology team has conducted a structural heart disease interventional workshop focused on congenital heart disease with the cardiologists at the Da Nang General Hospital, Da Nang, Vietnam. Herein, we describe the multinational collaborative project including the patient registry we developed to monitor the short- and long-term outcomes of structural heart disease interventions preformed during Pacific Partnership 2015 and 2016. Materials and Methods Our team developed a sustainable procedural registry with the goal of following the long-term outcomes of cardiac interventions for congenital heart disease in Vietnamese patients. Specifically, the registry was designed to record the changes in symptoms referable to the cardiovascular system and for device placement–associated complications for devices placed in 2015 and 2016 and has been updated annually thereafter. Results Twelve patients (age range, 7 months to 31 years) underwent successful atrial septal defect closure in 2015 without procedural complications. The follow-up rate was 75% at 1 year and 67% at 2 years, and all devices were in appropriate position with no complications identified. Fifteen patients (age range, 20-66 years) underwent successful atrial septal defect closure in 2016. The follow-up rate was 62.5% at 1 year, and all devices were in appropriate position with no complications identified. Three patients (age range, 5-25 months) underwent successful device closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in 2015 without complications. The follow-up rate was 67% in 2016 and again in 2017. Six patients (age range, 9-74 years) underwent successful patent ductus arteriosus closure in 2016 without complications. The follow-up rate was 67% in 2017, and all devices were in appropriate position with no device-related complications identified. Conclusions The development of a patient registry during these missions allowed for the longitudinal monitoring of outcomes for cardiac interventions. Notably, treated patients experienced symptomatic improvement without significant long-term procedural complications. Following patients longitudinally across medical missions is of recognized importance but remains a difficult objective to achieve for a multitude of factors including administrative and financial burdens on both the medical systems and the patients of host nations. Despite these limitations, longitudinal follow-up of patient care facilitated by a patient registry has a vital role in monitoring the quality of care provided and should be an integral part of all future global medical missions.

Although the use of a one-sided segmental maxillary osteotomy has been described for repairing alveolar clefts, there remains little consensus regarding the indications and outcomes of such approaches. This brief clinical note aims to summarize previous studies of one-sided segmental maxillary osteotomies for alveolar cleft (AC) repair. A literature search yielded only 2 articles that described the use of a single-sided segmental maxillary osteotomies (SMO) for AC repair. The overall outcomes for the implementation of SMO in correcting AC were positive without major or minor complications. Although the available studies show promising results for the single-sided SMO technique, further validation is warranted to assess the indications and outcomes for this technique.

Background Mandibular body fractures can cause severe and long-term morbidity in the pediatric population. Nonetheless, there is insufficient data on the treatment and management of this specific fracture type in children. This study aimed to investigate the etiology, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric mandibular body fractures by analyzing our institution's experience managing these uncommon injuries. Methods This was a 30-year retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of pediatric patients presenting to a single institution with isolated, unilateral, mandibular body fractures. Patient data was extracted from electronic medical records, while subgroup analysis was completed by dentition stage. Results A total of 14 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 8 (57.1%) had deciduous, 3 (21.4%) had mixed, and 3 (21.4%) had permanent dentition. Deciduous dentition patients with displaced, mobile or comminuted fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), while those with nondisplaced and/or nonmobile fractures received soft diet or closed treatment with maxillomandibular fixation. For the mixed dentition cohort, all patients (100%) received closed treatment with maxillomandibular fixation. Among permanent dentition patients, most patients (66.6%) underwent ORIF regardless of fracture severity. The post-ORIF complication rate was 20% (dental maleruption). Conclusions Isolated, unilateral mandible body fractures are relatively uncommon in the pediatric population, and management differs by dentition stage and injury pattern. While isolated body fractures had considerable associated morbidity, this fracture pattern did not result in major growth restrictions or malformations.

