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Abstract Background We evaluated plasma ASP and its precursor C3 in type 2 diabetic men with/without rosiglitazone (ROSI) treatment compared to healthy non-obese men. We tested (1) whether plasma ASP or C3 are altered postprandially in subcutaneous adipose tissue or forearm muscle effluent assessed by arteriovenous (A-V) differences in healthy lean men and older obese diabetic men and (2) whether treatment with ROSI changes the arteriovenous gradient of ASP and/or C3. Methods In this ongoing placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blinded study, AV differences following a mixed meal were measured in diabetic men (n = 6) as compared to healthy men (n = 9). Results Postprandial arterial and adipose venous TG and venous NEFA were increased in diabetics vs. controls (p < 0.05–0.0001). ROSI treatment decreased postprandial arterial TG (p < 0.001), adipose venous NEFA (p < 0.005), reduced postprandial glucose (p < 0.0001) and insulin concentrations (p < 0.006). In healthy men, there was no change in postprandial C3, but an increase in adipose venous ASP vs. arterial ASP (p < 0.02), suggesting ASP production, with no change in forearm muscle. In older, obese diabetic subjects, arterial C3 was greater than in controls (p < 0.001). Arterial C3 was greater than venous C3 (p < 0.05), an effect that was lost with ROSI treatment. In diabetics, postprandial venous ASP was greater than arterial (p < 0.05), indicating ASP production, an effect that was lost with ROSI treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusion Increased postprandial venous production of ASP is specific for adipose tissue (absent in forearm muscle). Increased postprandial C3 and ASP in diabetic subjects is consistent with an ASP resistant state, this state is partially normalized by treatment with ROSI.

Managing glioblastoma (GBM) is challenging even for the most experienced centers in high-income countries due to its infiltrative nature, its unique tumor and immune microenvironment, and the negative effect of the blood-brain barrier on the penetration of systemic therapies. In developing countries, the difficulties are even greater, mostly in relation to the lack of adequate medical infrastructure and resources. This paper highlights the disparities in GBM management between developed and developing countries. Throughout this retrospective study conducted at the Radiation Oncology Department of Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco, we investigated the management outcomes of 48 GBM patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. Results showed a male predominance (65%) and a mean age of 53 years. Gross total resection was achieved in 16% of the patients and subtotal resection in 80%. Adjuvant radiotherapy was pursued, with a prescribed dose of 60 Gray in 30 fractions of 2 Gray for most patients. Concurrent temozolomide was administered to 32 patients (66.6%) with favorable tolerance. However, disease progression occurred in all cases, with a median time to progression of five months and a median survival of eight months. In conclusion, a comprehensive awareness of our limitations empowers us to implement measures that secure impartial access to standard-of-care treatments for every patient in Morocco, ultimately elevating the effectiveness of therapeutic outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Darfaoui et al.)

With the growing complexity of the U.S. health care system, highly motivated medical directors with strong leadership skills are vital to the success of health care facilities. Presently, there are no articles assessing a plastic surgeon's qualifications for the role of medical director. In addition, there is a paucity of literature comparing the responsibilities of medical directors across various types of health care institutions. Herein, we outline why plastic surgeons have the unique skillset to succeed in this role and highlight the differences between medical director positions across the vast landscape of health care. While the intricacies of this position vary greatly across different landscapes of the health care industry, successful medical directors lead by following a set of universal principles predisposing them for success. Plastic surgeons innately exhibit a subset of particular traits deeming them suitable candidates for the medical director position. While transitioning from the role of a surgeon to that of a medical director does require some show of adaptation, plastic surgeons are ultimately highly likely to find intrinsic benefit from serving as a medical director., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared., (The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).)

The use of a porous polyethylene implant covered with a well-vascularized fascial flap allows ear reconstruction at an early age (before school) with minimal morbidity and psychological trauma. Excellent outcomes with minimal morbidity can be obtained using this technique. This type of microtia reconstruction provides a more holistic approach because it is done at a younger age, in a single stage, as an outpatient and could address the functional hearing issues earlier., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The temporoparietal fascia flap is frequently used in ear reconstruction. When the temporoparietal fascia flap is unavailable, options for primary or secondary salvage reconstruction are limited. In these patients, an inferiorly based occipital artery fascia transpositional flap is a good alternative for soft-tissue coverage over a framework. This article describes the use of the occipital artery fascia flap for ear reconstruction in conjunction with a porous polyethylene framework., Methods: The authors included all patients who underwent occipital artery fascia flap surgery with a porous polyethylene framework for ear reconstruction performed by the first author from 1992 to 2017., Results: A total of 83 patients received an occipital artery fascia flap: 24 for primary microtia reconstruction and 59 for revision or salvage of unsatisfactory results. All had contraindications for temporoparietal fascia flap use: prior use, flap injury from previous surgery, trauma, inappropriate flap location, or inadequate flap perfusion. Twelve patients (14 percent) developed occipital artery fascia flap complications (infection or necrosis) and underwent further revision to achieve satisfactory results., Conclusions: Given the paucity of reported techniques for large-scale auricular salvage/revision, the authors offer a versatile option that remains available when other conventional flaps are unavailable. The occipital artery fascia flap may be used with either alloplastic or autologous frameworks., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: Speech issues in microtia patients have been historically attributed to poor hearing. However, the authors have noted that almost all patients with microtia have palatal dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of soft palate dysfunction (SPD) and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in microtia patients., Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed on consecutive microtia patients from March to June 2017. Clinical characteristics were collected. Palate movement was rated by oral examination and degree of nasal escape by the mirror-fogging test. Correlations between clinical characteristics of microtia and SPD were determined., Results: Ninety-seven (40 unilateral, 27 bilateral, and 30 control) children met inclusion criteria. Among all 67 patients with microtia, 96% (64 patients) showed SPD. Twenty-four unilaterals (60%) and 23 bilaterals (85%) had observable VPI by mirror examination. Of these patients, nasality was noticeable to the examiners in 14 unilaterals (58%) and 21 bilaterals (91%). Sixteen of the 27 bilaterals (59%) showed almost no movement of the soft palate. There was a significant correlation between SPD and mirror-fogging. A less developed middle ear as determined by computed tomography scan was associated with palatal dysfunction (P = 0.007). The severity of mandibular shift (P = 0.048) and presence of a syndrome (P = 0.045) were associated with grade of VPI. The severity of the ear deformity (P = 0.007) and presence of a syndrome (P = 0.034) were also correlated with the presence of SPD., Conclusions: This is the first study that documents the presence of VPI due to soft palate dysfunction in patients with isolated and nonisolated microtia.

