A Novel 3-Point Injection Technique for OnabotulinumtoxinA in the Upper Depressor Anguli Oris.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA) injections to the depressor anguli oris (DAO) to improve downturned mouth. PATIENTS AND METHODS/MATERIALS: This prospective, placebo-controlled, study enrolled subjects aged 18 to 65 years. Injections were performed using a novel 3-point technique in the upper DAO (1.5 U/injection site). The primary end point was a DAO contraction scale 1-grade improvement. Subjective evaluation was performed using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). RESULTS: Ten subjects received ONA and 10 placebo (saline) injections. In ONA-treated subjects, DAO scores showed significant improvements at Weeks 4 and 12 ( p < .001) compared with baseline. No significant difference between visits was observed for placebo-injected subjects. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores showed that 100% of subjects were improved compared with baseline at Week 4% and 90% at Week 12. By contrast, 90% and 80% of placebo-treated subjects had "no change" in their DAO appearance at Weeks 4 and 12. Subject GAIS assessments matched the live evaluator at Week 4; 60% continued to report improvement at Week 12. Treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: OnabotulinumtoxinA injections to the DAO using a 3-point technique provide clinically meaningful improvements in appearance. Treatment was well tolerated and in most individuals lasted at least 12 weeks. IDENTIFIER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04240535.

The Asian Eye: Anthropometric Eye Measurements of Attractiveness in Young East Asian Women.

BACKGROUND: Because of the high volume of Asian eyelid operations performed and the complexity of the Asian eye, there is a need to define exactly what anthropometric measurements determine attractiveness. METHODS: Eye photographs of young East Asian women were collected from publicly available sources online. Photographs were evaluated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 for attractiveness. Thirty-seven anthropometric measurements were collected using ImageJ from the most attractive and least attractive eyes to discover which features play the most important role in attractiveness. RESULTS: A total of 322 right eye photographs were evaluated for attractiveness. Sixty-six eyes received a median score of greater than or equal to 4.0 and were included in the attractive cohort. Forty-three eyes received a score of less than or equal to 2.0 and were included in the unattractive cohort. The superior brow peak was more lateralized compared to the upper lid crease and upper lash line peaks in attractive eyes. A greater palpebral aperture height-to-upper lid show ratio was found to be more associated with attractive eyes than with unattractive eyes. At the midpupillary line, the ratio was on average 1.58 ± 0.32 in attractive eyes and 1.22 ± 0.43 in unattractive eyes ( p < 0.001). Eyes with convergence of the upper lid crease with the upper lash line were more likely to be deemed unattractive ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: East Asian eyes have specific anthropometric measurements that are more associated with attractiveness. These ideal measurements are different from those in Caucasians, suggesting ethnic variability in features defining attractiveness and a need to tailor surgical care appropriately.

Creating Harmonious Arcs: The Importance of Brow Shape in Determining Upper Lid Aesthetics.

Brow lifting, when indicated, can significantly improve upper eyelid aesthetics. Brow lifting is a powerful maneuver to shape and lateralize the curvature of the brow arc and directly influences the upper eyelid fold height and the curvature of the upper eyelid crease. This article reviews the importance of upper periorbital aesthetic assessment because it lays the foundation to tailor the appropriate operative intervention. Highlighted are the authors' preferred approach to aesthetically shape the brow along with other complimentary upper eyelid aesthetic procedures including upper blepharoplasty, blepharoptosis repair, fat grafting, and upper periorbital fat shifting to optimize brow lifting outcomes.

The Influence of Sagittal Head Tilt on Periorbital Appearance: Implications for Clinical Photography and the Evaluation of Postoperative Results.

