Effect of corticosteroids on ischemia-reperfusion injury of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap after re-exploration for anastomosis thrombosis: A prospective randomized trial.

Patients undergoing breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap are at risk of arterial and venous thrombosis, necessitating flap salvage surgery. However, this carries the risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and potential significant partial or complete flap loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of corticosteroids in reducing IRI related complications in DIEP flaps that are returned to the operation theater for attempted salvage after venous or arterial failure. A double-blinded prospective randomized study was conducted between January 2012 and January 2023 on patients scheduled for secondary unilateral breast reconstruction using the DIEP flap technique. Patients were included if they developed post-operative venous or arterial flap thrombosis and experienced DIEP flap IRI following operative take-back and anastomosis revision. The treatment group (TG) received a 5-day course of corticosteroids, while the control group (CG) did not receive any specific treatment. Forty-six patients were enrolled in the study. In the CG, two cases of total flap loss and eight cases of partial flap necrosis were observed, while the TG had only 1 case of partial flap necrosis (p < 0.05). The complete resolution of clinical signs of IRI occurred within 13 ± 2.1 days for the TG and 21 ± 3.5 days for the CG (p = 0.00001). The TG had a significantly shorter hospital stay (11.13 ± 0.38 days) compared with the CG (15.47 ± 1.27 days; p < 0.0001). Targeted corticosteroid therapy following a salvage procedure for vascular thrombosis in DIEP flaps has shown promise as an effective treatment for subsequent IRI. This approach may be considered as a viable option for managing IRI in free flaps. However, further studies involving a larger number of patients are required to substantiate our hypothesis.

Long-term outcomes and future challenges in face transplantation.

Face transplant (FT) has emerged as a groundbreaking option for patients with severe facial deformities, resulting from congenital disorders, trauma, or tumor ablation. Although reconstructive surgery has made significant strides, the challenges of restoring both form and function remain, particularly in centrally located defects. This review explored the long-term outcomes of FT, addressing its challenges and potential pitfalls. A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted, encompassing articles published in English from November 2005 to January 2023, which were searched across PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Keywords included "face transplant," "face transplant outcomes," and "face transplant long-term." Data on surgical teams, patient demographics, transplant specifics, rejection episodes, additional surgeries, and patient-reported outcomes were extracted and analyzed. In total, 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. Over the 2 decades, 48 FT procedures were performed, with 23 patients followed for at least 3 years. Predominantly, patients were men (80%), averaging 31 years in age. Ballistic trauma (44.6%) and burns (25.5%) were common causes of injury. Chronic rejection emerged as a significant concern, leading to graft loss and necessitating retransplantation in 2 patients. Additional surgical procedures were often required. FT offers a remarkable solution for individuals with extensive facial disfigurement. Successful outcomes depend on factors, such as patient selection, multidisciplinary collaboration, psychiatric evaluation, and post-operative care. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including the need for lifelong immunosuppression and risk of chronic rejection. Although FT has transformed lives, continued success in this evolving field hinges on the ongoing research and vigilant patient management.

The Use of Posterior Auricular Fascia Graft (PAFG) for Slight Dorsal Augmentation and Irregular Dorsum Coverage in Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty: A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Augmentation and coverage of irregularities of the nasal dorsum remain a challenge in rhinoplasty. Different techniques have been described in the current literature for this purpose. The aim of this study is to assess and illustrate the author experience and outcomes using the posterior auricular fascia graft (PAFG) for dorsal camouflage and augmentation in primary and revision rhinoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective bicentric study was conducted, including patients with slight dorsal deficiencies and/or with dorsal irregularities following hump resection, trauma or previous rhinoplasty receiving PAFG to improve the rhinoplasty outcome. To objectively assess the graft resorption rate, MRI was performed 2 weeks and 18 months after surgery. To investigate patient satisfaction, the preoperative and 1-year postoperative scores obtained using the rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation (ROE) scale were compared. The scores following a normal distribution obtained for each patient were compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were enroled in this study. Average follow-up duration was 35.4 months. Patients' age ranged from 17 to 57 years. No cases of infection or major graft resorption were observed. No postoperative scars were visible at the donor site. All patients were satisfied after surgery, and a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative scores (p<0.0001) was observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that PAFG is a reliable technique for dorsal camouflage and slight augmentation in primary and revision rhinoplasty. The procedure is safe, easy and quick and only requires a small learning curve. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: 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 .

International consensus recommendations on face transplantation: A 2-step Delphi study.

Face transplantation is a viable reconstructive approach for severe craniofacial defects. Despite the evolution witnessed in the field, ethical aspects, clinical and psychosocial implications, public perception, and economic sustainability remain the subject of debate and unanswered questions. Furthermore, poor data reporting and sharing, the absence of standardized metrics for outcome evaluation, and the lack of consensus definitions of success and failure have hampered the development of a "transplantation culture" on a global scale. We completed a 2-round online modified Delphi process with 35 international face transplant stakeholders, including surgeons, clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, ethicists, policymakers, and researchers, with a representation of 10 of the 19 face transplant teams that had already performed the procedure and 73% of face transplants. Themes addressed included patient assessment and selection, indications, social support networks, clinical framework, surgical considerations, data on patient progress and outcomes, definitions of success and failure, public image and perception, and financial sustainability. The presented recommendations are the product of a shared commitment of face transplant teams to foster the development of face transplantation and are aimed at providing a gold standard of practice and policy.