Background: The use of a porous high-density polyethylene implant for ear reconstruction is gradually gaining acceptance because it allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction in young children before they enter school. In response to this growing interest, the authors decided to write an article clarifying in detail all the steps of this challenging procedure. In this article, the authors also answer all the common questions that surgeons have when they come to observe the operation, or when they go back to their respective practices and start performing this procedure., Methods: The authors describe in detail the operative steps that allow for a successful ear reconstruction using porous high-density polyethylene. The key parts of this operation are to meticulously harvest a well-vascularized superficial temporoparietal fascia flap and to use appropriate color-matched skin grafts., Results: This method allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction with excellent definition, projection, symmetry, and long-term viability., Conclusion: The use of porous high-density polyethylene with a thin superficial temporoparietal fascia flap coverage is the authors' preferred method of ear reconstruction because it can be performed at an earlier age, in a single stage, as an outpatient procedure, and with minimal discomfort and psychological trauma for the patients and parents.

Learning Objectives: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the craniofacial dysmorphology associated with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. 2. Understand the functional concerns and preoperative considerations when treating patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. 3. Understand the various treatment options available to address patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. 4. Recognize the current debate with regard to timing and type of surgical intervention, and their impact on patient outcome, for patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis., Summary: Craniosynostosis is a pathologic condition associated with the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. When the cranial sutures fuse prematurely, the skull and the growing brain beneath the suture are restricted, leading to a compensatory expansion into regions of the skull that are not affected. Craniosynostosis can occur in isolation (nonsyndromic) or can be associated with other extracranial anomalies. When anomalies outside the skull are present, craniosynostosis is often part of a syndrome and usually involves multiple sutures (syndromic craniosynostosis). This article focuses on nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, and describes the current state of knowledge regarding its diagnosis, surgical management, and outcomes.

Background: We present an outcomes analysis of the surgical treatment of Robin sequence including all infants and comorbid conditions treated by tongue-lip adhesion (TLA) or mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO)., Methods: A 19-year single-institution, multisurgeon retrospective review of all syndromic and nonsyndromic neonates with Robin sequence treated with TLA (1994-2004) or MDO (2004-2013) was performed. Comorbid conditions were recorded in all patients. Outcomes include incidence of tracheostomy, improvement in obstructive breathing, and surgical complications. Need for repeat distraction and conversion from TLA to MDO were included as secondary end-points. Polysomnography data were recorded preoperatively at 1 month and 1 year as a measure of airway improvement., Results: Seventy-four MDO patients and 15 TLA patients during the study period met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in mean age at intervention (32.1 ± 29.0 vs 35.5 ± 32.1 days), birth weight (2.9 ± 0.7 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 kg), prematurity (23.0 vs 35.7%), or intrauterine growth restriction (31.1 vs 15.4%). Central nervous system anomalies (24.3% vs 0.0%; P < 0.04) and gastrostomy tubes (66.2% vs 33.3%; P < 0.03) were present more frequently in MDO patients versus TLA patients. Rates of other organ system anomalies were similar between the groups. The success rate was significantly higher in the MDO group (90.5% vs 60.0%; P < 0.008). Postoperative tracheostomies occurred in 8.1% of the MDO group and 33.3% of the TLA group (P < 0.02). Preoperative apnea-hyponea index was similar between the two groups (38.3 vs 38.1). The apnea-hyponea index was significantly improved in the MDO group at 1 month (4.0 vs 21.7; P < 0.002) and 1 year (5.7 vs 20.5; P < 0.005). Surgical complications were statistically less in the MDO group (20.3 vs 53.3%; P < 0.02)., Conclusions: In the heterogeneous population of Robin sequence, MDO demonstrates superior outcomes measures at 1 month and 1 year compared to TLA. Fewer complications occurred in the MDO group compared to the TLA.

