Cartilage-Sparing Otoplasty: A New Approach.

SUMMARY: Ear protrusion is the primary indication for otoplasty. Many methods have been developed for addressing this defect, based on cartilage-scoring and excision and suture-fixation techniques. Disadvantages include irreversible distortion of the anatomy, irregularities, or overcorrection, or forward bulging of the conchal bowl. One of the most common long-term sequelae of otoplasty is an unsatisfactory result. A novel, cartilage-sparing, suture-based technique has been developed that aims to minimize the risk of complications and provide a natural-appearing aesthetic result. The method is based on two to three key sutures that shape the concha into the desired natural appearance while preventing a conchal bulge, which otherwise could appear if no cartilage is removed. Furthermore, these sutures support the neo-antihelix created by four further sutures anchored to the mastoid fascia, thus achieving the two main goals of otoplasty. The sparing of cartilaginous tissue means that the procedure is reversible if needed. In addition, permanent postoperative stigmata, pathologic scarring, and anatomical deformity can be avoided. This technique was used on 91 ears in 2020 and 2021, with only one ear (1.1%) requiring revision. Rates of complications or recurrence were low. The presented technique appears to be a rapid and safe method for treating the prominent ear deformity, providing aesthetically pleasing results.

Techniques and Innovations in Flap Engineering: A Review.

Currently, the gold standard for complex defect reconstruction is autologous tissue flaps, with vascularized composite allografts as its highest level. Good clinical results are obtained despite considerable obstacles, such as limited donor sites, donor site morbidity, and complex operations. Researchers in the field of tissue engineering are trying to generate novel tissue flaps requiring small or no donor site sacrifice. At the base of existing technologies is the tissue's potential for regeneration and neovascularization. Methods: A review was conducted identifying relevant published articles in PubMed on the subject of flap engineering, with the focus on plastic surgery. This review article surveys contemporary technologies in flap engineering, including cell sheet technology, prefabricated flaps, and tissue engineering chambers. Conclusions: Some of the described procedures, though not yet ready for clinical use, are certainly ready for trial in large animal models and even human studies. Tissue engineering is a promising field for the handling of large and complex tissue defects.

Breast Implantation Rates in Israel: Is There a Change in Trend?

BACKGROUND: Breast implant illness (BII) is a rising concern among many patients. Although not fully understood, a connection between silicone breast implants and systemic diseases may be present. This connection may influence the types of breast surgeries performed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changing trends in breast surgeries in Israel over time, with regard to implantation, explantation, and implant exchange surgeries. METHODS: In this ecological study, we presented data from four private medical centers in Israel regarding the number of breast implant surgeries performed in the years 2018-2019. Data were collected bi-yearly. The types of surgeries included breast implantation, explantation, and breast implant exchange. RESULTS: When we summed and compared the yearly data, we saw that the number of implantations in 2018 was 2267 (80.1% of breast implant procedures that year), and 1929 (68.9%) in 2019. The number of implant exchanges in 2018 and 2019 was 482 (17.0%) and 608 (21.7%), respectively. In 2018, 80 (2.8%) explantations were performed and 262 (9.4%) in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a trend in the rise of implant removal surgeries in addition to a decrease in breast implantations. One possible reason may be patient concerns of BII. Another reason may be the increased public interest and discussion about systemic effects of breast implants. More research is needed in this field to achieve better understanding of the phenomenon, the reasons behind it, and the possible solutions and ways of treatment.

Patterns of salivary microbiota injury and oral mucositis in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a common debilitating dose-limiting toxicity of cancer treatment, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We hypothesized that the oral microbiome is disturbed during allogeneic HSCT, partially accounting for the variability in OM severity. Using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis, metabolomic profiling, and computational methods, we characterized the behavior of the salivary microbiome and metabolome of 184 patients pre- and post-HSCT. Transplantation was associated with a decrease in oral α diversity in all patients. In contrast to the gut microbiome, an association with overall survival was not detected. Among 135 patients given methotrexate for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis pre-HSCT, Kingella and Atopobium abundance correlated with future development of severe OM. Posttransplant, Methylobacterium species were significantly enriched in patients with severe OM. Moreover, the oral microbiome and metabolome of severe OM patients underwent distinct changes post-HSCT, compared with patients with no or mild OM. Changes in specific metabolites were well explained by microbial composition, and the common metabolic pathway was the polyamines pathway, which is essential for epithelial homeostasis. Together, our findings suggest that salivary microbial composition and metabolites are associated with the development of OM, offering new insights on pathophysiology and potential avenues of intervention.

Risk factors and implications of oral mucositis in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common toxicity of stem cell transplantation (SCT). We sought to evaluate OM burden, risk factors, and implications in a cohort of allogeneic-SCT recipients. METHODS: This was a single-center study including 115 adult allogeneic-SCT transplanted between 2016 and 2018 for various hematological conditions. Conditioning intensity was categorized as myeloablative (MAC, 39%), reduced intensity (34%), or reduced toxicity (RTC, 27%) in patients conditioned with fludarabine-treosulfan. OM was prospectively graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v.4.0) system. RESULTS: Moderate-to-severe OM (grade 2-4) was experienced by 60% of patients. In a univariate analysis, younger age (P = .023), lower body mass index (P = .01), recent smoking (P = .08), recent antibiotics exposure (P = .018), MAC (P < .001), and methotrexate (P = .009) were associated with moderate-to-severe OM. In a multivariable logistic regression model, conditioning and graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis remained significant. OM risk was lowest with RTC (RTC vs MAC: odd ratio [OR] 0.05, P < .001), and recent antibiotic exposure trended toward increased risk (OR 1.88, P = .168). OM was associated with longer hospitalization, delayed neutrophil engraftment, and gastrointestinal-related infections. CONCLUSION: Oral mucositis remains a leading SCT complication. Treosulfan-based conditioning has low mucosal toxicity and is appealing given previous reports on its high efficacy.