Hanna's Modified Sagittal Split Osteotomy (HSSO): An Alternative to Inverted L Osteotomy-Merging Function and Aesthetics for Enhanced Stability, Attractiveness, and Nerve Protection.

Background: The current high standards in orthognathic surgery demand surgical solutions that are both ⁠ functionally ⁠ effective and aesthetically pleasing. Our approach offers one for enhanced stability, attractiveness, and nerve protection ⁠ with improved accessibility ⁠ in the majority of orthognathic scenarios ⁠ compared to an inverted L osteotomy. Methods: A case series is presented to illustrate the application and outcomes of HSSO, an optimised approach that combines the advantages of a transoral inverted L osteotomy with specific enhancements and increased versatility, ⁠ with accessibility and exposure similar to a BSSO. Results: HSSO as a completely transoral technique, demonstrate the ability to perform significant counterclockwise rotations of the mandible, eliminating the need for trocars or skin incisions. We experinced high postoperative stability when HSSO was performed in conjunction with a three-piece LeFort 1 osteotomy on a dynamic opposing arch. In comparison to an inverted L approach, we postulated that HSSO offers advantages in stability, due to the increased segmental overlap of the proximal and distal segments of the mandible. This approach is designed to enhance the safety of the inferior alveolar nerve compared to traditional sagittal split methods. Furthermore, HSSO represents an alternative to total joint replacement in select cases of idiopathic condylar resorption and is effective for correcting mandibular asymmetries while maintaining jawline aesthetics. This is achieved through the manipulation of the mandibular angle, ramus height, and inferior border without creating a step deformity in the soft tissue. Conclusions: The outcomes of HSSO highlight its capacity to deliver predictable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing results, offering a viable alternative to more traditional orthognathic techniques.

Vertical Submental Island Flap for Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Regional flaps remain a cornerstone of head and neck reconstruction. Among their many functions, they serve a vital role in salvage surgery and for those in whom medical comorbidities preclude the use of microvascular free flaps. Recent research has also examined their potential benefit in value-based healthcare metrics such as operative time, cost, intensive care unit care, and length of stay as compared to free-flap reconstruction. The submental island flap is one such entity that is well described and validated to provide predictable, oncologically sound coverage for defects of the lower third of the face and oral cavity. Its application has also been documented for repair of defects of the midface, temporal region, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, albeit less frequently. Since its original description, there have been several modifications of this axial-based flap, though none of a vertically oriented long axis. We describe a case of a vertically based submental island flap for maxillary reconstruction that allowed for debulking and recontouring of prior pectoralis flap and correction of submental ptosis.

The Value of the "Papillon" Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Total Pharyngolaryngectomy Reconstruction: A Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: The tubed, buried anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a popular reconstruction method for total pharyngolaryngectomy defects. The "papillon"-designed ALT flap, described by Hayden et al, offers an alternative method of using the ALT flap in this situation. We report our early experience with the papillon ALT flap in a patient cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On retrospective review, all patients who underwent reconstruction of circumferential total pharyngolaryngectomy defects with the papillon ALT flap from February 2012 to February 2015 were identified from our departmental database. Demographic and clinical data, operative details, and complications were analyzed from the records. RESULTS: Seven patients were included in this study. The mean length of hospital stay was 15 days (range, 10 to 32 days). Acute complications occurred in 5 of 7 patients, namely, partial flap loss managed by a pectoralis flap (1 of 7 [14%]); an early pharyngocutaneous fistula (4 of 7 [57%]) managed by simple repair, wound packing, or delayed repair; and a donor-site hematoma (1 of 7 [14%]). At follow-up (range, 2 to 24 months), there was 1 stricture formation, but no chronic fistula. All patients were able to swallow orally. CONCLUSIONS: Early results using the papillon ALT flap suggest that this technique is a viable alternative to the standard tubed ALT flap design. The advantages of this design include the following: 1) it offers simultaneous vascularized skin to resurface anterior neck skin deficiency without resorting to additional tissue elsewhere; 2) direct monitoring of the ALT flap is possible; and 3) any pharyngocutaneous fistula is exteriorized to the surface without compromising the internal neck structures and can be easily identified and repaired directly in the office.

