Anatomical Insights on the Cervical Nerve for Contemporary Face and Neck Lifting: A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite its significant roles in the functions of the platysma and lower lip, the cervical branch of the facial nerve is often overlooked compared to other branches, a consideration critical for ensuring the safety of neck surgeries. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to clarify the anatomical discrepancies associated with the cervical branch of the facial nerve to enhance surgical safety. METHODS: The study utilized twenty fresh-frozen hemiheads. A two-stage surgical procedure was employed, beginning with an initial deep-plane facelift including extensive neck dissection, followed by a superficial parotidectomy on fresh frozen cadavers. This approach allowed for a thorough exploration and mapping of the cervical nerve in relation to its surrounding anatomical structures. RESULTS: Upon exiting the parotid gland, the cervical nerve consistently traveled beneath the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia for a brief distance, traversing the deep fascia to travel within the areolar connective tissue before terminating anteriorly in the platysma muscle. Single branch was observed in two cases, while two branches were noted in eighteen cases. CONCLUSIONS: The cervical nerve's relatively deeper position below the mandible's angle facilitates a safer subplatysmal dissection via a lateral approach for the release of the cervical retaining ligaments. Due to the absence of a protective barrier, the nerve is more susceptible to injuries from direct trauma or thermal damage caused by electrocautery, especially during median approaches.

Deep Neck Contouring: Indications and Techniques.

A deep comprehension of key anatomical issues, along with the targeted application of suitable therapies, is vital for attaining exceptional neck contours. Traditional surgical approaches often focus solely on modifying subcutaneous fat and, occasionally, the platysma muscle, neglecting subplatysmal structures. This narrow focus may yield less-than-ideal results and potentially exacerbate existing issues, leading to additional contour abnormalities that prove challenging to correct. In fact, in most cases, there are additional factors deep to the platysma-such as subplatysmal fat, the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles, perihyoid fascia, and the submandibular glands-that contribute to obtuse neck contours. For these patients, accessing the neck through a submental incision allows for precise management of these deep neck structures as required. Unfamiliarity with deep anatomical structures can deter surgeons from performing subplatysmal procedures due to unwarranted concerns about increased complication risks. However, both published clinical series and our clinical experience indicate favorable long-term outcomes with natural, refined, harmonious neck contours and a minimal rate of complications. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, describing indications, strategies, and providing a step-by-step description of the senior author's techniques for mastering deep neck contouring.

Public and Physicians Perception of Oculoplastic Surgery Subspecialty in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Oculoplastic surgery is a highly specialized subspecialty that studies pathologies of the orbit, lacrimal system, and eyelids. Although it is an independent ophthalmological subspecialty, many procedures fall within the shared scope and anatomical area of oculoplastic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery, which tend to confuse physicians and patients seeking medical advice. In this study, our goal is to evaluate the perception of oculoplastic surgery among the public and physicians. Methodology: A cross-sectional study in which data were collected from an online questionnaire formulated by the authors. The questionnaire included 18 questions divided into two categories: demographics and targeted questions that serve the objective of the study. Each answer option to targeted questions was encoded with either one or zero points, and each participant's response was scored accordingly, with the maximum score being 22 points, reflecting the highest perception rate according to the questionnaire. Results: Data were collected from 1029 questionnaire responses, with 202 of the respondents belonging to physicians. The highest number of responses was from females which consisted 82% of our sample. Perception scores were higher among physicians with a mean of 12.3 ± 2.9 points compared to a mean score of 11.2 ± 2.9 among the public. Age played a statistically significant factor in both physicians and the public as younger participants' scores were higher. Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge of oculoplastic surgery subspecialty was observed among the public and physicians. Moreover, core aspects of oculoplastic field such as lacrimal system pathology and orbit pathology were less recognized by participants of our study, which highlights the importance of raising awareness of oculoplastic surgery and the diversity of the field, to enhance referral patterns among physicians and improve medical advice seeking among the public resulting in better health care.

