Blog Archive

Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Three dimensional printed models of the airway for preoperative planning of open Laryngotracheal surgery in children: Surgeon’s perception of utility

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Preoperative planning of open laryngotracheal surgery is important for achieving good results. This study examines the surgeon's perception of the importance of using life size 3D printed models of the pediatr...
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Tongue and Lip Comparisons between Healthy and Nondysphagic Poststroke Individuals

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Background: The lips and tongue play a substantial role in efficient clearance of food from the mouth and pharynx into the esophagus. No study has compared oral pressures between healthy individuals and poststoke individuals who report functional swallow abilities. Aim: The current study aimed to investigate the presence of differences in oral pressures between healthy individuals and poststroke individuals who report functional swallowing abilities. Design:< /i> This is a controlled matched pair study. Population: Eighteen control participants (CG) and 18 nondysphagic poststroke participants (NDSG) were enrolled into this study. Methods: The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure and compare tongue strength, endurance, and functional lingual and labial pressures between sex and age-matched pairs. Results: Six paired, two-tailed t tests revealed that tongue and lip pressures were different between the 2 groups. Maximum anterior tongue pressures and posterior tongue pressures were also different, i.e., t(17) = –2.89 (p = 0.010) and t(17) = –2.85 (p = 0.011), with the CG presenting higher pressures. Right lip pressures were significantly lower in the NDSG compared to the CG, i.e., t(17) = 2.45 (p = 0.0001). Left lip pressures were significantly lower in the NDSG compared to the CG, i.e., t(17) = –5.43 (p = 0.0001). Tongue endurance, i.e., t(17) = 0.092 (p = 0.928) and saliva swallow pressures, i.e., t(17) = –0.490 (p = 0.63) were not different. Conclusion: Although poststroke participants reported functional swallowing abilities, there were differences in tongue and lip pressures but not in endurance or saliva swallow pressures. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Poststroke individuals without complaints of dysphagia who are not assessed may experience subclinical dysphagia that could negatively impact their nutrition and quality of life.
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The role of insurance status as a mediator of racial disparities in oropharyngeal cancer outcomes

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Abstract

Background

To assess the role of insurance status as a mediator of racial disparities in oropharyngeal cancer outcomes.

Methods

This was a population-based retrospective cohort study. Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database. The study cohort included 11 627 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2010 and 2015.

Results

The association between black race and increased risk of unresectable disease was slightly attenuated, but persistent, after including insurance status as a covariate (odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95%CI 1.10–1.63). Likewise, black race was no longer associated with worse disease-specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.11, 95%CI 0.99–1.26), but remained associated with worse overall survival with a slightly decreased effect size (HR 1.13, 95%CI 1.01–1.25).

Conclusions

Insurance status plays a significant role in, but does not completely account for, the persistent racial disparities in oropharyngeal cancer outcomes.

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Chronic Rhinosinusitis Disease Disparity

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Objectives/Hypothesis

The role of social determinants of health in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is poorly characterized. Limited research examining CRS health disparities indicates that minority status is associated with worse CRS. However, many of these studies are retrospective or performed in populations without substantial ethnic minorities. Rhinologists need to characterize existing CRS disease disparities to develop targeted strategies for improving care in these populations. This prospective study assesses preoperative CRS disease burden in South Florida (SFL) Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients and examines potential factors contributing CRS disease disparities.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

The prospective cohort study included consecutive patients having primary endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS between September 2019 and February 2020 with complete preoperative data. Data were collected in clinic and surgery. Descriptive statistics compare Hispanic and non-Hispanic cohorts. Linear regression adjusts for confounders. Relative risk (RR) compared CRS severity markers.

Results

Thirty-eight Hispanic and 56 non-Hispanic patients met inclusion criteria. Age, sex, CT scores, insurance payer, and comorbidities were similar between cohorts. Hispanics presented with worse 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) (55; SD = 18) compared to non-Hispanics (37; SD = 22) (P < .001). Hispanics tended to have a higher risk of severe CRS markers, including nasal polyps RR = 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0–5.9), neo-osteogenesis RR = 1.6 (95% CI: 0.5–4.7), extended procedures (i.e., draft III) RR = 2.97 (95% CI: 1.0–9.1), and tissue eosinophilia RR = 1.46 (95% CI: 0.6–3.5). Hispanics reported longer sinonasal symptom duration.

Conclusions

SFL hispanic patients presenting for primary ESS have worse sinonasal disease burden. SFL Hispanics have markers of greater CRS severity and report longer delays before receiving CRS care. These factors may contribute to increased sinonasal disease burden in Hispanic patients.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2021

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Postoperative Radiation Therapy Refusal in Human Papillomavirus‐Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Objectives/Hypothesis

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a distinct clinical entity with good prognosis, unique demographics, and a trend toward treatment deintensification. Patients with this disease may opt out of recommended postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for a variety of reasons. The aim of this paper was to examine factors that predict patient refusal of recommended PORT in HPV-associated OPSCC, and the association of refusal with overall survival.

