A Child Plexiform Neurofibroma of the Temple Region: A Case Report.

Plexiform neurofibroma is a rare variant of neurofibromatosis type 1. Diagnosis is challenging due to the highly variable clinical presentation. Early diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment and prevention of complications. This report describes a sporadic solitary plexiform neurofibroma in the temporal region of a seven-year-old girl. The growth of the mass began at birth and grew steadily over five years. Subsequently, the mass began to expand rapidly. The patient underwent complete surgical resection under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a plexiform neurofibroma. In conclusion, surgical excision is the gold standard for cases with symptomatic, visible, large superficial lesions.

Co-surgeon versus Single-surgeon Outcomes in Free Tissue Breast Reconstruction: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous breast reconstruction offers superior long-term patient reported outcomes compared with implant-based reconstruction. Universal adoption of free tissue transfer has been hindered by procedural complexity and long operative time with microsurgery. In many specialties, co-surgeon (CS) approaches are reported to decrease operative time while improving surgical outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes the available literature to evaluate the potential benefit of a CS approach in autologous free tissue breast reconstruction versus single-surgeon (SS). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE from inception to December 2022. Published reports comparing CS to SS approaches in uni- and bilateral autologous breast reconstruction were identified. Primary outcomes included operative time, postoperative outcomes, processes of care, and financial impact. Risk of bias was assessed and outcomes were characterized with effect sizes. RESULTS: Eight retrospective studies reporting on 9,425 patients were included. Compared with SS, CS approach was associated with a significantly shorter operative time (SMD -0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.01 to -0.29, p < 0.001), with the largest effect size in bilateral reconstructions (standardized mean difference [SMD] -1.02, 95% CI -1.37 to -0.67, p < 0.00001). CS was also associated with a significant decrease in length of hospitalization (SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.07, p = 0.02). Odds of flap failure or surgical complications including surgical site infection, hematoma, fat necrosis, and reexploration were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: CS free tissue breast reconstruction significantly shortens operative time and length of hospitalization compared with SS approaches without compromising postoperative outcomes. Further research should model processes and financial viability of its adoption in a variety of health care models.

Identifying Factors of Operative Efficiency in Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction.

Importance: Head and neck oncological resection and reconstruction is a complex process that requires multidisciplinary collaboration and prolonged operative time. Numerous factors are associated with operative time, including a surgeon's experience, team familiarity, and the use of new technologies. It is paramount to evaluate the contribution of these factors and modalities on operative time to facilitate broad adoption of the most effective modalities and reduce complications associated with prolonged operative time. Objective: To examine the association of head and neck cancer resection and reconstruction interventions with operative time. Design, Setting, and Participants: This large cohort study included all patients who underwent head and neck oncologic resection and free flap-based reconstruction in Calgary (Alberta, Canada) between January 1, 2007, and March 31, 2020. Data were analyzed between November 2021 and May2022. Interventions: The interventions that were implemented in the program were classified into team-based strategies and the introduction of new technology. Team-based strategies included introducing a standardized operative team, treatment centralization in a single institution, and introducing a microsurgery fellowship program. New technologies included use of venous coupler anastomosis and virtual surgical planning. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was mean operative time difference before and after the implementation of each modality. Secondary outcomes included returns to the operating room within 30 days, reasons for reoperation, returns to the emergency department or readmissions to hospital within 30 days, and 2-year and 5-year disease-specific survival. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the association of each modality with operative time. Results: A total of 578 patients (179 women [30.9%]; mean [SD] age, 60.8 [12.9] years) undergoing 590 procedures met inclusion criteria. During the study period, operative time progressively decreased and reached a 32% reduction during the final years of the study. A significant reduction was observed in mean operative time following the introduction of each intervention. However, a multivariate analysis revealed that team-based strategies, including the use of a standardized nursing team, treatment centralization, and a fellowship program, were significantly associated with a reduction in operative time. Conclusions: The results of this cohort study suggest that among patients with head and neck cancer, use of team-based strategies was associated with significant decreases in operative time without an increase in complications.

