Three-dimensional facial morphology in patients with craniofacial microsomia and microtia.

Introduction: Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is classified using the subjective Orbit, Mandible, Ear, Nerve and Soft tissue (OMENS) tool. Digital stereophotogrammetry (i.e.

Further Refinements in Otoplasty Surgery: A Modified Approach to Prevent Suture Extrusion in Cartilage-Suturing Otoplasty Using a Postauricular Dermofascial Flap.

Background: Suture extrusion has been reported to be the most common complication after cartilage-sparing otoplasty. Several studies have described various designs of postauricular flaps to cover the cartilage sutures and reduce the incidence of suture extrusion.

Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients with prominent ears were operated on between January of 2018 and February of 2023 using a deepithelialized postauricular dermofascial flap that is performed as an adjunct to the authors' cartilage-sparing otoplasty technique, which is essentially a combined modified Mustardé and Furnas technique.

Patient factors associated with novel EAR-Q appearance, psychosocial, and social scales: A cross-sectional study and regression analysis.

Introduction: The EAR-Q is a rigorously validated patient-reported outcome measure, which evaluates ear appearance and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with congenital or acquired ear conditions. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to examine the factors associated with EAR-Q appearance and HRQL scale scores.

Methods: In this study, 862 participants, aged 8-29 years, with congenital or acquired ear conditions, completed the EAR-Q as part of an international field-test study.

Management of helical adhesion malformation.

Congenital auricular anomalies are common, however very few articles in the English literature address helical adhesion malformation, whereby the helix is adhered to the scapha. We describe a surgical approach to correct helical adhesion malformation which, unlike previously described methods, is simpler and results in an inconspicuous scar on the back of the ear. We illustrate our technique with an 11-year-old girl with bilateral helical adhesion malformations.

Human platelet lysate enhances proliferation but not chondrogenic differentiation of pediatric mesenchymal progenitors.

Background Aims: Cell therapies have the potential to improve reconstructive procedures for congenital craniofacial cartilage anomalies such as microtia. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and auricular cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) are promising candidates for cartilage reconstruction, but their successful use in the clinic will require the development of xeno-free expansion and differentiation protocols that can maximize their capacity for chondrogenesis.

Methods: We assessed the behavior of human ADSCs and CSPCs grown either in qualified fetal bovine serum (FBS) or human platelet lysate (hPL), a xeno-free alternative, in conventional monolayer and 3-dimensional spheroid cultures.

Lop Ear to Conchal Microtia: An Algorithmic Surgical Approach.

Background: The lop ear deformity is defined by a deficient helix and scapha, underdeveloped anthelix, and downfolding of the helix. The terminology used is still confusing, and the treatment is not entirely structured. The aim of this study was to provide a new systematic surgical approach of this deformity based on our center's experience.

An international study to develop the EAR-Q patient-reported outcome measure for children and young adults with ear conditions.

Background: There is currently a lack of patient-reported outcome measures for ear reconstruction. We developed the EAR-Q to measure ear appearance and post-operative adverse effects from the patient perspective.

Methods: Field-test data were collected from children and young adults in eight countries between 13 May 2016 and 12 December 2019.

Modification of the cartilaginous framework for autologous ear reconstruction: Construction of a stable complete ring framework with grander highs and lows.

Background: Successful microtia reconstruction involves fabrication of a framework with well-defined ear subunits. Tragal definition and deep conchal bowl are key elements to produce a natural well-defined and contoured ear. We describe a modification in the cartilage framework with the purpose of increasing framework stability, tragal definition and conchal bowl depth.

Arterio-venous malformations of the ear: Description of distinct anatomical presentation and multidisciplinary management approach.

Background: Arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) of the ear are a rare entity and their management should be decided in a dedicated multidisciplinary team (MDT) setting. The aim of this study is to describe the distinct anatomical patterns of the auricular AVMs in our unit and propose a combined interventional radiological and surgical approach.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive patients presenting with AVMs of the ear and reviewed by the Vascular Anomalies MDT between 2014 and 2019 were included in this study.

Modeling Normal and Pathological Ear Cartilage Using Somatic Stem Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture.

Microtia (underdeveloped ear) is a rare congenital dysmorphology affecting the development of the outer ear. Although human microtic cartilage has not been fully characterized, chondrogenic cells derived from this tissue have been proposed as a suitable source for autologous auricular reconstruction. The aim of this study was to further characterize native microtic cartilage and investigate the properties of cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) derived from it.

Three-dimensional environment and vascularization induce osteogenic maturation of human adipose-derived stem cells comparable to that of bone-derived progenitors.

While human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are known to possess osteogenic differentiation potential, the bone tissues formed are generally considered rudimentary and immature compared with those made by bone-derived precursor cells such as human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and less commonly studied human calvarium osteoprogenitor cells (hOPs). Traditional differentiation protocols have tended to focus on osteoinduction of hADSCs through the addition of osteogenic differentiation media or use of stimulatory bioactive scaffolds which have not resulted in mature bone formation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that by reproducing the physical as well as biochemical bone microenvironment through the use of three-dimensional (3D) culture and vascularization we could enhance osteogenic maturation in hADSCs.