BACKGROUND: Consistency in standardized periorbital photography-specifically, controlling for sagittal head tilt-is challenging yet critical for accurate assessment of preoperative and postoperative images. OBJECTIVES: To systematically assess differences in topographic measurements and perceived periorbital attractiveness at varying degrees of sagittal head tilt. METHODS: Standardized frontal photographs were obtained from 12 female volunteers (mean age 27.5 years) with the Frankfort plane between -15° and +15°. Unilateral periorbital areas were cropped, and topographic measurements were obtained. The images of each individual eye, at varying head tilt, were ranked in order of attractiveness by 11 blinded evaluators. RESULTS: Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation > 0.9). Downward sagittal head tilt was linearly associated with an improved aesthetic rating (Spearman's correlation; ρ = 0.901, P < 0.001). However, on subgroup analysis, eyes with lower lid bags received the highest aesthetic score at neutral head tilt. Pretarsal show and upper lid fold heights progressively decreased (P < 0.001), positive intercanthal tilt became more pronounced (P < 0.001), and the apex of the brow (P < 0.001) and lid crease (P = 0.036) arcs lateralized with downward sagittal head tilt, contributing to a more angular appearance of the eye. Marginal reflex distance (MRD) 1 was maintained, while MRD2 progressively increased (P < 0.001) with downward head tilt. CONCLUSIONS: Negative sagittal head tilt significantly improves periorbital aesthetics; however, in the presence of lower eyelid bags, this also increases demarcation of the eyelid cheek junction which may be aesthetically detrimental. Controlling for sagittal head tilt is critical to reliably compare preoperative and postoperative clinical photographs.

Acellular Dermal Matrix-Associated Contracture: A Clinical and Histologic Analysis of Patients Undergoing Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Capsular contracture is a well-recognized complication following prosthetic breast reconstruction. It has been the authors' observation that some patients undergoing breast reconstruction experience contracture specifically of the acellular dermal matrix placed at the time of their tissue expander insertion. The goal of the authors' study was to identify clinical and histologic findings associated with the development of acellular dermal matrix-associated contracture. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing bilateral implant-based breast reconstruction performed by the senior author (M.S.A.). Patients were excluded if they had radiation therapy to the breast. Patients with suspected acellular dermal matrix-associated contracture were identified by clinical photographs and review of operative notes. Histologic analysis was performed on specimens taken from two patients with acellular dermal matrix contracture. RESULTS: The authors included a total of 46 patients (92 breasts), of which 19 breasts had suspected acellular dermal matrix-associated contracture. Acellular dermal matrix contracture was less common in direct-to-implant reconstruction (4.2 percent versus 26.5 percent; p = 0.020) and more common in breasts that had seromas (0 percent versus 15.8 percent; p = 0.001) or complications requiring early expander replacement. Contracted acellular dermal matrix had less vascularity and a lower collagen I-to-collagen III ratio, and was twice as thick as noncontracted acellular dermal matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have described a distinct phenomenon of acellular dermal matrix-associated contracture that occurs in a small subset of breasts where acellular dermal matrix is used. This merits further investigation. Future work will be required to better characterize the clinical factors that make acellular dermal matrix-associated contracture more likely to occur. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Repair of Lower Eyelid Cicatricial Entropion With Midface Lift, Spacer Graft, and Drill-Hole Canthoplasty.

Postoperative cicatricial lower lid retraction is a challenging surgical problem that often disfigures the shape of the eye and has functional consequences. Depending on the severity, more than one surgical procedure may be needed to achieve the desired lower lid shape and position given the recurrent nature of scarring. Concepts of scar release, establishing lower lid vertical height, soft tissue replacement, and midcheek support are discussed in this video.

Current Use of Cosmetic Toxins to Improve Facial Aesthetics.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Compare and contrast the various types of botulinum toxin on the market. 2. Appropriately select patients for treatment with cosmetic botulinum toxin. 3. Understand the common injection patterns for treating various regions of the face with cosmetic botulinum toxin. 4. List the complications associated with treating various regions of the face with cosmetic botulinum toxin. SUMMARY: Nonsurgical rejuvenation of the face with botulinum toxin is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. This article reviews the current evidence in treating different regions of the face: upper face, lower face, masseter, and platysma. Dosing and complications associated with different facial regions are reviewed.

