Plastic Surgery Outreach Clinics Expand Access to Cleft and Craniofacial Care in Mississippi.

ABSTRACT: Accessing treatment at ACPA (American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association)-approved centers is challenging for individuals in rural communities. This study aims to assess how pediatric plastic surgery outreach clinics impact access for patients with orofacial cleft and craniosynostosis in Mississippi. An isochrone map was used to determine mean travel times from Mississippi counties to the sole pediatric hospital and the only ACPA-approved team in the state. This analysis was done before and after the establishment of two outreach clinics to assess differences in travel times and cost of travel to specialized plastic surgery care. Two sample t-tests were used for analysis.The addition of outreach clinics in North and South Mississippi led to a significant reduction in mean travel times for patients with cleft and craniofacial diagnoses across the state's counties (1.81 hours vs 1.46 hours, P < 0.001). Noteworthy travel cost savings were observed after the introduction of outreach clinics when considering both the pandemic gas prices ($15.27 vs $9.80, P < 0.001) and post-pandemic prices ($36.52 vs $23.43, P < 0.001).The addition of outreach clinics in Mississippi has expanded access to specialized healthcare for patients with cleft and craniofacial differences resulting in reduced travel time and cost savings for these patients. Establishing specialty outreach clinics in other rural states across the United States may contribute significantly to reducing burden of care for patients with clefts and craniofacial differences. Future studies can further investigate whether the inclusion of outreach clinics improves follow-up rates and surgical outcomes for these patients.

Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol for Cleft Palate Repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for patients with cleft palate and hypothesizes that patients who followed the protocol would have decreased hospital length of stay and decreased narcotic usage than those who did not. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study takes place at a single tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent cleft palate repair during a 10-year period (n = 242). INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent cleft palate repair with the most recent cohort following a new ERAS protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included hospital length of stay and narcotic usage in the first 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Use of local bupivacaine during surgery was associated with decreased initial 24-hour morphine equivalent usage: 2.25 vs 3.38 mg morphine equivalent (MME) (P < 0.01), and a decreased hospital length of stay: 1.71 days vs 2.27 days (P < 0.01). The highest 24-hour morphine equivalent a patient consumed prior to the ERAS protocol implementation was 24.53 MME, compared with 6.3 MME after implementation. Utilization of the ERAS protocol was found to be associated with a decreased hospital length of stay: 1.67 vs 2.18 days (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the proposed ERAS protocol may lead to lower narcotic usage and decreased length of stay.

Longitudinal Speech and Fistula Outcomes Following Primary Cleft Palate Repair at a Single Institution.

INTRODUCTION: Fistula formation and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) are complications of cleft palate repair that often require surgical correction. The goal of the present study was to examine a single institution's experience with cleft palate repair with respect to fistula formation and need for surgery to correct velopharyngeal dysfunction. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patient demographics and operative details over a 10-year period were collected. Primary outcomes measured were development of fistula and need for surgery to correct VPI. Chi-square tests and independent t tests were utilized to determine significance (0.05). RESULTS: Following exclusion of patients without enough information for analysis, 242 patients were included in the study. Fistulas were reported in 21.5% of patients, and surgery to correct velopharyngeal dysfunction was needed in 10.7% of patients. Two-stage palate repair was associated with need for surgery to correct VPI (P = 0.014). Furlow palatoplasty was associated with decreased rate of fistula formation (P = 0.002) and decreased need for surgery to correct VPI (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: This study reiterates much of the literature regarding differing cleft palate repair techniques. A 2-stage palate repair is often touted as having less growth restriction, but the present study suggests this may yield an increased need for surgery to correct VPI. Prior studies of Furlow palatoplasty have demonstrated an association with higher rates of fistula formation. The present study demonstrated a decreased rate of fistula formation with the Furlow technique, which may be due to the use of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia modification. This study suggests clinically superior outcomes of the Furlow palatoplasty over other techniques.

