Temkit, M’hamed

Background: There remains significant uncertainty about the fistula rate following palate repair with the Furlow double opposing Z-plasty (Furlow DOZ) technique compared with a straight-line/mucosal incision with intravelar veloplasty (IVVP) technique. Moreover, the relative impact of technique and surgical skill on fistula incidence remains unclear. Methods: A prospective, observational study of cleft palate repair was conducted. Enrollment occurred at 18 U.S.-based cleft centers, including 64 cleft surgeons. The primary outcome was postoperative fistula. Results: Overall, 1219 participants underwent cleft palate repair, 1178 of whom presented for follow-up. Of these, 581 (49.3%) underwent palate repair with the Furlow DOZ technique, 483 (41.0%) with the straight-line/IVVP technique, and 114 (9.7%) with an alternative technique. The overall fistula incidence was 5.3% (62 of 1162 analyzed for fistula occurrence). The fistula incidence was significantly lower in the Furlow DOZ group (2.4% [14 of 564]) than in the straight-line/IVVP group (7.8% [37 of 427]), with a propensity score–weighted risk difference of 5.7% (95% CI, 1.6% to 9.9%; P = 0.007). The fistula incidence varied substantially among surgeons: the top quartile’s fistula rate was 0% (0 fistulas among 417 repairs), whereas the bottom quartile’s fistula rate was 18.9% (31 fistulas among 164 repairs). Conclusions: Fistula incidence following cleft palate repair was significantly lower when using the Furlow DOZ technique, compared with the straight-line/IVVP technique. The effect of surgical technique was smaller, however, than the variation observed between the top and bottom quartiles of surgeons. These findings suggest that changing surgical technique may lead to small changes in fistula incidence, but greater opportunities exist to improve outcomes by improving surgical skill.

Objective: Our objective is to examine which sociodemographic factors may influence the time of presentation of patients with craniosynostosis, which can impact perioperative outcomes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients, Participants: All patients with nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis who underwent surgery at a tertiary pediatric hospital from January 1, 2007 to January 2, 2024 were eligible for inclusion. Interventions: Comparing demographic variables between those undergoing early and late craniosynostosis repair. Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic variables, social vulnerability index (SVI) and area deprivation index (ADI), median household income, education rate, and employment rates. Results: 77.5% (n = 234) of patients underwent minimally invasive repair. 22.5% (n = 68) underwent open cranial vault remodeling. Age at consultation differed significantly between those undergoing early repair compared to late repair (0.18 years v. 1.01 years, P < .0001). Patients undergoing late repair were more likely to be Hispanic (42.6% v. 24.4%, P = .0378), on public insurance (66.2% v. 45.3%, P = .0079), have lower parental education rates (24.78% vs. 31.64%, P = .0019), and lower median household income ($65 657 vs. $75 281, P = .0226). Interestingly, ADI scores and SVI scores did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions: Patients who presented later for treatment of nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis had lower median household income, were more likely to be Hispanic, had lower parental education rates, and were more likely to be on public insurance compared to those who received early treatment.

Objective To investigate whether flexible nasopharyngoscopy, when performed in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), influences the type of surgery selected or success of surgery in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Design Cohort study. Setting A metropolitan children's hospital. Patients Patients with non-syndromic, repaired cleft palate presenting for management of VPI. Interventions MRI and nasopharyngoscopy or MRI alone for preoperative imaging of the velopharyngeal mechanism. Main Outcome Measures (1) Surgical selection and (2) resolution of hypernasality. All speech, MRI, and nasopharyngoscopy measurements were performed by raters blinded to patients’ medical and surgical history. Results Of the 25 patients referred for nasopharyngoscopy, 76% completed the exam. Of the 41 patients referred for MRI, the scan was successfully completed by 98% of patients. Completion of nasopharyngoscopy was significantly (p=0.01) lower than MRI. Surgical selection did not significantly differ (p=0.73) between the group receiving MRI and nasopharyngoscopy and the group receiving MRI alone, nor was there a significant difference between these groups in the proportion of patients achieving resolution of hypernasality postoperatively (p=0.63). Percent total velopharyngeal closure assessments on nasopharyngoscopy and MRI were strongly correlated (r=0.73). Conclusions In patients receiving MRI as part of their preoperative VPI evaluation, the addition of nasopharyngoscopy did not result in a difference in surgical selection or resolution of hypernasality. Routine inclusion of nasopharyngoscopy may not be necessary for the evaluation of velopharyngeal anatomy when MRI is available.

Background: Secondary Furlow (Furlow) and buccal myomucosal flaps (BMMF) treat velopharyngeal insufficiency by lengthening the palate and retropositioning the levator veli palatini muscles. The criteria for choosing one operation over the other remain unclear. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Thirty-two patients with nonsyndromic, repaired cleft palate were included. All patients underwent a Furlow or BMMF. Outcome measures included (1) resolution of hypernasality 12 months postoperatively, (2) degree of improvement of hypernasality severity; and (3) change in velar length, as measured on magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. All measures were performed by raters blinded to participants’ medical and surgical history. Results: Hypernasality was corrected to normal in 80% of the Furlow group and in 56% of the BMMF group. Patients receiving BMMF had more severe hypernasality during preoperative speech evaluation. Both groups had a median decrease of two scalar rating points for severity of hypernasality (P = 0.58). On postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, patients who underwent Furlow had a median increased velar length of 6.9 mm. Patients who received BMMF had a median increased velar length of 7.5 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding increase in velar length (P = 0.95). Conclusions: Furlow and BMMF procedures increase velar length with favorable speech outcomes. The same degree of improvement for hypernasality was observed across groups, likely explained by the similar increase in velar length achieved. Anatomic changes in palate length and levator veli palatini retropositioning persist 1 year after surgery.