Secondary Implant Augmentation in the Subpectoral Plane following Abdominal-based Perforator Flaps for Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal-based perforator flaps are the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. However, among patients with a small-to-medium amount of redundant abdominal tissue, this may result in an inadequate breast mound. Secondary implant augmentation has been reported as one method to augment volume, address breast mound asymmetry, and enhance overall aesthetic outcome. We aim to analyze postoperative complications associated with the secondary implant augmentation following a primary breast reconstruction with abdominal perforator flaps. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent secondary implant augmentation following abdominal-based perforator flap breast reconstruction. Patient characteristics, immediate versus delayed reconstruction, type of flap used, indication for secondary augmentation as well as perioperative and postoperative complication including flap or implant loss were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients met inclusion criteria. Forty flaps were performed (16 bilateral and 8 unilateral). A total of 36 implants were placed in subpectoral plane in a secondary revision procedure. The mean time between secondary augmentation and index procedure was 22 months. Average implant volume was 270 g. No intraoperative complication or flap loss was recorded. Postoperative surgical site infection occurred in a total of 4 patients (17%) with 3 patients requiring explantation of a total of 4 implants. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary augmentation of abdominal-based perforator flap using a permanent implant is an effective method to address volume and asymmetry and to enhance aesthetic outcome. In our study, however, we observed a higher than expected rate of postoperative infection.

Software-based video analysis of functional outcomes of face transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of outcomes after face transplantation (FT) is necessary to provide sound evidence on the benefits of this life-giving surgery. Current methods for outcomes assessment, however, are imprecise or prone to subjectivity. Software-based video analysis may allow fast, objective and retrospective assessment of restoration of facial movements and functions after FT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recorded videos of 7 subjects before as well as every 3-6 months after facial transplantation. Patients performed the same sequence of facial movements in every video: smile, open mouth, purse lips, wrinkle nose, frown, close eyes, and lift eyebrows. The videos were retrospectively analyzed using EMOTIENT software, which is capable of automatic tracking and detailed measurements of facial movements and expressions. These measurements were subsequently compared to the same patient at different time points, as well as to the normal population. RESULTS: Open mouth, wrinkle nose and smile functions significantly improved in all patients when compared to pre-transplant functions; this improvement was significant at 3, 6, and 12 months after transplant, respectively. Lip purse, eye closure and frown functions improved by 6, 9, and 18 months after transplantation, respectively; however, improvement in these particular functions was not significantly with respect to pre-transplant. Face transplantation did not improve any of the patients' ability to lift their eyebrows. Most remarkably, mouth opening and smiling functions both reached values comparable to the normal population at 3 and 12 months after transplantation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Software-based video analysis provides a valuable assessment tool capable of objective, precise and reproducible analysis of facial movements and functions after FT.

Living Donation of Vascularized Composite Allografts.

Living donation has become a medically and ethically accepted practice in solid organ transplantation. Published proceedings from the international kidney transplant community and from the Ethics Committee of The Transplantation Society articulated the general principles and specific recommendations for living donation, which remain the backbone of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network requirements and policies. Meanwhile, there have been major advancements in another revolutionary field of transplant medicine: vascularized composite allotransplantation. Recent interventions have demonstrated potential for superior functional and aesthetic outcomes in a single operation when compared to staged conventional reconstructions. In view of these successes, the indications for vascularized composite allotransplantation are expected to broaden to include less extensive types of transplants, which would introduce the possibility of using living vascularized composite allotransplantation donors. In this article, the authors discuss the feasibility and ethics associated with living donation of vascularized composite allografts. The authors explore the current guidelines and policies set by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network regarding living organ donation. In addition, the authors provide several clinical scenarios in which living donation of vascularized composite allotransplantation could be used to augment the reconstructive ladder currently used by reconstructive surgeons to guide their reconstructive strategies.

Trismus in Face Transplantation Following Ballistic Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Trismus can be a challenging consequence of ballistic trauma to the face, and has rarely been described in the setting of face transplantation. Almost half of all current face transplant recipients in the world received transplantation to restore form and function after a ballistic injury. Here we report our experience and challenges with long standing trismus after face transplantation. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of our face transplant recipients whose indication was ballistic injury. We focused our review on trismus and assessed the pre-, peri- and postoperative planning, surgery and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Two patients received partial face transplantation, including the midface for ballistic trauma. Both patients suffered from impaired mouth opening, speech intelligibility, and oral competence. Severe scarring of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) required intraoperative release in both patients, and additional total condylectomy on the left side 6 months posttransplant for 1 patient. Posttransplant, both patients achieved an improvement in mouth opening; however, there was persistent trismus. One year after transplantation, range of motion of the jaw had improved for both patients. Independent oral food intake was possible 1 year after surgery, although spillage of liquids and mixed consistency solids persisted. Speech intelligibility testing showed impairments in the immediate postoperative period, with improvement to over 85% for both patients at 1 year posttransplant. CONCLUSIONS: Ballistic trauma to the face and subsequent reconstructive measures can cause significant scarring and covert injuries to structures such as the TMJ, resulting in long standing trismus. Meticulous individual planning prior to interventions such as face transplantation must take these into account. We encourage intraoperative evaluation of these structures as well as peri- and postoperative treatment when necessary. Due to the nature of the primary injury, functional outcomes after face transplantation in these patients may differ substantially from those of other indications.

