Comparative study of the effectiveness of the surgical technique with and without preservation of the conchal cartilage in otoplasty through the measure of the cephalo-auricular and scapho-conchal angles

Abstract Objectives Prominent ear abnormalities affect 5% of the population. A prospective, double-blind study of patients who underwent otoplasty procedures to correct these abnormalities was conducted to compare two surgical techniques. They diverge by the preservation or not of conchal cartilage. Methods The two techniques were compared by measuring the cephalo-auricular and scapho-conchal angles. Measurements were performed in pre and 6-months post-operative periods using alginate molding. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to two groups (with and without cartilage preservation) with 10 participants each. Student's t-test, Covariance Analysis Model (ANCOVA), and non-parametric Mann-Whitney were used in the statistical analyses. Results A significant reduction in the average of the cephalo-auricular and scapho-conchal angles was observed in both surgical procedures (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between them (p = 0.887). Conclusion The two techniques analyzed in this study fulfilled their objectives. Therefore, further comparative studies are needed to confirm the superiority of one over the other. Level I Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trial.

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy in Patients 55 Years and Older: Results and Review of Literature

Over the years the immune system suffers many morphologic and functional alterations, which result in a peak of function in puberty and a gradual decrease in the elderly. Aim: Treat patients 55 years or older with allergic rhinitis with immunotherapy and then analyze the response to allergens. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to July 2010, 104 charts of patients 55 years or older with allergic complaints were evaluated. The patients were selected by anamnesis, physical examination, and otorhinolaryngologic exam. The patients had cutaneous test for mites before and after 1 year of sublingual specific immunotherapy. The cutaneous response was classified as negative (absent), light, moderate, or severe. Results  Before vaccination, 42 (40.4%) patients were classified as having a severe form of allergy and 62 (59.6%) as having a moderate allergy. After the specific therapy, 40 (38.4%) patients were classified as negative (absent), 37 (35.6%) as light, 19 (18.3%) as moderate, and 8 (7.7%) as severe responses. Conclusion: Immunotherapy, a desensitization technique, is indicated in cases which patients cannot avoid the exposure to allergens and in situations where pharmacologic therapy is not ideal. Specific immunotherapy to treat the allergic rhinitis in elderly patients was efficient and had no collateral effects, and in addition to the clinical benefit, improvement in the cutaneous test could also be observed...

Rhinoplasty and facial asymmetry: Analysis of subjective and anthropometric factors in the Caucasian nose

Introduction: Anthropometric proportions and symmetry are considered determinants of beauty. These parameters have significant importance in facial plastic surgery, particularly in rhinoplasty. As the central organ of the face, the nose is especially important in determining facial symmetry, both through the perception of a crooked nose and through the determination of facial growth. The evaluation of the presence of facial asymmetry has great relevance preoperatively, both for surgical planning and counseling. Aim/Objective: To evaluate and document the presence of facial asymmetry in patients during rhinoplasty planning and to correlate the anthropometric measures with the perception of facial symmetry or asymmetry, assessing whether there is a higher prevalence of facial asymmetry in these patients compared to volunteers without nasal complaints. Methods: This prospective study was performed by comparing photographs of patients with rhinoplasty planning and volunteers (controls), n = 201, and by evaluating of anthropometric measurements taken from a line passing through the center of the face, until tragus, medial canthus, corner side wing margin, and oral commissure of each side, by statistical analysis (Z test and odds ratio). Results: None of the patients or volunteers had completely symmetric values. Subjectively, 59% of patients were perceived as asymmetric, against 54% of volunteers. Objectively, more than 89% of respondents had asymmetrical measures. Patients had greater RLMTr (MidLine Tragus Ratio) asymmetry than volunteers, which was statistically significant. Discussion/Conclusion: Facial asymmetries are very common in patients seeking rhinoplasty, and special attention should be paid to these aspects both for surgical planning and for counseling of patients...

Tratamento de queloide retroauricular: Revisão dos casos tratados no serviço de otorrinolaringologia do HC/UFPR / Treatment of retroauricular keloids: Revision of cases treated at the ENT service of HC/UFPR

Introdução: Queloides são tumores benignos resultantes de cicatrização anômala da pele, sendo que existem diversos procedimentos disponíveis para o seu tratamento. Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar os resultados de pacientes submetidos a tratamento de queloides retroauriculares após cirurgias otorrinológicas em nosso serviço. Método: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo, através de análise de prontuários, dos pacientes submetidos a tratamento de queloides retroauriculares em nosso serviço. Resultados: Nove pacientes foram avaliados, sendo que 6 foram submetidos a ressecção e betaterapia adjuvante, 2 foram submetidos a ressecção mais aplicação de corticoide local, 1 foi submetido apenas a ressecção sem terapia adjuvante. Não houve recidiva nos casos tratados com betaterapia no pós-operatório precoce, 1 paciente apresentou recidiva mesmo com corticoterapia e betaterapia tardia. Discussão: diversas técnicas tem sido utilizadas para tratamento dos queloides retroauriculares, sendo que a betaterapia é considerada a com melhores resultados, seguida pela utilização de corticoides intralesionais. Conclusão: o tratamento dos queloides retroauriculares continua um desafio. Enquanto novas técnicas não são desenvolvidas, a ressecção seguida de betaterapia precoce ainda é a melhor opção...

Introduction: Keloids are benign tumors arising from abnormal healing of the skin, and there are several procedures available for their treatment. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing treatment of keloids after ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries at our service center. Method: We conducted thorough, retrospective and prospective analysis of records of patients undergoing treatment of retroauricular keloids at our center. Results: Nine patients were evaluated, and 6 underwent resection and adjuvant beta-therapy, 2 underwent resection with local application of corticosteroids, and only 1 underwent resection without adjuvant therapy. There was no recurrence of keloids in patients that were treated with beta-therapy in the early postoperative period. One patient had relapsed despite corticosteroid administration and late beta-therapy. Discussion: Several techniques have been used for the treatment of retroauricular keloids, and beta-therapy is thought to yield the best results, followed by the use of intralesional corticosteroids. Conclusion: Treatment of retroauricular keloids remains a challenge. While new techniques are being developed, resection followed by early beta-therapy is still the best treatment option...