Computerized Surgical Planning in Face Transplantation
Face transplantation (FT) has emerged as a critical intervention for patients with complex facial deformities unsuitable for conventional reconstructive methods. It aims to restore essential functions such as facial expression, mastication, and speech, while also improving psychosocial health. The procedure utilizes various surgical principles, addressing unique challenges of craniofacial complexity and diverse injury patterns. The integration of Computerized Surgical Planning (CSP) leverages computer-aided technologies to enhance preoperative strategy, intraoperative navigation, and postoperative assessment. CSP utilizes three-dimensional computed tomography, printing, angiography, and navigation systems, enabling surgeons to anticipate challenges and reduce intraoperative trial and error. Through four clinical cases, including a groundbreaking combined face and bilateral hand transplant, CSP's role in FT is highlighted by its ability to streamline operative processes and minimize surgical revisions. The adoption of CSP has led to fewer cadaveric rehearsals, heightened operative precision, and greater alignment with preoperative plans. Despite CSP's advancements, it remains complementary to, rather than a replacement for, clinical expertise. The demand for technological resources and multidisciplinary teamwork is high, but the improved surgical outcomes and patient quality of life affirm CSP's value in FT. The technology has become a staple in reconstructive surgery, signaling a step forward in the evolution of complex surgical interventions.
Computer-Assisted Surgery in Mandible Reconstruction
Computer-assisted surgery is the most significant recent advancement in osseous head and neck reconstruction. Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows computerized planning of resection and reconstruction. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) can be used to create models, cutting guides, and patient-specific plates. Several studies have shown that these techniques are more accurate and result in decreased flap ischemia times compared with conventional techniques. CAD also facilitates the immediate placement of dental implants. The most useful application of computer-assisted surgery is delayed reconstruction, in which soft tissue contraction and the absence of a specimen as a reference make accurate estimation of the defect challenging. The drawbacks of CAD/CAM are lack of intraoperative flexibility and cost. Some centers have created in-house CAD/CAM processes using open-source software and commercially available three-dimensional printers.
Application of Computerized Surgical Planning in Craniosynostosis Surgery
Craniosynostosis, a medical condition characterized by premature fusion of one or multiple cranial sutures, has historically been treated through surgical correction. Computerized Surgical Planning (CSP) and three-dimensional (3D) modeling have gained significant popularity across craniofacial surgery. Through a collaborative effort between surgeons and engineers, it is now possible to virtually execute a surgical plan based on preoperative imaging using computed tomography scans. The CSP workflow involves several elements including virtual 3D modeling, CSP computer-aided surgical guide design, manufacturing of guides and templates, and intraoperative implementation. Through the gradual optimization of this workflow, it has been possible to achieve significant progress in the surgical process including improvements in the preoperative planning of complex craniosynostosis cases and reduction of intraoperative time. Furthermore, CSP and 3D modeling have had a positive impact on surgical simulation and residency training, along with patient education and counseling. This article summarizes the CSP workflow in the treatment of craniosynostosis and the implications of this treatment modality on medical trainee education and patient management.
Neuroplastic Surgery Principles of Computerized Surgical Planning in Complex Cranioplasty Reconstruction
This article explores the evolution and implementation of three-dimensional (3D) models and Computerized Surgical Planning (CSP) for complex cranioplasty reconstruction and the advances in neuroplastic surgery principles for improved surgical outcomes. Over recent years, CSP has revolutionized the field by employing detailed medical imaging to enhance the accuracy and efficacy of 3D models and for the creation of customized cranial implants (CCIs). The study discusses the advancements of solid alloplastic implants to the future of implants with sophisticated and integrated neurotechnology to treat or enhance patient outcomes. CSP can be used to identify and mitigate complications that can occur within cranioplasty reconstruction and to create CCIs to address the postoperative challenge of temporal hollowing. Despite the promising advancements, the article acknowledges the current limitations of CSP, including cost and technological accessibility, and proposes future directions for research and development. The findings suggest that with further improvements in imaging, biomaterials, and manufacturing techniques, CSP in neuroplastic surgery and other specialties will continue to significantly enhance the precision and personalized care of cranioplasty reconstruction.
