Overall quality of life impact on candidates for septorhinoplasty according to the World Health Organization quality of life brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-Brief) / Impacto geral na qualidade de vida em candidatos à septorrinoplastia de acordo com o World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Questionnaire (WHOQOL-Brief)

Abstract Introduction: Quality of life has been an increasingly reference measure in whole health impact of diseases and in septorhinoplasty evaluation as well. It is known that the decision for this elective surgical procedure requires the subjective perception of patients' complaints about their own health and life stage in association with the surgeon's aesthetic and functional perspective of each case. Objective: To define the quality of life of candidates for septorhinoplasty using the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire, WHOQOL-Brief, and the prevalence of other independent variables for this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a sample of candidates for septorhinoplasty was performed. All patients responded to the WHOQOL-Brief during the pre-operative period. A normative population quality of life study was the reference for the sample size and means. Results: A total of 302 patients were included among the 322 eligible patients. Twenty patients did not complete the questionnaire correctly and were excluded from the study. The sample consisted of patients aged between 15 and 78 years (34.7±14 years): the most majority were Caucasian and female. Among this group, 88.1% declared symptoms of nasal obstruction and 77.4% complained of sleeping problems. It was seen that 10.9% patients chose the surgery primarily for aesthetic improvement; 37.1% chose it mainly because of functional symptoms and 52% chose it for both functional and aesthetic reasons. The physical health domain's mean was 62.2 ± 17), which is a higher mean compared to the references' standard one (Μ = 58.9± 10.5, p = 0.002). The social relationship domain mean was 70.8±18.1; that is a lower mean then general population's one (Μ = 76.2± 18.8, p < 0.001). The psychological and the environment domain means revealed no difference when comparing the sample to the norm (μ = 65.3 ±15.1 vs. μ = 65.9 ±10.8, p = 0.530 and μ = 60.3 ±13.1 vs. μ = 59.9 ± 14.9, p = 0.667). Conclusion: The WHOQOL-Brief questionnaire proved an accurate instrument to cross-check different populations in quality of life outcomes. The study provides good evidence of lower quality of life in social relations domain and high prevalence of nasal obstruction and sleeping symptoms in candidates for septorhinoplasty. This study contributes to recent literature with relevant data supporting a more integrative evaluation in this population in the preoperative period. The results may also encourage a multidisciplinary approach for chronic symptoms when associated with nasal obstruction, sleep disorders and aesthetic complaints.

Resumo Introdução: A qualidade de vida tem sido cada vez mais uma medida de referência no impacto total das doenças na saúde e também na avaliação da septorrinoplastia. Sabe-se que a decisão por esse procedimento médico eletivo requer a percepção subjetiva da queixa do paciente sobre sua própria saúde e estágio de vida em associação com a perspectiva estética e funcional do cirurgião de cada caso. Objetivo: Definir a qualidade de vida de pacientes candidatos à septorrinoplastia por meio do questionário de qualidade de vida da OMS, WHOQOL-Brief e a prevalência de outras variáveis independentes para essa população. Método: Foi feito um estudo transversal com uma amostra de candidatos à septorrinoplastia. Todos os pacientes responderam ao WHOQOL-Brief no momento pré-operatório. Um estudo normativo de qualidade de vida populacional foi a referência para o tamanho e as médias da amostra. Resultados: Foram incluídos 302 pacientes entre os 322 elegíveis. Vinte pacientes não preencheram o questionário corretamente e foram excluídos do estudo. A amostra foi composta por pacientes entre 15 e 78 anos (34,7 ± 14 anos) e a maioria era branca e do sexo feminino. Entre todos, 88,1% declararam sintomas de obstrução nasal e 77,4% declararam ter sintomas durante o sono. Observou-se que 10,9% dos pacientes optaram pela cirurgia principalmente para melhoria estética; 37,1% optaram principalmente devido a sintomas funcionais e 52% optaram por queixa funcional e estética. A média do domínio saúde física foi de 62,2 ± 17, uma média mais alta em comparação com o padrão de referências (μ = 58,9 ± 10,5, p = 0,002). A média do domínio do relacionamento social foi de 70,8 ±18,1, uma média inferior à da população geral (μ = 76,2 ± 18,8, p < 0,001). As médias dos domínios psicológico e meio ambiente não diferiram na comparação da amostra com o normativo (μ = 65,3 ±15,1 vs. μ = 65,9 ± 10,8, p = 0,530 e μ = 60,3 ±13,1 vs. μ = 59,9 ± 14,9, p = 0,667). Conclusão: O questionário WHOQOL-Brief demonstrou servir como um instrumento preciso para cruzar diferentes populações nos desfechos de qualidade de vida. O estudo fornece boas evidências de menor qualidade de vida no domínio relações sociais e alta prevalência de obstrução nasal e sintomas durante o sono em candidatos à septorrinoplastia. Este estudo contribui para a literatura recente com dados relevantes que subsidiam uma avaliação mais integrativa nessa população no momento pré-operatório. Os resultados também podem incentivar uma abordagem multidisciplinar para os sintomas crônicos quando associados, como ocorre na obstrução nasal, distúrbios do sono e queixas estéticas.

