Microdebridement of Intranasal Cysts Associated With Congenital Dacryocystoceles.

PURPOSE: The surgical management of congenital dacryocystoceles has evolved in recent decades. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of endoscopic examination and powered microdebridement in the management of nasal cysts associated with congenital dacryocystoceles. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, all patients with congenital dacryocystoceles who underwent surgical intervention under general anesthesia at a single institution over a 12-year period (2009-2020) were included. RESULTS: Thirty-seven lacrimal drainage systems from 29 patients were included, 8 patients (28%) had bilateral dacryocystoceles. Twenty-two (76%) were females, and 5 (17%) patients had a history of prematurity. Mean (±SD) age at diagnosis was 15 ± 28 days, and 1.4 ± 1.7 months at surgical intervention. Mean follow-up was 7.5 months. The right side was more commonly involved (20 [69%] OD vs. 17 [59%] OS). Dacryocystitis was diagnosed at presentation in 23 lacrimal drainage systems (62%). Intraoperatively, intranasal cysts were observed in 32 lacrimal drainage systems (86%), and a powered microdebrider was used to excise each cyst. In 6 of the 21 supposed unilateral cases (29%), a contralateral cyst was identified and treated. The average birth age of patients with intranasal cysts was 39 weeks versus 36 weeks of patients without ( p = 0.03). Surgical success was found in 36 of 37 sides treated (97%); one case (3%) underwent unilateral endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy during the follow-up period due to persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital dacryocystoceles are associated with intranasal cysts in most cases. Surgical intervention with microdebrider is associated with a favorable outcome. Bilateral endonasal examination is ideal in all cases.

Management of Pediatric Acute Dacryocystitis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical presentation, course, and management in a large cohort of pediatric acute dacryocystitis subjects and to examine whether hospitalization and urgent surgical intervention are indeed mandatory. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all pediatric subjects diagnosed with dacryocystitis at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over a 12-year period (2009-2020). RESULTS: One-hundred sixty-nine pediatric acute dacryocystitis patients were included in this study. Management included admission in 117 cases (69%). Sixty-eight patients (40%) were treated medically with no surgical intervention, 75 cases (44%) required urgent surgical intervention, and 26 additional cases (15%) required surgery due to persistent tearing symptoms after medical management. The urgent procedures included most commonly: 1) endonasal examination and microdebridement of intranasal cysts in 26 cases (35%); 2) probing and irrigation without examination and microdebridement, with or without stent intubation, in 30 cases (40%); and 3) dacryocystorhinostomy (13 endonasal and 4 external) in 17 cases (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Management of pediatric acute dacryocystitis should be tailored individually for each case. Hospital admission and early surgical intervention are not mandatory, as 31% of cases resolved without admission, and 56% without early surgical intervention. Although a specific age cutoff is not plausible, hospital admission for younger patients is more commonly advocated. When surgical intervention is indicated, endonasal examination and microdebridement of any associated intranasal cyst and probing with possible stenting are the initial procedures of choice. Dacryocystorhinostomy is reserved for more complex obstructions. Although pediatric acute dacryocystitis is an infection with serious potential problems, when managed appropriately, complications are rare.

The Current State of Gender-Affirming Surgery Training in Plastic Surgery Residency Programs as Reported by Residency Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this Web-based survey was to elucidate the current perspectives of plastic surgery residency program directors on training residents to perform gender-affirming surgery. METHODS: Web-based surveys were distributed to 79 plastic surgery program directors. Demographic information and perspectives on training of gender-affirming surgery in plastic surgery residency were queried. RESULTS: Of 79 distributed surveys, there were 43 responses (54 percent). Overall, program directors reported that their trainees were prepared to address plastic surgery-related transgender concerns (67 percent), and believe plastic surgeons are the most appropriate specialty referral for each type of gender-affirming surgery (top/chest, 98 percent; facial, 95 percent; and bottom/genital, 79 percent). Ninety-three percent of program directors noted that transgender surgery is becoming more accepted and/or practiced in their referral area, with 26 percent reporting a dedicated clinic experience. There was a mixed response on the need for additional fellowship training for gender-affirming surgery. Residents are exposed to significantly more bottom (p = 0.0018), top (p = 0.0013), and facial operations (p = 0.00005) if they rotate through a "gender" clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Of the queried program directors, the majority feel their residents are well-trained in gender-affirming surgery. However, residents have more clinical exposure in facial and top (chest) gender-affirming surgery as compared to bottom (genital) surgery. Although most program directors agree that plastic surgeons are the most important referral for top, bottom, and facial operations, there is less consensus over the role of fellowship training. Most program directors reported a desire to devote additional CME time to the topic in the coming years.

