Forte, Antonio J.

Background: Patients with Crouzon syndrome develop various types of anatomic deformities due to different forms of craniosynostosis, yet they have similar craniofacial characteristics. However, exact homology is not evident. Different pathology then may be best treated by different forms of surgical technique. Therefore, precise classification of Crouzon syndrome, based on individual patterns of cranial suture involvement is needed. Methods: Ninety-five computed tomography (CT) scans (Crouzon, n = 33; control, n = 62) were included in this study. All the CT scans are divided into 4 types based on premature closure of sutures: class I = coronal and lambdoidal synostosis; class II = sagittal synostosis; class III = pansynostosis; and class IV = “Others.” The CT scan anatomy was measured by Materialise software. Results: The class III, pansynostosis, is the most prevalent (63.6%). The classes I, III, and IV of Crouzon have significantly shortened entire anteroposterior cranial base length, with the shortest base length in class III. The external cranial measurements in class I show primarily a decreased posterior facial skeleton, while the class III presented with holistic facial skeleton reduction. Class II has the least severe craniofacial malformations, while class III had the most severe. Conclusion: The morphology of patients with Crouzon syndrome is not identical in both cranial base and facial characteristics, especially when they associated with different subtypes of cranial suture synostosis. The classification of Crouzon syndrome proposed in this study, summarizes the differences among each subgroup of craniosynostosis suture involvement, which, theoretically, may ultimately influence both the timing and type of surgical intervention.

Background: Based on an established classification system of Crouzon syndrome subtypes, detailed regional morphology and volume analysis may be useful, to clarify Crouzon cranial structure characteristics, and the interaction between suture fusion and gene regulated overall growth of the calvarium and basicranium. Methods: CT scans of 36 unoperated Crouzon syndrome patients and 56 controls were included and subgrouped as: type I. Bilateral coronal synostosis; type II. Sagittal synostosis; type III. Pansynostosis; type IV. Perpendicular combination synostosis. Results: Type I of Crouzon syndrome patients developed a slightly smaller posterior fossa (22%), and increased superior cranial volume (13%), which is the only subtype that develops a greater superior cranial volume. The effect of competing increased and decreased segmental volume is associated with a 24% enlargement of overall cranial volume (P = 0.321). In class III, the anterior fossa volume was increased by 31% (P = 0.007), while the volume of posterior fossa was decreased by 19% (P < 0.001). These resulted in a 7% (P = 0.046) reduction in the overall intracranial volume. Type II and type IV patients developed a trend toward anterior, middle, and posterior fossae, and entire cranial volume reduction. Conclusions: Pansynostosis is the most often form of associated craniosynostoses of Crouzon syndrome, however bilateral coronal synostosis may not dominate this form of Crouzon syndrome. The anterior, middle and posterior cranial fossae may have simultaneously reduced volume if the midline suture synostosis is involved. Individualized treatment planning for Crouzon syndrome patient, theoretically should include the patient's age and temporal associated maldevelopment suture sequence.

Background Artificial Intelligent Virtual Assistants (AIVA) is a segment of artificial intelligence that is rapidly developing. However, its utilization to address patients' frequently asked questions remains unexplored. Methods We developed an AIVA to answer questions related to 10 frequent topics asked by plastic surgery patients in our institution. Between July 27, 2018, and August 10 of 2018, we recruited subjects with administrative positions at our health care institution to chat with the virtual assistant. They asked, with their own words, 1 question for each topic and filled out a satisfaction questionnaire. Postsurvey analysis of questions and answers allowed assessment of the virtual assistant's accuracy. Results Thirty participants completed the survey. The majority was female (70%), and the mean age was 27.76 years (SD, 8.68 [19–51] years). The overall accuracy of the plastic surgery AIVA was 92.3% (277/294 questions), and participants considered the answer correct in 83.3% of the time (250/294 answers). Most of the participants considered the AIVA easy to use, answered adequately, and could be helpful for patients. However, when asked if this technology could replace a human assistant, they stayed neutral.

Background: Prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction has gained popularity because of advantages over the subpectoral technique. Acellular dermal matrix use with implant-based breast reconstruction has become common because of its perceived superior aesthetic outcome. Matrices are expensive, however, and recent evidence has pointed to several potential complications. This article reports a series of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstructions with and without acellular dermal matrix and compared their outcomes. Methods: This is a single-surgeon retrospective review of patients who underwent staged prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy over two periods. Patients with well-perfused mastectomy skin flaps with a homogeneous thickness underwent reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix initially. On evolution of the practice, it was not used. Patient demographics, operative data, and complications were analyzed. Aesthetic outcome was measured by the BREAST-Q survey and the Aesthetic Item Scale. A cost analysis was also performed. Results: Forty patients were included (acellular dermal matrix group, n = 19; non–acellular dermal matrix group, n = 21). The nonmatrix group had one case (5 percent) of seroma and one case (5 percent) with hematoma; there were none in the acellular dermal matrix group. Average BREAST-Q and Aesthetic Item Scale scores were 82.3 versus 81.6 (p = 0.954) and 20.98 versus 20.43 (p = 0.640) for the matrix and nonmatrix groups, respectively. The direct cost savings for the authors’ institution over 1 year if matrix was not used in all cases of implant-based breast reconstruction would be estimated at $3,105,960 to $6,211,920 for unilateral and bilateral cases, respectively, for Medicare reimbursement. Conclusions: With adequate patient selection, acellular dermal matrix is not always required during two-stage prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction for good aesthetic outcomes. The economic burden on patients and the health care system could be lessened with selective matrix use. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Abstract Skin substitutes are considered a useful alternative for occlusive dressings in the treatment of superficial burns as they reduce the frequency of dressing replacement. This phase II randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) skin as an occlusive xenograft dressing for the treatment of burn wounds in humans. In order to assess the use of tilapia skin, the following variables were evaluated: number of days for wound healing, the number of times the occlusive dressing was changed, use of anesthetics or analgesics, pain assessment using the Visual Analogue Scale, and evaluation of burn improvement on the day of dressing removal. In total, 62 participants completed the study. It was found that in participants treated with tilapia skin, complete reepithelialization occurred in significantly fewer days; reported pain intensity was lower (study arms B and C), the amount of anesthetics/analgesics required was lower (study arms B and C), and the necessity of dressing changes was significantly reduced in comparison with volunteers treated with silver sulfadiazine. In our study, the tilapia skin xenograft showed good efficacy as an occlusive biological dressing for burn wound treatment in humans.