Introduction A hidden penis can interfere with normal hygiene, prevent effective voiding, restrict sexual activity, and cause great embarrassment to the patient. The terms "hidden," "buried," and "trapped" penis are used interchangeably. To date, there is no classification system that adequately characterizes the spectrum of this condition. In this study, we propose a simplified nomenclature and classification system for adult-acquired hidden penis. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all adult patients treated surgically for hidden penis by the senior author from 2009 to 2019. Patients were classified into either "buried" or "trapped" categories. A "buried" penis was defined as a hidden penis concealed by suprapubic fat without fibrous tethering. These patients were managed with panniculectomy, monsplasty, or both. In contrast, those with a "trapped" penis presented with scarred or fibrous tissue, which required surgical lysis, phalloplasty, and penile skin resurfacing. Results Thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria. The cohort was aged 53 ± 15.7 years with a mean body mass index of 37.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2. Two patients required repeat operations, yielding a total of 15 operative encounters. Six were defined as buried, and 9 as trapped. Inability to achieve erection was the most common preoperative complaint in those with buried penis (67%), whereas difficulties in voiding were most common with trapped penis (78%). Patients with trapped penises had a significantly larger body habitus than those with a buried penis (39.8 vs 34.2 kg/m2, P = 0.0088). Operative duration and length of hospital stay were comparable between the trapped and buried penis groups (206 vs 161 minutes, P = 0.3664) (5 vs 1 day, P = 0.0836). One third experienced wound complications, but this was not significantly different between buried and trapped penises (17% vs 44%, P = 0.5804). Postoperatively, 5 patients experienced spontaneous erections, and 7 were able to void while standing. Conclusions Patients with a trapped penis present with a different preoperative symptom profile and body type than those with a buried penis. Our nomenclature and classification system offer a simple and clear algorithm for the management of hidden penis. Large cohort studies are warranted to assess differences in clinical outcomes between trapped and buried penises.

BACKGROUND Currently, the pathogenesis of leptomeningeal cysts, also known as growing skull fractures, is still debated. The purpose of this study was to examine the specific skull fracture characteristics that are associated with the development of growing skull fractures and describe the authors' institutional experience managing this rare entity. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed that included all patients younger than 5 years presenting to a single institution with skull fractures from 2003 to 2017. Patient demographics, cause of injury, skull fracture characteristics (e.g., amount of diastasis, linear versus comminuted fracture), concomitant neurologic injuries, and management outcomes were recorded. Potential factors contributing to the development of a growing skull fracture and neurologic injuries associated with growing skull fractures were evaluated using univariate logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 905 patients met the authors' inclusion criteria. Of these, six (0.66 percent) were diagnosed with a growing skull fracture. Growing skull fractures were more likely to be comminuted (83.3 percent versus 40.7 percent; p = 0.082) and to present with diastasis on imaging (100 percent versus 26.1 percent; p < 0.001; mean amount of diastasis, 7.1 mm versus 3.1 mm; p < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of a comminuted fracture pattern (OR, 7.572) and the degree of diastasis (OR, 2.081 per mm diastasis) as significant risk factors for the development of growing skull fractures. CONCLUSIONS The authors' analysis revealed that fracture comminution and diastasis width are associated with the development of growing skull fractures. The authors recommend dural integrity assessment, close follow-up, and early management in young children who present with these skull fracture characteristics. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, III.

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, cause, characteristics, presentation, and management of pediatric frontal bone fractures. Methods A retrospective cohort review was performed on all patients younger than 15 years with frontal fractures that presented to a single institution from 1998 to 2010. Charts and computed tomographic images were reviewed, and frontal bone fractures were classified into three types based on anatomical fracture characteristics. Fracture cause, patient demographics, management, concomitant injuries, and complications were recorded. Primary outcomes were defined by fracture type and predictors of operative management and length of stay. Results A total of 174 patients with frontal bone fractures met the authors' inclusion criteria. The mean age of the patient sample was 7.19 ± 4.27 years. Among these patients, 52, 47, and 75 patients were classified as having type I, II, and III fractures, respectively. A total of 14, 9, and 24 patients with type I, II, and III fractures underwent operative management, respectively. All children with evidence of nasofrontal outflow tract involvement and obstruction underwent cranialization (n = 11). Conclusions The authors recommend that type I fractures be managed according to the usual neurosurgical guidelines. Type II fractures can be managed operatively according to the usual pediatric orbital roof and frontal sinus fracture indications (e.g., significantly displaced posterior table fractures with associated neurologic indications). Lastly, type III fractures can be managed operatively as for type I and II indications and for evidence of nasofrontal outflow tract involvement. The authors recommend cranialization in children with nasofrontal outflow tract involvement. Clinical question/level of evidence Risk, II.

