The Effect of Cold Saline Irrigation of Dissection Planes in Rhinoplasty on Postoperative Edema and Ecchymosis.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital edema and ecchymosis are frequently encountered after rhinoplasty and may be distressing to patients. Cold therapy is frequently employed in rhinoplasty to reduce postoperative edema and ecchymosis. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold saline irrigation (CSI) of dissection planes in rhinoplasty on postoperative edema and ecchymosis. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: The investigators designed a retrospective cohort study. The data of patients who underwent rhinoplasty in our clinic between January 2021 and January 2023 were scanned. Patients who underwent primary open rhinoplasty from the same surgeon and standard rhinoplasty steps were applied in the same way and order were included in the study. Patients who had systemic diseases and previous nose surgery, and patients whose photographs could not be accessed from the photograph archive were excluded. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: According to whether CSI was applied to the dissection plans during rhinoplasty, the patients were divided into the CSI group and the control group (without CSI). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: Patients' grades of periorbital edema and ecchymosis were the main outcome variables. The differences of outcome variables were compared between the 2 groups. COVARIATES: Demographics (age, sex), and surgical detail (duration of surgery) were collected as covariates. ANALYSES: The numerical variables were compared between the two groups using the student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, whereas the categorical variables were compared using Pearson's χ2 and Fisher's exact tests. P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 167 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 60 patients were randomly selected, 30 patients in each group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age (P = .45) and sex (P = .27). The mean ecchymosis grade was statistically significant lower in the CSI group than in the control group for all evaluation times (P < .05). Similarly, the mean edema grade was statistically significant lower in the CSI group than in the control group for all evaluation times, with the exception of the 10th and 15th day (P < .05). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: CSI of the dissection planes in rhinoplasty reduced the development of periorbital edema and ecchymosis. This procedure is straightforward, inexpensive, and effective.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Trefoil Factor Family Peptides and Sinonasal Inflammation.

The trefoil factor family (TFF) is a relatively new family of peptides. In some studies, an association between trefoil factors and inflammatory diseases of the nasal and paranasal sinuses has been suggested. However, it is still not clear whether there is a relationship between trefoil peptides and inflammation of the respiratory tract. The aims of this study are to determine the presence of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 in the nasal mucosa and investigate their relationships with inflammation by using rat models of various sinonasal inflammations. Nasal tampon, lipopolysaccharide, and ovalbumin were used to generate rat models of sinonasal inflammation, i.e., rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The study was conducted on seventy rats in seven groups, each with ten rats: four groups with rhinosinusitis, two groups with allergic rhinitis, and a control group. Histological evaluation of sinonasal mucosa from all rats was performed, and Trefoil factors were investigated using immunohistochemical methods. All three TFF peptides were detected in rat nasal mucosa by histological evaluation. No significant differences in the trefoil factor scores were observed among the study groups. A significant correlation between the TFF1 and TFF3 scores and loss of cilia was identified (p < 0.05). In conclusion, no direct relationship between sinonasal inflammation and TFF scores was observed. However, a possible association between the TFF and epithelial damage or regeneration in sinonasal inflammation can be suggested based on the correlation observed between the TFF1 and TFF3 scores and scores of cilia loss.

The Effect of 3D-Printed Custom External Nasal Splint on Edema and Ecchymosis After Rhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of traditional thermoplastic splints vs a 3D-printed custom external nasal splint designed to apply pressure to the lateral osteotomy lines and neighboring periorbital region on edema and ecchymosis after rhinoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients undergoing open rhinoplasty were included in this prospective randomized controlled study. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In the study group, the new 3D-printed custom external nasal splint was used. In the control group, the thermoplastic external nasal splint was used. Periorbital edema and ecchymosis scores were assessed peroperative before external nasal splint application, postoperatively at the 1st and 4th hours, and 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 15th days. RESULTS: There were lower scores of ecchymosis and edema in the study group compared to the control group for all the follow-up controls. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to the occurrence of ecchymosis for all follow-up controls except for the first postoperative hour and the seventh postoperative day (P < .05). Comparison of the 2 groups with respect to the grade of edema showed a significant difference only in the first and fourth postoperative hours (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study detected less edema and ecchymosis scores using this 3D custom external nasal splint, thus creating a new area of use for 3D printers in the field of facial esthetic surgery. New thermoplastic splints of different shapes and sizes can be produced that can compress the osteotomy lines and the neighboring periorbital region.

