ABSTRACT
Upper blepharoplasty remains a valuable procedure in rejuvenating the upper eyelid. An innovative technique was recently reported whereby medial fat is removed through a transconjunctival approach. This is a preliminary report of our experience with 60 patients treated over the past 10 months using this technique. The technique will be described in detail and cases will be reported. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. All of the patients are satisfied with the results of their surgical procedure. The technique has the advantage of avoiding an incision of the medial upper eyelid and the inherent risks of excessive scarring in this area. We have found the technique especially useful in secondary blepharoplasty with an isolated prominence of residual medial fat. Other advantages include the following: primary cases in which the surgeon is able to avoid medial extension of the cutaneous incision, patients who possess deep tarsal folds with prominent medial fat, or as an adjunct to eyebrow lifting techniques where in both cases cutaneous excision is unnecessary. No disadvantages have been noted.
Subject(s)
Blepharoplasty/methods , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The quest for nasal symmetry and balance with the face often mandates the need for implantable materials to sculpt and rebuild the nasal skeleton and the overlying tissues. A suitable implant must be biocompatible, strong, and elastic. Implant materials that may be used in the nose can be divided into four groups: autografts, homografts, xenografts, and alloplasts. Each type of implant is reviewed and discussed in the context of rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction.
Subject(s)
Cartilage/transplantation , Prostheses and Implants , Rhinoplasty/methods , Biocompatible Materials , Humans , Transplantation, Autologous , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: When performing septorhinoplasty, deviated segments of septal cartilage can be straightened using cartilage or bone as splinting grafts. In some cases, autologous material is not available without an additional surgical procedure to harvest cartilage or bone. It is possible that resorbable plates can be used to splint and straighten deviated cartilage. Experience using bioresorbable rigid fixation devices on cartilage has been limited. OBJECTIVE: To examine early histopathologic changes of rabbit ear cartilage and adjacent soft tissue following implantation with bioresorbable plates. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, placebo-controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Twelve adult New Zealand white rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult New Zealand white rabbits (20 ears) underwent stenting of intact ear cartilage with LactoSorb plates (Lorenz, Jacksonville, Fla). Rabbits were killed 28 days after implantation, and the soft tissue, plates, and cartilage were harvested and prepared for histological examination. As controls, 2 rabbits (4 ears) underwent dissection and closure without stenting. RESULTS: Six rabbits experienced superficial skin breakdown on the ventral surface of the ear caused by excessive wound tension of the implant. The cartilage-plate interface and the surrounding soft tissues stenting the dorsal side of the ear remained free of inflammation or necrosis for all animals. Simple elevation of the perichondrium revealed no differences in the appearance of the cartilage between the control and test rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: Resorbable plates have no deleterious effects on cartilage during the first month of implantation. While short-term studies have documented the safety and efficacy of using bioresorbable plates, further studies are recommended.