Pediatric burns are a considerable source of injury in the United States. Socioeconomic status has been demonstrated to influence other disease outcomes. The goal of this study was to analyze national pediatric burn outcomes based on payer type. A retrospective study was designed using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), years 2000 to 2009. Patients 18 years of age and under with Major Diagnostic code number 22 for burn were included. A total of 22,965 patients were identified, estimating 37,856 discharges. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess correlation of payer type with complications and length of stay (LOS). The majority of patients were Medicaid (52.3%). Medicaid patients were younger (4.25, P < .05), had a higher rate of being in the first quartile of their zipcode's income (46.26%, P < .05), and contained a higher proportion of African-Americans (30.01%, P < .05). Overall complication rate was higher among Medicaid patients than private insurance and self-pay patients (6.64 vs 5.51 and 4.35%, respectively, P = .11). Logistic regression analysis of complications showed that Medicaid coverage (P < .001) was associated with complications. The geometric mean LOS among Medicaid patients was 3.7 days compared with private insurance (3.5 days) and self-pay patients (3.1 days). Medicaid patients had longer LOS and more complications. Regression analysis revealed that payer type was a factor in LOS and overall complication rate. Identifying dissimilar outcomes based on patient and injury characteristics is critical in providing information on how to improve those outcomes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: Major international tertiary care referral center for cleft palate repair., Patients: One hundred thirty-eight patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia who had palate repair performed between 2010 and 2013, excluding syndromic patients, patients undergoing palate revision, and patients with incomplete payment information., Interventions: None., Main Outcome Measure: Fees and charges for procedures., Results: Surgeon payment was significantly higher for international adoptees (Δ = $2047.51 [$128.35 to $3966.66], P = .038). Medicaid-adjusted surgeon payments averaged $1006 more for adoptees ([-$394.19 to $2406.98], P = .158)., Conclusions: Hospital and anesthesiology costs for adoptee palate repair were highly variable but did not differ significantly from those for nonadoptees. Partly due to payer mix, surgeon reimbursement was somewhat higher for international adoptees. No difference in total payment was found.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with complications and readmissions following cleft lip repair using the multicenter American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Pediatric., Design: Patients undergoing CPT codes 40700, 40701, and 40702 were extracted from the ACS NSQIP Pediatric. Fisher exact, χ(2), and rank-sum tests were used to evaluate risk factors., Results: Of the 525 patients included, 4.2% had complications, with respiratory complications being the most common. Risk factors included congenital malformations (P = .001), ventilator dependence (P = .002), oxygen support (P = .016), tracheostomy (P = .005), esophageal/gastric/intestinal disease (P = .007), impaired cognitive status (P = .034), acquired central nervous system abnormality (P = .040), nutritional support (P = .001), major and severe cardiac risk factors (P = .011 and P = .005), and an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 (P = .002). In addition, complications were associated with undergoing a one-stage bilateral repair (P = .045) or concomitant ear, nose, and throat procedure (P = .045). The readmission rates for ambulatory patients and inpatients were 2.6% and 4.9% (P = .556), with an overall readmission rate of 4.6%. Ambulatory patients were older (P = .005) and had shorter operative times (P < .001)., Conclusions: Perioperative complications are low following cleft lip repair, with respiratory complications being the most common. Readmission rates of 4.6% are higher than expected, and insight into predictors of complications will allow surgeons to identify patients who could benefit from additional resources.

Objective: This study uses the American College of Surgeons Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP Pediatric), a multicenter database, to identify risk factors for complications after cleft palate repair., Design: Patients undergoing Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42200 and 42205 were extracted from the 2012 ACS NSQIP Pediatric. Patients older than 36 months or those who had undergone an additional surgery that altered the risk were excluded. Outcome variables were combined to create a complication variable. Fisher's exact, Pearson chi-square, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for analysis., Results: Eligibility criteria were met by 751 patients. Of these, 192 (25.6%) had unilateral clefts, 146 (19.4%) bilateral, and 413 (55.0%) were unspecified. The average age at time of surgery for those without and with complications was 421.1 ± 184.8 and 433.6 ± 168.0 days, respectively (P = .76). Of the 21 (2.8%) patients with complications, respiratory complications were the most common. Risk factors associated with complications included American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of 3 (P = .003), nutritional support (P = .013), esophageal/gastric/intestinal disease (P = .016), oxygen support (P = .003), structural pulmonary/airway abnormality (P = .011), and impaired cognitive status (P = .009). Patients undergoing concurrent laryngoscopy (P = .048) or other surgeries (P = .047) were also found to be associated with increased complications. The 30-day fistula rate was 0.5%, and the readmission rate was 1.9%., Conclusion: Perioperative complications for primary palatoplasty were 2.8% according to the ACS NSQIP Pediatric. Preoperative patient-related factors as well as concurrent surgeries may affect 30-day complication rates. These results help target those at greater risk for complications and allow for appropriate interventions to mitigate risks.

Background: Several surgical techniques exist for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic cubital tunnel release (ECTuR) has been recently reported as a promising minimally invasive technique. This study aims to compare outcomes and complications of open cubital tunnel release (OCTuR) and ECTuR in the treatment of idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome., Methods: A systematic review of the literature (1980-2014) identified 118 citations. Studies including adults with idiopathic cubital tunnel treated exclusively by ECTuR or OCTuR were included. Outcomes of interest were postoperative grading, complications, number of reoperations, and the need for intraoperative conversion to another technique. Postoperative outcomes were combined into a uniform scale with 4 categories: "excellent," "good," "fair," and "poor.", Results: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria (17 observational and 3 comparative), representing 425 open and 556 endoscopic decompressions. In the open group, 79.8% experienced "good" or "excellent" results with 12% complication rate and 2.8% reoperation rate. In the endoscopic group, 81.8% experienced "good" or "excellent" results with 9% complication rate and 1.6% reoperation rate. Meta-analysis of 3 comparative studies demonstrated a significantly lower overall complication rate with ECTuR. Subgroup analysis of complications revealed a significantly higher incidence of scar tenderness and elbow pain with OCTuR., Conclusions: The current study demonstrates similar effectiveness between the endoscopic (ECTuR) and open (OCTuR) techniques for treatment of idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome with similar outcomes, complication profiles, and reoperation rates.

Background: Postoperative airway obstruction is a feared complication following cleft palate repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tongue stitches and nasal trumpets that have been used in an attempt to prevent this complication., Methods: An 8-year (2005 to 2013) retrospective review of palatoplasties performed at a tertiary care center was conducted. Patients were divided into three groups: those with no airway protective measure, those with a tongue stitch only, and a group with nasal trumpet and tongue stitch. Recorded variables included sex, age, Veau classification, and comorbidities. Primary outcomes measured were postoperative respiratory distress, readmission, and reoperation rates., Results: Fifty-eight patients underwent palatoplasties with no airway protective measure, 252 patients had tongue stitch only, and 87 had tongue stitch and nasal trumpet. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to comorbidities except that cleft lip was more prevalent in the no-airway protection group than in the other two groups (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the incidence of reintubation, intensive care unit transfer, surgery-related readmissions, or reoperation. Respiratory complications were significantly increased in the nasal trumpet group even after adjusting for age and weight. Length of stay was also significantly (p < 0.01) shortened when comparing no airway protection to those who underwent both nasal trumpet and tongue suture placement., Conclusions: The use of a tongue stitch, with or without nasal trumpet, did not correlate with improved safety and outcomes. Patients without these airway protective measures had a shorter hospital stay., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, III.