Assessment of functional and aesthetic outcomes in septorhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to review the aesthetic and functional outcomes of septorhinoplasty using questionnaires that have never been collectively used, as well as surgeons' evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was conducted prospectively among 100 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty operation. We evaluated the effects of septorhinoplasty's functional and aesthetic outcomes on patients' emotional status using a combination of NOSE, ROE, DAS-24, and GBI questionnaires as well as surgeons' evaluations. RESULTS: Our study did not detect any significant difference between preoperative and postoperative levels of patient satisfaction with regard to age, sex, and surgery type and the number of surgeries. Our study, on the other hand, revealed significantly higher postoperative GBI scores among patients with higher preoperative DAS-24 and NOSE scores. However, we showed no significant difference between the preoperative ROE score and postoperative GBI score CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that septorhinoplasty can not only significantly alter a nose's functional and aesthetic appearance, but it can also boost patient satisfaction.

Salivary α-amylase levels in vertigo: Can it be an autonomic dysfunction?

We aim to demonstrate possible autonomic dysfunction based on salivary α-amylase measurements during and after the vertigo attacks associated with Ménière disease (MD) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Patients admitted to the emergency room with a diagnosis of vertigo attacks caused by either MD (n = 15) or BPPV (n = 9) constituted the study groups. The control group (n = 10) consisted of volunteer patients admitted to the emergency department with minor soft-tissue trauma. The first saliva samples were obtained immediately during the attacks and the second and third samples were obtained on the third and fifteenth days of the attack, respectively. In the controls, the first sample was obtained after admission to the hospital and the second sample was obtained on the third day. Salivary α-amylase levels were evaluated. The difference between salivary α-amylase levels in patients with MD and BPPV was not significant. The amylase value measured early after the BPPV attack was significantly lower than that of the controls (p = 0.008). Although not significant, an undulating pattern of salivary α-amylase levels was observed with both diseases. An autonomic imbalance could be partly demonstrated by salivary α-amylase measurement early after the attack in patients with BPPV. Therefore, amylase may be a promising marker that is worth further investigation.

Satisfaction in rhinoplasty: the possible impact of anxiety and functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty is a complex but commonly applied surgical procedure. Patient satisfaction is the least discussed but one of the most important determinants of surgical success. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the patient satisfaction together with surgeon satisfaction were the main goals of this study. The roles of anxiety, gender, age and follow-up period were also studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 53 eligible patients operated by the first two authors within the previous 2 years were enrolled in the study. The medical records were reviewed for demographic data as well as the details of the surgical procedure. Functional and esthetic satisfactions of the patients were evaluated by VAS and ROE respectively. Surgeon satisfaction was evaluated by VAS in crosswise manner. Anxiety was measured by STAI_s and STAI_t scales. RESULTS: The analysis concerning esthetic results as well as functional results did not reveal any significant difference between the two surgeons (p = 0.132, p = 0.43 respectively). ROE scores were significantly different among patients with "good" and "very good" functional results. The difference between surgeon satisfaction and patient satisfaction was found to be insignificant (p = 0.273). Correlation analysis yielded a positive correlation between STAI_I and STAI_II (Pearson r = 0.335, p = 0.014) but not between STAI scores and ROE scores. Moreover, there was no relation between anxiety scores and the functional results. Likely, gender as well as age, follow-up, and surgical technique were not found to have any effect on patient satisfaction either. CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction is preferential in rhinoplasty. In our patient series, patient satisfaction was shown to be correlated with functional outcome but not with surgeon satisfaction. Anxiety was not found to have a significant impact on results of rhinoplasty. Our results should be interpreted cautiously keeping in mind that our patients' primary drive for rhinoplasty was functional.

The histopathological and electrophysiological effects of thymoquinone and methylprednisolone in a rabbit traumatic facial nerve paralysis model.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effects of methylprednisolone and thymoquinone on nerve healing in a traumatic facial nerve paralysis animal model. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: group I: control group received no medication and no trauma; group II: sham group received no medication after facial nerve trauma group III: 5mg/kg/day thymoquinone administered; group IV: 1mg/kg/day methylprednisolone administered. An initial electrophysiological assessment was performed in all the animals. The buccal branch of the facial nerve was then clipped to form a traumatic facial paralysis model. The drugs were administered for two weeks once a day. At the end of the second month, the electrophysiological assessments were performed and the distal part of the traumatic facial nerve were dissected and examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Best nerve regeneration was observed in the control and the thymoquinone groups, respectively, whereas the weakest regeneration was determined in the sham group. Thymoquinone and methylprednisolone significantly increased nerve recovery, as measured by histopathological scores and electrophysiological assessment. In the thymoquinone group, due to postoperative amplitude, axon diameter and thickness of myelin sheath values were significantly further increased nerve regeneration compared to that of the methylprednisolone group and these values were close to those of the values of the control group. CONCLUSION: Thymoquinone was slightly better than methylprednisolone for functional nerve recovery. The neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone was attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Thymoquinone can have a new treatment option to ameliorate the nerve injury.

