Effect of nose skin on the columellar incision scar in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causes of columellar scar formation in a Turkish population in relation to nasal skin thickness, texture, and type and discuss possible solutions for better results. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Otorhinolaryngology department of a tertiary hospital. METHODS: The preoperative dermal thickness of 50 consecutive patients undergoing "external approach" septorhinoplasty was measured (using a 14 MHz ultrasound probe) at the midportion of the right and left nostril, tip, supratip, and columella. Surgery was performed using a middle columellar gullwing incision. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months after surgery. Assessment of the columellar scar was performed according to the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale modified for columellar scars. The mean values of skin thickness measurements, skin type (according to the Fitzpatrick skin classification scale), skin texture (oily, combination, normal, dry, and sensitive types), smoking habit, and patient gender were recorded and compared with the columellar incision scar scores. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in healing between the skin thickness of the tip, supratip, left nostril, right nostril, columella and mean skin thickness values, skin types (Fitzpatrick 2, 3, 4, 5), skin textures, and smoking with regard to columellar scar formation (P > .05). However, men healed significantly better than women (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The columellar incision heals independently of the influence of skin thickness; texture; Fitzpatrick skin types 2, 3, 4, and 5; and smoking. Male gender seems to be a significant factor in healing.

The effect of intratympanic vitamin C administration on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of intratympanic injection of vitamin C on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. The study included 24 albino adult female rats (48 ears). The study animals were divided into four groups each of which was composed of six animals including a control (intraperitoneal cisplatin), a cisplatin-saline (saline intratympanic + intraperitoneal cisplatin), a C vit (intratympanic vitamin C) and a cisplatin-C vit group (intraperitoneal cisplatin + intratympanic vitamin C). As two animals had died due to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (one in the control and one in the cisplatin-saline group) they were excluded from the study. The experiment was terminated, performing distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurement prior to procedures and at the end of the experiment. The results of the statistical analysis were evaluated. In the cisplatin-C vit group, there were no significant decreases in DPOAE amplitudes at 2 kHz (p > 0.05). Although a decrease was observed in DPOAE amplitudes at 2.8, 4, 6, and 8 kHz frequencies, these amplitude reductions were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Intratympanic vit C infusion provided a protective effect against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity primarily at 2 kHz and at other frequencies (2.8, 4, 6, and 8 kHz), and it did not produce a toxic effect in the cochlea.

A practical method for assessing nasal skin quality.

Nasal skin quality is an essential indicator of rhinoplasty outcomes. The objective of this study was to collect data on the nasal skin thickness of randomly selected Turkish men and women. The study involved 50 male and 50 female subjects. We measured the nasal dorsal skin thickness by pinching the sides of the nose upwards to produce a skinfold and then measuring the thickness of this skinfold with a Castroviejo caliper [A&A, Almecon Instruments]. We also measured the thickness of the right and left alar walls with the same caliper. In the male subjects, the mean nasal dorsal thickness and the mean overall, right, and left alar wall thicknesses were 4.02 ± 0.71, 3.99 ± 0.69, 3.98 ± 0.69, and 4.00 ± 0.69 mm, respectively. The corresponding values in the female subjects were 3.38 ± 0.56, 3.45 ± 0.66, 3.43 ± 0.67, and 3.46 ± 0.65 mm. In Turkish men, a nasal dorsum measuring greater than 4 mm can be considered "thick." In Turkish women, the mean nasal dorsal and alar wall thicknesses were 3.38 and 3.45 mm, respectively. Values greater than these are considered "thick." Either nasal dorsal thickness or alar wall thickness may be measured in men, but both must be measured in women scheduled to undergo rhinoplasty. Dark nasal skin and oily nasal skin tend to be thicker.

Bilateral aplasia of paranasal sinuses.

Paranasal sinus anatomical anomalies with unknown etiology are common. Maxillary and/or frontal sinus aplasia or hypoplasia are more common than the other types. Although there are some reports about paranasal sinus anomalies in the literature, there is no case similar to ours, with total paranasal sinus aplasia. Here, we present a unique case of total paranasal sinus aplasia with a symptom of fullness on the face.

Bilateral congenital choanal atresia in a 51-year-old woman.

BACKGROUND: A 51-year-old woman with bilateral congenital choanal atresia (CCA) is presented. She had episodes of respiratory distress that were relieved by crying and worsened by breastfeeding during her newborn period. No other abnormality had been documented during her early childhood period and she had not undergone any surgical intervention or trauma to the nose. No other congenital anomaly was noted. METHODS: The diagnosis was established by endoscopic examination and computed tomography (CT) scan of the paranasal sinuses. RESULTS: She was treated successfully by a transnasal endoscopic surgical technique with short-term stenting. Follow-up examination 18 months after the surgery still showed patent neochoana. CONCLUSION: According to the English literature, this case represents the oldest patient with bilateral CCA presenting for the first time in adult life.