Refinements in Otoplasty Surgery: Experience of 200 Consecutive Cases Using Cartilage-Sparing Technique.

Background: Many techniques have been described to correct prominent ears, including cartilage-suturing, cartilage-scoring, and cartilage-breaking techniques. Understanding the topography and anatomy of the auricular cartilage is crucial for performing safe otoplasty with consistent results.

Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients with prominent ears were operated on using a modified Mustardé and Furnas technique with some refinements and without performing any cartilage scoring or excision.

Recommendations for the Development and Reform of Microtia and Atresia Services.

Background: The initial step in setting up standardized microtia-atresia service is investigating the current status of the service and comparing this to internationally recognized guidelines or care standards. In many countries, documented information about microtia care is lacking. This study is an initiative to guide reform efforts of national microtia service in any country.

A modified reconstructive technique for paediatric congenital alar rim deformity.

Alar subunit retraction or notching whether acquired or congenital, can be challenging to reconstruct. Congenital cysts and benign lumps involving the nasal alar region can also result in acquired alar deformity once resected. Published reports describe different surgical methods, but we demonstrate a simple and highly satisfying technique.

Cartilage exposure following autologous microtia reconstruction: An algorithmic treatment approach.

Background: Successful reconstruction of microtia involves fabrication of a cartilaginous framework and provision of thin, durable, soft tissue cover. Vascular compromise of this skin envelope can lead to exposure of the underlying cartilage, resulting in cartilage resorption and distortion of the final form of the ear construct. We describe our algorithm for management of this complication.

Development of a New Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Ear Conditions: The EAR-Q.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures are widely used to improve health services and patient outcomes. The aim of our study was to describe the development of 2 ear-specific scales designed to measure outcomes important to children and young adults with ear conditions, such as microtia and prominent ears.

Methods: We used an interpretive description qualitative approach.

Splinting After Ear Reconstruction: A Stepwise and Inexpensive Workflow Protocol.

Background: Long-term postoperative splinting plays a role in the prevention of contracture of the grafted skin after a second-stage ear reconstruction. The scar retraction could lead to an unfavorable aesthetic outcome. Splinting could play a role to overcome or prevent the loss of projection and the obliteration of the sulcus.

An overview of the therapeutic potential of regenerative medicine in cutaneous wound healing.

The global burden of disease associated with wounds is an increasingly significant public health concern. Current treatments are often expensive, time-consuming and limited in their efficacy in chronic wounds. The challenge of overcoming current barriers associated with wound care requires innovative management techniques.

Towards reconstruction of epithelialized cartilages from autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Deformities of the upper airways, including those of the nose and throat, are typically corrected by reconstructive surgery. The use of autologous somatic stem cells for repair of defects could improve quality and outcomes of such operations. The present study explored the ability of paediatric adipose-derived stem cells (pADSCs), a readily available source of autologous stem cells, to generate a cartilage construct with a functional epithelium.

Combined soft and skeletal tissue modelling of normal and dysmorphic midface postnatal development.

Background: Midface hypoplasia as exemplified by Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) can impair appearance and function. Reconstruction involves multiple invasive surgeries with variable long-term outcomes. This study aims to describe normal and dysmorphic midface postnatal development through combined modelling of skeletal and soft tissues and to develop a surgical evaluation tool.

The use of de-epithelialized skin flap in the surgical repair of terminal myelocystoceles.

Background: Terminal myelocystocele is a severe form of spinal dysraphism characterized by cystic expansion of the terminal spinal cord that herniates through a deficiency of the posterior sacral spinal elements to fuse with the subcutaneous fat. Postnatal enlargement of the subcutaneous fluid-filled sac may result in progressive neurological deficit and threaten the viability of the overlying skin. Surgical repair entails spinal cord untethering, resection of nonfunctional neural elements and watertight reconstruction of the terminal thecal sac.

The management of midline frontonasal dermoids: a review of 55 cases at a tertiary referral center and a protocol for treatment.

Background: The incidence of midline frontonasal dermoid cysts is one in 20,000 to one in 40,000. These lesions may have intracranial extension. This is explained by the anatomy and embryology of nasofrontal development.

Elevated FGF21 leads to attenuated postnatal linear growth in preterm infants through GH resistance in chondrocytes.

Context: The hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key metabolic regulator in the adaptation to fasting. In food-restricted mice, inhibition of skeletal growth is mediated by the antagonistic effect of FGF21 on GH action in the liver and growth plate.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the role of FGF21 in growth regulation in humans using postnatal growth failure of very preterm infants as a model.

Chondrogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells within nanocaged POSS-PCU scaffolds: a new tool for nanomedicine.

Unlabelled: Scaffold cellularization for cartilage engineering can aid implant properties, their retention and minimize repeated intervention, particularly in paediatric reconstructive craniofacial surgery. We developed novel bionanoscaffolds using paediatric adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs), an accessible autologous cell source, and POSS-PCU. Little is known about cellular responses to this nanomaterial, though it was used in human.