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection (SSI) after open cranial vault reconstruction (CVR), while relatively uncommon, has received little attention in the literature to date. Here, the authors report our institution's experience with the perioperative management of infectious complications following CVR for craniosynostosis and present the first systematic review of the literature on this topic. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective chart review for patients with syndromic and nonsyndromic craniosynostosis who underwent open CVR between 1990 and 2015 at a single institution to determine predictors of SSIs and a systematic review of studies that evaluated for SSI after CVR to ascertain the pooled incidence of SSI, common infectious organisms, and prophylactic antibiotic protocols. RESULTS Out of 548 primary and 163 secondary CVR cases at our institution, 6 primary reconstruction patients (1.09%) and 9 secondary reconstruction patients (5.52%) developed an SSI requiring extended hospital stay or readmission (P

PURPOSE Strategies to decrease postoperative opioid use are important for mitigating the immediate and long-term risks associated with their use. We aimed to investigate the impact of perioperative various factors on inpatient opioid needs for patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent orthognathic surgery performed by the senior author from 2012 to 2018. Patients were grouped into intravenous (IV) acetaminophen and no-IV acetaminophen cohorts. Opioid medications received by patients during hospital stay were converted to mean morphine equivalents (MME) for comparison. Additional factors that influenced opioid consumption, such as transexamic acid (TXA) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), were identified using univariate analysis. Factors found to have statistical significance were added to a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS 319 patients were included. Those who received IV acetaminophen had lower rates of total opioid use (57.3 versus 74.8 MME; P = 0.002) and postoperative opioid use (24.0 versus 37.7 MME; P

PURPOSE The determination of facial growth maturity is crucial before surgical intervention in pediatric patients. To the author's knowledge, there are several indicators of skeletal maturity, but there remains a lack of consensus regarding their application when determining surgical timing. The purpose of this study was to determine the most accurate skeletal maturity indicator in predicting facial growth maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic review was done to determine the most predictive indicator for facial growth maturity. We hypothesized that menses' onset was the most predictive of these maturity indicators. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus databases, and Google Scholar, was done in October 2020 to identify citations related to maturity indicators assessing craniofacial growth. The quality of evidence was determined using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cohort Studies. RESULTS Of the 13,289 articles screened, 1 retrospective and 1 prospective study met inclusion criteria. No articles were identified that provided evidence for our hypothesis. Based on the 2 included studies, it was concluded that a handwrist x-ray was more predictive of facial growth cessation (compared to other skeletal maturity indicators). CONCLUSIONS Based on the literature, handwrist radiography serves as the most predictive method in determining the facial growth maturity. The paucity of articles within this investigation highlights the need for greater research efforts to investigate the predictability of indicators to evaluate facial growth maturation.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020207388.