Mandibular Distraction in Patients With Pierre Robin Sequence: A Multisurgeon Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is rapidly becoming a standard of care for management of patients with severe Pierre Robin sequence. The tongue is brought forward to alleviate airway obstruction. This study will look at an institutional, multisurgeon experience with MDO over 10 years. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was conducted. SETTING: All patients who underwent MDO at the authors' institution from 2012 to 2022 were included. Three craniofacial surgeons performed all interventions. PATIENTS: Demographics, preoperative and postoperative respiratory and feeding status, and distraction data were collected for 27 patients meeting inclusion criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were avoidance of a gastrostomy tube, avoidance of a tracheostomy, discharge from hospital on room air, and complications. A significance value of 0.05 was utilized. RESULTS: The average age at MDO was 135 days, mean activation phase was 13.6 days, mean distraction length was 14.9 mm, and mean consolidation phase was 64.2 days. A longer activation phase was associated with discharge with a gastrostomy tube and a shorter activation phase was associated with discharge on full oral feeds. The ability to discharge on room air was associated with a shorter latency phase, shorter activation phase, and decreased distance of distraction. CONCLUSIONS: The goal of MDO is to achieve full oral feeds with no respiratory support. Several different latency periods were used in this study, and a short latency period was demonstrated to be safe.

Patients Requiring Multiple Surgeries for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: Findings From a 10-Year Retrospective Review.

This study analyzed patients undergoing multiple surgeries for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and reviewed their preoperative evaluations and techniques selected for subsequent surgeries. A retrospective chart review was performed including patients having undergone multiple surgeries for VPI at the authors' institution between 2012 and 2022. All patients were evaluated and managed at the author's institution under the direction of 4 senior surgeons. The objective of this study was to provide insight into preoperative evaluation, surgical technique selection, and other factors that may contribute to patients who require multiple VPI surgeries. Of 71 patients having undergone surgery for VPI, 8 required at least 1 additional operation for persistent VPI following the initial intervention. Six patients who initially underwent a superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap (PPF) required additional surgery, and for those patients' subsequent operations, 5 different techniques were used throughout their treatment. Of the remaining 2 patients who had multiple VPI surgeries, 1 initially received autologous fat transfer and 1 initially underwent a furlow palatoplasty. Finally, 0 patients that initially underwent buccal flaps or collagen injection required further unplanned surgical intervention. This study demonstrates the importance of selecting an appropriate surgical approach when operating on patients following a failed VPI surgery. The algorithm developed from these findings emphasizes the importance of properly identifying the anatomical deficiency resulting from the failed intervention. A review of the advantages of nasopharyngoscopy as a preoperative evaluative technique of velopharyngeal form and function when compared to lateral barium video fluoroscopy was also included.

Perioperative Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Syndromic Craniosynostosis Undergoing LeFort III Osteotomy With Distraction: A Case Series.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Objective: The purpose of this publication is to address the absence of literature detailing respiratory management in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis and obstructive sleep apnea during the immediate postoperative interval following LeFort III advancement with placement of distraction hardware but prior to sufficient midface advancement. Methods: After IRB approval, the investigators retrospectively selected candidates for inclusion in this case series. The sample was composed of four patients ranging from 10 to 19 years of age undergoing LeFort III midface advancement during a one-year span at a single tertiary care center. All operations were performed by a single surgeon. Three of the selected patients suffered significant obstructive sleep apnea necessitating the operation, as determined by polysomnography. One patient experienced persistent apnea postoperatively requiring prolonged ICU level care. Results: Three of the four patients had severe OSA diagnosed by polysomnography with a median AHI of 28.3. Two of the three patients with preoperative OSA experienced no untoward respiratory compromise in the immediate postoperative period; one required nightly oxygen tent and the other required no supplemental oxygen. Patient 1 experienced significant postoperative respiratory distress with nightly apneic episodes and desaturations requiring supplemental oxygen and frequent stimulation. Conclusions: The present study suggests that early involvement of sleep medicine and management of patient expectations is vital. Extremely close postoperative monitoring in the ICU is necessary. Future studies are needed to protocolize perioperative management of obstructive sleep apnea in patients undergoing LeFort III osteotomy prior to initiation and completion of midface advancement.

Plastic Surgery: Beware the Candle Burning at Both Ends.