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review.

PRP contains growth factors that promote tissue repair. The authors conducted a meta-analysis comparing PRP treatment to a control group. However, there are concerns about the lack of standardized protocols and specific details about PRP preparation. Factors such as platelet counts, leukocyte concentration, and the use of activated or non-activated platelets can affect treatment outcomes. Further analysis is needed to establish more reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of PRP for androgenic alopecia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

PRECISE Scale: a quantitative classification for androgenetic alopecia and its application to hair transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent genetic condition that can affect both male and female, and is considered the most frequent form of hair loss. Traditional scales and methods of classifying AGA are basically qualitative. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to propose a quantitative scale to classify AGA in order to assist hair transplantation surgery. METHODS: Based on whole hairless and thinning areas that needs to receive follicular units in a hair transplantation procedure, basic equations to support the scale are proposed. Additionally, the study involves simulations that apply the classification system and compare its results with those of qualitative methods. RESULTS: The PRECISE scale utilizes a range of 0-10, using 30 cm2 as the measured standard of a bald area. For hair transplantation, 1500 follicular units (FU) are recommended for each score in the PRECISE scale. Technological and manual methods to measure the hairless and thinning areas are presented and discussed. This new quantitative classification, combined with different and complementary methods of measurement of hairless and thinning areas endorse the understanding of the clinical condition by the patient and the planning of a surgery procedure. CONCLUSION: The developed PRECISE scale brings a different way of classifying Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), through an essentially quantitative evaluation. It can be used to elaborate the best strategy for the hair transplantation surgery and to improve the outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

Assessment of deep plane facelift combined with fascia lata graft for the static treatment of facial palsy: A preliminary report.

Addressing facial palsy (FP) presents intricate challenges in achieving natural expressions. Although free functional muscle transfers (FFMT) offer effective smile restoration, age impacts their efficacy. The optimal FFMT age range of 5-55 years is limited by physical fitness, which extends beyond age boundaries. Unilateral FP demands vary; younger patients require dynamic solutions like FFMT, whereas older individuals prioritize public appearance due to baseline distortion. The aim of this study is to describe and to assess a new static technique combining deep plane facelift and fascia lata graft for FP treatment. We conducted a prospective pilot study enrolling unilateral FP patients aged >55 and declining FFMT. Exclusions encompassed prior FP surgery, recent injections, uncontrolled diabetes cognitive deficits, and patients unable to quit smoking. To evaluate this technique, the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), along with two objective scales, the Face- and Neck-Lift Objective Photo-Numerical Assessment Scale and the eFACE scale, were used. Interrater reliability and intrarater reliability were assessed. Fifteen patients (mean age: 60.9 years) underwent the procedure. Both static and dynamic symmetry significantly improved (p < 0.05), including check volume and position, oral commissure, and jawline. Notably, eye closure enhancement was observed. GBI scores also significantly increased (p < 0.05). Interrater reliability and intrarater reliability were minimal (p = 0.12 and p = 0.13). This combined approach offers a static FP treatment option, especially for the elderly or FFMT-ineligible patients. The relatively brief procedure yields immediate and satisfactory results, suggesting its potential value in FP management. Further comprehensive studies are encouraged to validate the technique's long-term efficacy and applicability across larger populations.

A Two-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of and Satisfaction with Different Methods of ART FILLER® UNIVERSAL Injection for Correcting Moderate to Severe Nasolabial Folds in Chinese Individuals.

The article titled "A Two-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of and Satisfaction with Different Methods of ART FILLER® UNIVERSAL Injection for Correcting Moderate to Severe Nasolabial Folds in Chinese Individuals," authored by Feng et al. in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, aims to compare two hyaluronic acid (HA) injection techniques for enhancing nasolabial folds: the conventional injection method and the ligament injection method. However, concerns have arisen regarding the methodology employed in this study. Having a precise understanding of the properties of the active substance is crucial for treatment standardization. It is imperative to comprehensively grasp the key characteristics of the employed HAs to determine any potential correlation between these properties, outcomes, and the likelihood of complications. Understanding HA's rheological properties, including viscosity, elasticity, and cohesiveness, is essential for selecting the most appropriate facial filler. While recognizing the authors' contributions, we firmly believe that further analysis should encompass these factors.Level of Evidence V 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 .