Purpose Optimal correction of the cleft nasal deformity remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to examine the practice patterns and postoperative course of patients undergoing cleft lip repair with rhinoplasty compared to those who have primary lip repair without rhinoplasty. Methods and Materials A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the Kids’ Inpatient Database. Data were collected from January 2000 to December 2011 and included infants aged 12 months and younger who underwent cleft lip repair. The predictor variable was the addition of rhinoplasty at primary cleft lip repair. Primary outcome variables included hospital setting, year, and admission cost, while secondary outcome variables included length of stay and postoperative complication rate. Independent t-tests and chi-squared tests were performed. Continuous variables were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. Results The study sample included 4559 infants with 1422 (31.2%) who underwent primary cleft rhinoplasty. Over time, there was a significant increase in the proportion of cleft lip repairs accompanied by a rhinoplasty ( p Conclusions Performing primary cleft rhinoplasty is becoming more common among cleft surgeons. Considering comparable costs and complication rates, a rhinoplasty should be considered during the surgical treatment planning of patients with cleft nasal deformities.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are integral to consider when delivering craniomaxillofacial and facial reconstructive care for patients. The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) has instituted a formalized multidisciplinary care team model that recognizes such determinants and has aggregated patient-led organizations to strengthen patients’ education and support system. This review discusses the need for all surgeons engaged in facial and craniomaxillofacial reconstruction to consider SDOH in their practice. Additionally, we explore how factors such as race, insurance status, education level, cost, and access to follow-up care, impact surgical care for craniosynostosis, facial trauma, orthognathic surgery, head and neck cancer, and facial paralysis. We propose that the ACPA team model be applied to other societies that care for the broader scope of patients in need of facial and craniomaxillofacial reconstruction to strengthen the communication, collaboration, and standardization of care delivery that is personalized to the needs of each patient.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Pediatric septorhinoplasty has sparked controversial debate amongst craniofacial surgeons, particularly due to its potential growth disturbances of the face and nose. The purpose of this study is (1) to conduct a systematic literature review that explores unique considerations and limitations associated with performing rhinoplasty in the pediatric population; (2) to discuss objective indicators for determining craniofacial skeleton maturation; (3) to perform a case series to further understand whether the age of menarche serves as a good proxy for estimating the time of facial growth maturation, and by extension, whether a post-menarchal patient is a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty. METHODS Systematic literature review was performed in order to assess unique considerations and limitations of pediatric rhinoplasty. Retrospective chart review and anthropometric (9 linear, 3 angular, 6 indices) measurements were performed for ten pediatric female patients who underwent open septo-rhinoplasty. Follow-up times ranged from 66 to 103 weeks. Patients were separated into 2 cohorts according to age at the time of menarche. Cohort 1 consisted of patients who had undergone menses for longer than 2 years at the time of rhinoplasty, whereas Cohort 2 comprised of patients who either had menses within 2 years of rhinoplasty or did not have menses at the time of rhinoplasty. Data included demographic factors, procedural variables, revision surgeries, and complications. Measurements were conducted using VECTRA software (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ). Differences in measurements between the 2 postoperative timepoints were compared. RESULTS Literature review yielded 17 articles, which had conflicting opinions regarding pediatric rhinoplasty and ultimately, highlighting the need for a more objective tool for guiding the decision to perform rhinoplasty.Patients in Cohort 1 had minimal deviations in measurements over time, within the exception of an increase in nasal tip projection and a decrease in nasolabial angle and facial width. Patients in Cohort 2 had decreases in facial height, upper facial height, nasal tip angle, and nasofrontal angle. Nasolabial angle decreased for both cohorts. Of the ten patients, 1 in Cohort 2 underwent revision rhinoplasty. CONCLUSIONS Our case series suggests that anthropometric measurements remain relatively more stable for patients who have undergone menses for more than 2 years, compared to those who have not. Although this study has limitations, further investigation is warranted in order to determine whether age of menarche may serve as a useful tool for craniofacial surgeons in guiding the decision to perform rhinoplasty.

The orthopedic surgical specialty is strongly tied to partnerships with industry that have fostered innovation and greatly enhanced patient care. A substantial number of orthopedic surgeons currently receive some form of industry support. These relationships are highly scrutinized because they present the possibility of both personal and financial conflicts of interest (COI). The authors examined orthopedic patients' awareness of existing regulation and perceptions of financial COI by performing a prospective survey-based study of patients seen in an academic orthopedic department. Data were collected during 1 year, in a cross-section of hospital-based and community clinical settings. The authors collected 513 surveys during a 1-year period between 4 clinical locations. Of all respondents, 55% were unconcerned regarding gifts or direct compensation their physicians received from industry, and only 16% were very or extremely concerned regarding these benefits. Patients' opinions regarding possible influence of benefits were similarly ambivalent, with 54% of patients minimally or not at all concerned regarding the potential influence of industry gifts or compensation. Seventy-six percent of patients had never heard of the Sunshine Act, and only 3% indicated that they were aware of the legislation and its intention. The income of the respondents and their level of education were positively correlated with increased concern about handling of COI, as well as knowledge regarding the Sunshine Act. These data suggest that orthopedic surgery patients are widely unconcerned regarding physician COI, but specific subsets of patients may be more likely to have concerns regarding these relationships. [ Orthopedics . 2021;44(5):e682–e686.]

PURPOSE Within the academic surgical setting resident involvement may confer longer operative times. The increasing pressures to maximize clinical productivity and decreasing reimbursement rates, however, may conflict with these principles. This study calculates the opportunity cost of resident involvement in craniofacial surgery. METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted with patients who underwent craniofacial procedures from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2012. Patients were selected based on relevant Current Procedural Terminology codes for craniofacial pathologies (ie, trauma, head and neck reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, and facial reanimation). Variables included patient demographics, operative time, and presence or absence of resident trainee. Average relative value units were calculated to determine the opportunity cost of resident involvement for each craniofacial procedure. RESULTS In total, 2096 patients were identified through the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2005 to 2012. Resident involvement was associated with a statistically significant higher operative time (P

