All posts by Chris Boisvert

Revision Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy with Mastoid Obliteration

Revision Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy with Mastoid Obliteration
C. Scott Brown, MD1Prithwijit Roychowdhury2Calhoun D. Cunningham III, MD1
1Duke University Medical Center
2University of Massachusetts Medical School

Revision canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration is most often performed to manage persistent otorrhea and debris accumulation in the mastoid bowl following CWD mastoidectomy. In this case, obliteration is performed for persistent otorrhea from the mastoid bowl and revision CWD mastoidectomy is completed to address a new retraction pocket following a prior CWD mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma in a 23-year old male.

There have been numerous reported techniques used for mastoid obliteration, and in this case, a posterior periosteal flap is made, and the mastoid cavity is filled with autogenous bone paté. Following obliteration of the mastoid, a perichondrial graft is used to cover the area. In this case, a titanium total ossicular reconstruction prosthesis is used to rebuild the ossicular chain, and a second perichondrial graft is used to reconstruct the tympanic membrane. The canal is packed with Gelfoam to secure the fascial grafts in place. Postoperatively, patients are typically advised to remove their head dressing 24 hours following the surgery and to apply a topical antibiotic ointment daily to a cotton ball in the ear.

PUBLISHED: Airway Equipment

Airway Equipment
Stephen Estime, MDAbdullah Hasan Pratt, MDNicholas Ludmer, MD
UChicago Medicine

Airway trauma is a critical and potentially life-threatening condition, and timely diagnosis and management is imperative for patient survival, as concomitant injuries and nonspecific symptoms may otherwise lead to fatal outcomes. Efficient airway management is paramount to addressing airway trauma, necessitating a comprehensive approach involving timely diagnosis, appropriate interventions, and the use of specialized equipment to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Prompt and efficient management not only ensures the patient’s immediate survival but also plays a pivotal role in minimizing the impact on respiratory function and overall quality of life. The main objective is to establish a secure and patent airway, enabling efficient ventilation and later surgical repair. This video delivers a thorough and detailed exposition of the equipment utilized in airway management.

PUBLISHED: Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Treatment of Morbid Obesity

Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Treatment of Morbid Obesity
Hany M. Takla, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABS-FPMBS
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Mass General Brigham

Robotic surgery as an approach for bariatric surgery has been a subject of debate for at least two decades since the platform passed FDA approval. One could argue that the exponential growth of robotics in surgery could end such a debate. The robotic platform offers several advantages that are always advertised, but in the morbidly obese population it offers an added advantage. It is arguable that with the advanced ergonomics, superior visual tools, and wristed instruments the robotic platform is superior in its offerings to the surgeon and enables a wider variety of surgeons with variable skill set to adopt minimally-invasive surgery (MIS), especially in bariatrics.

The Sleeve gastrectomy is technically a straightforward procedure to perform and is easier to learn for trainees and novel surgeons. It could, however, pose some challenges especially in patients with increased BMI, which is a huge advantage for the robotic platform as it allows easier exposure and comfort during the operation.

PUBLISHED: DCR and Nasolacrimal System (Cadaver)

DCR and Nasolacrimal System (Cadaver)
Prithwijit Roychowdhury, BS1C. Scott Brown, MD2Matthew D. Ellison, MD2
1University of Massachusetts Medical School
Department of Otolaryngology, Duke University

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NDO) is the most common disorder of the lacrimal system that affects patients of every age and results in excessive tearing (epiphora) and if untreated, painful infection (dacryocystitis). When NDO symptoms progress and can no longer be managed with conservative measures, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is indicated.

In this case, DCR exploration of the nasolacrimal anatomy is performed on a cadaver. The typical presentation of NDO is epiphora but the presence of painful swelling of the medial canthus and mucoid or purulent discharge may indicate the presence of dacryocystitis. The approach presented here involves the creation of a mucosal flap and subsequent use of the DCR drill to expose the nasolacrimal duct anatomy.

PUBLISHED: Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)

Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)
Ory Wiesel, MDMarco Zenati, MD
VA Boston Healthcare System

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) utilizes a small (4–5 cm) left anterior thoracotomy incision for direct visualization of the diseased coronary artery on the anterior wall of the left ventricle without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

This article describes the basics of the MIDCAB surgery, emphasizing both the left anterior thoracotomy for the harvest of LIMA and direct anastomosis on a beating heart without CPB. This procedure is done on a 72-year-old patient who had significant long LAD stenosis and presented with effort angina. Following a multidisciplinary “heart team” conference, he underwent a successful MIDCAB and was discharged home on postoperative day 4.

