Elegant solutions for complex paramedian forehead flap reconstruction.

Nasal reconstruction is one of the most challenging aspects of facial plastic surgery. The authors present reconstructive techniques to maximize the final aesthetic result and minimize scarring. They discuss techniques used in nasal reconstruction with a paramedian forehead flap (PMFF) that help to achieve these goals and minimize the chance of complications, including performing a surgical delay, using generous, supportive cartilage grafts, adding extra length and bulk to the flap at the alar rim and using topical nitroglycerin and triamcinolone injections when indicated. The steps outlined can help to create a more elegant and consistent result in PMFF nasal reconstruction.

A graded approach to repairing the stenotic nasal vestibule.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a graded approach to repairing vestibular stenosis that involves restoring structural support to the ala. METHODS: Retrospective review of 5 nostrils in 4 patients who presented to the senior author with vestibular stenosis. The cause was burn injury in 3 patients and congenital in 1 patient. The cornerstone is a batten graft to restore strength to the ala. A short-term thermoplastic stent helps the nostril assume its natural shape. When an obstructing cicatrix is present, it is excised in a second stage followed by full-thickness skin grafting. The patients were evaluated up to 16 months postoperatively. Vestibular patency was documented using high-resolution photographs, and medical records were reviewed for complications. RESULTS: Two patients had their nostrils repaired in a single stage and the others required 2 stages. In all patients, significant improvement in nostril diameter was maintained. The patients were satisfied with the functional and aesthetic results. Stenting averaged 13 days after surgery and was well tolerated. No wound complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with vestibular stenosis, we use a graded approach that addresses the inherent weakness of the nasal ala to achieve long-term vestibular patency. This technique restores form and function to the stenotic vestibule while avoiding long-term stenting.

Prone positioning for head and neck reconstructive surgery.

Certain head and neck surgical cases require the patient to be positioned prone. Such positioning carries with it an attendant subset of risks and complications not otherwise encountered in more traditional supine positioning. Gaining awareness of these risks and complications, and developing proactive positioning strategies, will enable the surgical team to position the patient optimally for the procedure and provide for every consideration of patient safety. This article consists of a specific literature review of those issues directly related to the anatomical and physiological concerns arising from prone positioning. Particular attention is paid to the cardiopulmonary, renal, ophthalmologic, and neurological vulnerabilities unique to this position. Proper planning by the surgical team and utilization of the correct equipment are a necessity. A tailored approach to the needs of the individual patient and an intimate awareness of the potential pitfalls will contribute to better outcomes when using the prone position.

Nasal valve suspension revisited.

OBJECTIVES: Nasal valve suspension (NVS) is a simple technique to correct nasal valve obstruction or collapse by providing a lateral vector of pull on the nasal sidewall. The purpose of this research was to review our experience with NVS in a cohort of patients with nasal valve collapse, including a subset of patients with facial paralysis. The objectives were to determine patient satisfaction and complication rates after NVS. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of patients 18 years and older who had NVS from 2003 to 2006 with a follow-up of at least 1 month was performed. METHODS: Data were collected on diagnosis, surgical outcomes, complications, and treatments required. Complications included adverse outcomes, infections, and the need for repeat surgery or treatments. RESULTS: In 17 charts reviewed, 9 patients (53%) had nasal valve collapse as a result of facial paralysis, and 8 (47%) had previous nasal surgery. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 30 months, with a mean of 16.5. Moderate to complete resolution of obstruction was reported by 82% of patients, or for 88% of procedures. Sustained relief was observed in two of eight patients who had previous nasal surgery and six of nine who had no previous nasal surgery (P = .1). Infection occurred in four (24%) patients and five (21%) total suspensions and ranged from 1.5 to 7 months. Six (35%) patients experienced a loss of suspension at 6 to 22 months. CONCLUSIONS: NVS is a technically straightforward, relatively reversible procedure particularly useful in the patient with facial paralysis. The efficacy is excellent in the short term yet appears to diminish with time.

Nuances of otoplasty: a comprehensive review of the past 20 years.

Otoplasty for the correction of the prominent ear is a heavily debated topic in Facial Plastic Surgery. This article presents the past 20 years of literature on the topic in a concise and organized manner. The greatest area of focus is on the finer nuances between cartilage-sparing and cartilage-incising techniques. In addition, some of the latest research on anesthesia techniques, nonoperative approaches, and social issues are discussed.

External auricular and facial prosthetics: a collaborative effort of the reconstructive surgeon and anaplastologist.

Surgeons who communicate on a regular basis with an anaplastologist will benefit from having a more comprehensive practice and will be able to provide a broader depth of information to their patients contemplating facial reconstruction. When a prosthesis is chosen as the best option, it is important for the surgeon to understand that early communication with the anaplastologist can lead to improved appearance and function of the prosthesis. When the surgeon and anaplastologist work closely, their efforts complement one another in creating a final reconstructive plan that will ultimately improve the patient's quality of life.

