Sequential Use of High-Volume Plasma Exchange and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute Liver Failure: A Case Report.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) may represent an indication for liver transplantation (LT). However, in patients who do not meet the criteria or who have contraindications for LT, support measures remain indicated since they may improve survival. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can be considered in the presence of hyperammonemia, 3 times above the upper normal limit, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), even in the absence of the classic indications. High-volume plasma exchange (HVPE) is an artificial liver support system with proven benefits in ALF, allowing ammonia and inflammatory mediator clearance. Both techniques, HVPE and CRRT, are associated with an increase in transplant-free survival. Case Summary: We share a case of a 51-year-old male, without relevant personal history, diagnosed with severe acute hepatitis B which progressed to ALF, with grade IV HE (West-Haven criteria) and hyperammonemia (423 µg/dL). Due to the simultaneously diagnosed malignant neoplasm, he was not a candidate for LT. After refractory to medical therapy, HVPE was started, followed by CRRT. There was a significant improvement in liver tests, allowing surgical treatment of malignancy. After recovery, the patient returned to his everyday life. Conclusion: The authors present a successful case in which an early and invasive approach to ALF was revealed to be a game changer. The lack of response to the measures instituted, as well as the contraindication for LT, motivated the institution of HVPE and CRRT. Both techniques proved to be an asset, allowing complete clinical recovery, reaffirming their role in ALF.

Background: A insuficiência hepática aguda (IHA) pode constituir uma indicação para transplante hepático (TH). Contudo, nos doentes que não cumprem os critérios ou que apresentam contraindicação para TH, as medidas de suporte continuam indicadas dado que podem ter benefício na sobrevivência. A terapêutica de substituição da função renal (TSFR) pode ser considerada na presença de hiperamonémia, superior a três vezes do limite superior do normal, e encefalopatia hepática (EH), mesmo na ausência das indicações clássicas. A plasmaferese de alto volume (PFAV) é um sistema de suporte artificial ao fígado (SSAF) com benefícios comprovados na IHA, permitindo a clearance de amónia bem como de mediadores inflamatórios. Ambas as técnicas, PFAV e TSFR, estão associadas ao aumento da sobrevivência livre de transplante. Resumo do caso: Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 51 anos, sem antecedentes pessoais de relevo, com o diagnóstico de hepatite B aguda grave que progrediu para IHA, com EH grau IV (critérios de West-Haven) e hiperamonémia (423 µg/dL). Devido ao diagnóstico simultâneo de neoplasia maligna, o doente não foi candidato a TH. Após refratariedade ao tratamento médico instituído, iniciou-se PFAV, seguida de TSFR. Verificou-se melhoria significativa das provas hepáticas, permitindo o tratamento cirúrgico da neoplasia. Após recuperação, o doente regressou ao seu quotidiano. Conclusão: Os autores apresentam um caso de sucesso em que uma abordagem precoce e invasiva revelou-se game-changer. A refratariedade às medidas instituídas, bem como a contraindicação ao TH, motivaram a instituição de HVPE e CRRT. Ambas as técnicas revelaram-se uma mais-valia permitindo a recuperação clínica total, reafirmando o seu papel na IHA.

Brazilian Approach to Dorsum Preservation.

Brazil has always been a fertile place for plastic surgery techniques, especially cosmetic, and it was not different in rhinoplasty. In Brazil surgeons started using the dorsal preservation rhinoplasty in the 1970s. Techniques have changed, the problems and contraindications were challenged, and solutions proposed. As a result, indications were expanded to almost every kind of nose. Surface working executed with power tools, such as the piezoelectric device and the power drill, complemented the techniques and allowed for refinement in execution. Today the Brazilian preservation techniques are adopted and improved by many surgeons around the world.

Global Practice Patterns of Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty.

Background: Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty (DPR) has recently received significant academic attention in part due to theoretical benefits over excisional surgical methods. The purpose of this study was to assess the global practice patterns regarding this technique. Materials and Methods: An 11-item questionnaire was electronically distributed to regional academies/societies representing rhinoplasty surgeons worldwide. Respondent exposure to and use of DPR were assessed based on geographic location. Results: Eight hundred thirty-six responses were received. Despite early publications on DPR originating largely from Western Europe and the United States, Turkey and Mexico have the greatest use of DPR techniques currently. The familiarity across many regions with preservation techniques appear to be secondary to courses and conferences rather than incorporation into training. Mexico demonstrates the greatest exposure to DPR during training. One hundred twenty-five respondents had previously used but abandoned dorsal preservation techniques. Poor results, less predictability, and complications (largely hump recurrence) are cited as common reasons for this. Conclusion: There is variability in the global practice of DPR across regions and this will likely continue to evolve.

Conservative Surgery of the Nasal Dorsum: Septal Pyramidal Adjustment and Repositioning.

The term SPAR (septum pyramidal adjustment and repositioning), aims to conserve the nasal dorsum without detachment of the upper lateral nasal cartilage of the nasal septum, based on the Cotte's principles, unlike classical rhinoplasty. The aim of the study is to describe surgical technique of SPAR with the surgical steps used to reviewing the literature on the surgical treatment of the nasal dorsum. This is a less invasive form of rhinoplasty, but no less effective, not being necessary additional techniques to nasal reconstruction, and preservation of essential nasal structures. It is an evolution of push down and the other conservative surgery, making a more modern technique and may be suitable for most types of cavities. More studies are needed, especially comparative, showing the following late sequelae, complications, and their long-term results.

Indications for Preservation Rhinoplasty: Avoiding Complications.