The Hybrid Submental Flap for Tongue Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: To describe a hybrid submental flap using pedicled and microvascular techniques to circumvent a restricting vascular anatomy and increase the rotational arc of the skin paddle. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This case report and literature review describes a hybrid submental flap. A standard submental island flap was planned and elevated for reconstruction of an acquired lateral tongue defect secondary to oncologic ablation. Aberrant venous anatomy was encountered in which the submental vein drained directly into the internal jugular vein, thus limiting the arc of rotation. The facial vein was ligated at its branch point from the internal jugular vein and anastomosed to the external jugular vein. Medical records were reviewed, including clinical and operative notes. A standard free flap postoperative protocol was adhered to, including aspirin, enoxaparin sodium, flap checks, and internal monitoring using a venous Flow Coupler (Synovis Micro Companies Alliance, Inc, Birmingham, AL). RESULTS: The hybrid submental flap was used effectively for lateral tongue reconstruction. Hybridization of the flap allowed for increased pedicle length and mobilization of the skin paddle. The flap remained well perfused postoperatively, with excellent speech and swallow function after adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The hybrid submental flap is technically feasible and can be a valuable bailout procedure when aberrant vascular anatomy limits the arc of rotation. Ligation and anastomosis of the vein, versus the artery, is more likely to be required because of the more variable drainage patterns and potential valves that would prevent retrograde flow in a Y-V procedure. Retrograde arterial perfusion through the angular branch of the facial artery, by ligation of the submental artery at its proximal takeoff from the facial artery, is a well-documented method to gain cephalad arc of rotation in cases of restrictive arterial anatomy.

Full-thickness skin graft from the neck for coverage of the radial forearm free flap donor site.

PURPOSE: This study describes the use of a full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) from the neck to cover the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) donor site in patients undergoing neck dissection and microvascular reconstruction for ablative head and neck oncologic surgery. The authors propose that an FTSG from the neck provides sufficient tissue quantity and quality, fewer surgical sites, and decreased surgical time and cost compared with other FTSG harvest sites and split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 50 patients from 2007 to 2012 who underwent ablative surgery for oral and head and neck cancer with concomitant cervical lymphadenectomy and RFFF reconstruction with repair of the donor site using an FTSG harvested along the neck dissection incision. Patients who underwent donor site repair using other techniques, such as ulnar transposition flaps, were excluded. Medical records and perioperative photographs were reviewed. RESULTS: Primary closure of the neck without dehiscence was achieved in all cases. There were no recipient site infections. Minor skin graft loss occurred in a minority of patients and was managed with local wound care until healing by secondary intention. No patients required surgical revision of the forearm. CONCLUSIONS: An FTSG from the neck provides adequate coverage for most RFFF harvests and offers favorable functional and esthetic outcomes. The primary advantage is avoiding a third surgical site. Complications were comparable to those using FTSGs from other harvest sites. Importantly, cross-contamination from the head and neck with the forearm was shown not to be an issue.

Preclinical and clinical performance of the Efoora test, a rapid test for detection of human immunodeficiency virus-specific antibodies.

Barriers to effective diagnostic testing for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection can be reduced with simple, reliable, and rapid detection methods. Our objective was to determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of a new rapid, lateral-flow immunochromatographic HIV-1 antibody detection device. Preclinical studies were performed using seroconversion, cross-reaction, and interference panels, archived clinical specimens, and fresh whole blood. In a multicenter, prospective clinical trial, a four-sample matrix of capillary (fingerstick) whole-blood specimens and venous whole blood, plasma, and serum was tested for HIV-1 antibodies with the Efoora HIV rapid test (Efoora Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL) and compared with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Abbott Laboratories) licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Western blot and nucleic acid test supplemental assays were employed to adjudicate discordant samples. Preclinical testing of seroconversion panels showed that antibodies were often detected earlier by the rapid test than by a reference EIA. No significant interference or cross-reactions were observed. Testing of 4,984 archived specimens yielded a sensitivity of 99.2% and a specificity of 99.7%. A prospective multicenter clinical study with 2,954 adult volunteers demonstrated sensitivity and specificity for the Efoora HIV rapid test of 99.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 99.3 and 99.98%) and 99.0% (95% CI, 98.5 and 99.4%), respectively. Reactive rapid HIV-1 antibody detection was confirmed in 99.6% of those with a known HIV infection (n = 939), 5.2% of those in the high-risk group (n = 1,003), and 0.1% of those in the low-risk group (n = 1,012). For 21 (0.71%) patients, there was discordance between the results of the rapid test and the confirmatory EIA/Western blot tests. We conclude that the Efoora HIV rapid test is a simple, rapid assay for detection of HIV-1 antibodies, with high sensitivity and specificity compared to a standardized HIV-1 EIA.