Secondary Cranioplasty After Fronto-Orbital Advancement: Analysis of a National Database.

Introduction: Fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) is the standard treatment for craniosynostosis patients with fronto-orbital dysmorphology. Few studies examine the incidence of secondary cranioplasty operations after FOA. This retrospective analysis utilizes multicenter billing data to identify risk factors and the incidence of secondary reconstructive cranioplasty operations after FOA.

Concomitant Facial Fractures: A National Evaluation of Patients, Prevalence, and Fracture Patterns.

Background: Facial fractures may present with one or more additional facial fractures and result in significant morbidity. The authors evaluated the prevalence of concomitant facial fractures within the United States.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed patients in PearlDiver, a national deidentified claims database from 2010 through 2020, who had concomitant facial fracture surgery identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes reported within 30 days of presentation.

How gliomas affect white matter tract bundles associated with the limbic cortex.

Introduction: While glioma incidence in the US has stabilized, prognosis remains poor. One underutilized MRI modality, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), could be used to better predict postoperative glioma resection outcomes. DTI measures the structural integrity of brain white matter tracts by measuring water diffusion.

Billing Practices in Pediatric Fronto-Orbital Advancement Surgeries: Review of a National Billing Database.

Background: Fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) for craniosynostosis is the standard treatment for patients with anterior cranial vault differences. Despite its widespread use, national billing practices for FOA have not been described. This study analyzes billing codes from a national multicenter claims database to evaluate variations in billing for FOA, aiming to inform standardization efforts.

Early-Onset Facial Weakness: Evaluation and Surgical Treatment of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Disease.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is the third most common inherited muscular dystrophy, following Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. Early-onset FSHD presents unique challenges, particularly in the context of managing early-acquired facial weakness, which significantly impacts functional and psychosocial well-being. Despite its clinical significance, the surgical outcomes of facial reanimation in this population have not been reported, and a standardized treatment protocol is lacking.

Litigation in Craniofacial Surgery in the US: An Analysis of Lawsuits Over 4 Decades.

Background: Craniofacial surgeons face significant medico-legal risks due to high procedural complexity and patient expectations. Despite extensive studies on plastic surgery litigation, the specific trends and risk factors for craniofacial malpractice lawsuits remain poorly understood. This study aims to analyze litigation trends, outcomes, and contributing factors in craniofacial surgery over 4 decades.

Medicaid's Cranio-Cap: Medicaid Reimbursement for Craniosynostosis Repair is Not Trending With the Rate of Inflation.

Background: Craniosynostosis requires early diagnosis and intervention to mitigate the risks of impaired cranial growth; however, patients with Medicaid face treatment delays for craniosynostosis care. Medicaid reimbursement rates have failed to match the inflation rate in medicine, remaining relatively static in many surgical fields. This study investigates Medicaid reimbursement and the longitudinal impact of economic inflation on reimbursement for craniosynostosis care.

Is the Future of Cleft Care Financially Sustainable? An Economic Analysis of Inflation-Adjusted Reimbursements.

Objective: As Medicaid continues to expand, it remains unclear if reimbursement rates for cleft care are keeping up with the national economy. The purpose of this study is to determine how financial trends in cleft lip and palate repair reimbursements compare to annual changes in the U.S.

Immune responses in rodent whole eye transplantation: elucidation and preliminary investigations into rejection diagnosis and monitoring.

Background: Whole Eye Transplantation (WET) offers potential for vision restoration but is hindered by the complex challenge of immune rejection. Understanding and closely monitoring these immunological responses is crucial for advancing WET. This study delves into the timeline and nature of immune responses in a rodent model of WET without immunosuppression, aiming to elucidate a detailed picture of the immune landscape post-transplantation and establish innovative diagnostic and monitoring methods.

Surgical Complications After Fronto-orbital Advancement for Craniosynostosis: Analysis of a National Database.

Background: Fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) is the standard surgical intervention for patients with craniosynostosis and associated fronto-orbital dysmorphology. Although previous studies have provided insights into center-specific complications, comprehensive, large-scale analyses remain limited. This study utilizes a national database to address these gaps, offering a large-scale perspective on FOA outcomes.

Trends of Staged Versus Single-Stage Operations for Bilateral Cleft Lip Repair: Analysis of a National Database.

Introduction: Single-stage bilateral cleft lip repair may require preoperative naso-alveolar molding (NAM) to decrease cleft widths and reposition the premaxilla. Staged operations may be performed in centers or regions without easy access to NAM. This retrospective study aims to examine the national prevalence of single-stage and staged bilateral cleft lip repairs over the past 23 years.

Evaluation of the Impact of Physical Therapy on Patients With Macromastia Seeking Breast Reduction Surgery.

Background: Macromastia significantly impairs females' quality of life, with treatments such as physical therapy (PT) often providing only temporary relief. Insurance routinely denies breast reduction surgery, despite little relief after conservative treatments. Research on the efficacy of PT for macromastia is limited.

Exploration of Patient Retention in Seeking a Second Opinion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: It is common for cancer patients to seek a second opinion for a variety of reasons. Understanding what drives patients to choose to receive treatment with their second opinion provider may uncover opportunities to improve the second opinion process. Therefore, we sought to identify the patient, disease, and treatment characteristics that were associated with second opinion retention rates in patients seeking a second surgical opinion for breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer.

The heart of it all: Body dysmorphic disorder in cosmetic surgery.

Background: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) represents a prevalent mental health condition characterized by distress arising from self-perceived physical imperfections. BDD serves as a contraindication to aesthetic surgery. Recognizing BDD holds paramount importance for plastic surgeons, as it is instrumental in averting the exacerbation of this condition while ensuring appropriate referrals.

Analysis of postoperative complications related to cannabis and tobacco usage in patients undergoing mandible facial fracture surgeries.

Background: Cannabis is the third most used controlled substance in the world. Despite its widespread use, minimal research investigates cannabis usage in patients undergoing facial fracture surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate patterns of postoperative complications related to cannabis and tobacco usage after mandible fracture surgeries.