Current Upper Blepharoplasty and Ptosis Management Practice Patterns Among The Aesthetic Society Members.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting for upper blepharoplasty can exhibit different aging patterns and we have anecdotally observed wide variability in upper blepharoplasty approaches among surgeons. However, upper blepharoplasty practice patterns have not been systematically analyzed among members of The Aesthetic Society. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report upper blepharoplasty practice patterns, the recognition of different patient presenting features, and to assess the incidence and management of ptosis as reported by members of The Aesthetic Society. METHODS: A 29-item electronic questionnaire was distributed to 1729 Aesthetic Society members with available email addresses. RESULTS: In total, 214 Aesthetic Society members submitted the questionnaire, for a response rate of 12.4%. There was a significantly increased rate of volume preservation among surgeons with greater experience (≥10 years in practice) and a high-volume (≥100 cases in past 12 months) of upper blepharoplasty cases. Furthermore, high-volume upper blepharoplasty surgeons were significantly more likely to perform concomitant upper lid fat grafting (P = 0.03), browlift (P = 0.02), and ptosis repair (P = 0.01). Ninety-five percent of respondents reported a mild/moderate ptosis (MRD1 2 to <4mm) incidence of <25%. Among surgeons who perform ptosis repair, 97.4% utilize levator advancement or plication as their most commonly used technique. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume upper blepharoplasty surgeons are more likely to preserve upper lid volume and perform concomitant browlift and ptosis repair. Our data suggest that different upper eyelid aging patterns and mild/moderate ptosis are underrecognized.

Enhancing the Lateral Orbital "C-Angle" With Calcium Hydroxylapatite: An Anatomic and Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Deliberate injection of specific facial subunits may improve aesthetic outcomes in facial rejuvenation. We contend that the lateral orbital area (LOA) is a key anatomic subunit in the perception of eye attractiveness, with a C-shaped distribution of fat contributing to the formation of a distinct angle in the lateral orbit. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the anatomy of the LOA that constitutes the C-shaped angle and to investigate the safety and cosmetic outcomes of nonsurgical enhancement of that area with calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). METHODS: Four injected fresh-frozen cadaver heads were dissected. Twenty patients were enrolled in a prospective clinical study. Participants were seen on the day of injection, and at 2 weeks and 3 months postinjection. Two-dimensional and 3D photographs were analyzed to quantify the volumetric changes between pretreatment and postinjection time points. Secondary outcomes included Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale score and subject satisfaction at 3 months. RESULTS: Cadaver dissections revealed distinct fat compartments and a zone of adhesion forming the C-shaped area around the lateral orbit. In the clinical study, a mean of 1.88 mL of CaHA was injected into each lateral periorbital region. There was 97% and 76% volume retention at 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively, with 70% of patients being "very satisfied" at 3 months. The average Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale rating at 3 months was 3.95. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The LOA is a distinct facial subunit that can be enhanced safely by CaHA injection with good cosmetic outcomes. Focusing on the C-angle can improve periorbital aesthetics.

Upper Blepharoplasty with Endoscopically Assisted Brow Lift to Restore Harmonious Upper Lid Arc Curvatures.

BACKGROUND: Achieving excellent results in upper lid rejuvenation requires a balanced approach to address skin, muscle, fat, upper lid margin position, and brow aging changes. In the appropriately selected patient, brow lifting plays an essential complement to upper blepharoplasty to restore more youthful upper lid fold-to-pretarsal ratios. The goal of this study is to describe a safe and reproducible method to perform brow lifting and upper blepharoplasty. METHODS: Medial to the temporal line of fusion, in-line with the brow peak, a 2-cm scalp incision is oriented parallel to the course of the deep branch of the supraorbital nerve to minimize the risk of nerve injury. The brow vector of pull is maximal in this location and secured to a monocortical bone channel with 3-0 polydioxanone. Lateral to the temporal line of fusion, an ellipse of scalp tissue is excised to gently elevate the brow tail. Upper blepharoplasty is performed in an individualized fashion to achieve a youthful contour of the upper lid fold. RESULTS: The endoscopically assisted technique is designed to achieve tissue release under direct visualization. The brow-lift maximal vector of pull is centered over the brow peak and, to a lesser extent, at the brow tail to improve lateral upper lid fold height and a smooth contour of the pretarsal space. Muscle shaping sutures improve convexity of the lateral upper lid fold. CONCLUSION: In the appropriately selected patient, combined brow lift and upper blepharoplasty with muscle contouring are safe and effective techniques that help improve aesthetic upper lid topographic proportions.