First Lower Two-Thirds Osteomyocutaneous Facial Allograft Perfused by a Unilateral Facial Artery: Outcomes and Vascularization at 1 Year after Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Facial allotransplantation provides a unique opportunity to restore facial form and function in severely disfigured patients. Using a single unilateral facial artery for vascularization can significantly reduce surgical duration and thus facilitate the practice of face transplantation. METHODS: A 33-year-old man with a history of high-energy ballistic trauma received a facial allograft comprising the lower two-thirds of the face, including maxilla and mandible. Vascular anastomoses involved one unilateral facial artery and two veins. Vascularization patterns, airway volume, and facial functions were assessed before and 1 year after transplantation. In addition, immunosuppressive therapy and rejection episodes were recorded. RESULTS: One year after transplantation, the facial allograft is well perfused and gradually improving in function. Unilateral facial artery anastomosis remains patent and collateralization with the contralateral side is taking place through collaterals of the submental arteries. Bony perfusion of the maxilla and mandible is provided periosteally. Bilateral venous outflow is evident. Airway volume is significantly increased compared with before transplantation, and gastrostomy and tracheostomy tubes have been securely removed. The recipient has gained the abilities to smell, speak, feel, and grimace 1 year after transplantation. Steroids were successfully weaned after 9 months, leaving the patient on dual immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Two rejection episodes occurred, of which one was treated by steroid pulse and the other by adjusting the maintenance therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient, a facial allograft comprising the lower two-thirds of the face including the maxilla and mandible is sufficiently perfused by one unilateral facial artery. Bilateral venous outflow, however, seems to be necessary. Facial allotransplantation can significantly and securely improve facial form and function. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Acellular Hypothermic Extracorporeal Perfusion Extends Allowable Ischemia Time in a Porcine Whole Limb Replantation Model.

BACKGROUND: One of the major challenges in traumatic amputation is the need to keep ischemia time brief (4 to 6 hours) to avoid ischemic damage and enable successful replantation. The current inability to meet this challenge often leads to traumatic limb loss, which has a considerable detrimental impact on the quality of life of patients. METHODS: The authors' team built a portable extracorporeal membrane oxygenator device for the perfusion of amputated extremities with oxygenated acellular solution under controlled parameters. The authors amputated forelimbs of Yorkshire pigs, perfused them ex vivo with acellular Perfadex solution for 12 hours at 10°C in their device, and subsequently replanted them into the host animal. The authors used limbs stored on ice slurry for 4 hours before replantation as their control group. RESULTS: Clinical observation and histopathologic evaluation both demonstrated that there was less morbidity and less tissue damage to the cells during preservation and after replantation in the perfusion group compared with the standard of care. Significant differences in blood markers of muscle damage and tissue cytokine levels underscored these findings. CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrated the feasibility and superiority of ex vivo hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion for preservation of amputated limbs over conventional static cold storage and herewith a substantial extension of the allowable ischemia time for replantation after traumatic amputation. This approach could also be applied to the field of transplantation, expanding the potential pool of viable donor vascularized composite allografts.

Quality of Life after Face Transplantation: Outcomes, Assessment Tools, and Future Directions.

BACKGROUND: Face transplantation has emerged as a clinical reality for the restoration of complex facial defects. Critical to the advancement of the burgeoning field of reconstructive transplantation is the quality of the methods used to measure and report the impact of face transplantation on quality of life. METHODS: A systematic search using PubMed and EMBASE was conducted for all studies matching the a priori inclusion criteria from 2005 through 2015. Bibliographies of included studies were also reviewed. Two authors (M.A.A and H.K) independently performed screening of titles. RESULTS: The authors identified 17 articles reporting on quality-of-life outcomes among 14 face transplant recipients. Combinations of objective and subjective measures were used to assess quality of life. Instruments used to assess quality of life after face transplantation included over 25 different instruments. Four centers, comprising eight patients, have reported using prospective, systematic data with validated instruments. Overall, there is reported improvement in quality of life after face transplantation. Heterogeneity and a paucity of data between articles preclude a quantitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Anecdotal and subjective reports of improvements in quality of life after face transplantation constitute the majority of reported outcomes in the English peer-reviewed literature. Improved efforts in methods and standardization of collection and reporting of quality-of-life data after face transplantation are needed to better appreciate the impact of face transplantation on quality of life and justify lifelong immunosuppression and its attendant risks and morbidity.

Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplants After Simultaneous Solid Organ and Vascularized Composite Allograft Procurements: A Nationwide Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge of the impact of facial vascularized composite allograft (VCA) procurement on the transplantation outcomes of the concomitantly recovered solid organs is limited to isolated case reports and short-term results. Here we report on a nationwide analysis of facial allograft donor surgery experience and long-term outcomes of the concomitantly recovered solid organs and their recipients. METHODS: There were 10 facial VCA procurements in organ donors between December 2008 and October 2014. We identified the population of subjects who received solid organs from these 10 donors using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We retrospectively reviewed operative characteristics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Six of 10 donor surgeries were performed at outside institutions, all on brain-dead donors. Mean operative duration for facial VCA recovery was 6.9 hours (range, 4-13.25 hours). A total of 36 solid organs were recovered and transplanted into 35 recipients. Survival rates for kidney and liver recipients were 100% and 90% at a median follow-up of 33 and 27.5 months, respectively (range, 6-72 months). Graft survival rates for kidneys and livers were 15 of 16 (94%) and 9 of 10 (90%), respectively. Recipient and graft survival rates for hearts and lungs were 75% (n = 4) and 100% (n = 3) at mean follow-up time of 14.75 and 16 months, respectively. A liver recipient died at 22 months from unknown causes and a heart recipient died of leukemia at 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Facial VCA procurement does not appear to adversely affect the outcomes of transplant recipients of concomitantly recovered solid organ allografts.

The role of face transplantation in the self-inflicted gunshot wound.

BACKGROUND: Facial self-inflicted gunshot wounds (SIGSWs) cause a devastating midfacial defect and pose a challenging problem to the reconstructive surgeon. Face transplantation (FT) has the potential for near-normal restoration in otherwise non-reconstructible defects. Two out of 7 FT recipients at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) sustained SIGSWs. In this study, we illustrate the role of FT in the management of SIGSWs through an aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial examination of outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of individuals with SIGSWs who were screened at BWH between 2008 and 2015. We then collected data of the injuries, modes of conventional reconstruction (CR), and deficits. For the FT recipients, we critically reviewed the psychosocial screening process and post-transplantation aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: A total of six individuals post-SIGSWs were screened for FT. All of them had undergone CR, with five receiving loco-regional flaps and free tissue transfers, and one undergoing serial debridement and primary soft-tissue repair. Following CR, all suffered from residual functional and aesthetic deficits. Two underwent partial FT and one is currently undergoing FT screening. We describe the pre-transplant psychosocial screening process and the aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes of the SIGSW FT recipients. CONCLUSIONS: We examined the facial SIGSW injury, outcomes of CR, and the mechanism of FT to offer a potential solution to the shortcomings of CR. More importantly, we highlight the critical nature of the psychosocial component of the multidisciplinary evaluation given the history of mental illness and suicidal behavior in this subset of patients.

A Retrospective Analysis of Secondary Revisions after Face Transplantation: Assessment of Outcomes, Safety, and Feasibility.

BACKGROUND: Face transplantation has emerged as a viable option for certain patients in the treatment of devastating facial injuries. However, as with autologous free tissue transfer, the need for secondary revisions in face transplantation also exists. The authors' group has quantified the number of revision operations in their cohort and has assessed the rationale, safety, and outcomes of posttransplantation revisions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of the authors' seven face transplants was performed from April of 2009 to July of 2015. The patients' medical records, preoperative facial defects, and all operative reports (index and secondary revisions) were critically reviewed. RESULTS: The average number of revision procedures was 2.6 per patient (range, zero to five procedures). The median time interval from face transplantation to revision surgery was 5 months (range, 1 to 10 months). Most interventions consisted of debulking of the allograft, superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication and suspension, and local tissue rearrangement. There were no major infections, allograft skin flap loss, or necrosis. One patient suffered a postoperative complication after autologous fat grafting in the form of acute rejection that resolved with pulse steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary revisions after face transplantation are necessary components of care, as they are after most conventional free tissue transfers. Secondary revisions after face transplantation at the authors' institution have addressed both aesthetic and functional reconstructive needs, and these procedures have proven to be safe in the context of maintenance immunosuppression. Patient and procedure selection along with timing are essential to ensure patient safety, optimal function, and aesthetic outcomes. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Patient Recruitment and Referral Patterns in Face Transplantation: A Single Center's Experience.