Background: Plastic surgery dates back to 800 BC, where forehead flaps were used to reconstruct noses in India. Today, it is one of the most romanticized fields in medicine. Due to the influence of social media, there has never been a larger spotlight. Ironically, this spotlight brings a narrowed perception of the scope of plastic surgery. This study aimed to assess the scope through the eyes of the average American to identify gaps in knowledge to better represent the field. Methods: A series of questions were developed under survey methodologists and administered by Qualtrics. Responses were gathered, and data were analyzed to assess the public's knowledge of plastic surgery's scope. Results: Two thousand five hundred responses were obtained, balanced across demographics similar to that of the United States. The US population has a poor understanding of the scope of plastic surgery and how to obtain board certification. Conclusions: This survey demonstrates a gap in awareness of plastic surgery as a field and the scope outside aesthetic procedures dramatized by the media. There remains no clear understanding of the qualifications of plastic surgeons or the provider makeup of the field of cosmetic surgery. Subspecialties proved to be overlooked, and knowledge of board certification was sparse. Further effort is needed to educate both the public and patients of the scope of plastic surgery, so that they might seek and gain access to appropriate treatment in the most efficient manner to optimize outcomes regarding the form and function of the body.

Subdermal Plexus Density as It Relates to Obesity and Wound Complications in Patients Undergoing Reduction Mammaplasty.

Background: Reduction mammaplasty is one of the most common reconstructive procedures performed in plastic surgery. Multiple comorbidities play a role in postoperative wound healing complications; however, there are insufficient data on the subdermal plexus (SDP) as it relates to these comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and SDP of the superficial breast tissues and examine the association between SDP and postoperative complications. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, screening, and informed consent, patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty were selected. Tissue to be discarded was sent to pathology for analysis of immunohistochemistry directed against endothelial cells to determine the density of the SDP. Patients with BMI <35 and ≥35 kg/m2 were compared. Statistical analysis, including 2-tailed t test and Pearson correlation, was conducted. Results: A significant difference in SDP density (standard deviation) was identified between patients with a BMI ≥35 versus <35 kg/m2 (2.65 capillaries/mm2 ± 1.8 vs 1.56 capillaries/mm2 ± 1.2; P = .033). Patients with no historical use of tobacco versus those who used tobacco showed a significantly increased SDP (2.11 capillaries/mm2 ± 1.6 vs 1.20 capillaries/mm2 ± 0.5; P = .009). A significant relationship between postoperative infection (1.00 capillaries/mm2 ± 1.1; P = .041) and hematoma/seroma (0.788 capillaries/mm2 ± 0.1; P = .003) was identified. No significant relationship was found between SDP and delayed wound healing, nipple-areolar complex complications, fat/flap necrosis, or symptomatic scar occurrence. Conclusions: There is a statistically significant increase in SDP seen with increasing BMI, which does not explain the higher rate of wound healing complications after reduction mammaplasty typically seen in the higher BMI patient population. The association between BMI and complications after reduction mammaplasty remains unclear.

Bipedicled Palatoplasty for Closure of Wide Veau Class II Anterior Palatal Defect: A Case Series.

Background: Wide palatal defects remain a challenge to the plastic surgeon. The authors present a new method for closure of a wide Veau class II cleft palate in which anterior palatal closure was achieved by use of a bipedicled mucoperiosteal anterior palatal flap. Methods: Two patients with wide Veau class II cleft palatal defects underwent palatoplasty with difficulty in closing the anterior palate. A novel technique was employed for tension-free closure. Results: A tension-free closure in the midline was achieved with a bipedicled mucoperiosteal anterior palatal flap. Conclusions: This novel technique can assist with closure of the anterior-most portion of hard palatal defects.

A Review on Lumps, Bumps, and Birthmarks: When and Why to Refer.

Skin lesions of the face, trunk, and extremities are commonly seen in the pediatric population. Although most of these lesions are benign, they can be locally destructive or interfere with normal development. Recognition and diagnosis of these lesions allow for timely workup and referral; treatment, if needed; and facilitation of parental discussions. The purpose of this article is to review common pediatric skin and soft-tissue lesions-or "lumps, bumps, and birthmarks"-to assist with diagnosis, workup, and guidelines for referral to pediatric plastic surgery. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(1):e23-e30.].