Practical Considerations in Computerized Surgical Planning for Frontofacial Surgery
The field of frontofacial surgery has advanced considerably, building on the pioneering techniques of Paul Tessier, with computerized surgical planning (CSP) emerging as a critical component. CSP has enhanced the precision and efficiency of surgeries for craniofacial dysostoses and hypertelorism, resulting in improved outcomes. This review delves into the importance of understanding orbital anatomy and the crucial bony and soft tissue landmarks essential to the application of CSP in frontofacial procedures, encompassing Le Fort III and monobloc advancements, as well as the correction of hypertelorism.
Computerized Surgical Planning in Gender Affirming Facial Surgery
Computerized Surgical Planning (CSP) is a surgical tool that enables precise bony changes through the creation of custom cutting guides and/or custom plates. CSP has been shown to be a safe and effective tool in gender affirming facial surgery as well, specifically with regard to frontal sinus setback, zygomatic remodeling, genioplasty, and mandibular angle and body reshaping. CSP aids in trainee education, improves symmetry, reduces operative time, and can produce idealized results during complex revisions. Overall, CSP is a valuable tool in the field of gender affirming facial surgery that helps surgeons achieve optimal aesthetic and safety outcomes for patients.
Computerized Surgical Planning for Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis
Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a technically challenging procedure due to complex mandibular anatomy, especially in the treatment of Pierre-Robin Sequence due to variable bone thickness in the infant mandible and the presence of tooth buds. Computerized surgical planning (CSP) simplifies the procedure by preoperatively visualizing critical structures, producing cutting guides, and planning distractor placement. This paper describes the process of using CSP to plan mandibular distraction osteogenesis, including discussion of recent advances in the use of custom distractors.
The Historical Evolvement of Movement and Exercise Training in Patients with Severe Burns and Their Potential Effects on Grafts, Scars, and Function
Exercise training for burn patients has become a major part of rehabilitation programs within the last decades. One of the main reasons for prolonged and long-term increased morbidity and mortality in this population is a persistent catabolic state with subsequent loss of lean body mass (LBM). A combination of resistance and aerobic exercises as well as stretching has shown to improve physical function by enhancing cardiopulmonary fitness, LBM, and strength and thus leading to ameliorated long-term outcomes of patients recovering from burns. In this literature review, we show an outline of the implementation of exercise training over the last decades into standardized care for patients with burns.
Wound Management of Pediatric Burns
The goal for treating pediatric burns is to allow the patient to heal with as little scarring as possible. Compared to older children and adults, very small children have anatomic differences that alter their treatment. They have thinner skin that leads to a higher risk for full-thickness burns. Children also tend to freeze when touching a hot item, so that the prolonged contact also leads to deeper burns. Two healing strategies are needed to treat these wounds. One must optimize reepithelialization in superficial burns to reduce scarring. Deeper burns require skin grafting, but there are techniques, such as the use of "sheet" autograft skin that lead to excellent outcomes. Strategies to treat the massive pediatric burn will also be covered. Finally, there are instances where different strategies are needed to cover exposed bone or tendon. The ultimate goal is to return the skin to as normal a state as possible.
Inhalation Injury
Inhalation injury is a critical component of thermal injury that can significantly increase mortality in burn survivors. This poses significant challenges to managing these patients and profoundly impacts patient outcomes. This comprehensive literature review delves into the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, classification, management, and outcomes of inhalation injury with burns.
Initial Pediatric Burn Management: A Practical Guide
Children have an imperative to explore their environment to grow and develop, which puts them at risk for sustaining burn injury. Burn injury remains the third leading cause of injury-related death worldwide. Plastic surgeons, as experts in the evaluation and management of cutaneous injuries, are frequently called upon to evaluate and treat children with burn injuries. This article focuses on the unique physiologic aspects of children and how they impact initial evaluation and management of burn injury. Children are not "little adults," and they have different airway, circulatory, and cutaneous systems. Understanding the signs of potential child abuse is important to avoid further child harm. Finally, recognition of the criteria for referral to a pediatric burn center is important to optimize both short- and long-term outcomes for patients and families.
Pediatric Burn Teams: Moving from Multidisciplinary to Transdisciplinary
Pediatric burn care has improved to the point where even patients with massive burns have a reasonable chance of survival. An important component of this success is the pediatric multidisciplinary burn team. The pediatric burn team is made up of all the disciplines that are required to provide optimal care of the patient as well as their family. The pediatric burn team in its initial iteration was multidisciplinary, with each discipline focusing on their own area without much overlap. However, over time the burn team has become more cooperative and interdisciplinary leading to improved outcomes for children with burn injuries. Ultimately, pediatric burn teams may be able to function in a transdisciplinary manner which would potentially allow for even more innovation in the care of burn patients.