Rethinking Upper Blepharoplasty: The Impact of Pretarsal Show.

BACKGROUND: Conventional upper blepharoplasty relies on skin, muscle, and fat excision to restore ideal pretarsal space-to-upper lid fold ratios. The purpose of this study was to identify presenting topographic features of upper blepharoplasty patients and their effect on cosmetic outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty at the authors' institution from 1997 to 2017. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were standardized using Adobe Illustrator to an iris diameter of 11.5 mm. Pretarsal and upper lid fold heights were measured at five locations. Patients were classified into three groups based on preoperative pretarsal show: none, partial, or complete. Photographs were randomized in PowerPoint and given a cosmetic score of 0 to 5 by four independent reviewers. RESULTS: Three hundred sixteen patients were included, 42 men (13 percent) and 274 women (87 percent). Group 1 included 101 eyes (16 percent), group 2 had 159 eyes (25 percent), and group 3 had 372 eyes (59 percent). Mean cosmetic score increased from 1.75 to 2.38 postoperatively (p < 0.001), with a significantly lower improvement in scores in group 3 compared to groups 2 and 1 for both sexes (p < 0.01). For group 3, those with midpupil pretarsal heights greater than 4 mm had a significantly lower postoperative aesthetic score (1.95) compared with those less than or equal to 4 mm (2.50) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Many patients presenting for upper blepharoplasty have complete pretarsal show and are at risk for worse cosmetic outcomes using conventional skin excision techniques. Adjunctive procedures such as fat grafting and ptosis repair should be considered in this group. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

Multidrug resistant Aeromonas infection following medical leech therapy: A case report and development of a joint antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Aeromonas sp. infections are a recognized complication of medical leech therapy (MLT). In patients requiring MLT, ciprofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole are commonly used to prevent such nosocomial infections. After a patient at our institution developed a MLT-associated multi-drug resistant (MDR) Aeromonas infection, we developed and evaluated a joint antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention protocol for MLT at our institution. METHODS: We describe a case of a surgical site infection with MDR Aeromonas following MLT that was resistant to typically prescribed prophylactic antimicrobials, and development of a new leech culture protocol to proactively monitor for antimicrobial resistance among our institution's leech supply. We also report the rates of MLT-associated infections prior to and following implementation of this protocol and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles detected in leech culture at our institution. RESULTS: Between October 2014 and February 2018, 46 patients received MLT at our institution. Other than the case described in this report, no other instances of MLT-related infections were noted during this time period. Culture results from 22 leeches in six batches since February 2018 showed that all were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, TMP-SMX, and ceftriaxone. Since initiation of a leech culture protocol, no further cases of MLT-associated infections have been reported at our institution. CONCLUSIONS: In light of increasing antimicrobial resistance and the potentially devastating consequences of MLT-associated infections, institutions offering MLT should be aware of these risks and ensure that protocols are in place to minimize infection risks for patients.

Getting Good Results in Cosmetic Blepharoplasty.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Accurately diagnose the cosmetic deformity and thoroughly understand the periorbital surface topography. 2. Develop a preoperative plan and pick the right operation. 3. Master technical tips. 4. Rejuvenate the lateral orbital area. 5. Manage complications. SUMMARY: Getting good results in blepharoplasty requires understanding ideal surface topography, accurate diagnosis of the cosmetic deformity, thorough knowledge of anatomy, and careful technique to change the anatomy. Several approaches have been described; however, the procedure continues to have its shortcomings and share of complications that have both functional and cosmetic consequences. This continuing medical education article focuses on getting good results and maximizing success in upper and lower blepharoplasty through the discussion of five major components: diagnosis and understanding of the cosmetic deformity; preoperative planning; technical tips; rejuvenation of the lateral orbital area; and management of complications.

