Long-Term Outcomes of Septoplasty With or Without Turbinoplasty: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Septoplasty is used to correct nasal obstruction from nasal septum deviation. However, the long-term efficacy of septoplasty is unclear, and no literature reviews have examined long-term outcomes of septoplasty with or without turbinate modification. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of septoplasty with or without turbinate modification in improving nasal obstruction. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the aforementioned databases. Studies reporting outcomes 12+ months after functional septoplasty with or without turbinate surgery for nasal obstruction were included. Septorhinoplasties, concurrent sinus surgery, pediatric studies, and studies where septoplasty was performed for indications other than nasal obstruction were excluded. RESULTS: After screening, 35 studies with 4,432 patients were included. Mean weighted post-operative follow-up time was 29.1 months (range 12-120 months). All studies reported significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes at long-term follow-up compared to baseline. When comparing short-term (<12 months) to long-term (≥12 months) outcomes, four studies noticed that subjective outcomes worsened slightly over time, but no study found a significant change in objective outcomes over time. In addition, 23 studies reported patient satisfaction and/or improvement rates, with 75.4% (2,348/3,113) of patients expressing satisfaction/improvement at an average of 27.0 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, septoplasty with or without turbinate modification shows significant improvement in obstructive symptoms at long-term follow-up per both objective and subjective measures. Whether outcomes may worsen slightly over time remains indeterminate based on mixed results in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 2023.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Postoperative Pain Management for Rhinoplasty: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty, a leading cosmetic surgical procedure, often involves the use of opioids for postoperative pain management. This raises concerns due to potential opioid side effects and overprescription. Liposomal bupivacaine offers a promising alternative, but its efficacy in rhinoplasty remains under-investigated. This study assesses the impact of liposomal bupivacaine on postoperative pain and opioid consumption following rhinoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing rhinoplasty between January 2014 and September 2020. Postoperative pain scores were assessed at intervals up to 16 h, and opioid consumption was monitored. Patients were stratified into two groups: those receiving postoperative liposomal bupivacaine (Group 1) and those who did not (Group 2). RESULTS: No significant disparities in demographics or surgical specifics were identified between groups. Group 1 consistently reported lower pain scores, notably at 30 min (1.4 vs. 3.7, p = 0.0006) and 2 h (2.2 vs. 3.38, p = 0.0417). Cumulatively, Group 1's average pain score was 2.4, significantly lower than Group 2's 3.4 (p = 0.0023). Group 1 also demonstrated reduced opioid consumption, with oxycodone and oral morphine equivalent (OME) intake being notably lower (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0428, respectively). CONCLUSION: Liposomal bupivacaine presents as an efficacious alternative for post-rhinoplasty pain management, reducing both perceived pain and opioid consumption. While promising, the findings necessitate validation through larger, prospective studies considering the inherent limitations of this preliminary investigation. This study evaluates the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine as a pain management strategy in postoperative care for rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty procedures, with the potential to reduce reliance on opioids. The findings indicate that patients receiving liposomal bupivacaine experienced significantly lower pain scores postoperatively and less overall opioid consumption, thereby enhancing patient comfort and safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Developing a Social Media Ontology Across Otolaryngology and its Subspecialties.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how social media is used in the dissemination of new information within otolaryngology, and to emphasize the importance of standardizing Twitter hashtag use. METHODS: Based on the 2019 SCImago journal rankings, the Twitter posts from the accounts of the top three journals covering each otolaryngology subspecialty were reviewed from August 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. Twitter posts from the primary otolaryngology-related academic societies were also reviewed during this timeframe. A list of hashtags was generated based on a combination of the most common otolaryngologic procedures and most commonly used hashtags in the social media space. This list was then crowd-sourced with 10 fellowship-trained otolaryngologists for each subspecialty. RESULTS: Hashtag use among key stakeholders in the otolaryngology social media space varies considerably. For instance, #HNSCC, #HeadAndNeckSquamousCellCarcinoma, #HeadAndNeckCancer, #HeadAndNeckCancers, #OropharyngealCancer, #OropharynxCancer, #OralCancer, and #OPSCC were all commonly used hashtags to identify posts discussing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. #HeadAndNeckCancer and #HNSCC were most popular and used in a total of 85 and 65 tweets, respectively. #HeadAndNeckCancer was found alone in 32 out of 85 tweets (38%), whereas #HNSCC was found alone in 27 out of 65 tweets (42%). A standardized hashtag ontology covering all subspecialties within otolaryngology is proposed herein. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of a standardized social media ontology within otolaryngology will improve information dissemination across all key stakeholders. Laryngoscope, 133:1595-1599, 2023.