Overall quality of life impact on candidates for septorhinoplasty according to the World Health Organization quality of life brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-Brief).

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life has been an increasingly reference measure in whole health impact of diseases and in septorhinoplasty evaluation as well. It is known that the decision for this elective surgical procedure requires the subjective perception of patients' complaints about their own health and life stage in association with the surgeon's aesthetic and functional perspective of each case. OBJECTIVE: To define the quality of life of candidates for septorhinoplasty using the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire, WHOQOL-Brief, and the prevalence of other independent variables for this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a sample of candidates for septorhinoplasty was performed. All patients responded to the WHOQOL-Brief during the pre-operative period. A normative population quality of life study was the reference for the sample size and means. RESULTS: A total of 302 patients were included among the 322 eligible patients. Twenty patients did not complete the questionnaire correctly and were excluded from the study. The sample consisted of patients aged between 15 and 78 years (34.7 ±â€¯14 years): the most majority were Caucasian and female. Among this group, 88.1% declared symptoms of nasal obstruction and 77.4% complained of sleeping problems. It was seen that 10.9% patients chose the surgery primarily for aesthetic improvement; 37.1% chose it mainly because of functional symptoms and 52% chose it for both functional and aesthetic reasons. The physical health domain's mean was 62.2 ±â€¯17), which is a higher mean compared to the references' standard one (µâ€¯= 58.9 ±â€¯10.5, p = 0.002). The social relationship domain mean was 70.8 ±â€¯18.1; that is a lower mean then general population's one (µâ€¯= 76.2 ±â€¯18.8, p < 0.001). The psychological and the environment domain means revealed no difference when comparing the sample to the norm (µâ€¯= 65.3 ±â€¯15.1 vs. µâ€¯= 65.9 ±â€¯10.8, p = 0.530 and µâ€¯= 60.3 ±â€¯13.1 vs. µâ€¯= 59.9 ±â€¯14.9, p = 0.667). CONCLUSION: The WHOQOL-Brief questionnaire proved an accurate instrument to cross-check different populations in quality of life outcomes. The study provides good evidence of lower quality of life in social relations domain and high prevalence of nasal obstruction and sleeping symptoms in candidates for septorhinoplasty. This study contributes to recent literature with relevant data supporting a more integrative evaluation in this population in the preoperative period. The results may also encourage a multidisciplinary approach for chronic symptoms when associated with nasal obstruction, sleep disorders and aesthetic complaints.

Surgical Management of the Thick-Skinned Nose.

When executed properly, open structure rhinoplasty can dramatically improve the consistency, durability, and quality of the cosmetic surgical outcome. Moreover, in expert hands, dramatic transformations in skeletal architecture can be accomplished with minimal risk and unparalleled control, all while preserving nasal airway function. While skeletal enhancements have become increasingly more controlled and precise, the outer skin-soft tissue envelope (SSTE) often presents a formidable obstacle to a satisfactory cosmetic result. In noses with unusually thick skin, excessive skin volume and characteristically hostile healing responses frequently combine to obscure or sometimes even negate cosmetic skeletal modifications and taint the surgical outcome. For this challenging patient subgroup, care must be taken to optimize the SSTE using a graduated treatment strategy directed at minimizing skin thickness and controlling unfavorable healing responses. When appropriate efforts are implemented to manage thick nasal skin, cosmetic outcomes are often substantially improved, sometimes even negating the ill-effects of thick skin altogether.