Study Design

Retrospective population-based cohort study of patients in the National Cancer Database.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with OPSCC between January 2010 and December 2015. We primarily assessed overall survival and the odds of refusing PORT based on demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors. Analysis was conducted using multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

A total of 4229 patients were included in the final analysis, with 156 (3.7%) patients opting out of recommended PORT. On multivariable analysis, patient refusal of PORT was independently associated with a variety of socioeconomic factors such as race, insurance status, comorbidity, treatment at a single facility, and margin status. Lastly, PORT refusal was associated with significantly lower overall survival compared to receipt of recommended PORT (hazard ratio 1.69, confidence interval 1.02–2.82).

Conclusions

Patient refusal of recommended PORT in HPV-associated OPSCC is rare and associated with variety of disease and socioeconomic factors. PORT refusal may decrease overall survival in this population. Our findings may help clinicians when counseling patients and identifying those who may be more likely to opt out of recommended adjuvant therapy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2021

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Outcomes of Robotic Partial Excision of the Levator Ani Muscle for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer Invading the Ipsilateral Pelvic Floor at the Anorectal Ring Level

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate partial excision of the levator ani muscle (PELM) enables preservation of anal sphincter function although levator ani muscle (LAM) was invaded.

Methods

Functional outcomes and oncologic outcomes of 23 consecutive patients who underwent robotic PELM for low rectal cancer at the anorectal ring level invading or abutting the ipsilateral LAM are analyzed.

Results

Secured resection margins were achieved, especially for the circumferential resection margin. During a median follow-up of 44 months, the 3-year local recurrence rate was 14.4%. Among patients who underwent diverting ileostomy closure, mean Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bowel Function Instrument and Wexner scores were 68.3±11.9 and 10.7±5.3, respectively, at 1 year after closure.

Conclusion

PELM is a sphincter-preserving alternative to APR or extralevator APR for low rectal cancer invading the ipsilateral LAM at the level of the anorectal ring.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Towards Development of a Tele‐Mentoring Framework for Minimally Invasive Surgeries

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ABSTRACT

Background

Tele-mentoring facilitates the transfer of surgical knowledge. The objective of this work is to develop a tele-mentoring framework that enables a specialist surgeon to mentor an operating surgeon by transferring information in a form of surgical instruments' motion required during a minimally invasive surgery.

Method

A tele-mentoring framework is developed to transfer video stream of the surgical field, poses of the scope, and port placement from the operating room to a remote location. From the remote location, the motion of virtual surgical instruments augmented onto the surgical field is sent to the operating room.

Results

The proposed framework is suitable to be integrated with laparoscopic as well as robotic surgeries. It takes on average 1.56 seconds to send information from the operating room to the remote location and 0.089 seconds for vice versa over a local area network.

Conclusions

The work demonstrates a te le-mentoring framework that enables a specialist surgeon to mentor an operating surgeon during a minimally invasive surgery.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Intraoperative Ultrasonographic Assessment of Vocal Cord motion under sedation, following pediatric thyroidectomy in the Era of COVID‐19, a double‐blinded preliminary study

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ABSTRACT

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) is a known complication of thyroid surgery, due to iatrogenic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, with reported rates of 2-5% in children. The gold standard for assessing vocal cord function in flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) examination, which is considered high-risk for contraction of the COVID-19 virus. Intraoperative ultrasonographic assessment (IUA) of vocal cord function is a non-invasive and relatively simple procedure, performed in a supine position, performed during spontaneous breathing, following reversed anesthesia, while the patient is still sedated.

Objectives

To evaluate the validity of IUA modality in children undergoing thyroidectomy, and to compare it to the standard FNE.

Design

A prospective double-blind study covering 24 months (March 2019-March 2021). Twenty thyroid lobectomies were performed, during 15 surgeries. Vocal cord function was assessed three times: Preoperatively by FNE, intraoperative (IUA) following extubation, and a second FNE on the first post-operative day.

Settings

A tertiary pediatric hospital.

Results

The overall accuracy of IUA results in our study was 92%. IUA sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 100%, 89%, 33%, and 100% respectively. Patient's age demonstrated borderline significance (p= 0.08). The resident's experience was associated with a better correlation between IUA and FNE results (p<0.05).

Conclusions

IUA of vocal cord motion has a high accuracy rate for detection of iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis, similar to FNE. It is easily learned by residents, well tolerated by children, and it provides a safe and valid alternative modality while ensuring the safety of the medical staff in treating patients, especially in times of COVID-19 pandemic.

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Management of periprosthetic breast infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 17:S1748-6815(21)00329-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The current management of an infected breast implant is varied. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesise the current evidence and establish the efficacy of the various managements of infected breast implants.

METHODS: A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was conducted for primary clinical studies that report on the management of infected breast implants from 1946 to September 2019. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with successful treatment.