Background The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound effect on surgical training programs, reflecting decreases in elective surgical cases and emergency restructuring of clinical teams. The effect of these measures on U.S. plastic surgery resident education and wellness has not been characterized. Methods An institutional review board-exempted anonymous survey was developed through expert panel discussion and pilot testing. All current U.S. plastic surgery trainees were invited to complete a cross-sectional 28-question survey in April of 2020. Respondents were queried regarding demographic information, educational experiences, and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A total of 668 residents responded to the survey, corresponding to a 56.1 percent response rate. Sex, training program type, postgraduate year, and region were well represented within the sample. Nearly all trainees (97.1 percent) reported restructuring of their clinical teams. One-sixth of respondents were personally redeployed to assist with the care of COVID-19 patients. A considerable proportion of residents felt that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their education (58.1 percent) and wellness (84.8 percent). Residents found virtual curriculum effective and meaningful, and viewed an average of 4.2 lectures weekly. Although most residents did not anticipate a change in career path, some reported negative consequences on job prospects or fellowship. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on U.S. plastic surgery education and wellness. Although reductions in case volume may be temporary, this may represent a loss of critical, supervised clinical experience. Some effects may be positive, such as the development of impactful virtual lectures that allow for cross-institutional curriculum.

Complex gastroschisis and other etiologies of intestinal compromise present a difficult medical and surgical challenge in the neonatal and pediatric population. Aggressive resection of intestinal length in these cases can lead to significant short bowel syndrome and prolonged or lifelong dependence on parenteral nutrition. This method of bowel preservation previously described has led to additional patients achieving enteral autonomy and we present their cases and most recent outcomes.

Purpose: Facial recognition software may serve as a more objective tool for measuring aesthetic improvements following facial plastic surgery. This study utilized a novel facial recognition and artificial intelligence software in order to assess perceived changes in age and attractiveness amongst patients receiving rhinoplasty. Methods: This study was a retrospective evaluation of 3D photographs of patients who underwent aesthetic rhinoplasty alone by the senior author (DS). Both pre- and post-operative (>12-month follow-up) Vectra 3D images (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ) were assessed using Haystack Artificial Intelligence Software (Haystack AI, New York, NY). Facial attractiveness (score 1-10) and apparent age were predicted. Paired t-tests were used to compare age and attractiveness scores before and after surgery. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with age and attractiveness scores. Results: Forty patients receiving rhinoplasty met the study criteria (average age 48.3). Overall, rhinoplasty was associated with increases in AI-rated attractiveness (+0.58, p = 0.004) and decreases in perceived age relative to the patient’s true age (-1.62 years, p = 0.021). Greater decreases in post-operative perceived age were achieved in patients who appeared older than their actual age pre-operatively (p = 0.04). AI age predictions were also closer to true patient age post-operatively (+1.71 years) than they were pre-operatively (+3.33 years). Conclusion: Facial recognition software was successfully implemented to evaluate improvements in perceived age and attractiveness in patients undergoing aesthetic rhinoplasty. Using this technology, patients were found to appear more attractive and younger after rhinoplasty. Additionally, age reversal was greatest among patients who appeared older than their actual age at the time of surgery.

Mandibular angle fractures are common and frequently involve a tooth in the fracture line. Despite trends toward more conservative indications for tooth extraction during open repair, the literature remains heterogeneous. This review aims to ascertain the effect of tooth extraction/retention on patient outcomes following mandible open reduction and internal fixation and to evaluate the evidence surrounding indications for extraction.PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Elsevier text mining tool database, and clinicaltrials.gov were queried through March of 2018 for English language publication on adults with traumatic mandibular fractures. The review protocol was not registered online. Quality of evidence was assigned using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Meta-analyses were performed when definitions of outcomes were deemed similar.Overall, 26 of 1212 identified studies met inclusion criteria. Indications for tooth extraction and rates of extraction varied considerably across studies. The quality of evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. Tooth retention was associated with lower overall complications (OR, 0.54; 95 percent CI, 0.37 to 0.79), major complications requiring readmission or reoperation (OR, 0.47; 95 percent CI, 0.24 to 0.92), and malocclusion (OR, 0.56; 95 percent CI, 0.32 to 0.97); there was no difference in wound issues or nonunion. Removal of asymptomatic teeth was associated with inferior alveolar nerve injury (39.4 percent versus 16.1 percent).The literature is limited by retrospective study deign and poor follow-up; however, when indicated, tooth extraction is not associated with an increased risk of infection or nonunion. Removal of asymptomatic teeth was associated with a risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury. Additional high-quality studies are needed to evaluate potentially expanded indications for tooth extraction.