The Use of Hyaluronic Acid in Non-surgical Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review of Complications, Clinical, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

We reviewed the article titled "The Use of Hyaluronic Acid in Non-surgical Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review of Complications, Clinical, and Patient-Reported Outcomes" authored by Mortada et al. in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with considerable interest. This study presents a meticulous systematic review of research examining clinical and patient-reported results in hyaluronic acid (HA) non-surgical rhinoplasty. However, we hold specific reservations about the methodologies employed in the studies encompassed within their analysis. Precise comprehension of the properties of the utilized active substance is essential for any treatment, with standardization being a key factor. Understanding the essential characteristics of the administered HAs is pivotal to establish potential connections between these attributes, outcomes, and complications. Of particular importance in the clinical application of tissue volumization via fillers is rheology, the study of material flow and deformation under stress. Gaining insight into HA's rheological properties is imperative when selecting an appropriate dermal filler for nasal applications. Three pivotal HA properties are viscosity, elasticity, and cohesiveness. While appreciating the authors' contributions, further analysis should account for these factors in their investigation.Level of Evidence V 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 .

Adverse Events Associated with Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection for Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review of High Level of Evidence Studies.

The article titled "Adverse Events Associated with Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection for Non-surgical Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review of High Level of Evidence Studies" by Kyriazidis et al.in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery presents a systematic review focused on categorizing complications linked to hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers. However, concerns arise about the methodologies employed in the reviewed studies. Precise knowledge of the active substance's properties is vital for treatment standardization. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the key characteristics of the employed HA is of paramount importance to ascertain whether an association exists between these properties and the risk of complications. Understanding the rheological properties of HA, including viscosity, elasticity, and cohesiveness, is crucial for optimal facial filler selection. Acknowledging the authors' contributions, further analysis should encompass these factors.Level of Evidence V 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 .

Nonsurgical Chin Augmentation Using Hyaluronic Acid: A Systematic Review of Technique, Satisfaction, and Complications.

The article titled "Nonsurgical Chin Augmentation Using Hyaluronic Acid: A Systematic Review of Technique, Satisfaction, and Complications" by Ou et al. in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery presents a systematic review focused on categorizing complications associated with hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers. However, concerns arise regarding the methodologies employed in the reviewed studies. It is essential to have precise knowledge of the properties of the active substance for treatment standardization. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the key characteristics of the HA used is paramount to determine if there is an association between these properties and the risk of complications.Understanding HA's rheological properties, including viscosity, elasticity, and cohesiveness, is crucial for selecting the most suitable facial filler. While we acknowledge the authors' contributions, we strongly believe that further analysis should incorporate these factors.Level of Evidence V 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 .

Rhinofiller: Fat Grafting (Surgical) Versus Hyaluronic Acid (Non-surgical).

We conducted a thorough examination of the paper titled " Rhinofiller: Fat Grafting (Surgical) Versus Hyaluronic Acid (Non-surgical)" authored by Gentile et al. in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with significant interest. The author shared their practical insights gained from employing "fat grafting" and "hyaluronic acid" methods for nasal remodeling in a randomized controlled trial. The research is notably captivating and executed with commendable proficiency. However, we do hold specific reservations concerning the methodologies employed. Precise understanding of the properties of the active substances utilized is fundamental for any medical intervention, and standardization stands as a pivotal element. It is essential to grasp the core characteristics of the administered HAs to potentially uncover links between these attributes, resulting outcomes, and possible complications. In the context of tissue volumization using fillers, rheology-an investigation into material flow and deformation under stress-holds particular importance. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of HA's rheological properties is imperative, especially when selecting an appropriate dermal filler for nasal applications. Among the critical properties of HA are viscosity, elasticity, and cohesiveness. While acknowledging the valuable contributions made by the authors, it is imperative that further analysis takes into account these influential factors during the course of their investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

Carbon-assisted Q-switched Nd: YAG laser and Microneedling Delivery of Botulinum Toxin: a prospective pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Carbon-assisted Q-switched Nd:Yag laser treatment consists in applying a topical carbon suspension all over the face followed by irradiation with a Q-switched 1064 Nd:YAG laser. The delivery of multiple microdroplets of dilute Onabotulinum Toxin-A into the dermis, has been investigated as a tool for facial rejuvenation. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the combined treatment with botulinum toxin and carbon peel laser (performed with a standardized technique) in patients with seborrhea, dilated pores and wrinkles, and to demonstrate its benefits in improving the overall skin aspect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in this prospective pilot study were subjected to 3 sessions of the combined treatment carried out 3 months apart. To evaluate the improvement of skin texture, wrinkles, dilated pores and acne lesions, several scales have been used, namely Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Assessment Scale (FWAS), the Physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), a photographic scale for the pore assessment and the Investigator Global Assessment of Acne (IGA). Face Q was also administered to assess patients' satisfaction. The scores obtained were compared using a paired T-test. RESULTS: Twenty patients were recruited. Difference of pre and post-treatment scores of the FWAS, GAIS, IGA, Face Q and the photographic scale for the pore assessment were statistically significant (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONS: This combined protocol could be considered as an useful tool to treat skin flaws affecting texture, microroughness and seborrhea and to reduce enlarged pore size and its versatility allows customized treatment with minimum discomfort in patients.