Nasal Swell Body Characteristics in Patients With Septal Perforation.

Objective: To determine whether septal perforations have an effect on nasal swell body (NSB) size. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Two tertiary academic medical centers. Methods: Computed tomography maxillofacial scans of 126 patients with septal perforation and 140 control patients from November 2010 to December 2020 were evaluated. Perforation etiology was determined. Measurements included perforation length and height and swell body width, height, and length. Swell body volume was calculated. Results: The width and volume of the NSB are significantly smaller in perforation patients when compared to controls. The swell body is significantly smaller and thinner in perforations exceeding 14 mm in height compared to small perforations. Perforation etiology groupings into prior septal surgery, septal trauma, septal inflammatory, and mucosal vasoconstriction categories all demonstrated decreased swell body volume and width compared to controls. Inflammatory etiology had the greatest decrease in swell body size. The hemi-swell body on the contralateral side of a septal deviation is significantly thicker than the ipsilateral side. Conclusion: The NSB is smaller in patients with septal perforation regardless of perforation size or etiology.

Nasal Septal Perforation Due to Desmopressin Nasal Spray Use.

Perforations of the nasal septum have many etiologies and occasionally result from intranasal medicated spray use. This case report describes a perforation related to the use of desmopressin nasal spray, which has not been previously reported in the literature. Clinical considerations presented in this article include appropriate technique of nasal spray application, appropriate monitoring of patients on intranasal sprays, and indications for evaluation by an otolaryngologist. Septal perforation treatment success is improved with an early diagnosis.

Rhinoplasty as an Adjunct to Facial Rejuvenation.

Rhinoplasty typically is not considered a part of the repertoire facial rejuvenation surgery but the same involutional changes that affect the other structures of the face also impact the nose and midface. Comparatively little has been written about nasal rejuvenation. Rhinoplasty may be an under-recognized but a useful adjunct to the rejuvenation of the aging face. The aging nose presents unique pathology due to the involutional changes that affect the cartilage and supporting structures. A comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan should address these progressive effects.

Predicting Nasal Soft Tissue Envelope Thickness for Rhinoplasty: A Model Based on Visual Examination of the Nose.

IMPORTANCE: Predicting nasal soft tissue envelope (STE) thickness is an important component of the preoperative evaluation for rhinoplasty that presently lacks validated tools. OBJECTIVE: Assess for patient facial features and factors that can help predict nasal STE thickness. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review and prospective assessment conducted at an academic tertiary referral center. This study included 190 adult patients and four expert raters. The patients had high-resolution maxillofacial CT scans and standardized facial photographs on file and did not have a history of nasal fracture, septal perforation, rhinoplasty, or other surgery or medical conditions altering nasal form. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Assess each face for features that could help predict nasal STE thickness: sebaceous quality of skin, visibility of nasal tip cartilages, presence of freckles, presence of telangiectasias, Fitzpatrick skin type, patient age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Measure actual nasal STE thickness using high-resolution CT scans. Analyze which facial features and patient factors help predict nasal STE thickness. RESULTS: Pearson correlations were calculated between actual nasal STE thickness and patient facial features and factors. These showed that more sebaceous skin, telangiectasias, higher Fitzpatrick skin type, male sex, and higher BMI were associated with a thicker nasal STE. Increased visibility of nasal tip cartilages, freckles, lower Fitzpatrick skin type, female sex, and lower BMI were associated with a thinner nasal STE. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There are patient facial features and factors that can help surgeons predict nasal STE thickness before rhinoplasty. An accurate prediction of nasal STE thickness can improve preoperative planning for rhinoplasty, allowing implementation of pre-, intra-, and post-operative treatments to optimize the nasal STE, which may ultimately improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Finite Element Analysis of the Septal Cartilage L-Strut.