Ventricular shunt complications in patients undergoing posterior vault distraction osteogenesis.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study is to investigate post-operative morbidity and shunt revision rates of patients with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (SDH) undergoing posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) compared to patients undergoing conventional posterior vault reconstruction (PVR). METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled cohort analysis of all patients with SDH undergoing PVDO and PVR for syndromic or complex craniosynostosis was performed. Demographic information, perioperative variables, distraction protocols, and shunt-related complications-infection, surgical revision of shunt, increased length of stay (LOS), and readmission within 90 days of surgery-were compared using the appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with ventricular shunts who underwent PVDO and eight patients with shunts who underwent PVR were identified. Shunt-related complication rates were significantly higher with PVDO (n = 5) compared to PVR (n = 0), p = 0.0093. Among the five patients who suffered complications, the most common were shunt infection (n = 4), shunt malfunction (n = 4), and wound infections (n = 3). All patients with complications required additional operations for shunt revision and/or replacement; four patients required multiple takebacks for such procedures, with an average of three additional procedures per patient. CONCLUSIONS: In complex or syndromic craniosynostosis patients who have previously undergone ventricular shunting, PVDO is associated with higher shunt-related complications and need for additional procedures when compared to traditional PVR. While the benefits of PVDO in the treatment of syndromic craniosynostosis are well documented, the risks of PVDO in the face of a VP shunt must be considered. Further investigation into patient-specific risk factors and risk reduction strategies is warranted.

Insurance Plan Adherence to Mandate for Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives in a Large Pediatric Hospital Network.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are the most effective form of pregnancy prevention for sexually active adolescents, yet usage rates are low. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated insurers cover LARCs without cost-sharing. Compliance with this policy is not well documented. This study assessed LARC coverage by insurers in a large pediatric health system. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: Between June and August 2016, LARC coverage was assessed through content reviews of insurance Web sites, formularies, and summaries of benefits for all Pennsylvania Medicaid plans and the top 20 commercial insurers for a large pediatric health system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was adherence to the ACA mandate for LARC coverage without cost-sharing. RESULTS: Among the 37 plans (17 public, 20 private), 21 (56.8%) were adherent and 16 (43.2%) were nonadherent. Among nonadherent plans, 3 plans covered LARC services but required cost-sharing, whereas 13 did not cover LARC services at all. There was not a statistically significant difference in LARC coverage between public and private plans. CONCLUSION: Despite the landmark ACA mandate, insurance coverage of LARCs in pediatric hospitals is low for young women among private and public insurers. Insurer failure to adhere to the ACA among pediatric patients represents a barrier to LARC access for those at high risk of unintended pregnancy.

In Situ Hinge Technique for the Frontal Bandeau for the Correction of Metopic Craniosynostosis Reduces Operative Time.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of metopic craniosynostosis often involves bitemporal expansion of the anterior cranium. This report compares perioperative variables of a surgical technique in which the fronto-orbital bandeau is bent in situ to traditional fronto-orbital advancement and remodeling (FOAR). METHOD/DESCRIPTION: Six patients undergoing the hinge technique were compared to the senior author's 6 most recent conventional FOARs. Study and control cohorts were reasonably well matched for age and sex; only those with nonsyndromic, single-suture metopic synostosis were included. Perioperative variables such as OR time, blood loss, hardware costs, length of stay, and perioperative complications were compared between groups using unpaired t tests. RESULTS: Operative time was significantly decreased when the hinge technique was utilized, with a mean operative time of 159 ±â€Š14.0 minutes for hinge patients and 193 ±â€Š33.8 minutes for nonhinge patients (P = 0.049). Hardware was also significantly decreased from an average of 2.2 ±â€Š1.0 plates and 35 ±â€Š13.8 screws in nonhinge patients to 1 plate and 20 screws in each hinge patient (P < 0.02), for an average hardware saving of $2990 per hinge surgery (P = 0.019). Estimated blood loss, length of stay, and perioperative complications were not significantly different between groups. All patients in both groups had Whitaker 1 outcomes in short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The hinge technique for the treatment of metopic synostosis is associated with a statistically significant decrease in operative time, hardware utilization, and hardware cost. Perioperative outcomes were similar between the hinge technique and traditional FOAR in the short term, and additional follow-up is needed to determine whether the 2 have similar long-term outcomes.