Evaluation of Situs Inversus Combined With Plastic Surgery–Related Malformations in a Chinese Clinic Population

Abstract

Background Situs inversus is a congenital malformation that occurs in one or multiple organs simultaneously and can be accompanied by malformations in other body parts. We analyzed the prevalence and phenotype of patients with situs inversus and comorbidities associated with other plastic surgery–related malformations to enhance the knowledge of its related disorders and facilitate treatment. Methods We recruited patients with situs inversus who were seen at our institution from February 2015 to July 2023. They underwent ultrasound and physical examinations to investigate deformity in other body parts. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the laterality between hemifacial microsomia and situs inversus type. Results All 14 patients with situs inversus had plastic surgery–related malformations—three congenital and three developmental. Nine (65%) patients had hemifacial microsomia (right side, n = 8; bilateral, n = 1). The laterality of hemifacial microsomia was associated with the situs inversus type, with a significant difference (P < 0.05), and hemifacial microsomia occurred ipsilaterally in patients with right-sided hearts. Conclusions Early situs inversus diagnosis is clinically important for patients and plastic surgeons. Further studies on anomalies associated with situs inversus will improve our understanding of their etiology.