Long-term Outcomes of Subtotal Septal Reconstruction in Rhinoplasty.

IMPORTANCE: Significant nasal septal deviation may require complex reconstruction to achieve complete correction. Subtotal septal reconstruction is a method for addressing deviations in the L-strut. OBJECTIVES: To review the long-term outcomes of subtotal septal reconstruction and provide objective evidence of functional and aesthetic improvement. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This medical record review obtained data on 144 patients who underwent subtotal septal reconstruction from September 1, 2008, to September 1, 2013. Data analysis was performed from September 1, 2013, to September 1, 2014. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Functional outcomes were measured using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire, and objective aesthetic outcomes were measured using 3-dimensional (3-D) stereophotogrammetry. Follow-up times were classified as time point 1 (TP1; preoperative), time point 2 (TP2; early postoperative), and time point 3 (TP3; final postoperative). RESULTS: Of the 144 patients who underwent subtotal septal reconstruction, 104 (72.2%) were female; the mean (SD) age was 37.3 (13.7) years; 57 underwent primary septorhinoplasty; and 87 (60.5%) underwent revision septorhinoplasty. The NOSE scores improved in all 5 categories of nasal obstruction, with mean (SD) survey completion at 270 (260.1) days. Aesthetic results were measured with 3-D imaging after a mean (SD) follow-up of 613.5 (434.4) days postoperatively. No statistically significant loss was found in mean (SD) nasal length over time (TP2 to TP 3, -0.16 [1.36] mm; 95% CI, -0.54 to 0.22 mm; P = .41) or between mean (SD) postoperative loss of projection (TP2 and TP3, -0.19 [0.92] mm, 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.07 mm; P = .17). An increase in mean (SD) rotation (nasolabial angle) generated with septorhinoplasty (4.24° [11.08°]; 95% CI, 1.14°-7.34°; P = .01) and a mean (SD) decrease in rotation detected during postoperative healing (-2.63° [6.96°]; 95% CI, -4.63° to -0.63°; P = .01) were found. Although measurement of symmetry was improved in the early postoperative period (TP1 to TP2, -0.16 [1.26] mm; 95% CI, -0.52 to 0.20 mm; P = .40), this finding did not become statistically significant until the final measurement (TP1 to TP3, -0.43 [1.07] mm; 95% CI, -0.73 to -0.13 mm; P = .007; TP2 to TP3, -0.28 [0.87] mm; 95% CI, -0.53 to -0.03 mm; P = .03). A mean (SD) decrease in columellar show was achieved with surgery (-0.66 [1.37] mm; 95% CI, -1.05 to -0.27 mm; P = .001). No statistically significant change was found in the alar-columellar association from TP2 to TP3 in this patient population, confirming no unwanted alar or columellar retraction over time (0.10 [0.61] mm; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.27 mm; P = .25). A total of 114 patients (79.2%) required costal cartilage harvest for adequate reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Subtotal septal reconstruction yields improved functional and aesthetic outcomes and has the potential to be a useful tool for the rhinoplasty surgeon in the treatment of severe septal deviation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Post-translationally modified muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases as circulating biomarkers in experimental cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia is a severe wasting syndrome characterized by the progressive loss of lean body mass and systemic inflammation. Up to 80% of cancer patients experience cachexia, with 20-30% of cancer-related deaths directly linked to cachexia. Despite efforts to identify early cachexia and cancer relapse, clinically useful markers are lacking. Recently, we identified the role of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 (MAFbx, FBXO32) and Muscle Ring Finger-1 in the pathogenesis of cardiac atrophy and hypertrophy. We hypothesized that during cachexia, the Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 ubiquitin ligases are released from muscle and migrate to the circulation where they could be detected and serve as a cachexia biomarker. To test this, we induced cachexia in mice using the C26 adenocarcinoma cells or vehicle (control). Body weight, tumor volume, and food consumption were measured from inoculation until ~day 14 to document cachexia. Western blot analysis of serum identified the presence of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 with unique post-translational modifications consistent with mono- and poly- ubiquitination of Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 found only in cachectic serum. These findings suggest that both increased Atrogin-1 and the presence of unique post-translational modifications may serve as a surrogate marker specific for cachexia.