BACKGROUND: Face transplantation has been shown to improve the functional and aesthetic deficits of facially disfigured individuals. Given promising short-term results, it is important to examine whether face transplantation centers are effectively reaching the targeted facial disfigurement population. The authors' center reviewed their face transplantation contacts to assess patient recruitment and outreach performance. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of their face transplantation contacts from the time of their institutional review board protocol approval (February of 2008) to October of 2015. They investigated the relationship between referral pattern (i.e., physician versus self) with the contact's demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, race, mechanism of injury, and geographic location) and clinical trial status. RESULTS: There were a total of 72 face transplantation contacts. The average age of the contacts was 38 years, and the majority were men [n = 41 (56.9 percent)]. Most were white (n = 33), and the most prevalent mechanism of injury was burns (46.4 percent). The majority of the contacts resided within the United States (n = 47), with most from the Northeastern United States (n = 21). Of the 72 contacts, 35 (48.6 percent) were physician referrals and 37 (51.4 percent) were self-referrals. Physician referrals have led to the most screened and transplanted contacts in their center, whereas self-referral often led to immediate exclusion. CONCLUSIONS: The authors show the diversity of patient characteristics and referral patterns in their clinical trial. Furthermore, they describe the relationship of characteristics to outcomes in their cohort and identify areas of improvement, such as patient and physician education. Lastly, they are reminded of the potential impact on the burn community.

Surgical Optimization of Motor Recovery in Face Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Face transplantation (FT) has emerged as a viable option for treating devastating facial injuries. Most reported outcomes have demonstrated satisfactory motor and sensory restoration despite differences in technique. The authors have developed an algorithm of facial nerve management in these challenging patients. Our principles of management are illustrated by 2 specific patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 2 full face transplants was performed. Both patients required nerve grafting during full FT. Patient 1 due to short donor facial nerve stumps and patient 2 due to intraoperative soft tissue swelling. Patient 2 required a nerve transfer 11 months after full FT due to impaired motor recovery opposite the side of nerve grafting. Follow-up examinations consisting of manual muscle testing and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System 6 to 42 months after full FT with selected video examinations were critically reviewed. RESULTS: Patient 1 had symmetrical motor recovery with gradual improvements noted throughout. At 6 months, Patient 2 had asymmetrically improving motor function. After nerve transfer, the patient showed gradual improvement in motor recovery, symmetry, and tone. Videos for each patient demonstrate the evolution of the patients' ability to smile from 6 to 42 months. DISCUSSION: The authors describe their assessment of motor recovery and management of facial nerve reconstruction as it pertains to FT. Finally, the authors illustrate the principles of nerve transfer are applicable to FT recipients.

A Mobile Extracorporeal Extremity Salvage System for Replantation and Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic amputation is the second leading cause of limb loss in the United States. The preferred treatment is salvage and replantation of the amputated limb, whenever possible, and allotransplantation is a novel procedure whereby healthy limbs are procured from deceased organ donors and transplanted into the amputee recipient. A major restriction for both procedures is the irrecoverable muscle damage occurring due to ischemia. We investigated the feasibility of using a novel lightweight, mobile perfusion device specifically designed to perfuse amputated porcine limbs with an acellular perfusion solution to delay ischemic muscle damage prior to transplantation or replantation. METHODS: Bilateral hind limbs of Yorkshire pigs were amputated; one of the limbs was preserved by perfusion in the mobile perfusion device, and the other by storage in ice slurry for 12 hours. RESULTS: Five sets of bilateral limbs were preserved as described previously. A defined pressure of 30 mm Hg was reliably maintained in the arterial system without loss of flow. Comparison of the perfusate composition before and after limb passage revealed significant differences. Muscle biopsies showed a consistent progression of clusters of hypoxic cells in the control limbs with time. Similar changes could not be observed in the perfused tissue. CONCLUSIONS: We have designed and built a small, mobile perfusion device that is operational and that more closely mimics the normal physiological environment when compared with the current standard of preservation in ice slurry. This project may have far-reaching implications for the treatment of limb loss through replantation and transplantation.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation: current standards and novel approaches to prevent acute rejection and chronic allograft deterioration.