Anatomy of the eyelids.

The variety and complexity of periorbital surgical procedures continue to increase. Successful completion of reconstructive and esthetic ocular procedures requires an exacting knowledge of the relevant anatomy. Interestingly, the definition of ocular and periorbital anatomy continues to evolve, including more recent descriptions of the orbitomalar ligament and a new understanding of eyelid lymphatics. This article presents the most recent descriptions of periorbital anatomy.

Histological evaluations following 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser resurfacing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The long pulse 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser is used clinically to decrease rhytid formation. The dermal level at which this change occurs has not been established. This study attempts to answer these questions using a porcine skin model. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-randomized prospective experimental trial involving the domestic piglet treated serially with the long pulse 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser. RESULTS: Collagen formation occurred at the level of the reticular dermis. After one laser treatment, a significant level of collagen formation was induced in the reticular dermis compared to controls. The greatest gain was observed after four laser treatments. Energy levels of 20, 30, 40, and 50 J/cm2 were evaluated. Although not statistically significant, 30 J/cm2 had the greatest effect on collagen formation. However, at 50 J/cm2, marked ablative changes to the epidermis were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The long pulse 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser induces collagen formation in the reticular dermis in porcine skin.

Nonablative laser resurfacing using the long-pulse (1064-nm) Nd:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND: Lasers with infrared wavelength ranges have been used in nonablative rejuvenation of skin. In this process, cooling of the epidermis allows for laser energy heat-induced injury to the dermis without ablation of the epidermal layer. This dermal injury is theorized to produce improvements in skin quality. In addition, long-pulse Nd:YAG lasers target melanin less efficiently, allowing safer treatment of patients with all skin types. In this study, we evaluate the use of the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for the purpose of rejuvenating the aging face. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I through V were included. Standard photographs were taken before the first and after the last treatment. The Nd:YAG laser treatments were initiated with a chilled tip-cooling device. At each treatment session, patients were given self-assessment questionnaires. At completion of the study, 3 physicians performed masked evaluations of patient pretreatment and posttreatment photographs. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 51 patients completed at least 7 treatments, had posttreatment photographs, and were entered into the study. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 6 months. No adverse events were noted. Masked analysis and patient subjective scores demonstrated a subtle improvement in several skin variables. Patient-assigned Fitzpatrick Scale scores declined after 6 treatments for coarse wrinkles (-22.3%; P<.01), skin laxity (-36.3%; P<.01), and overall improvement (-40.6%; P<.01). Physician-graded scores demonstrated decreases in coarse wrinkles (-11.9%; P<.01), skin laxity (-17.3%; P<.01), and overall improvement (-20.0%; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Nonablative resurfacing techniques are well suited for patients requesting rejuvenating treatments of the aging face with minimal downtime. Although improvements in photodamaged skin are subtle and gradual, the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser was well tolerated by patients of all skin types.

Expression of endothelin 1 in rat random-pattern skin flaps treated with topical nifedipine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative tissue concentrations of the endogenous vasoactive peptide endothelin 1 (ET-1) in random-pattern skin flaps (RPSF) treated with either topical anti-ischemic drug therapy (nifedipine) or placebo. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled therapeutic trial. SUBJECTS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTION: Experimental subjects underwent caudally based RPSFs using the modified McFarlane technique. Subjects received either topical anti-ischemic drug therapy (nifedipine; n = 6) or inert carrier ointment (placebo; n = 6). Treatment was initiated immediately following flap closure and continued every 6 hours for 5 days. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were killed and the concentration of ET-1 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Representative tissues from nifedipine- and placebo-treated skin flaps were also analyzed for ET-1 using immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: The ET-1 levels in the distal (necrotic) flap segments were increased by 4.53 pg/mL over baseline (nonnecrotic) flaps in the placebo-treated animals and decreased by 4.70 pg/mL below baseline in the nifedipine-treated group (P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between tissue levels of ET-1 and the severity of tissue necrosis suggests that ET-1 may play a pivotal role in ischemic injury of RPSFs. Moreover, treatment with topical nifedipine may antagonize the vasoconstrictive effects of ET-1. Although immunohistochemical analysis revealed ET-1 staining within the flap microvasculature, no quantitative differences were detected between the nifedipine- and placebo-treated flaps. Further studies are needed to define the role of ET-1 in RPSF necrosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of subglottic cysts of infancy: case report and review.

Subglottic cysts can cause stridor and respiratory distress in the infant. The diagnosis of subglottic cysts is often confirmed during direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. We describe the case of a 6-month-old boy with bilateral subglottic cysts that were preoperatively diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also review the current literature on the diagnosis and treatment of subglottic cysts. Up until now, 63 cases of subglottic cysts were reported in the literature since 1966, and most were diagnosed by direct endoscopy. In this article, we describe a new case and we provide the first published report of the novel use of MRI in diagnosing this lesion.