Utility of 3D CT Rib Study in Presurgical Planning of Autologous Ear Graft for Pinna Reconstruction in Microtia

Purpose The aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D) CT rib study in presurgical planning to select the autologous rib cartilage graft for pinna reconstruction. Materials and Methods Total of 35 patients of microtia for autologous rib graft from April 2017 to February 2020 were evaluated in this study. All patients had a plain low-dose multislice CT chest. The length of costal cartilages of sixth to ninth ribs bilaterally and width and height of sixth and seventh rib costal cartilage synchondrosis were measured in 3D reconstructed true size coronal images with best possible length displayed. All patients had high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) temporal studies done to evaluate for associated anomalies in external canal, middle ear cavities, and inner ear structures. Eleven patients had simultaneous HRCT temporal bone done after plain CT chest and rest who had done recent prior study were reviewed without repetition of study. Results There were 19 males and 16 females for 3D CT rib study. Average age of the participants was 16.5 years. The average width of synchondrosis of sixth and seventh rib was 15.4 mm on right side and 14.7 mm on left side, average height of synchondrosis was 28.5 mm on right side and 30.7 mm on left side. Average length of the eighth rib costal cartilage was 88.6 mm on the right side and 90.5 mm on the left side. Average length of the ninth rib was 63.2 mm on the right side and 58.2 mm on the left side. Costal cartilage calcifications were present in 9 patients. Conclusion Preoperative 3D CT rib study provides accurate measurements of rib stock for sculpting autologous ear graft.

The Impact of Virtual Surgical Planning on the Value of Orthognathic Surgery for the Maxillofacial Surgeon

Background: The practice of orthognathic surgery traditionally involved time-intensive presurgical planning that was associated with decreased compensation relative to other procedures within the specialty. This limited reimbursement and subsequent reduction in the incidence of these procedures has been described in the literature. The introduction of VSP has streamlined the presurgical planning process. The purpose of this study is to provide a reevaluation of the relative value units (RVUs) per unit time for orthognathic surgery and to make a comparison to other commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the context of recent developments in VSP. Methods: RVU data for both orthognathic and common plastic surgery procedures were collected using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. A range of operative times was then used to calculate work RVUs per hour of both orthognathic surgery and other procedures commonly performed by plastic surgeons including: unilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, bilateral breast tissue expander placement, bilateral breast reduction, bilateral breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi muscle flaps, and panniculectomy. Results: Hourly RVUs for orthognathic procedures compare favorably to hourly RVUs for other commonly performed plastic surgery procedures when examined within a range of expected average operative times. Conclusions: Accounting for the reduced time commitment to preoperative planning that VSP achieves, the authors demonstrate a significant RVU/hour increase in orthognathic procedures than that described in the literature published prior to the implementation of VSP. Orthognathic surgery remains competitive for maxillofacial surgeons when compared to other procedures in plastic surgery when RVUs/hour is the metric of comparison.

Custom Presurgical Planning for Midfacial Reconstruction

Resection and reconstruction of midface involve complex ablative and reconstructive tools in head and oncology and maxillofacial prosthodontics. This region is extraordinarily important for long-term aesthetic and functional performance. From a reconstructive standpoint, this region has always been known to present challenges to a reconstructive surgeon due to the complex three-dimensional anatomy, the variable defects created, combination of the medical and dental functionalities, and the distance from reliable donor vessels for free tissue transfer. Another challenge one faces is the unique features of each individual resection defect as well as individual patient factors making each preoperative planning session and reconstruction unique. Understanding the long-term effects on speech, swallowing, and vision, one should routinely utilize a multidisciplinary approach to resection and reconstruction, including head and neck reconstructive surgeons, prosthodontists, speech language pathologists, oculoplastic surgeons, dentists, and/or craniofacial teams as indicated and with each practice pattern. With this in mind, we present our planning and reconstructive algorithm in midface reconstruction, including a dedicated focus on dental rehabilitation via custom presurgical planning.

Assessing the Value of a Novel Augmented Reality Application for Presurgical Planning in Adolescent Elbow Fractures

Objectives: We retrospectively assess the potential impact of a novel, investigational Augmented Reality (AR) software application, Radiology with Holographic Augmentation (RadHA), on pediatric orthopedic surgeon's confidence in surgical planning, hardware selection, hardware fit, and estimated potential intraoperative time savings in the setting of complex adolescent elbow fractures.Methods: After study selection, 12 individual cases of complex elbow fractures in adolescent pediatric patients were identified for review. AR models were generated for each case derived from the patient's CT. Five fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons reviewed each case for a total of 60 separate observations. Surgeons reviewed clinical data, radiologic imaging, and AR models and then answered Likert Scale questions on measures of confidence in presurgical planning and projected potential time savings. These data were reviewed and analyzed using various statistical tools.Results: Surgeons reported high confidence in the quality of the AR models created. Additionally, surgeons reported increased confidence in their surgical plan, increased confidence in hardware selection, and increased confidence in hardware fit. Within the sub-analysis of complex (comminuted) fractures, surgeons reported greater expected increases in confidence of their surgical plan and hardware fit. Overall, surgeons estimated potential intraoperative time savings, averaging 17.3 min for all fracture types and 17.6 min for complex fractures.Conclusions: Preoperative planning using AR-based models can increase surgeon confidence in preoperative planning, hardware selection, and confidence in hardware fit.

Comparing Computed Tomography–Derived Augmented Reality Holograms to a Standard Picture Archiving and Communication Systems Viewer for Presurgical Planning: Feasibility Study

Background Picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are ubiquitously used to store, share, and view radiological information for preoperative planning across surgical specialties. Although traditional PACS software has proven reliable in terms of display accuracy and ease of use, it remains limited by its inherent representation of medical imaging in 2 dimensions. Augmented reality (AR) systems present an exciting opportunity to complement traditional PACS capabilities. Objective This study aims to evaluate the technical feasibility of using a novel AR platform, with holograms derived from computed tomography (CT) imaging, as a supplement to traditional PACS for presurgical planning in complex surgical procedures. Methods Independent readers measured objects of predetermined, anthropomorphically correlated sizes using the circumference and angle tools of standard-of-care PACS software and a newly developed augmented reality presurgical planning system (ARPPS). Results Measurements taken with the standard PACS and the ARPPS showed no statistically significant differences. Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 0.08% (95% CI –4.20% to 4.36%) for measurements taken with PACS versus ARPPS’ circumference tools and –1.84% (95% CI –6.17% to 2.14%) for measurements with the systems’ angle tools. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients were 1.00 and 0.98 for the circumference and angle measurements, respectively, indicating almost perfect strength of agreement between ARPPS and PACS. Intraclass correlation showed no statistically significant difference between the readers for either measurement tool on each system. Conclusions ARPPS can be an effective, accurate, and precise means of 3D visualization and measurement of CT-derived holograms in the presurgical care timeline.