Comparison of Histopathological Effects of Thymoquinone and Local Nasal Corticosteroids in Allergic Rhinitis in a Rabbit Model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological effects of thymoquinone treatment of the nasal mucosa in a rabbit model of allergic rhinitis, and we compared its effects with those of nasal mometasone furoate. METHODS: A total of 24 male New Zealand rabbits were used. The animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 received no treatment, while group 2 underwent ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization only. Group 3 was the study group; after OVA sensitization, the rabbits were treated with intranasal thymoquinone. The group 4 rabbits received mometasone furoate for 7 days after OVA sensitization. Mucosal structures were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, while toluidine blue was used to stain mast cells. Apoptosis was evaluated using a TUNEL assay. RESULTS: In the positive control groups, including the thymoquinone and intranasal mometasone furoate groups, intraepithelial and submucosal inflammation and goblet cell hypertrophy were significantly decreased compared to group 2 (p < 0.001). The cilial structure was normal, as was the chondrocyte structure in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the histopathological effects of thymoquinone in an allergic rhinitis model. Thymoquinone reduced allergic inflammation and may be valuable for treating allergic rhinitis. However, additional studies are needed.

Outcomes from Cyanoacrylate Use in Tracheal Anastomosis in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the histologic effects of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and metacryloxisulfolane (MS) comonomer on tracheal anastomosis in vivo on a rat model of tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. STUDY DESIGN: Animal experiment. Rat model of tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. SETTING: Animal laboratory. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed in 28 Wistar albino rats. Rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (n = 14), in which anastomoses were performed with 8/0 Vicryl, and study (n = 14), in which NBCA and MS comonomer was used in addition to 8/0 Vicryl to perform anastomosis. Seven rats from each group were sacrificed on day 7 and the remaining on day 28 for gross and histologic examination. RESULTS: Indurations at the site of anastomoses were detected in all rats of study group. Slight narrowing at the site of anastomosis was observed in 8 rats of the study group and in only 1 of the control group. The difference was significant on day 28 (P = .021). The inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly increased in the study group on day 28 (P = .022). Epithelial regeneration was found to be worse in the study group on day 28 (P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NBCA and MS comonomer increased the inflammation in rat tracheal anastomosis with respect to inflammatory cell count and epithelial regeneration. So the use of NBCA and MS comonomer in tracheal surgery cannot be recommended yet in the light of our data.

Effect of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate on the tensile strength and pressure resistance of tracheal anastomoses ex vivo.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate on tracheal anastomoses in terms of increased tension and intraluminal pressure ex vivo. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo experimental study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center (Department of Otolaryngology). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty sheep tracheas were used. Four cartilage rings were resected from the tracheas that were 20 cm in length. End-to-end anastomoses were performed by using Vicryl only (group 1), Vicryl and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (group 2), and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate only (group 3). The amount of force to break off the anastomosis and the amount of intraluminal pressure to arouse air leakage through the anastomosis were measured. RESULTS: The mean force required to break off was 171.9 ± 29.7 N in group 1, 164.8 ± 26 N in group 2, and 13.52 ± 2 N in group 3. The mean force required to break off in group 3 was significantly lower than those in groups 1 and 2 (P = .008 and P = .008, respectively). The mean pressure required to cause air leakage was 49.6 ± 9.1 mm Hg in group 1, 113 ± 14.4 mm Hg in group 2, and 15 ± 4.2 mm Hg in group 3. Group 2 was found to be more resistant to intraluminal pressure than groups 1 and 3 (P = .008 and P = .008, respectively). CONCLUSION: n-Butyl-2-cyanoacrylate had no significant effect on tensile strength. However, its application on the suture line provided extra pressure resistance ex vivo. We believe that further studies need to be conducted to investigate its long-term effects and histological impact on tracheal anastomoses in vivo.

Nasal type natural killer T-cell lymphoma involving nasooropharynx and larynx.

Lymphoma is one of the malignant non-squamous tumors involving the head and neck. Lymphomas in this region are mostly B-cell type in origin and usually seen in Waldeyer's ring. In this article, we report a 45-year-old female case of primary natural killer T cell lymphoma-nasal type involving the nasooropharynx and larynx. This is a very rare entity with poor prognosis.