Lateral crural repositioning for treatment of cephalic malposition.

After completion of this article, the reader should be able to describe the indications for lateral crural repositioning, understand the key steps to performing the procedure, and be able to manage the complications associated with this treatment strategy.

Intraluminal negative pressure wound therapy for optimizing pharyngeal reconstruction.

IMPORTANCE: Pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after pharyngeal reconstruction is one of the most common and challenging problems to manage. Despite many advances in management, the published success rates indicate a role for any adjuvant therapy that could potentially decrease this complication. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of intraluminal negative pressure dressings (NPDs) in pharyngeal reconstruction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective case series at a tertiary care academic hospital. Twelve laryngectomy patients underwent pharyngeal reconstruction augmented by placement of an intrapharyngeal NPD in combination with the introduction of vascularized tissue from August 2011 to May 2012. All patients had potential risk factors for compromised wound healing defined as previous radiation therapy, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, compromised nutrition, or established pharyngocutaneous fistula. INTERVENTIONS: An NPD was placed in an intraluminal position spanning the length of the pharyngeal defect as part of the reconstructive procedure. The negative pressure sponge was attached to a standard nasogastric tube to which negative pressure was applied. External closure of the pharynx was then achieved with regional or free tissue transfer. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Pharyngeal closure rates, timing until return to oral diet, identification of wound healing risk factors, and adverse events related to use of the device. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 patients (92%) achieved pharyngeal closure with reconstruction using negative pressure wound therapy. All patients had at least 1 potential risk factor for compromised wound healing, with 11 of 12 (92%) having 2 or more. Seven patients had an established pharyngocutaneous fistula, and 5 patients underwent primary reconstruction after laryngopharyngectomy. In 6 of these 7 patients undergoing fistula repair, pharyngeal closure was achieved, and they resumed an oral diet at 1 week postoperatively. The other had successful leak repair initially, but 1 week later developed a separate area of wound breakdown and a second fistula. All 5 patients in whom an intraluminal NPD was placed at the time of initial vacularized tissue reconstruction were able to resume an oral diet by 3 weeks postoperatively, with 3 of them eating by mouth at 1 week postoperatively. No serious adverse events could be attributed to the use of intraluminal NPDs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Intraluminal negative pressure wound therapy is feasible and safe. Future research should be conducted to determine its potential in optimizing pharyngeal reconstruction in high-risk patients.

Negative pressure wound therapy in head and neck surgery.

IMPORTANCE Negative pressure wound therapy has been shown to accelerate healing. There is a paucity of literature reporting its use as a tool to promote wound healing in head and neck reconstruction. OBJECTIVE To review 1 institution's experience with negative pressure dressings to further describe the indications, safety, and efficacy of this technique in the head and neck. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective case series at a tertiary care academic hospital. One hundred fifteen patients had negative pressure dressings applied between April 2005 and December 2011. Data were gathered, including indications, details of negative pressure dressing use, adverse events, wound healing results, potential risk factors for compromised wound healing (defined as previous radiation therapy, hypothyroidism, or diabetes mellitus), and wound characteristics (complex wounds included those with salivary contamination, bone exposure, great vessel exposure, in the field of previous microvascular free tissue transfer, or in the case of peristomal application in laryngectomy). EXPOSURE Negative pressure wound therapy utilized after head and neck reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Indications for therapy, length and number of dressing applications, identification of wound healing risk factors, classification of wound complexity, wound healing results, and adverse events related to the use of the device. RESULTS Negative pressure wound therapy was used primarily for wounds of the neck (94 of 115 patients [81.7%]) in addition to other head and neck locations (14 of 115 patients [12.2%]), and free tissue transfer donor sites (7 of 115 patients [6.1%]). The mean (SD) wound size was 5.6 (5.0) cm. The mean number of negative pressure dressing applications was 1.7 (1.2), with an application length of 3.7 (1.4) days. Potential risk factors for compromised wound healing were present in 82 of 115 patients (71.3%). Ninety-one of 115 patients (79.1%) had complex wounds. Negative pressure dressings were used in wounds with salivary contamination (n = 64), bone exposure (n = 40), great vessel exposure (n = 25), previous free tissue transfer (n = 55), and peristomal application after laryngectomy (n = 32). Adverse events occurred in 4 of 115 patients (3.5%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Negative pressure wound therapy in head and neck surgery is safe and has potential to be a useful tool for complex wounds in patients with a compromised ability to heal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.

