Comparison of Synthetic and Biologic Mesh in Ventral Hernia Repair Using Components Separation Technique.

Ventral hernia repair (VHR) for large abdominal wall defects is challenging. Prior research established that the use of mesh is superior to suture closure alone and that component separation is an effective technique to combat loss of abdominal domain. Studies comparing component separation technique (CST) outcomes utilizing synthetic versus biologic mesh are limited. A retrospective review was conducted of 72 consecutive patients who underwent VHR with CST between 2006 and 2010 at our institution. Surgeon preference and the presence of contamination guided whether synthetic mesh (27 patients) or biologic mesh (45 patients) was used. Mean follow-up interval for all comers was 13.9 months and similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Degree of contamination and severity of premorbid medical conditions were significantly higher in the biologic mesh group, as reflected in the higher Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) score (2.04 versus 2.86). Clinical outcomes, as measured by both minor and major complication rates and recurrence rates, were not significantly different. Minor complication rates were 26% in the synthetic group and 37% in the biologic group and major complication rates 15% in the synthetic group and 22% in the biologic group. There was 1 recurrence (4%) in the synthetic mesh group versus 5 (11%) in the biologic mesh group. Multivariable analysis for major complications revealed no significant difference for either synthetic or biologic mesh while controlling for other variables. Subset analysis of uncontaminated cases revealed recurrence rates of 4% in the synthetic mesh group and 6% in the biologic mesh group. VHR using CST and either synthetic mesh or biologic mesh resulted in low recurrence rates with similar overall complication profiles, despite the higher average VHWG grading score in the biologic mesh group. Our results support the VHWG recommendation for biologic mesh utilization in higher VHWG grade patients. In VHWG grade 2 patients, our clinical outcomes were similar, supporting the use of either type of mesh.

Neurofibromatosis of the head and neck: classification and surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis is common and presents with variable penetrance and manifestations in one in 2500 to one in 3000 live births. The management of these patients is often multidisciplinary because of the complexity of the disease. Plastic surgeons are frequently involved in the surgical management of patients with head and neck involvement. METHODS: A 20-year retrospective review of patients treated surgically for head and neck neurofibroma was performed. Patients were identified according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for neurofibromatosis and from the senior author's database. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients with head and neck neurofibroma were identified. These patients were categorized into five distinct, but not exclusive, categories to assist with diagnosis and surgical management. These categories included plexiform, cranioorbital, facial, neck, and parotid/auricular neurofibromatosis. CONCLUSIONS: A surgical classification system and clinical characteristics of head and neck neurofibromatosis is presented to assist practitioners with diagnosis and surgical management of this complex disease. The surgical management of the cranioorbital type is discussed in detail in 24 patients. The importance and safety of facial nerve dissection and preservation using intraoperative nerve monitoring were validated in 16 dissections in 15 patients. Massive involvement of the neck extending from the skull base to the mediastinum, frequently considered inoperable, has been safely resected by the use of access osteotomies of the clavicle and sternum, muscle takedown, and brachial plexus dissection and preservation using intraoperative nerve monitoring. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and their association with naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures: a 5-year review.

BACKGROUND: Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures associated with ipsilateral naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures are more complex injuries than isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. This injury pattern can have significant long-term morbidity if not recognized and treated appropriately during the initial operation. The purpose of this study is to compare mechanisms of injury, treatment, and outcome between patients with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and those with zygomaticomaxillary complex and ipsilateral naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures. METHODS: A 5-year retrospective review of all patients treated with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures at a level I trauma center was performed. Computed tomographic scans were reviewed to divide patients into those with zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures alone and those with zygomaticomaxillary complex and ipsilateral naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures. Demographics, treatment protocols, outcomes, complications, reoperations, and length of follow-up were identified for both groups and compared to determine differences between these populations. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients were identified by the Current Procedural Terminology codes for zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. One hundred eighty-five patients had zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and 60 patients had zygomaticomaxillary complex/naso-orbito-ethmoidal injuries. The demographics for both populations were similar. There are differences between the groups with regard to mechanism of injury, operative findings, and techniques. The patients with zygomaticomaxillary complex/naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures had higher rates of postoperative complications and deformities. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who sustain a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture associated with an ipsilateral naso-orbito-ethmoidal fracture have a higher incidence of postoperative complications and deformities. It is important to recognize this fracture pattern early to help minimize postoperative morbidity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome with labyrinthine bony overgrowth and mixed hearing loss, a case report.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a congenital disorder characterized by a triad of (1) capillary malformations, (2) venous malformations, and (3) soft tissue or bony hypertrophy. There exists one report of a patient with KTS and an associated sensorineural hearing loss. We describe an adolescent girl with KTS and AV fistulas who was found to have a bony overgrowth extending from the cochlea into the middle ear cavity and an ipsilateral mixed hearing loss. In both of these patients, there were obvious KTS deformities involving the face. We suggest conducting hearing screening in patients with KTS and obvious head involvement.

Somatostatin treatment of massive lymphorrhea following excision of a lymphatic malformation.

Postoperative lymphorrhea is a serious and occasionally lethal complication of neck dissection and cardiothoracic surgery. Management is not standardized, but usually centers around diet modification, drainage, pressure dressings, and reoperation. We report the successful use of the long acting somatostatin analogue octreotide in the management of massive lymphorrhea complicating excision of a large cervicomediastinal lymphatic malformation in an infant. Based on this report and a review of the available literature, we advocate the early consideration of somatostatin and its analogues in the control of lymphorrhea.