Objective To present the design and methodology for an actively enrolling comparative effectiveness study of revision palatoplasty versus pharyngoplasty for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) Design Prospective observational multicenter study Setting Twelve hospitals across the United States and Canada Participants Individuals who are 3–23 years of age with a history of repaired cleft palate and a diagnosis of VPI, with a total enrollment target of 528 participants Interventions Revision palatoplasty and pharyngoplasty (either pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty), as selected for each participant by their treatment team Main Outcome Measure(s) The primary outcome is resolution of hypernasality, defined as the absence of consistent hypernasality as determined by blinded perceptual assessment of a standard speech sample recorded twelve months after surgery. The secondary outcome is incidence of new onset obstructive sleep apnea. Statistical analyses will use propensity score matching to control for demographics, medical history, preoperative severity of hypernasality, and preoperative imaging findings. Results Study recruitment began February 2021. As of September 2022, 148 participants are enrolled, and 78 have undergone VPI surgery. Enrollment is projected to continue into 2025. Collection of postoperative evaluations should be completed by the end of 2026, with dissemination of results soon thereafter. Conclusions Patients with VPI following cleft palate repair are being actively enrolled at sites across the US and Canada into a prospective observational study evaluating surgical outcomes. This study will be the largest and most comprehensive study of VPI surgery outcomes to date.

Purpose: This study aims to describe the incidence of postoperative urinary retention among pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and identify risk factors. Methods: The Pediatric Health Information System was used to identify children aged 1–18 years who underwent orthopedic surgery. Collected from each patient’s record were demographic information, principal procedure during hospitalization, the presence of neurologic/neuromuscular conditions and other complex chronic medical conditions, the total postoperative length of stay, and the presence of postoperative urinary retention. Results: The overall incidence of postoperative urinary retention was 0.38%. Children with complex chronic neuromuscular conditions (OR 11.54 (95% CI 9.60–13.88), p = < 0.001) and complex chronic non-neuromuscular medical conditions (OR 5.07 (95% CI 4.11–6.25), p ≤ 0.001) had a substantially increased incidence of urinary retention. Surgeries on the spine (OR 3.98 (95% CI 3.28–4.82, p ≤ 0.001) and femur/hip (OR 3.63 (95% CI 3.03–4.36), p ≤ 0.001) were also associated with an increased incidence. Conclusions: Children with complex chronic neuromuscular conditions have a substantially increased risk of experiencing postoperative urinary retention. Complex chronic non-neuromuscular medical conditions and surgeries to the spine, hip, and femur also carry a notably increased risk.

Introduction: Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is nonatherosclerotic and noninflammatory arteriopathy. It commonly affects the abdominal vasculature. There is uncertainty about its presentation, radiological findings, prognosis and management. Hypothesis: The goal of this study is to describe the clinical course and evaluate risk factors for disease progression. Method: Retrospective review of all cases diagnosed with SAM at the Mayo clinic between 2001 and 2014. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, risk factors, laboratory, imaging findings and treatment options at presentation and during follow-up visits. A non-parametric Wilcoxon-rank-sum test and the Chi-Square test were used. Results: Out of 247 reviewed cases, 114 patients were confirmed with SAM and included in the analysis. (69%) were male and a majority (84%) had no other connective tissue disorder. Mean age was (52) years old. Pre-existing hypertension was identified in (48%), hyperlipidemia (31%), migraine (11%) and smoking (32%). The most common symptoms at presentation were abdominal pain (70%), flank pain (21%), back pain (8%) and chest pain (5%). Only (30%) of patients had recurrent symptoms and most (89%) had negative inflammatory markers. On angiography the following arteries were commonly affected: renal (51%), celiac (43%), superior mesenteric (49%), and iliac (18%). At presentation (85%) of patients were found to have mesenteric arterial dissection; (45%) aneurysms; (14%) wind or wall thickening; (21%) occlusion; and (38%) with evidence of end organ ischemia or infarct. 82 patients were followed up with a CT angiogram for an average of 19 months, 17 (20.73%) had evidence of disease progression. (22%) required revascularization. Aspirin (47%) was the most common treatment used followed by anticoagulation (38%), beta blocker (35%) and ACEI/ARB (29%). Risk factors for disease progression are being male (P<0.0173), Hypertension (P<0.0128), hyperlipidemia (P<= 0.0044). The use of antiplatelets and ACEI/ARB was not associated with disease stability. Conclusion: SAM is an arteriopathy that affects the mesenteric arteries in middle age men. Conservative management with control of risk factors and close follow up are preferred approach.