The intent of this study is to discuss the most prominent literature in craniofacial surgery. To do so, using the ISI Web of Science, a ranking by average number of citations per year of the top 50 craniofacial surgery articles was compiled. All plastic surgery journals listed in the "Surgery" category in the ISI Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Reports 2013 Science Edition were considered. Journal of publication, country of origin, collaborating institutions, topic of interest, and level of evidence were analyzed. The total number of citations ranged from 47 to 1017. Average number of citations per year ranged from 46.2 to 8.6. The oldest article in the top 50 was published in 1988 and the most recent in 2009. The majority of the articles came from Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with 28 of the 50. The majority of the articles, originated from the United States (56%). Reconstruction of acquired defects was the most commonly examined topic at 46.2%; followed by articles discussing reconstruction of congenital defects (23.1%). The most common level of evidence was level 3. This extensive examination of the craniofacial literature highlights the important part that craniofacial surgery takes in the field of plastic surgery., (Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety profile, and complications associated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis performed in infants weighing less than 4 kg with Robin sequence., Methods: An 11-year retrospective review of all infants (younger than 6 months) with mandibular distraction osteogenesis-treated Robin sequence was performed. Patients weighing less than 4 kg (experimental) and 4 kg or more (control) who underwent mandibular distraction osteogenesis were compared. Demographics, medical comorbidities, improvement in apnea/hypopnea index, need for tracheostomy, repeated distraction, and complications were evaluated., Results: One hundred twenty-one patients underwent mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Eighty-one patients weighed less than 4 kg and 40 weighed 4 kg or more. The mean follow-up was 2.8 years in patients weighing less than 4 kg and 3.0 years in the control group. Mean age and weight at the time of distraction were 23 days and 3.1 kg, respectively, in the study group; and 2.7 years and 11 kg, respectively, in the control group. There was no significant difference in success of mandibular distraction osteogenesis to treat airway obstruction in the group weighing less than 4 kg compared with the control group (92.6 percent versus 88.9 percent; p = 0.49). The most common complication in each group was surgical-site infection (9.9 percent and 20.0 percent; p = 0.15). Overall complication rates were similar between the two groups (17.3 percent versus 25.0 percent; p = 0.34). The rates of repeated distraction were similar between the two groups (6.3 percent and 13.5 percent; p = 0.28)., Conclusions: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a safe and effective treatment modality for infants weighing less than 4 kg with severe airway obstruction. The efficacy, safety, and complication profiles are not significantly different from those of larger patients., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, III.

Introduction: Robin sequence (RS) is defined as the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis and airway obstruction. A popular surgical treatment is mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). In this study, it is demonstrated that the associated variables change, dependent on the manner in which failure is defined. These multiple failure outcomes are used to construct a scoring system to predict MDO failure., Methods: A retrospective database of neonatal MDO patients was constructed. Failure outcomes studied included tracheostomy; a decrease in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) but an AHI >20; and death. A combination of bivariate and regression analysis was used to produce significantly associated variables and a scoring system., Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated the association of gastroesophageal reflux; age >30 days; neurologic anomaly; airway anomalies, other than laryngomalacia; an intact palate; and pre-operative intubation on the outcome variables studied. Multiple scoring systems were produced with reasonable sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value., Conclusions: When reporting surgical outcomes of MDO in the setting of RS, it is important to consider the AHI as well as avoidance of tracheostomy as an outcome variable. Incomplete amelioration of AHI accounts for half of the patients with a problem after MDO. The predictive scores presented will be used and validated on a larger, prospectively collected dataset., (Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fronto-orbital advancement and remodeling (FOAR) remains the most widely practiced treatment of unicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) despite recent studies of ocular dysfunction and aesthetic shortcomings in the long-term. The aim of the study was to compare perioperative morbidity and short-term outcomes of a recently developed, nondevascularizing, distraction-based treatment of UCS with conventional FOAR. To do so, the authors compared the first 6 patients who were treated with a new osteotomy/distraction approach to the last 6 patients who underwent traditional FOAR for the treatment of UCS with regards to demographics, operative details, perioperative morbidity, and short-term outcomes.Between July 2012 and June 2014, 6 patients underwent each procedure. Duration of surgery and length of hospital stay in the distraction group were on average 2 hours 7 minutes and 3.4 days, respectively, significantly less than in the traditional FOAR group (P = 0.039, P = 0.032, respectively). Perioperative blood loss averaged 169 mL, which trended toward less than in the traditional group (mean of 400 mL, P = 0.065). Patients undergoing conventional compared with distraction osteogenesis-mediated FOAR were significantly more likely to develop new-onset strabismus postoperatively (odds ratio 15.4; P = 0.0384). All 12 patients completed therapy without complications and with Whitaker grade I results at latest follow-up.In the perioperative period, distraction-mediated cranial vault remodeling provides similar correction of the aesthetic deformity associated with UCS and an improved morbidity profile. Longer follow-up is needed to determine how distraction compares with FOAR with respect to neuropsychologic and long-term aesthetic outcomes.

