Overweight youth with symptoms of OSA have a lower QOL both by their report and parental report. Interestingly, objective measures of OSA did not correlate with QOL.

Cleft palate remains a common congenital deformity. The wide cleft palate in particular presents a unique challenge when attempting to restore a competent velopharyngeal mechanism. We present an outcome study of a single surgeon's experience using a modified surgical technique designed to specifically address the wide cleft palate. The surgical technique consisted of a 2-flap pushback palatoplasty without nasal mucosa closure combined with an end-to-end intravelar veloplasty and was used in cleft palates greater than or equal to 10 mm in width. A retrospective, longitudinal outcome study from chart review was then performed where age at surgery, sex, Veau classification of the cleft type, and follow-up length were recorded for each patient. Postsurgery speech outcomes were assessed by standardized speech evaluation performed by a speech language pathologist, and the presence and location of unplanned oronasal fistulas were recorded. Our study revealed an overall incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) of 10.8% and an unplanned symptomatic fistula rate of 16.8%. There was a significant correlation between the Veau classification of the cleft type with the incidence of both VPI and the occurrence of an unplanned oronasal fistula. Application of this surgical technique, specifically to wider cleft palates, resulted in VPI and fistula rates comparable to rates reported with other techniques used in clefts of all widths. Additional information regarding subsequent growth disturbances of the craniofacial skeleton in these patients is currently being collected.

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Purpose: A significant challenge in surgical education is to provide a meaningful hands-on experience with the pathology the trainee will see in independent practice. Craniofacial anatomy is challenging and unfamiliar to the learner. Methods: Using preoperative computed tomography data, the authors produced an accurately sized, three-dimensional (3D) printed model of the congenital craniofacial anatomy of patients treated by the same attending surgeon–PGY4 resident surgeon pair over the course of a 6-month rotation. A preoperative stepwise surgical plan was written by the attending and resident, and the plan was marked on the 3D model by the attending and resident separately. The written and marked plans were measured for accuracy and time to completion. The resident surgeon's applicable milestone levels were assessed. Results: Seven congenital craniofacial anomalies met criteria for inclusion: 4 craniosynostosis cases, 2 mandibular distractions, and 1 LeFort I distraction. The number of inaccuracies of the written plan improved from 5 to 0 for sagittal synostosis and 4 to 0 for mandibular distraction. The time to complete the written plan decreased by 22% for sagittal synostosis and 45% for mandibular distraction. The number of inaccuracies of the marked plan decreased from 5 to 0 for sagittal synostosis and 2 to 0 for mandibular distraction. Time to completion of the marked plan decreased by 76% for sagittal synostosis and 50% for mandibular distraction. Milestone scores increased an average of 1.875 levels. Conclusion: Three-dimensional printed craniofacial models are a positive addition to resident training and have been objectively quantified to improve the accuracy and time to completion of the surgical plan as well as progression in the plastic surgery milestones.