Global Surgery: Burn Outreach by Shriners Children's Texas
Global surgery describes a rapidly developing field that seeks to improve surgical treatment internationally, specifically in those specialized treatments that are not readily accessible, considered complex and expensive. Burns cause 300,000 deaths annually, 90% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Burns are a public health problem since they can cause disability and death. Shriners Children's Texas is a unique model of global surgery for an important number of countries in Central and South Americas and Mexico, providing specialized acute burn care with low mortality for burned children. Survivors of severe burns may face devastating sequelae due to burn scar contractures and hypertrophic burn scars that may limit the social reintegration. Burn reconstruction is not easily accessible to patients in LMICs. After discharge from acute burn treatment at our hospital, patients may return every 6 months for in-person follow-up to assess any surgical, psychological, or rehabilitative needs. Telemedicine allows for monitoring of postoperative results and evaluation for new surgical procedures. Follow-up clinic visits called outreach clinics held in international hospitals or international Shriners Temples allow for evaluation of follow-up patients and new patients with reconstructive needs that may benefit from a treatment in Shriners Children's Texas in Galveston, Texas.
Critical Care of the Pediatric Burn Patient
Life-saving pediatric burn care is often initiated in hospitals that are not designated as a pediatric burn center. Therefore, familiarity with critical care of pediatric burn patients is crucial for physicians working in all healthcare settings equipped to care for children. Management of airway, mechanical ventilation, preservation of ideal circulatory status, and establishment of vascular access in pediatric burn patients requires many unique considerations. This article aims to summarize important principles of critical care of children with significant burn injuries for review by physicians and surgeons working in hospitals designated as a pediatric burn center and those that stabilize these patients prior to referral.
Benefits and Process of Providing Peer Support for Pediatric Burn Survivors and Caregivers during Inpatient and Outpatient Phases of Recovery
The World Health Organization reveals that pediatric burns represent a large portion of burns globally (61). Increases in survival rates have guided clinical and research focus on physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Research on other childhood illnesses has shown the efficacy of social support throughout recovery. In the pediatric burn literature, studies have shown the efficacy of burn camps for promoting positive interactions among survivors, learning coping skills, and facilitating socialization and reintegration. However, few studies have focused on the benefits of peer support for pediatric burn survivors and their caregivers in the inpatient and outpatient phases of recovery. This descriptive paper identifies options for building resilience for pediatric burn survivors through peer support in the inpatient and outpatient phases of recovery. The authors discuss options for providing peer support during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the pediatric intensive care unit, general pediatric floor, and outpatient setting.
Musculoskeletal Issues in Pediatric Burn Patients
A burn injury affects virtually every organ system. The purpose of this article is to review musculoskeletal issues in children with burn injuries. Both acute and long-term problems will be discussed. A low threshold to consult a pediatric orthopaedist is recommended.
Airway Management for Acute and Reconstructive Burns: Our 30-year Experience
Airway management in both acute and reconstructive burn patients can be a major challenge for evaluation, intubation, and securing the airway in the setting of altered airway structure. Airway evaluation in both acute and reconstructive patients includes examination for evidence of laryngeal and supraglottic edema and structural changes due to trauma and/or scarring that will impact the successful approach to acquiring an airway for surgical procedures and medical recovery. The approach to acquiring a successful airway is rarely standard laryngoscopy and often requires fiberoptic bronchoscopy and a variety of airway manipulation techniques. Tracheostomy should be reserved for those with classic requirements of ventilatory and/or mechanical failure or severe upper airway burns. Even securing an airway for surgical procedures, especially with patients suffering injuries involving the head and neck, can be nonstandard and requires creative and flexible approaches to be successful. After much trial and error over the past 30 years in a large burn center, our multidisciplinary team has learned many valuable lessons. This review will focus on our current approach to safe airway management in acute and reconstructive burn patients.
Update on Hypermetabolism in Pediatric Burn Patients
Despite advancements in pediatric burn care, the profound hypermetabolic response associated with severe burns remains a multifaceted challenge throughout the continuum of care. Understanding the various physiologic disturbances that constitute hypermetabolism is crucial for a thorough evaluation and for implementing appropriate surgical and nonsurgical interventions. In this article, we describe the pathophysiology and treatment of hypermetabolism in pediatric burn patients with a focus on reducing resting energy requirements, minimizing infection, and optimizing nutrition for patients undergoing frequent surgical intervention.