Goldenhar syndrome is characterized by the typical features of craniofacial microsomia (CFM) with the addition of epibulbar dermoids and vertebral anomalies. The aim of this study is to examine the objective differences between patients carrying a diagnosis of Goldenhar syndrome to those diagnosed with CFM. Thus, we performed an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review on all patients who presented with a diagnosis of CFM or Goldenhar syndrome from January 1990 to December 2012. Demographic, diagnosis, OMENS+ classification, accompanying diagnoses, and radiographic data were collected. For subjective analysis, subgroups were designed based on the diagnosis Goldenhar syndrome or CFM per history. For objective analysis, subgroups were designed based on the presence of epibulbar dermoids and/or vertebral anomalies. The cohorts were compared with respect to associated medical abnormalities and severity of CFM features. One hundred thirty eight patients met inclusion criteria. Epibulbar dermoids and vertebral anomalies were seen in 17% and 34% of the patients, respectively. Only 10 patients (7.2%) had both epibulbar dermoids and vertebral anomalies. The subjective "Goldenhar" group (N = 44, 32%) was found to have a higher percentage of bilaterally affected patients (P = 0.001), a more severe mandibular deformity (P = <0.001), a more severe soft tissue deformity (P = 0.01), and a higher incidence of macrostomia (P = 0.003). In the objective subgroup analysis, the only significant difference was found in the degree of soft tissue deficiency (P = 0.049). The diagnostic criteria of Goldenhar syndrome remain unclear, thereby making clinical use of the term "Goldenhar" inconsequential. Goldenhar syndrome is over diagnosed subjectively in patients who show more severe CFM features.

Patients with multisutural craniosynostosis can develop anomalous venous connections between the intracranial sinuses and cutaneous venous system through enlarged emissary veins. Cranial vault remodeling in this subset of patients carries the risk of massive intraoperative blood loss and/or occlusion of collateral draining veins leading to intracranial venous hypertension and raised intracranial pressure, increasing the morbidity of cranial expansion. The authors report the use of spring-mediated expansion as a technique for cranial reconstruction in which the collateral intracranial venous drainage system can be preserved. A patient with bilateral lambdoid, sagittal, and unicoronal synostosis presented for cranial reconstruction. A tracheostomy and ventriculoperitoneal shunt were placed prior to intervention. At the time of reconstruction, a Luckenschadel skull abnormality and Chiari malformation Type I were present. A preoperative CT venogram demonstrated large collateral superficial occipital veins, small bilateral internal jugular veins, and hypoplastic jugular foramina. Collateral flow from the transverse and sigmoid sinuses through large occipital emissary veins was seen. Spring-mediated cranial vault expansion was performed with care to preserve the large collateral veins at the occipital midline. Four springs were placed at each lambdoid and the posterior and anterior sagittal sutures following 1-cm strip suturectomies. Removal of the springs was performed 2 months postoperatively. Cranial vault expansion was performed without disturbing the aberrant intracranial/extracranial venous collateral system. Estimated blood loss was 150 ml. A CT scan obtained 3 months postoperatively showed resolution of the Luckenschadel deformity and a 40% volumetric increase in the skull compared with the preoperative CT. Patients with anomalous venous drainage patterns and multisutural synostosis can undergo spring-mediated cranial vault expansion while preserving the major emissary veins draining the intracranial sinuses. Risks of blood loss, intracranial venous hypertension, and increased intracranial pressure may be decreased compared with traditional techniques of repair.

The authors present a new and unique pattern of sutural fusion "peace sign synostosis" (PSS) characterized by synostosis of the metopic, bicoronal, and sagittal sutures and associated with abnormalities of the TWIST1 gene known to be associated with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS). To do so, we performed a retrospective review of patients with bicoronal, metopic, and at least partial anterior sagittal synostoses at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Seattle Children's Hospital. Patients' demographics, genetic analysis, perioperative and clinic notes were reviewed. Five patients were identified with PSS and abnormalities of TWIST1 consistent with SCS. One patient, with the longest follow-up of 7 years, underwent 5 intracranial procedures and required a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The remaining 4 patients underwent posterior cranial vault distraction as the initial procedure, followed by anterior cranial vault remodeling. Two patients required a VP shunt. To conclude, synostosis of the metopic, bicoronal, and sagittal sutures (PSS) appears to be associated with SCS and produces a characteristic skull morphology that can be readily identified on physical examination. Early data suggest a high rate of reoperation, increased necessity for a VP shunt, and potential complications. Of note, this novel phenotype had not been previously observed at our respective institutions, reported in the literature, or observed in association with TWIST1 abnormalities as described in association with SCS.

Background: While there is a clear correlation between unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS) and ocular motility abnormalities, the literature provides little information as to the true epidemiology of strabismus, or the underlying etiology of these paralleled pathologies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the rate of oculomotor abnormalities associated with UCS and its management., Methods: A retrospective review of all patients identified to have single-suture, nonsyndromic UCS treated by fronto-orbital advancement at a tertiary craniofacial referral center from 1977 to 2013 was performed. Inclusion criteria mandated complete medical, surgical, and ophthalmological records. Patients were evaluated for strabismus both preoperatively and postoperatively, and as to whether eye muscle surgery was performed., Results: A total of 181 patients underwent treatment for UCS at our institution during the study period, of which 79 met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-nine patients had strabismus prior to any craniofacial surgical intervention. Following fronto-orbital advancement, 23 patients (46 %) developed a new onset strabismus. Fifty-five patients had no change in their preoperative ocular examination, and one patient had resolution of preoperative strabismus. Of the 51 patients who had postoperative strabismus, 30 went on to have eye muscle surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in gender (p=0.477), race (p=0.395), sidedness of suture involvement (p=0.552), or age at intervention (p=0.66) in comparing the group with new postoperative strabismus and those without., Conclusions: This study sheds new light on the prevalence of strabismus in UCS, and more importantly, the risk of developing strabismus in the setting of conventional fronto-orbital advancement. This data will allow more accurate preoperative counseling and reinforces the important role of ophthalmologists as members of the multidisciplinary craniofacial team.