A Novel Technique for Spreader Flap by Folding the Dorsal Hump in Patients Undergoing Primary Rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: We describe our novel modified spreader flap, which involves keeping the large cartilaginous septal T hump attached to the upper lateral cartilages to increase the thickness and length of the flap. Our objectives were to assess hump reduction and recurrence, nasal axis deviation, dorsal width, internal nasal valve grade, and Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) score preoperatively and one year postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study that included 21 patients who met the criteria, patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery, with an assessment of the dorsal projection, tip projection, axis deviation, dorsal width, and internal nasal valve grade. In addition, the modified Cottle maneuver and Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation score were also performed and obtained, respectively. RESULTS: Our novel technique was performed in 20 patients (95.2%). In 1 additional patient, we added a regular auto-spreader flap on the contralateral side. One year postoperatively, the axis was found in the midline in all patients (100%). Assessment of internal valve collapse showed that collapse was reduced to grade 0 in 13 patients (61.9%) and grade 1 in 8 patients (38.1%). There were no hump recurrences or visible irregularities. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the pre- and postoperative values in dorsal projection, dorsal width, and rhinoplasty outcome evaluation score. CONCLUSIONS: This novel technique shows promising statistically significant results in reducing dorsal hump projection and width, correcting axis deviation, and improving internal nasal valve and rhinoplasty outcome evaluation score, while being less cartilage and time-consuming.

Complication Rates From Otoplasty at a Tertiary Facial Plastic Surgery Center: A Retrospective Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Prominent ears are considered the most common congenital external ear deformity among Caucasians. Affecting approximately 5% of the population, it runs in families and exhibits equal sex incidence. This study aimed to determine the complication rate from otoplasty in a tertiary facial plastic surgery center. This retrospective cross-sectional study included all patients with prominent ears deformities who underwent otoplasty at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital between January 2019 and June 2021. The records of 116 patients who underwent otoplasty during the study period were examined and only 44 matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The total of 85 operated ears from 44 patients were included. Of these, 17 were pediatric patients and 25 were male patients. Forty-one patients underwent bilateral otoplasty and 3 underwent unilateral otoplasty. Complications occurred in 17/85 (20%) patients and the complications included recurrence 4 (4.70%), hypertrophic scar 3 (3.52%), keloid 2 (2.35), granuloma 2 (2.35%), infection 2 (2.35%), discomfort 1 (1.17%), wound dehiscence 1 (1.17%), hematoma 1 (1.17%), and retracted ear 1 (1.17%). The overall patient satisfaction was 38/44 (86.36%). Our study is first study conducted in middle east about otoplasty complications. It showed that the complications from otoplasty surgery varied from severe to mild, with acceptable overall satisfactory results. The most common complication was recurrence. Fortunately, serious complications, such as wound dehiscence and hematoma, were rare. However, our study's small sample size remains a major limitation.

Twelve-Year Experience With Nasofrontal Angle (Radix) Augmentation in Rhinoplasty.

ABSTRACT: The nasofrontal angle (radix) has a great impact on the rhinoplasty outcome. Minimal alterations in this area can give an unusual nasal appearance and midfacial length. Different management approaches have been described with regard to radix augmentation. This study aimed to describe the techniques of rhinoplasty, different materials used in the procedure, and results of at least 1 year of follow-up in our 12-year experience in this field. The authors retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent rhino-plasty/septorhinoplasty with radix augmentation performed by 1 of the authors (a senior surgeon at our institution) using different graft materials, between January 2007 and December 2019. Patients younger than 18 years or who were followed up for less than 1 year were excluded from the study. In total, 387 patients (235 [60.7%] female; age range, 19-39 years) were included. Primary procedures were performed in 311 patients (80.5%), and revision procedures were performed in 76 patients (19.6%). Most patients (97%) were satisfied with the aesthetic result. There was no incidence of infection, displacement, or extrusion of the graft. The only complications observed were irregularities; 3% required revision surgery. It is important to consider the nasal radix when pursuing a balanced profile in rhinoplasty. Many graft materials can be used safely and can achieve good aesthetic outcomes. Proper anatomical analysis and patient selection are essential for successful graft placement.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Among Rhinoplasty Candidates: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) represents a bridge between the fields of psychiatry and cosmetic surgery. It is a psychiatric disorder involving altered body image and has been associated with cosmetic surgery. Many studies have investigated BDD following rhinoplasty. However, their findings were inconsistent, which prompted us to conduct this systematic review to obtain strong evidence about the prevalence of BDD among rhinoplasty candidates. METHODS: We searched the literature using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and others using keywords relevant to the study outcomes. We also manually examined the references of the included studies and relevant reviews to look for articles that might have been missed during the electronic search. RESULTS: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. We identified 7 other relevant articles; since they had been included in a review conducted in 2016, they were not included in the final list of articles. However, they were included in the discussion, and their findings have been compared with ours. The included articles resulted in a total sample of 712 rhinoplasty candidates. The estimated prevalence rates of BDD in these articles ranged from 22% to 52%, which was considered high by all the authors of the included studies. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of BDD among rhinoplasty candidates is high, and adequate management and interventions are needed to reduce it.