Hemorrhage after transoral robotic-assisted surgery.

OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of head and neck surgeons have begun using transoral robotic-assisted surgery. Our objective was to examine the postoperative bleeding complications we have encountered to determine risk factors and to discuss the topic of hemorrhage control. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed in 147 consecutive patients undergoing transoral robotic-assisted surgery for any indication at one tertiary academic medical center between March 2007 and September 2011. RESULTS: Eleven of 147 (7.5%) patients undergoing transoral robotic-assisted surgery experienced some degree of postoperative hemorrhage, with 9 patients requiring reoperation for examination and/or control of bleeding. Bleeding occurred at a mean of 11.1 ± 9.2 days after initial operation. Eight of 11 (72%) patients who bled were on antithrombotic medication (anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents) for other medical comorbidities. The postoperative hemorrhage rate in patients taking antithrombotic medication (8/48 patients = 17%) was significantly higher than in those not taking antithrombotics (3/99 patients = 3%), P = .0057. While the bleeding rate in salvage surgery (3/29 = 10.3%) was slightly higher than in primary surgery (8/118 = 6.8%), this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Potential for postoperative bleeding in association with antithrombotic medications in patients undergoing transoral robotic-assisted surgery should be recognized. Various effective techniques for management of these patients without robotic assistance were demonstrated.

Fluorescent detection of rat parathyroid glands via 5-aminolevulinic acid.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomic identification of parathyroid glands during surgery is challenging and time consuming. We sought to determine whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) could produce parathyroid gland fluorescence to improve their detection in a preclinical model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were administered 0 to 700 mg/kg of 5-ALA by intraperitoneal injection prior to neck exploration under the illumination of a blue light (380-440 nm). Tissue fluorescence was assessed at 1, 2, or 4 hours postinjection and then removed for histologic confirmation of parathyroid tissue. RESULTS: Rat parathyroid glands could not be visualized under ambient light. At dosages of 300 mg/kg or greater, bilateral parathyroid glands were visualized in 18 of 19 rats using blue light illumination. At dosages less than 300 mg/kg, parathyroid gland fluorescence was detected in only 1 of 13 rats. At 2 hours after 5-ALA administration, the net mean intensity of parathyroid gland fluorescence was optimal with a dose of 500 mg/kg. At both 1 and 4 hours after 5-ALA injection, the net mean intensity of parathyroid gland fluorescence was optimal at the highest dose (700 mg/kg) and positively correlated with dosage increases. CONCLUSION: 5-ALA can be used to selectively detect parathyroid tissue from surrounding tissue in a preclinical model. Our data support the use of this technique in the clinical setting.

The role of ultrasonography in parathyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of high-resolution ultrasonography in the preoperative evaluation of patients with hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred seventeen patients with hyperparathyroidism who underwent preoperative assessment with ultrasonography and/or sestamibi scan and surgical treatment between October 2003 and October 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive statistics of localization imaging studies and detection of concomitant thyroid disease in patients presenting with hyperparathyroidism. RESULTS: Ultrasonography correctly localized the parathyroid adenoma(s) in 148 (69.4%) of the 229 patients with these lesions. Sestamibi scans correctly localized the parathyroid adenoma(s) in 133 (58.1%) of the 229 patients. The agreement between the 2 imaging procedures was moderate (kappa = 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.36). Of 317 patients with hyperparathyroidism, 96 (30.3%) had clinically significant concomitant thyroid disease requiring partial or total thyroidectomy. Histopathologic examination revealed benign thyroid disease in 80 (83.0%) of the 96 patients and thyroid carcinoma in 16 (16.6%). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a useful tool in the preoperative evaluation of patients with hyperparathyroidism both for localization of parathyroid adenomas and for the diagnosis of concomitant thyroid disease.