Nasal dorsal preservation surgery was described more than 100 years ago, but recently has gained prominence. Our objective is to show the surgical technique, the main indications and counterindications, and the complications. It is a technique that does not cause the detachment of the upper lateral cartilage (ULC) from the nasal septum, and has the main following sequence: preparation of the septum and its resection can be at different levels (high or low, i.e., SPAR [septum pyramidal adjustment and repositioning] A or B); preparation of the pyramid; transversal osteotomy; lateral osteotomy(s); and septopyramidal adjustment. The result is a nose with a lower radix than the original, a deprojection of the nasal dorsum tending to maintain its original shape; an increase in the interalar distance (IAD) and enlargement of the nasal middle ⅓; and loss of projection of the nasal tip and roundness of the nostrils. Thus, the ideal candidate is the one who benefits from such side effects, that is: tension nose, that is, high radix with projected dorsum, projected anterior nasal septal angle (ANSA), narrow middle ⅓, narrow IAD, thin nostrils and straight perpendicular plate of the ethmoid (PPE), and, depending on the characteristics, the deviated nose. The counterindications are low radix, irregularities in the nasal dorsum, ANSA lower than rhinion, and a wide middle ⅓. And the main stigmas are: a nose with a very low radix, middle ⅓ enlarged, residual hump, and saddling of the supratip area. Other issues of this technique are: the shape of the radix; the need or not to remove PPE; wide dorsum; irregular dorsum; ANSA lower than rhinion; weak cartilages; long nasal bone; deviated PPE; and obsessive patient. We conclude that this is a great technique for noses with characteristics suitable to it; care must be taken with the stigmas it can cause.

A Segmental Approach in Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty: The Tetris Concept.

Rhinoplasty has become a detail-dependent surgery. With precise techniques better results have been achieved. We are continually searching for the ideal technique to offer predictable, accurate, and desired long-term results. Conservative rhinoplasty techniques have been described for more than 100 years as an alternative to dorsal resective surgeries and have reemerged as the new fashion among rhinoplasty surgeons. This article presents our philosophy when approaching the nasal dorsum regarding its segments and their specific anatomic aspects and surgical demands. We describe our intermediate septal strip approach, the intermediate split and the Tetris concept, and discuss their advantages and limitations.

The Segmental Preservation Rhinoplasty: The Split Tetris Concept.

Dorsal preservation rhinoplasty has seen considerable advances in the recent years as many doctors have improved and developed new ideas on the subject. In the era of minimal trauma surgery, it is important to achieve a beautiful nasal aesthetic result with minimum injury to the nose. Preserving the main structures of the nasal pyramid has been pursued for more than a century, and some different approaches have been described and developed since then. Their strengths and weakness have been shown. The present society's demand for perfection is an added reason for improving the stability and predictability of preservation rhinoplasty. We describe a brand-new philosophy of approaching the nasal dorsum hump that combines both safety and delicacy in dealing with the anatomical structures with elegancy and accuracy and achieving the aesthetic goal required.

Cirurgia conservadora do dorso nasal: a filosofia do reposicionamento e ajuste do septo piramidal (S.P.A.R.) / Conservative surgery of the nasal dorsum: the philosophy of the septal pyramid adjusting and repositioning (S.P.A.R.)

Introdução: A cirurgia conservadora do dorso nasal baseiasena aplicação dos princípios de Cottle. O termo S.P.A.R.(Reposicionamento e Ajuste do Septo Piramidal), visa àconservação do dorso nasal sem que haja desinserção dacartilagem nasal lateral superior do septo nasal, ao contrário darinoplastia clássica. Objetivo: Descrição da técnica cirúrgicado SPAR. Método: Descrever os passos cirúrgicos utilizados erealizar revisão de literatura sobre os tratamentos cirúrgicos paratratamento do dorso nasal. Resultados: Descrição da técnicacirúrgica conservadora do dorso nasal pelo S.P.A.R. Discussão:Trata-se de uma forma de rinoplastia menos invasiva, porém nãomenos efetiva, não sendo necessárias técnicas adicionais parareconstrução nasal, além da preservação de estruturas essenciaisnasais. Trata-se de uma alternativa do tratamento em relaçãoàs técnicas tradicionais. Conclusão: É uma evolução do pushdown e das demais cirurgias conservadoras, tornando se umatécnica mais moderna e pode ser indicada para a maior partedos tipos nasais. São necessários mais estudos, principalmentecomparativos, que mostrem o seguimento tardio, sequelas,complicações e seus resultados em longo prazo. Palavraschave:septo nasal; Cartilagens nasais; procedimentos cirúrgicosOtorrinolaringológicos; Rinoplastia.

Facial resurfacing with coblation technology.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with coblation technology for facial resurfacing METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients treated with coblation at our institution RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (22 female) underwent a total of 29 coblation procedures for aging face (n = 21) or acne scarring (n = 3). The perioral region was the most frequently treated aesthetic subunit (n = 14), followed by the lower eyelid (n = 7). Five patients underwent full-face coblation. Three patients underwent a second coblation procedure for aging face while a single patient with severe acne scarring underwent 3 procedures. Repeat coblation was delayed at least 5 months (mean, 9 months). Seventeen coblation procedures (59%) were performed concurrently with procedures including, but not limited to, injection treatment, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, or combined face/necklift; no adverse events occurred. Seven procedures, including a full-face coblation, were performed in the office under local anesthesia and oral sedation without any adverse events. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range, 1 week to 24 months). No complications were observed. All patients were satisfied with the results after their final coblation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Facial coblation is a safe and effective treatment modality for facial resurfacing.