While many studies have examined potential risk factors for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, there have been no publications to date investigating the role of ethnicity in the United States. The current study was undertaken as the first multi-center investigation to examine the relationship between ethnicity and nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, looking at both overall prevalence as well as potential correlation between ethnicity and pattern of affected suture site. A chart review of patients diagnosed with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis treated at four major children's hospitals was performed to obtain ethnicity data. Analysis was preformed based on ethnic group as well as suture site affected. To account for potentialOne regional selection bias, the KID database (1997-2012) was utilized to identify all cases of craniosynostosis on a national level. This data was analyzed against birth rates by ethnicity obtained from CDC WONDER natality database.Amongst the 2112 cases of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis at all institutions, Caucasians and African Americans were consistently the predominant ethnic groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of affected suture type with African Americans more likely to present with unicoronal synostosis and Caucasians more likely to present with metopic synostosis (P = 0.005). The national data revealed that there were more cases of craniosynostosis in Caucasians and fewer in African Americans than expected when compared to population birth rates. Our findings demonstrate that the Caucasian race is associated with increased rates of synostosis.

Purpose Controversy remains regarding the optimal degree of anatomic exposure, reduction, and fixation required during open reduction and internal fixation of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures. We critically examined the reported data to compare the patient outcomes after various degrees of ZMC reduction and internal fixation. Materials and Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to test the null hypothesis of no difference in outcomes between different degrees of fixation of ZMC fractures. The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Elsevier text mining tool database, and clinicaltrials.gov trial registries were queried. The quality of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. Results Of 1213 screened studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Fracture instability at 3 months was greater with 2-point fixation (61.1%) than with 3-point fixation (10.6%; relative risk, 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 3.3). Less vertical orbital dystopia was seen with 3-point fixation than with 2-point fixation (mean difference, 0.9 mm; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.3 mm). The incidence of infection and malar asymmetry did not differ between the groups. The quality of evidence was very low to low. Conclusions The reported data were limited by low quality, retrospective studies. However, the meta-analysis of randomized control trial data suggested a superiority of 3 points of exposure and fixation regarding fracture stability. When 2 points appear to provide stable fixation, the potential benefits of a third point should be weighed against the cost, operative time, and exposure/periosteal stripping on a case-by-case basis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate surgical outcomes with the use of resorbable plating systems for the repair of craniomaxillofacial trauma in the pediatric population.A systematic review of the literature was performed. A descriptive analysis, operative technical data, outcomes, and postoperative complications with the use of absorbable plating systems for craniomaxillofacial trauma were included.The systematic literature review identified 1264 abstracts, of which only 19 met inclusion criteria. From these 19 studies, 312 clinical cases with 443 facial fractures that were treated with absorbable fixation systems were extracted for analysis. The review identified only level III/IV (n = 17) and level V (n = 2) studies. Minor and major complications were rare, occurring in 5.45 percent (n = 17) and 3.21 percent (n = 10) of cases, respectively. The most common complications were surgical-site infections (n = 4) and plate extrusion (n = 4).This report is, to the authors' knowledge, one of the first comprehensive reports on the use of absorbable plating systems for pediatric craniomaxillofacial trauma. Their analysis suggests that the use of absorbable fixation devices for pediatric craniomaxillofacial trauma is relatively safe, with a low-risk profile. Outcome studies with longer follow-up periods specifically investigating facial growth, reoperation rates, standardized surgical outcome metrics, and cost are necessary to effectively compare these fixation devices to titanium alternatives for craniomaxillofacial trauma.

Purpose of review Malignant bone tumors of the head and neck region are rare. Due to the paucity of studies on these tumors, patients with these maxillofacial malignancies can suffer from high morbidity and mortality. Recent findings Currently, mainstay management of these tumors includes wide surgical resection with margins followed by radiotherapy and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Although much progress has been made over the last few decades regarding the prognosis of many of these tumors, large multicenter trials are needed to better determine their optimal management. Summary The current review will provide a broad review of the most current epidemiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, and management of the most common bone malignancies of the maxillofacial skeleton.