Background: Craniofacial microsomia encompasses a spectrum of diagnoses associated with variable degrees of mandibular hypoplasia, facial asymmetry, chin deviation, occlusal abnormalities, and potential airway compromise. This study presents one surgeon's experience with costochondral rib grafting for mandibular reconstruction in children with Pruzansky/Kaban type 2B and type 3 mandibular hypoplasia., Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with craniofacial microsomia who underwent costochondral rib grafting for mandibular reconstruction performed by the senior author (S.P.B.) at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from January of 1998 to September of 2013. Demographic information, surgical history, operative details, postoperative complications, and outcomes were recorded. Plain radiographs and preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were reviewed., Results: Two hundred fifty-five patients were diagnosed with craniofacial microsomia, and 22 patients met inclusion criteria. Twelve boys and 10 girls underwent grafting at an average age of 7.2 years. Thirty-three costochondral rib grafts were performed, 11 unilateral reconstructions and 11 bilateral reconstructions. Twelve hemimandibles were type 2B and 21 were type 3. No intraoperative complications were reported, and no incidence of graft resorption was noted. No additional procedures were required in 27 reconstructed hemimandibles (81.8 percent), whereas six (18.2 percent) required secondary distraction osteogenesis. Only one patient developed postoperative ankylosis. No malunion or nonunion was noted., Conclusion: The approach described in this article allowed the authors to obtain reliably good results with costochondral rib grafting for type 2B and type 3 mandibular hypoplasia associated with craniofacial microsomia., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Background: Unplanned surgical readmissions represent a benchmark outcome and pose a considerable cost burden for health care systems. The authors evaluated risk factors associated with readmission following pediatric plastic surgery using a prospective, validated, national database., Methods: Patients younger than 18 years who underwent primary pediatric plastic surgery procedures were identified from the 2013 pediatric American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.Two cohorts were compared: patients who experienced readmission and those who did not. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, intraoperative details,and 30-day postoperative outcomes, including complications and readmissions,were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with readmission., Results: A total of 5376 patients were included, for an overall 2.40 percent readmission rate. The study cohort was, on average, 5.47 ± 5.21 years old,51.60 percent (n = 2774) were male, and 65.92 percent of cases (n = 3544)were outpatient procedures. The average number of relative value units per case was 10.15 ± 8.01. Patients with medical comorbidities (p < 0.001) and those with a preoperatively contaminated or infected wound were at higher risk for readmission (p < 0.001). Patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores (p < 0.001), longer operative times (p < 0.001), and longer hospitalizations (p < 0.0171) were also independently at greater risk for readmission. The most significant independent predictors of readmission were postoperative surgical and medical complications (OR, 6.94 and 11.92,respectively; p < 0.001)., Conclusion: These results help target patients at greater risk for readmission and afford an opportunity to provide evidence-based interventions to mitigate risk and minimize cost burden for health care systems. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg.135: 521, 2015.), Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Risk, III.

The finding on imaging (computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging) of synchronous malignant renal mass in patient with an active nonrenal malignancy without renal specific symptoms is not frequent and diagnostic evaluation can be challenging. We describe a 54-year-old Moroccan male former chronic smoker who presented to our hospital with dry cough and impairment of the performance status. The imaging found a tumor mass in the left upper lobe of the lung associated to mediastinal lymph node and a scanno-guided biopsy of this tumor showed a non small cell lung cancer. The radiological staging revealed a solitary renal mass in the right kidney. The patient received firstly two cycles of a lung cancer chemotherapy with a partial response in the lung and a stability of the renal mass. Consequently, he underwent a scanno-guided biopsy of this mass which confirmed a synchronous clear cell renal carcinoma. The patient got chemo radiotherapy for the lung cancer and then after that he got a partial nephrectomy. He is still under a good control with more than 2 years after the initial diagnosis.

Within the diagnosis "craniosynostosis," there is a subset of patients who present with isolated, nonsyndromic, single-suture involvement. This study evaluates perioperative complications in this specific subset of patients over 4 decades at a single institution. To do so, we performed a retrospective review on consecutive patients undergoing correction of single-suture synostosis from May 1977 to January 2013 at a tertiary pediatric craniofacial center. Demographic information, operative details, and perioperative course were collected. Complications were categorized as either major or minor. A χ(2) test and Fisher exact test were used to compare all categorical variables. Continuous variables were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests.Seven hundred forty-six patients underwent surgical correction of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. Of these, there were 307 (41.2%) sagittal, 201 (26.9%) metopic, and 238 (31.9%) unicoronal. Thirty-four patients had complications (4.6%). Eight were considered major (1.1%), including one postoperative mortality in a patient with hypoplastic left-sided heart syndrome. Minor complications occurred in 26 patients (3.5%) and included subgaleal hematoma (n = 3), seroma (n = 4), and superficial wound infection (n = 5). Metopic and sagittal suture involvement was significantly associated with a higher complication rate (P = 0.04). A child with isolated single suture synostosis and any comorbidity had a significantly greater risk of any complication (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 3.8) and specifically an increased risk of major complication (P = 0.031; odds ratio, 6.0). Subclassification of patients by time period yielded no statistically significant changes in perioperative morbidity. To conclude, these data allow us to counsel families more accurately with regard to morbidity and mortality and may potentially serve as a benchmark for future quality improvement work.

We present a case of multiplanar distraction osteogenesis for the simultaneous treatment of sagittal and unicoronal craniosynostosis in a nonsyndromic 2-month-old boy. Unilateral fronto-orbital advancement and sagittal suturectomy were performed. Distracters were fixed orthogonally in the sagittal and coronal positions to distract the affected coronal and sagittal sutures. The devices achieved 20 and 22 mm of advancement in the coronal and sagittal locations. A total intracranial volume increase of 62% was noted at 6 months' follow-up. This preliminary report demonstrates the procedure's short-term safety; future investigation is needed over the long term to determine its efficacy.