RESULTS: Nineteen articles that involve 1044 patients were included. Overall, 29.00% (95% CI = from 11.51% to 50.58%) of the patients with mild infection were treated exclusively with antibiotics, of which, 81.41% (95% CI = from 57.82% to 96.63%) were successfully treated w ithout the need for surgical intervention. Another 39.01% (95% CI = from 21.41% to 58.23%) of the patients underwent surgical salvage of the infected breast implants, of which 84.56% (95% CI = from 74.92% to 92.20%) successfully retained the salvaged implants without infection recurrence. Meanwhile, 35.01% (95% CI = from 27.01% to 43.57%) of the patients underwent explantation of the infected breast implant, of which, only 39.02% (95% CI = from 23.93% to 55.28%) had re-insertion of a new implant on a later date and 4.99% (95% CI = from 1.66% to 9.99%) of these patients had recurrence of infection requiring removal of the infected implant. The commonest complication was capsular contracture, which was reported in 10.78% (95% CI = from 4.41% to 19.49%) of the patients. Changes in the quality of life and cost implications were not reported.

CONCLUSION: This study consolidates current available evidence on the management of infected breast implants, which could assist decision-mak ing and improve patient education; however, current data are limited because of the lack of level-1 evidence.

PMID:34257035 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.070

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Nerve gaps repaired with acellular nerve allografts recellularized with Schwann-like cells: Preclinical trial

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 17:S1748-6815(21)00323-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acellular nerve allografts (ANA) recellularized with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or Schwann cells (SC) are, at present, a therapeutic option for peripheral nerve injuries (PNI). This study aimed to evaluate the regenerative and functional capacity of a recellularized allograft (RA) compared with autograft nerve reconstruction in PNI.

METHODS: Fourteen ovines were randomly included in two groups (n=7). A peroneal nerve gap 30 mm in length was excised, and nerve repair was performed by the transplantation of either an autograft or a recellularized allograft with SC-like cells. Evaluations included a histomorphological analysis of the ANA, MSC pre differentiated into SC-like cells, at one year follow-up functional limb recovery (support and gait), and nerve regeneration using neurophysiologi cal tests and histomorphometric analysis. All evaluations were compared with the contralateral hindlimb as the control.

RESULTS: The nerve allograft was successfully decellularized and more than 70% of MSC were pre differentiated into SC-like cells. Functional assessment in both treated groups improved similarly over time (p <0.05). Neurophysiological results (latency, amplitude, and conduction velocity) also improved in both treated groups at twelve months. Histological results demonstrated a less organized arrangement of nerve fibers (p <0.05) with an active remyelination process (p <0.05) in both treated groups compared with controls at twelve months.

CONCLUSIONS: ANA recellularized with SC-like cells proved to be a successful treatment for nerve gaps. Motor recovery and nerve regeneration were satisfactorily achieved in both graft groups compared with their contralateral nontreated nerves. This approach could be useful for the clinical therapy of PNI.

PMID:34257032 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.066

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Application of real-time surgical navigation for zygomatic fracture reduction and fixation

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 12:S1748-6815(21)00311-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.052. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate treatment of zygomatic fractures can reduce esthetic and functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to answer the research question: "Among patients with a unilateral zygomatic fracture, is the use of computer-assisted real-time navigation system during fracture reduction precise and accurate to create postoperative facial symmetry?"

METHODS: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we enrolled a cohort of unilateral zygomatic fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with the aid of the computer-based navigation system at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, during January 2015 and March 2018. The predictor variable was the comparison before and after surgery. The main outcome variables included (1) two-dimensional (2D) reduction of the displace ment at five anatomical landmarks: zygomaticofrontal, inferior orbital rim, zygomaticosphenoidal, zygomaticomaxillary, and zygomaticotemporal lines/buttresses and (2) three-dimensional (3D) differences on distances between zygomatic surface to the porion plane and the midpoint of zygomatic arch (ZA) to the mid-porion (MP) plane. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was computed to compare between pre- and postoperative data, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The cohort comprised 24 subjects (50% females, 75% left-sided) with a mean age of 30.5 +/- 13.8 years. On 2D analysis, the significant fracture reduction was found: 4.78 vs. 1.22 mm, 1.78 vs. 0.40 mm, 3.50 vs. 0.07 mm, 3.06 vs. 0.55 mm, and 2.55 vs. 0.50 mm at zygomaticomaxillary, zygomaticofrontal, inferior orbital rim, zygomaticosphenoidal, and zygomaticotemporal landmarks. The 3D evaluations revealed the significant reduction of the differences between the left and right zygomatic surface to the porion plane (4.09 ± 2.12 vs. 0.46 ± 0.35 mm) and between the left and right ZA midpoints to the MP plane (4.89 ± 2.59 vs. 0.71 ± 0.44 mm) (p<0.001 for both 2D and 3D analyses).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the real-time surgical navigation system can effectively guide the ORIF of zygomatic fractures. Future research studies should focus on the learning curve and cost-effectiveness analysis of this technique.

PMID:34257033 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.052

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