The advent of more potent immunosuppressants led to the first successful human upper extremity transplantation in 1998. At this time, >100 upper extremity transplants, 30 face transplants, and a variety of other vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) procedures have been performed around the world. VCA recipients present unique challenges for transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection exceeds 80% in hand and face transplantation and is well documented, whereas reports about antibody-mediated rejection and chronic rejection remain scarce. Immunosuppression protocols commonly used at US centers are derived from solid organ transplantation protocols. Novel approaches to minimize rejections in VCA may include improved HLA matching and considerations toward cytomegalovirus infection status. New graft preservation techniques may decrease immunogenicity prior to transplant. Novel monitoring methods such as valid biomarkers, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and sentinel flaps may enable earlier diagnosis of rejection. Cell-based therapies are being explored to achieve immunosuppressive regimen minimization or even tolerance induction. The efficacy of local immunosuppression in clinical VCA remains controversial. In conclusion, although immunosuppressive strategies adapted from SOT have demonstrated good midterm results, focusing on the unique features of VCA grafts may enable additional, more specific treatment strategies in the future and improved long-term graft outcomes.

Noninvasive Monitoring of Immune Rejection in Face Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rejection leading to allograft loss remains a significant concern after facial allotransplantation. Chronic rejection may occur without clinical signs or symptoms. The current means of monitoring is histologic analyses of allograft biopsy specimens, which is both invasive and impractical. Prior data suggest that chronic rejection is associated with changes in intima and media thickness of vessels in arms and solid organ allografts; such data have not been published for face transplant recipients. METHODS: The authors used a 48-MHz transducer to acquire images of the bilateral facial, radial, dorsalis pedis and, if applicable, sentinel flap arteries in five face transplant recipients (8 months to 4.5 years after transplantation) and five control subjects. The authors assessed the intima, media, and adventitia thickness plus lumen and the total vessel diameter and area. RESULTS: Face transplant recipients had thicker intima in all sites compared with controls, but the ratio of the intimal thickness of facial and radial arteries was similar in face transplant recipients compared with controls (1.00 versus 0.95; p = 0.742). Intraobserver correlation showed reliable reproducibility of the measurements (r = 0.935, p ≤ 0.001). Interobserver correlation demonstrated reproducibility of intima measurements (r = 0.422, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrate that ultrasound biomicroscopy is feasible for postsurgical monitoring, and have developed a new benchmark parameter, the facial artery-to-radial artery intimal thickness ratio, to be used in future testing in the setting of chronic rejection. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, IV.

Silicone Implants with Smooth Surfaces Induce Thinner but Denser Fibrotic Capsules Compared to Those with Textured Surfaces in a Rodent Model.

PURPOSE: Capsular contracture is the most frequent long-term complication after implant-based breast reconstruction or augmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implant surface properties on fibrotic capsule formation in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats received 1 scaled down silicone implant each; 12 of the rats received implants with textured surfaces, and the other 12 received implants with smooth surfaces. After 60 and 120 days, rats in each group underwent 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and high-resolution ultrasound (HR-US), and specimens of the capsules were acquired and used to measure capsule thickness through histology, collagen density through picro sirius red staining, and analyses of expression of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes (Collagen1-4, TGFb1, TGFb3, Smad3, IL4, IL10, IL13, CD68) through qRT-PCR. Furthermore, MRI data were processed to obtain capsule volume and implant surface area. RESULTS: On day 60, histology and HR-US showed that fibrotic capsules were significantly thicker in the textured implant group with respect to the smooth implant group (p<0.05). However, this difference did not persist on day 120 (p=0.56). Capsule thickness decreased significantly over the study period in both smooth and textured implant groups (p<0.05). Thickness measurements were substantiated by MRI analysis and volumes changed accordingly. Implant surface area did not vary between study dates, but it was different between implant types. On day 60, the density of collagen in the fibrotic capsules was significantly lower in the textured implant group with respect to the smooth group (p<0.05), but again this difference did not persist on day 120 (p=0.67). Collagen 1 and CD68 were respectively over- and under expressed in the textured implant group on day 60. Significant differences in the expression of other genes were not observed. CONCLUSION: Silicone implants with textured surfaces led to temporarily thicker but less dense fibrotic capsules compared with smooth surfaces. 7-Tesla MRI and HR-US are capable for non-invasive in-vivo assessment of capsular fibrosis in an animal model and can provide unique insights into the fibrotic process by 3D reconstruction and surface area measurement.