Purpose In pediatric patients with craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma, evaluation for cervical spine injury (CSI) is critical, but there are no studies investigating CSI in this unique population. The aim of this study was to measure the frequency of CSI in the pediatric CMF fracture population. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study of all pediatric patients who presented to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Department (Baltimore, MD) with CMF fractures were examined for concurrent CSIs. Patient charts were reviewed for mechanism of injury, type and level of CSI, type and location of CMF fracture patterns, and overall outcome. Data were analyzed for correlation and statistical relevance. Results A total of 2,966 pediatric patients (1,897 boys [64.0%]; age range, 0 to 15 yr; average age, 7 ± 4.73 yr) were identified from 1990 to 2010 to have CMF fractures. Of these patients, only 5 children were found to have concomitant CSIs (frequency, 0.169%). The frequency of CSI in patients with CMF fracture and deciduous, mixed, and permanent dentition was 0, 0.307, and 0.441%, respectively. Of the 5 identified cases, 4 had concomitant middle-third facial skeletal fracture, 4 had concomitant upper-third cranial skeletal fracture, and 2 had concomitant lower-third cranial skeletal fracture. Conclusion CSIs in pediatric patients with CMF fracture are rare (frequency, 0.169%); this is considerably lower than the reported ranges in adults (3.69 to 24%). No child with deciduous dentition was found to have a CSI. The lack of CSI in deciduous patients with CMF fracture could be explained by the anatomic differences between pediatric and adult cervical spines and supports conservative imaging for children in this age group (level of evidence, III).

The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) ultrasound elastography in assessing the degree of liver disease in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS).A prospective observational cohort study of patients with SBS who underwent a liver biopsy and ARFI elastography was performed. Mean shear wave speed (SWS) and stage of fibrosis was evaluated using t-tests. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were generated and the area under the curves (AUC) estimated in order to assess the accuracy of SWS measurements to discriminate between stages of fibrosis.Thirty-seven paired elastography and biopsy samples from 31 patients were included. The median age was 0.6 years, and 61% were male. There was a significant positive correlation between stage of fibrosis and mean SWS (β=0.16 m/s increase per stage, p=0.001). ROC analysis revealed that mean SWS had good accuracy for discriminating between mild liver fibrosis (F0-F1) and moderate to severe fibrosis (F2-F4) (AUC=0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.95). In addition, ROC analysis demonstrated that mean SWS can also accurately discriminate between mild to moderate fibrosis (F0-F2) and more severe fibrosis (F3-F4) (AUC=0.84, 95% CI 0.71-0.96).ARFI elastography is an accurate, non-invasive method to monitor liver disease in children with SBS.Retrospective Cohort Study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

BACKGROUND Volumetric muscle loss secondary to traumatic or surgical causes can lead to functional and aesthetic impairments. The authors hypothesize that an implantable muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold could significantly augment muscle regeneration in a murine model of volumetric muscle loss. METHODS Murine muscle-derived stem cells were isolated using a modified preplating technique and seeded onto type 1 collagen scaffolds to create the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffolds. Murine rectus femoris defects of 5 mm were created and randomized to one of three conditions (n = 6 per group): untreated controls, collagen scaffold only, and muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffolds. In vivo muscle healing was quantified using micro-computed tomography. Muscle explants were analyzed using standard histology and whole-mount immunofluorescence at 8 weeks. RESULTS In vivo experiments demonstrated significantly greater quadriceps cross-sectional area in the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group compared with controls on micro-computed tomography (0.74 ± 0.21 versus 0.55 ± 0.06 versus 0.49 ± 0.04 ratio of experimental to naive quadriceps cross-sectional area; p < 0.05). Muscle explants of the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group demonstrated significantly higher cellular density compared with controls (1185 ± 360 versus 359 ± 62 versus 197 ± 68 nuclei/high-power field; p < 0.01). Immunofluorescence for laminin and myosin heavy chain confirmed formation of organized muscle fibers within the defect of the muscle-derived stem cell-enriched collagen scaffold group only. However, appreciable confocal colocalization of myosin heavy chain with green fluorescent protein expression was low. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that muscle-derived stem cell-enriched scaffolds significantly improved skeletal muscle regeneration in a murine muscle defect model. Based on the low fluorescent colocalization, host progenitor cells appear to contribute significantly to intradefect myogenesis, suggesting that deployment of a viable muscle-derived stem cell-enriched scaffold stimulates a regenerative mitogen response in native tissues.