Importance: Septoplasty is one of the most commonly performed operations in the head and neck. However, the reasons for septoplasty failure and the additional stress of performing a chondrotomy on the septal cartilage are not well understood. Design, Setting, and Participants: A finite element model of the nasal septum was created using a microcomputed tomography scan of the nasoseptal complex that was reconstructed into a three-dimensional model in silico. Testing included four common chondrotomy designs: traditional L-strut, double-cornered chondrotomy (DCC), curved L-strut, and the C-curve. Tip displacement was applied in a vector parallel to the caudal strut to simulate nasal tip palpation. Main Outcomes and Measures: With finite element analysis, the maximum principal stress (MPS), von Mises stress (VMS), harvested cartilage volume, and surface area were recorded. Results: The highest MPS for the L-strut, DCC, curved L-strut, and C-curve was identified at the corner of the chondrotomy. The MPS at the corner of the chondrotomy was reduced 44% when comparing the C-curve with the traditional L-strut. The VMS patterns showed compressive stress along the caudal septum in all models, but at the corner, the stresses were highest in the chondrotomies designed with sharp-angled corners. The VMS showed a 76% decrease when comparing the C-curve with the traditional L-strut. The stress across the anterior septal angle is also higher in models with sharp-angled corners. Cartilage harvest volumetric and surface area assessments did not show meaningful differences between shapes. Conclusions and Relevance: The highest area of stress is near the transition of the dorsal to caudal septum in all models. Stresses are relatively higher in chondrotomy shapes that contain sharp-angled corners. The relative reduction in MPS and VMS utilizing a C-curve instead of an L-strut may decrease the likelihood that the septum will deform or fail in this region. The volume and surface area of the C-curve are similar to that of the L-strut technique. Avoiding sharp-angled corners reduces the stresses at the corner of the chondrotomy and across the anterior septal angle. Using a C-curve may be an improved septoplasty design.

Using Digital Profileplasty for Surgical Planning.

This paper describes a method for setting up an automated and reliable digital profileplasty technique for use in Adobe Photoshop. Digital imaging software can be used to extrapolate more exact measurements during profileplasty. The digital profileplasty technique is helpful to provide intraoperative guidance during surgery.

Correction of the Saddle Nose Deformity.

Saddle nose deformities are among the most challenging problems in rhinoplasty. These patients have often had previous surgery and may have complicated medical histories. Reconstructing the septum is a necessary prerequisite to correcting the contour of the nose. With proper planning and thoughtful execution, patients suffering from disfiguring saddle noses can be safely operated on-even those with vasculitic diseases.

Repair of the Protruding Lobule.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, the author describes a novel step-by-step setback procedure for correcting protruding lobules; the success of correcting protruding lobules depends on the nature and severity of the auricular lobule deformity. Although the auricular lobules occupy small areas on either side of the head, protruding or misshapen lobules exert a significant and sometimes exaggerated disfiguring influence on the otherwise aesthetically pleasing appearance of the ears. Because the lobule is a soft structure without a cartilage skeleton, the correction of a protruding ear and lobule is always a challenge. METHODS: Protruding lobule abnormalities stem from deformities of the cauda helicis (cartilaginous helical tail) of the auricular lobule, soft tissue, and/or a shortage of anterior skin; however, the abnormalities are usually a combination of all of the above. Therefore, surgical procedures should address all of the causes of lobule deformity and preserve as much tissue and blood supply as possible. Achieving a successful intervention depends on reducing the tension that affects the entire lobule. RESULTS: This is a retrospective analysis of 660 patients who had otoplasty performed by the first author between January 2010 and December 2017. Correction of the ear lobule was needed in 398 (60.3%) patients. Of these, 44.6% patients were male, 55.4% female and the average age was 9 years (range 4-18 years). In this patient cohort, 356 (89.4%) required bilateral and 42 (10.5%) unilateral ear lobule correction. Standardized pre- and postoperative images were recorded for each patient. CONCLUSION: The goal of a setback procedure is a natural and harmonious auricular lobule appearance that is achieved through simple, optimal surgery that addresses all of the features of the auricular anatomy.