Background: This study reports long-term aesthetic outcomes with fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling in treating unicoronal synostosis over a 35-year period., Methods: Retrospective review was performed on patients with isolated unicoronal synostosis from 1977 to 2012. Demographic, preoperative phenotypic, and long-term aesthetic outcomes data were analyzed with chi-squared and Fisher's exact test for categorical data and Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis rank for continuous data., Results: A total of 238 patients were treated; 207 met inclusion criteria. None underwent secondary intervention for intracranial pressure. At definitive intervention, there 96 (55 percent) Whitaker class I patients, 11 (6 percent) class II, 62 (35 percent) class III, and six (3 percent) class IV. Nasal root deviation and occipital bossing each conferred an increased risk of Whitaker class III/IV [OR, 4.4 (1.4 to 13.9), p = 0.011; OR, 2.6 (1.0 to 6.8), p = 0.049]. Patients who underwent bilateral cranial vault remodeling with extended unilateral bandeau were less likely Whitaker class III/IV at latest follow-up compared with those undergoing strictly unilateral procedures [OR, 0.2 (0.1 to 0.7), p = 0.011]. Overcorrection resulted in decreased risk of temporal hollowing [OR, 0.3 (0.1 to 1.0), p = 0.05]. Patients with 5 years or more of follow-up were more likely to develop supraorbital retrusion [OR, 7.2 (2.2 to 23.4), p = 0.001] and temporal hollowing [OR, 3.7 (1.5 to 9.6), p = 0.006] and have Whitaker class III/IV outcomes [OR, 4.9 (1.8 to 12.8), p = 0.001]., Conclusion: Traditional fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling appears to mitigate risk of intracranial pressure but may lead to aesthetic shortcomings as patients mature, namely fronto-orbital retrusion and temporal hollowing., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, IV.

Three-dimensional virtual surgical planning using computer-aided design and modeling (CAD/CAM) has gained popularity in planning complex orthognathic and osteocutaneous free flap reconstructions of the head and neck because of its ability to guide complex geometric planning in three-dimensional space and save time in the operating room. The purpose of this study was to review our experience using CAD/CAM concepts in periorbital osteotomies. Three complex periorbital osteotomies were planned and performed: 1 case of bilateral vertical and horizontal orbital dystopia, 1 case of a Monobloc-Le Fort II in an Apert patient, and 1 case of recurrent hypertelorism in a patient with craniofrontal nasal dysplasia. The patients' charts were reviewed, including photographs, medical records, and CAD/CAM plans. The CAD/CAM planning sessions were held 3 to 6 weeks preoperatively and lasted approximately 1 hour. Both cutting guides and positioning guides were used, translating to significant precision of both the osteotomy as well as the final position of the orbits. Qualitatively, the cutting and positioning guides were easy to use and improved operating room efficiency. To conclude, in our hands, CAD/CAM virtual surgical planning is safe and effective in the performance of complex periorbital osteotomies. More work is needed to more clearly define surgical indications for this costly, new technology.

Myelomeningocele is one of the most common congenital malformations. A randomized controlled trial, known as the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS), demonstrated that closure during the fetal period can be performed relatively safely and be of significant benefit to patients. However, postnatally, patients can develop resultant symptoms from a tethered cord and inclusion cysts; this often requires surgical treatment. Repeat surgery in this population can be challenging due to the age of the patients, the extent of surgical exposure needed and the need for resection of dermal and epidermal tissues in the midline. We describe our approach for closure of these complex defects using lateral fasciocutaneous flaps with relaxing incisions made in the posterior axillary line, in order to minimize tension and maximize soft tissue coverage of the midline., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The OMENS+ classification is commonly used to describe the phenotypically diverse craniofacial features of craniofacial microsomia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations among the individual components of the OMENS+ criteria., Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed for patients who presented with a diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral craniofacial microsomia to the craniofacial clinic from January of 1990 to December of 2012. Demographic, diagnosis, classification, treatment, and radiographic data were abstracted for all patients who met inclusion criteria. Associations and correlations were evaluated using the Spearman rank test and a logistic regression model., Results: One hundred five patients (61 male and 44 female) with craniofacial microsomia met inclusion criteria. Eighty-one patients (77.1 percent) had unilateral microsomia and 24 (22.9 percent) had bilateral microsomia. Twenty-eight patients (26.7 percent) had macrostomia. Correlations were all significantly interrelated (p = 0.000 to p = 00.018) between the degree of orbital, mandibular, and soft-tissue deformities. Moreover, the severity of ear deformity and facial nerve involvement were also significantly correlated (p = 0.008). Between these two groupings, there was a significant correlation between soft-tissue deficiency and nerve involvement (p = 0.010). Macrostomia was associated with the individual components of the group orbit (p = 0.008), mandible (p = 0.000), and soft tissue (p = 0.005)., Conclusions: The association between structures using the OMENS+ classification may be caused by their branchial arch origin. Structures mainly developed from the first branchial arch (orbit, mandible, and soft tissue) are associated in degree of severity, as are the structures mainly derived from the second branchial arch (facial nerve and ear)., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Risk, III.