Background While autologous split calvarial bone is an ideal graft material in cranioplasty, selection of a donor site can be challenging and limited in the reconstruction of complicated cranial defects. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) may improve donor-site harvest and contouring and mitigate operative complications in split calvarial bone graft-based cranioplasty for complex patients, but has not previously been studied in this unique setting. Methods In this study, a retrospective review of patients who presented to the institution and underwent split-calvarial bone graft-based cranioplasty using CAD/CAM to optimize reconstruction of full-thickness cranial defects ≥30 cm was performed. Patient demographics, complications from past operations, intraoperative variables, and immediate and long-term postoperative outcomes were recorded. The CAD/CAM predicted and actual postoperative graft measurements were compared. Results Five patients were identified who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Mean age at operation was 43 years and mean size of cranial defect was 69 cm. Mean operative time was 443 minutes and mean estimated blood loss was 450 mL. There were no dural tears, sagittal sinus bleeds, or other intraoperative complications. There were no immediate postoperative complications requiring extended hospital stay or reoperation. The postoperative graft surface areas were on average within 2.1% of the planned graft and this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.28). All patients expressed satisfaction with cranial contour postoperatively. Conclusion Based on the early experience, the use of CAD/CAM enhances calvarial graft selection and improves contour accuracy in the reconstruction of complex skull defects with minimal complications.

Combined sagittal and metopic craniosynostosis is an uncommon condition that may result in a wide spectrum of cranial morphologies. This occurs as a result of the compound effects of both prematurely fused sutures. The authors present an incidence of sagittal craniosynostosis with a specific altered head morphology, and delayed diagnosis that the authors believe occurred due to structural changes associated with concurrent metopic suture synostosis This patient underscores the limitations of relying on classic diagnostic patterns and highlights the critical role of noninvasive imaging in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis.

Background:. Evidence regarding whether medical school research portends resident research is limited. This information will provide program directors with data that may be useful for selecting applicants with a commitment to continued academic productivity. Methods:. A questionnaire distributed via the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Council to residents in 44 plastic surgery training programs in May 2020 assessed participation in dedicated research years during medical school, the number of publications completed before residency, and the total number of publications by each resident at the time of the survey. One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis determined significant associations between publication count and number of research years. Results:. Of the 256 included respondents, 203 did not complete a research year during medical school, 44 completed 1 research year, and nine completed 2 research years. Mean publications before residency were higher for participants who took 1 or 2 research years (9.88 and 27.60, respectively) compared with those who did not (4.83, P < 0.001). A comparison of total publications during residency similarly revealed increased productivity by individuals who took 1 or more research years; however, there was no difference between the number of publications completed during residency for individuals who took 1 versus 2 years (P = 0.23). Conclusions:. Residents with research experience during medical school continue to produce an increased number of publications during residency compared with those without, suggesting dedicated research years taken during medical school serve as a predictor of academic productivity in plastic surgery residents.

Background Combined symphyseal-condylar mandible fractures are relatively common but difficult to manage in children. This study investigated the cause and management of symphyseal-condylar fractures in pediatric patients. Methods This study presents a retrospective review and expert opinion of pediatric symphyseal-condylar mandibular fracture management at the authors' institution between 1990 and 2019. National data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database (2000 to 2016) were used to determine whether institutional data had national applicability. Results Twenty-one patients at the authors' institution met inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 26.7 percent of deciduous dentition patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation, 40 percent underwent closed treatment (maxillomandibular fixation), and 33.3 percent received a soft diet. All mixed dentition patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation or closed treatment; all permanent dentition patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation. The national database (n = 1708) demonstrated similar treatment patterns: most permanent dentition patients (88.7 percent) underwent open reduction and internal fixation, most mixed dentition patients (79.2 percent) underwent closed treatment, and among deciduous dentition patients, 53.5 percent patients received a soft diet; 38 percent received closed treatment. In this study, the overall posttreatment complication rate was 62.5 percent among open reduction and internal fixation patients, 14.3 percent among closed treatment patients, and 16.7 percent among patients treated with a soft diet. Conclusions Symphyseal-condylar mandibular fractures were associated with substantial morbidity in children. The authors created a treatment algorithm to maximize outcomes in children who suffer from this challenging fracture pattern. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, III.