Pushing the Limits in Cheek Reconstruction: The Sub-Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System "Deep Plane" Cervicofacial Flap for Reconstruction of Large Eyelid-Cheek Junction Defects.

The cervicofacial flap is a workhorse flap for reconstruction of moderate to large sized defects of the cheek. Defects that involve the eyelid-cheek junction are often the most challenging of these. While the ideal plane of dissection has been debated, it is our belief that dissection in the sub-superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) plane provides better aesthetic and functional outcomes due to enhanced vascularity, fascial support, and additional bulk of the flap itself. The authors present a series of 9 patients who presented with heterogeneous defects of the eyelid-cheek junction after cancer resection and underwent reconstruction using a sub-SMAS cervicofacial flap. At a mean follow-up time of 20 months, the cohort had 2 patients who developed lower lid retraction requiring revision and 2 other minor complications. This series lends support to the versatility and reliability of the sub-SMAS cervicofacial flap for large defects of the eyelid-cheek junction.

Neurotized Free Platysma Flap for Functional Eyelid Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study of Anatomical Feasibility.

BACKGROUND: Conventional reconstructive options for large full-thickness eyelid defects are limited to static local flaps without replacing the missing orbicularis. The authors' aim is to delineate the platysma neurovascular anatomy for innervated functional eyelid reconstruction. METHODS: Fourteen fresh latex-injected heminecks were dissected. The locations where neurovascular structures entered the platysma muscles were expressed as the percentage distance ± SD from the sternocleidomastoid muscle mastoid insertion to manubrium origin. RESULTS: The superior thyroid, facial, and lingual vessels were the major pedicles in eight of 14 (57.1 percent), four of 14 (28.6 percent), and one of 14 specimens (7.1 percent), respectively. In one specimen (7.1 percent), both the superior thyroid and facial vessels supplied a major pedicle. Venous drainage generally mirrored arterial inflow but was redundant, with 43 percent and 14 percent of flaps also with major contributions from the external jugular and anterior jugular veins, respectively. Neurovascular pedicles entered the platysma 28 to 57 percent caudal to the sternocleidomastoid muscle mastoid insertion, between 0.5 and 4.8 cm anterior to the medial sternocleidomastoid muscle border. CONCLUSION: Although variability exists, platysma neurovascular pedicles enter at predictable locations between 28 and 57 percent of the distance from the mastoid insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, therefore making free platysma transfer a feasible option for eyelid reconstruction.

Extended Lateral Orbital Craniotomy: Anatomic Study and Initial Clinical Series of a Novel Minimally Invasive Pterional Approach.

Background Of the minimally invasive "keyhole" alternatives to the pterional region, the supraorbital eyebrow approach is the most widely adopted. Yet it can prove disadvantageous when a more direct lateral microsurgical trajectory of attack to the Sylvian fissure and anterior middle fossa are needed. Objective The extended lateral orbital (XLO) approach was designed to be direct and minimally invasive, with the sphenoid ridge at the center of exposure. Methods Five injected cadaver heads were used for anatomic study of the XLO approach. The anatomic course of the frontalis branch of facial nerve was studied in relation to the XLO incision. Following XLO incision, the bone exposure was measured. The intracranial microsurgical exposure was assessed subjectively. Application of the technique in representative clinical operative cases is provided. Results The frontalis nerve was protected in the subgaleal fat pad, with an average minimum distance of 2.3 cm from the XLO incision. The mean calvarial area exposure was 4.95 cm 2 and consistently centered on the sphenoid ridge. Excellent access to ipsilateral Sylvian's fissure, perisylvian regions, and supra-/parasellar structures was possible. The main limitations related to exposure of the posterior Sylvian fissure and the expected limitations of microsurgical instrument manipulation from a smaller craniotomy. Conclusions The XLO approach is a minimally invasive keyhole approach to the pterional region that affords a unique lateral trajectory via a craniotomy centered on the sphenoid ridge. Excellent exposure to properly selected lesions is possible. The incision is at a safe distance from the frontalis branch and shows excellent cosmetic healing.