The aims of this study were to document the incidence of new-onset craniosynostosis (NOC) after posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO), to determine risk factors for the development of NOC, and to deduce the cranial ramifications of NOC. An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of all patients who underwent PVDO at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was performed. Demographics, perioperative data, as well as preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic scans were analyzed. Suture patency preoperatively and postoperatively was recorded.Thirty patients underwent PVDO for suspected increased intracranial pressure and/or severe turribrachicephaly from 2008 to 2013. Twenty-four patients had syndromic diagnoses. The average age at the time of PVDO was 2.03 years. Distraction distances ranged from 19 to 40 mm, with an average of 28.7 mm. Among the 19 patients who had patent lambdoid sutures before PVDO, new-onset lambdoid fusion was seen in 17 patients after PVDO (89.5%), whereas the suture remained open in 2 patients (10.5%). New-onset lambdoid fusion was not significantly associated with age at distraction (P = 0.28), sex (P = 0.47), length of distraction (P = 0.93), or diagnosis (P = 0.61). Similarly, new-onset sagittal synostosis was not associated with age at distraction (P = 0.06), sex (P = 0.64), length of distraction (P = 0.83), or diagnosis (P = 0.25). None of the patients who developed NOC had characteristic head shape changes such as mastoid bulges or scaphocephaly. New-onset lambdoid and sagittal synostoses occur frequently after PVDO. Although the diagnosis of NOC is obvious radiographically, the clinical importance of the diagnosis morphometrically, neurodevelopmentally, and in cranial growth has yet to be fully investigated.

Although facial asymmetry in hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is well documented in the literature, no studies have concentrated on the morphology of the cranial base. This study aimed to evaluate the endocranial morphology in patients with HFM. Consecutive patients with unilateral HFM treated at a craniofacial center from 2000 to 2012 were included. The patients were grouped according to severity on the basis of the Kaban-Pruzansky classification: mild (0-1), moderate (2a), and severe (2b-3). Skull base angulation and transverse craniometric measures were recorded and then compared with those of age-matched controls. A total of 30 patients (14 males, 16 females) averaging 7.5 years of age (range, 1.1-15.7 y) were included. Four patients were classified as mild; 12, as moderate; and 14, as severe. The mean cranial base angle was found to be between 179 and 181 degrees with no significant difference between the severity groups (P = 0.57). The mean cranial base angle did not differ significantly in the patients compared with the controls(179.6 vs 180.0; P = 0.51) No significant differences between the affected and unaffected sides in the patients were found in distances from the midline to hypoglossal canal, internal acoustic meatus, lateral carotid canal, medial carotid canal, foramen ovale, and rotundum. There were no significant differences in transverse measurements between the severity classes using the same landmarks (P = 0.46, P = 0.30, P = 0.40, P = 0.25, P = 0.57, and P = 0.76, respectively). The cranial base axis is not deviated in the patients with HFM compared with the age-matched controls, and there exists little difference in endocranial morphologic measurements with increasing severity of HFM. These data are interesting, given the role of the cranial base in facial growth and the varying hypotheses regarding the mechanism of disease in HFM.

Objective: To determine the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with isolated cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P)., Methods: The present prospective study was performed at a pediatric tertiary care centre. Consecutive patients evaluated at the cleft clinic from January 2011 to August 2013 were identified. Patients' families prospectively completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), a validated tool used to predict moderate to severe OSA. Patients with CL/P and an underlying syndrome or other craniofacial diagnosis were excluded. A positive OSA screen was recorded if the ratio of positive to total responses was >0.33. Risk factors associated with a positive screen were identified using the Student's t or ANOVA test., Results: A total of 867 patients completed the PSQ, 489 of whom with isolated CL/P met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 8.4 years. The overall incidence of positive screening was 14.7%. The most commonly reported symptoms among positive screeners were 'fidgets with hands or feet' (73.6%), 'interrupts others' (69.4%) and 'mouth breather during the day' (69.4%). The most sensitive items were 'stops breathing during the night' and 'trouble breathing during sleep', with positive predictive values of 0.78 and 0.67, respectively. Sex, body mass index, ancestry and cleft type were not significantly associated with increased risk for positive screening., Conclusion: One in seven children with isolated CL/P screened positively for OSA according to the PSQ. This finding highlights the potential importance of routine screening in this at-risk group.

Background: Breast reconstruction is an integral component of breast cancer treatment, often aiding in restoring a patient's sense of femininity. However, many patients choose to have subsequent cosmetic surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons that motivate patients to have cosmetic surgery after breast reconstruction., Methods: The authors performed a retrospective study examining patients who had breast reconstruction and subsequent cosmetic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System between January 2005 and June 2012. This cohort received a questionnaire assessing the influences and impact of their reconstructive and cosmetic procedures., Results: A total of 1,214 patients had breast reconstruction, with 113 patients (9.3%) undergoing cosmetic surgery after reconstruction. Of 42 survey respondents, 35 had autologous breast reconstruction (83.3%). Fifty-two cosmetic procedures were performed in survey respondents, including liposuction (26.9%) and facelift (15.4%). The most common reason for pursuing cosmetic surgery was the desire to improve self-image (n = 26, 61.9%), with 29 (69.0%) patients feeling more self-conscious of appearance after reconstruction. Body image satisfaction was significantly higher after cosmetic surgery (P = 0.0081). Interestingly, a multivariate analysis revealed that patients who experienced an improvement in body image after breast reconstruction were more likely to experience a further improvement after a cosmetic procedure (P = 0.031, OR = 17.83). Patients who were interested in cosmetic surgery prior to reconstruction were also more likely to experience an improvement in body image after cosmetic surgery (P = 0.012, OR = 22.63)., Conclusion: Cosmetic surgery may improve body image satisfaction of breast reconstruction patients and help to further meet their expectations.

Paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare tumor arising from the mesenchymal tissues of the spermatic cord, epididymis, testis and testicular tunics. We report three cases of adult paratesticular RMS, two embryonic and one pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. All the patients underwent diagnostic orchidectomy. The work up investigations revealed lung metastases. Chemotherapy with Ifosfamide and Doxorubicin was used in two cases, whereas Vincristin-Actinomycin D and Cyclophosphamide was received in one case. An objective partial response was reported in 2 cases, with complete response in one case. Paratesticular RMS is a rare and aggressive tumor. Because of the absence of protocols designed specifically for adult patients, it is necessary to follow therapeutic guidelines in pediatric protocols.