Ipsilateral single stage conversion from BAHA to cochlear implant.

Profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss is an indication for the placement of a bone anchored hearing aid. In a few unfortunate patients who later develop contralateral hearing loss, a cochlear implant becomes a good option. We present our experience in these cases and discuss our technique for single stage conversion from a bone anchored hearing aid to a cochlear implant.

The effects of alar batten grafts on nasal airway obstruction and nasal steroid use in patients with nasal valve collapse and nasal allergic symptoms: a prospective study.

IMPORTANCE: Clinical management of nasal airway obstruction (NAO) in patients with and without nasal allergic symptoms and nasal valve collapse (NVC). OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact that autologous alar batten grafts have on patients with NAO owing to NVC and their affect on nasal steroid use and allergic symptoms. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with NAO due to NVC with or without symptoms of nasal allergic symptoms. INTERVENTIONS: All of the patients had placement of autologous batten grafts during the study period. STUDY SELECTION: Prospective study of patients with dynamic NVC undergoing alar batten graft treatment. DATA EXTRACTION: Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation survey preoperatively and postoperatively, prospective outpatient questionnaire to determine use of nasal steroids and presence of nasal allergic symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients underwent surgical intervention for the treatment of NAO due to NVC. All of these patients were using nasal steroid sprays, and 78 patients (62%) also reported nasal allergic symptoms at their initial presentation. At 6-month and 1-year postoperative evaluations, 118 (94%) and 122 (97%), respectively, reported significant improvement of their NAO, regardless if they had presented with or without allergic nasal symptoms. Sixty-two of the 78 patients (79%) who initially presented with NAO owing to NVC and nasal allergic symptoms preoperatively reported significant improvement in their NAO and nasal allergic symptoms postoperatively. Eight of 126 (6%) restarted their use of nasal steroids postoperatively. All 8 of these patients reported nasal allergic symptoms preoperatively. No patients in the nonallergic group continued the use of nasal steroids postoperatively. There was no increase in nasal steroid use at the 12-month follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Nasal airway obstruction due to NVC in patients can be surgically treated with autologous alar batten grafts. In addition, the use of alar batten grafts may improve NAO in patients with nasal allergic symptoms and reduces their use of nasal steroids. These results support the idea of potential surgical repair of the nasal valve to treat patients with NAO due to nasal allergic symptoms and NVC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Three-year visual and anatomic results of administrating intravitreal bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the 3-year visual outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter consecutive case series in 81 patients with inflammatory ocular neovascularization refractory to standard therapy and treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. The outcome measures included improvement of best corrected visual acuity expressed as logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and paired comparison decrease in central foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Mean best corrected visual acuity improved from baseline 0.699 (6/30 or 20/101) (SD 0.434) to 0.426 (6/16 or 20/53) (SD 0.428) (n = 81; p < 0.001), a gain of 2.7 lines (median 3 injections; 81 eyes; 81 patients). Paired comparisons revealed significant central foveal flattening at 3 years of 97.9 µm (n = 51; p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis, visual improvement was significant for ocular histoplasmosis (p = 0.026); multifocal choroiditis (p = 0.05); serpiginous choroiditis (p = 0.028); ocular toxoplasmosis (p = 0.042); and punctate inner choroidopathy (p = 0.015). In a subgroup analysis, foveal flattening was significant for ocular histoplasmosis (p = 0.004); multifocal choroiditis (p = 0.007); serpiginous choroiditis (p = 0.011); and punctate inner choroidopathy (p = 0.001). Of the group, 5 eyes developed submacular fibrosis, 1 eye retinal pigment epithelial tear, and 1 eye macular ischemia in the context of vasculitis. CONCLUSION: At 3 years, intravitreal bevacizumab sustained significant visual improvement of 2.7 lines and significant foveal flattening of 98 µm in a wide variety of inflammatory ocular diseases without major complications after a median of 3 injections.