PUBLISHED: Laser Excision of Glomus Tympanicum (Transcanal Approach)

Laser Excision of Glomus Tympanicum (Transcanal Approach)
C. Scott Brown, MDCalhoun D. Cunningham III, MD
Duke University Medical Center

The application of minimally-invasive approaches in otologic surgery, including the management of middle ear tumors like glomus tympanicum tumors, represents a promising advancement in the field, potentially improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery. In this article, a patient with pulsatile tinnitus is found to have a glomus tympanicum tumor of the right ear. Calhoun Cunningham III, MD performs a transcanal resection of the mass using the KTP laser.

PUBLISHED: Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to Flexor Digitorum Profundus (STP) Transfer, Adductor Release, and Z-Plasty for a Pediatric, Stroke-Induced Left Hand Spastic Contracture

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to Flexor Digitorum Profundus (STP) Transfer, Adductor Release, and Z-Plasty for a Pediatric, Stroke-Induced Left Hand Spastic Contracture
Sudhir B. Rao, MD1Mark N. Perlmutter, MS, MD, FICS, FAANOS2Arya S. Rao3
1Big Rapids Orthopaedics
2Carolina Regional Orthopaedics
3Columbia University

This video article demonstrate surgical correction of a severe hand deformity in a teenage girl with spastic hemiplegia. This patient has a non-functioning hand due to severe spasticity. Correction of the deformity is indicated primarily to facilitate hygiene and improve the position of the fingers. In some patients with volitional control, a certain degree of prehension may be achieved. The basic principles of deformity correction include differential sectioning of sublimis and profundus tendons followed by repair in a lengthened position. The first web contracture is released by muscular release and a skin Z-plasty.

PUBLISHED: Aortopexy for Innominate Artery Compression of the Trachea

Aortopexy for Innominate Artery Compression of the Trachea
Andrew Scott, MDCarl-Christian A. Jackson, MDWalter Chwals, MD
Tufts University School of Medicine

Tracheomalacia is a rare congenital condition that results in incompetence of the trachea, the main airway, leading to collapse of the trachea during respiration. Most often this is due to inadequate bone formation in the trachea, and this causes it to be dynamically collapsed, which can result in breathing difficulties for the child. Upper respiratory infections can also be more common. While most cases of tracheomalacia resolve by 18 to 24 months of age, a small percentage either continue or cause such severe breathing or feeding issues that surgical intervention is warranted. In cases where the innominate artery is the cause of compression of the weakened trachea, an aortopexy to elevate the vessel up to the sternum and away from the trachea is performed.

Shoulder Arthroscopy (Cadaver)

Shoulder Arthroscopy (Cadaver)
Patrick Vavken, MD1Sabah Ali2
1Smith and Nephew Endoscopy Laboratory
2University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Shoulder arthroscopy is one of the most common procedures performed in orthopaedic surgery. It can be utilized to identify various pathologies including rotator cuff tears, degenerative arthritis, subacromial impingement, and proximal humeral fractures. With continued advancement in arthroscopy, patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced risk of postoperative complications, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.

Shoulder arthroscopy is performed either in the lateral decubitus position or in the beach chair position (BCP) as seen in this video. The BCP provides greater benefits such as decreased neovascularization during portal placement, fewer cases of neuropathies, and reduced surgical time. In addition to position, there are various portals used in shoulder arthroscopy, with the posterior portal being the most common and used in this video. Complication rates from shoulder arthroscopy are low but include shoulder stiffness, iatrogenic tendon injury, and vascular injury. Therefore, proper patient selection, patient positioning, and appropriate portal selection are essential for successful shoulder arthroscopy. This article discusses shoulder arthroscopy and demonstrates the technique on a cadaver shoulder.

Parotid Dissection (Cadaver)

Parotid Dissection (Cadaver)
C. Scott Brown, MDRamon M Esclamado, MD, MS
Duke University Medical Center

Parotid dissection is a delicate surgical procedure that requires a deep understanding of the relevant anatomy and a careful approach to ensure the preservation of critical structures, particularly the facial nerve. The comprehensive overview provided in this video is a valuable resource for understanding the step-by-step process of parotid dissection. The detailed narration and visual references help to reinforce the importance of accurate identification and preservation of the facial nerve, as well as the other key anatomical structures involved in the procedure. This information is crucial for surgeons in training, as well as for experienced practitioners, to ensure the safe and effective removal of parotid gland tumors while minimizing the risk of complications.