How Patient Decision-Making Characteristics Affect Satisfaction in Facial Plastic Surgery: A Prospective Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to prospectively analyze which personality traits, clinical psychiatric states, and patient decision-making characteristics predict who will be less satisfied after facial plastic surgery. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 60 adult subjects into one of three groups: aesthetic, functional, and reconstructive facial plastic surgery procedures (n = 20 in each group) from November of 2011 to February of 2016. Self-report surveys of personality traits (i.e., NEO Personality Inventory-Revised), psychiatric state (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety Inventory-Short Form), and decision-making characteristics (maximizer/satisficer survey) were given during the preoperative clinic visits. In postoperative follow-up, satisfaction questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months were administered. Data analysis examined associations between patient satisfaction, decision-making characteristics, and psychiatric variables. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed that maximizer/satisficer decision-making style was significantly related to patient satisfaction scores in the year following surgery. This difference reached statistical significance at 6 months and remained a strong trend at 12 months. Patients who were less than extremely satisfied at both postoperative time points were more likely to portray the maximizer decision-making style. No other variables were associated with patient satisfaction at any time point. Maximizer/satisficer survey scores were not associated with self-reports of depression, anxiety, or illness anxiety. Mean scores on the maximizer/satisficer survey did not differ among the aesthetic, functional, and reconstructive groups. CONCLUSIONS: The maximizer/satisficer survey captures an aspect of patient care not traditionally measured by standard clinical psychometric screening tools to help predict satisfaction. A short questionnaire targeting consumer decision-making may be a helpful tool for preoperative counseling.

Assessing Nasal Soft-Tissue Envelope Thickness for Rhinoplasty: Normative Data and a Predictive Algorithm.

IMPORTANCE: Preoperative assessment of nasal soft-tissue envelope (STE) thickness is an important component of rhinoplasty that presently lacks validated tools. OBJECTIVE: To measure and assess the distribution of nasal STE thickness in a large patient population and to determine if facial plastic surgery clinicians can predict nasal STE thickness based on visual examination of the nose. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective review and prospective assessment of 190 adult patients by 4 expert raters was conducted at an academic tertiary referral center. The patients had high-resolution maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) scans and standardized facial photographs on file and did not have a history of nasal fracture, septal perforation, rhinoplasty, or other surgery or medical conditions altering nasal form. Data were analyzed in March 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Measure nasal STE thickness at defined anatomic subsites using high-resolution CT scans. Measure expert-predicted nasal STE thickness based on visual examination of the nose using a scale from 0 (thinnest) to 100 (thickest). RESULTS: Of the 190 patients, 78 were women and the mean (SD) age was 45 (17) years. The nasal STE was thickest at the sellion (mean [SD]) (6.7 [1.7] mm), thinnest at the rhinion (2.1 [0.7] mm), thickened over the supratip (4.8 [1.0] mm) and nasal tip (3.1 [0.6] mm), and thinned over the columella (2.6 [0.4] mm). In the study population, nasal STE thickness followed a nearly normal distribution for each measured subsite, with the majority of patients in a medium thickness range. Comparison of predicted and actual nasal STE thickness showed that experts could accurately predict nasal STE thickness, with the highest accuracy at the nasal tip (r, 0.73; prediction accuracy, 91%). A strong positive correlation was noted among the experts' STE estimates (r, 0.83-0.89), suggesting a high level of agreement between individual raters. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: There is variable thickness of the nasal STE, which influences the external nasal contour and rhinoplasty outcomes. With visual analysis of the nose, experts can agree on and predict nasal STE thickness, with the highest accuracy at the nasal tip. These data can aid in preoperative planning for rhinoplasty, allowing implementation of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative strategies to optimize the nasal STE, which may ultimately improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.

Congenital Oculonasal Synkinesis.

A 4-year-old girl with maxillary hypoplasia, intermittent exotropia, and high myopia displayed congenital oculonasal synkinesis. We examine the implications for pathogenesis of these disparate craniofacial findings.

