Reduced Tissue Response with Topical Khat Leaves after Eyelid Surgery: Preliminary Findings.

BACKGROUND: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is one of the most common plastic surgeries. Khat is used topically to reduce tissue edema. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of topical khat administration after eyelid surgery on postoperative healing. METHODS: Our prospective comparative study included 24 patients who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty or ptosis surgery between 2019 and 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to 48 hours of cold dressing with frozen khat leaves and frozen peas dressing (common practice). Postoperative photographs of the eyes were evaluated for the degree of ecchymosis and edema on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 7 by three blinded observers. Measures included tissue swelling and hemorrhage on PODs 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 67 ± 7 years; 17 females (71%). Khat application was associated with lower postoperative ecchymosis at each time point. Females had lower levels of postoperative ecchymosis on POD 7 (P = 0.07). Eyelid edema was more pronounced in the khat group on PODs 1 and 3, but this was reversed on POD 7. There was good agreement among all three observers in grading ecchymosis and edema (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of khat was associated with less tissue ecchymosis after oculoplastic surgery, although this was not statistically significant even following sub-population analysis. The outcome can be attributed to the active ingredients of cathinone and cathine, which cause vasoconstriction and lipolysis, and to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These encouraging preliminary findings warrant additional studies on a biochemical/cellular level.

Oral and Topical Sirolimus for Vascular Anomalies: A Multicentre Study and Review.

Vascular anomalies (VAs) may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus (rapamycin) in the treatment of children and young adults with complicated VAs. A retrospective chart was created that included 19 patients treated with sirolimus for complicated VAs. Concurrently, a search of the PubMed database for VA cases treated with sirolimus was conducted. Descriptive analysis was performed and the efficiency rate of sirolimus was calculated. This retrospective study included 19 patients, 17 of whom were treated with oral sirolimus and 2 with topical sirolimus. Clinical improvement occurred in 15 patients (79%). One patient experienced near-complete resolution. Only 2 patients showed poor response and discontinued treatment. The literature review analysed 150 cases of VA treated with sirolimus. Sirolimus was efficient in 85% of cases, including 5 cases of complete resolution. Sirolimus appears to be an effective and safe treatment for children and young adults with complicated VAs.