Giant coral reef fishes display markedly different susceptibility to night spearfishing.

The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) are two of the largest, most iconic fishes of Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Both species form prized components of subsistence and commercial fisheries and are vulnerable to overfishing. C. undulatus is listed as Endangered and B. muricatum as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We investigated how night spearfishing pressure and habitat associations affected both species in a relatively lightly exploited setting; the Kia fishing grounds, Isabel Province, Solomon Islands. We used fisheries-independent data from underwater visual census surveys and negative binomial models to estimate abundances of adult C. undulatus and B. muricatum as a function of spearfishing pressure and reef strata. Our results showed that, in Kia, night spearfishing pressure from free divers had no measurable effect on C. undulatus abundances, but abundances of B. muricatum were 3.6 times lower in areas of high spearfishing pressure, after accounting for natural variations due to habitat preferences. It is likely the species' different nocturnal aggregation behaviors, combined with the fishers' use of night spearfishing by spot-checking underpin these species' varying susceptibility. Our study highlights that B. muricatum is extremely susceptible to night spearfishing; however, we do not intend to draw conservation attention away from C. undulatus. Our data relate only to the Kia fishing grounds, where human population density is low, the spot-checking strategy is effective for reliably spearing large numbers of fish, particularly B. muricatum, and fisheries have only recently begun to be commercialized; such conditions are increasingly rare. Instead, we recommend that regional managers assess the state of their fisheries and the dynamics affecting the vulnerability of the fishes to fishing pressure based on local-scale, fisheries-independent data, where resources permit.

Dorsal Failures: From Saddle Deformity to Pollybeak.

The nasal dorsum is an important component of a rhinoplasty and may be the primary motivation for seeking surgery. The nasal dorsum is a complex three-dimensional shape that is shrouded by local anesthetic and edema during surgery. This makes an accurate assessment of the surgical changes challenging. Complications related to dorsal modification include imbalances from over- or underresection of the structures of the nasal dorsum, inadequate or overaugmentation, an open-roof deformity, pollybeak, saddle nose, inverted-V, warped cartilage, visible grafts, contour problems, graft malposition, and extrusion. This review will discuss the common problems that can occur with dorsal modification during rhinoplasty.

Grafting Techniques in Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty.

With the adoption of open structure techniques, rhinoplasty has become more reliant on the use of structural grafts to resist change that occurs over time owing to both gravity and the aging process. As surgical procedures have become more technically complex, the type of grafts use for both primary and secondary rhinoplasty have undergone significant evolution. This article provides a case approach focused on the use of structural grafting in rhinoplasty.

Scalp and Forehead Defects in the Post-Mohs Surgery Patient.

Scalp and forehead reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery can encompass subcentimeter defects to entire scalp reconstruction. Knowledge of anatomy, flap design, and execution will prepare surgeons who operate in the head and neck area to confidently approach a variety of reconstructive challenges in this area.

Sport Injuries of the Ear and Temporal Bone.

In cases of head trauma, the ear should be evaluated in all of its components. A good understanding of otologic and skull base anatomy enables a thorough trauma assessment of this complex anatomic region. Auricular laceration, abrasion, avulsion, hematoma, frostbite, otitis externa, exostosis, tympanic membrane perforation, ossicular discontinuity, perilymphatic fistula, labyrinthine concussion, temporal bone fracture, facial nerve paresis, and sensorineural hearing loss are a few of the more common otologic injuries seen in active patients. Prevention of otologic trauma by wearing protective equipment during activity is the best way of maintaining the long-term health of the ear and audiovestibular function.

Nasal Injuries in Sports.

Nasal trauma is a common consequence of athletic competition. The nasal bones are the most commonly fractured facial bone and are particularly at risk during sports participation. Acute management of trauma to the nose includes thorough evaluation of all injuries and may require immediate management for repair of facial lacerations, epistaxis control, or septal hematoma drainage. Nasal fractures can often be addressed with closed reduction techniques; however, in the setting of complex nasal trauma, an open approach may be indicated. Using appropriate treatment techniques, posttraumatic nasal sequelae can be minimized; most patients report satisfactory long-term nasal form and function.