Long-term effects of the titanium butterfly implant on quality of life: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Nasal valve insufficiency is known to have a negative impact on both nasal patency and quality of life. The titanium butterfly implant is a surgical treatment proven to have a positive effect on these aspects up to 6 months postoperative. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of the titanium butterfly implant on nasal obstruction symptoms and quality of life in adult patients with nasal valve insufficiency up to 5 years after procedure. METHODS: A prospective single cohort study was performed including 29 patients that underwent the titanium butterfly implant in one tertiary medical center. Data was obtained before and at least 5 years after surgery using three questionnaires: the Nasal Obstruction and Septoplasty Effectiveness questionnaire, the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire. RESULTS: A significant decrease in total NOSE score was seen compared to baseline measurements. The SNOT-22 scores also showed a significant decrease, whereas the GBI scores showed no significant changes at the late follow-up. CONCLUSION: Seven years after placement the titanium butterfly implant still has a statistically significant improvement on otorhinologic-related quality of life compared to preoperative measurements.

Autologous versus prosthetic nasal and auricular reconstruction - patient, professional and layperson perceptions.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the perceptions of aesthetic outcome following the autologous and prosthetic reconstruction of nasal and auricular defects among patients, professionals (oral and maxillofacial surgeons and ear, nose and throat surgeons) and people unfamiliar with reconstructive surgery. The influence of anatomical subunits on the overall perception of nasal and auricular reconstructions was also determined. A total of 119 patients treated for nasal and auricular defects between 1997 and 2016, with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months, were selected, and photographs of 77 of these patients (65%) were presented in a digital survey and reviewed using a standardized questionnaire. No clinically relevant correlations were found between the age or gender of patients (as well as those of the respondents) and their scores. Prosthetic reconstructions of nasal and auricular defects were considered advantageous over autologous reconstructions in terms of the subjective aesthetic outcome in the view of the professionals, in particular oral and maxillofacial surgeons; however, the patients judged both techniques to be equally effective in terms of aesthetics. No anatomical subunits were found to have a significant impact on the overall match of a nasal or auricular reconstruction with the patient's face.

Evidence-based recommendations regarding the differential diagnosis and assessment of nasal congestion: using the new GRADE system.

Nasal congestion is an important symptom in nasal pathology and can be defined as an objective restriction of nasal cavity airflow because of mucosal pathology and/or increased mucus secretion (excluding anatomical variants). Using the new Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, evidence-based recommendations are made that will encompass different clinical questions regarding diagnostic modalities of nasal congestion: (i) their usefulness in assessment of presence and severity of congestion; (ii) their usefulness in assessment of etiological pathology responsible for congestion; and (iii) their usefulness in follow up and treatment effectiveness evaluation of nasal congestion.

[Regional metastases of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma]. / Regionale metastasen van plaveiselcelcarcinoom van de huid in het hoofd-halsgebied.

Two patients, a woman aged 54 years and a man aged 76 years, developed regional metastases of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNCSCC). In general, cutaneous SCC has a low metastatic potential. However these patients illustrate that this tumour may behave aggressively, metastasising to the regional lymph nodes in the neck or parotid gland. Certain clinical and histological features of the primary tumour are associated with a higher risk for nodal metastases. In patients at risk, a more rigorous investigation for nodal metastasis is warranted at diagnosis of SCC as well as during follow-up. The extent of treatment of lymph nodes in the neck region should be directed by the location of the primary tumour, which is an indicator of the most probable lymph drainage pattern. In the case of metastatic parotid involvement, elective treatment of the neck should be considered, even when there are no clinical signs of metastasis. Treatment consists of surgery and/or ipsilateral radiotherapy.

Does self-consciousness of appearance influence postoperative satisfaction in rhinoplasty?

BACKGROUND: Facial plastic surgeons and patients benefit from knowledge about how psychological aspects can influence the outcome of cosmetic surgery. The influence of preoperative self-consciousness of appearance and its effect on benefit after surgery in rhinoplasty patients has not been explored before in other studies. METHOD: A prospective study was conducted on patients undergoing (septo)rhinoplasty for a combination of cosmetic and functional problems. Before the operation subjects were asked to complete two questionnaires, the Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS59) to measure distress associated with self-consciousness of appearance and the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) to measure satisfaction with their nose. Three months after surgery, they were asked to complete the ROE again and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory to measure benefit of the surgery in daily life. Scores of the pre- and postoperative questionnaires were analyzed and compared. Statistical analysis was performed to determine change after surgery and correlations between the scores. SUBJECTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing (septo)rhinoplasty received a letter in which they were asked to participate in the study. Thirty-three patients completed both pre- and postoperative questionnaires. Their mean age was 28 years. MAIN FINDINGS: Patient satisfaction improved significantly after the surgery. Lower self-consciousness of appearance before surgery was positively correlated with more benefit after the surgery and a greater change in patient satisfaction with their nose. Males have a lower benefit scores than females. CONCLUSIONS: Patients seeking rhinoplasty have more distress associated with self-consciousness of appearance than a general unconcerned population. They can benefit a lot from a well-executed procedure. A significant improvement in quality of life can be achieved by rhinoplasty. Although males are equally satisfied as females, they benefit less from the surgery in daily life.

[3D-navigation in nasal sinus surgery]. / 3D-navigatie in de neusbijholtechirurgie.

Mechanical, infra-red and electrofrequency 3D-navigation equipment enables the visualisation of a probe in a patient in the three dimensions ofa CT-scan. Such a system guarantees better orientation in difficult anatomical areas. 3D navigation is particularly suitable for nasal-sinus surgery as the bony structures are reproduced in precise detail on a CT-scan and bone parameters do not change during operation. These technical developments mean that not only the indications for operation but also the surgical approach have greatly altered. In functional nasal-sinus surgery the aim is to open up the sinus by removing all those structures which may hinder drainage. The mucous membrane with its mucociliary transport is spared and goes on to heal. - Prior to operation the patient's anatomical landmarks are tracked and spatially linked to the corresponding points on the CT-scan. The coordinates of these points are registered on a computer. A probe is moved around within the spaces, its coordinates are calculated and their position shown on a CT-scan. The patient's head is fixed in a frame that is able to move with the head. The advantage of the 3D-navigation system is its surgical and anatomical orientation. Disadvantages are its cost and, to a lesser extent, time requirements and the size of the equipment.

Three-dimensional changes in nose and upper lip volume after orthognathic surgery.

Orthognathic surgery aims to improve both the function and facial appearance of the patient. Translation of the maxillomandibular complex for correction of malocclusion is always followed by changes to the covering soft tissues, especially the nose and lips. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the nasal region and upper lip due to orthognathic surgery using combined cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry datasets. Patients who underwent a Le Fort I osteotomy, with or without a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, were included in this study. Pre- and postoperative documentation consisted of 3D stereophotogrammetry and CBCT scans. 3D measurements were performed on the combined datasets and analyzed. Anterior translation and clockwise pitching of the maxilla led to a significant volume increase in the lip. Cranial translation of the maxilla led to an increase in the alar width. The combination of CBCT DICOM data and 3D stereophotogrammetry proved to be useful in the 3D analysis of the maxillary hard tissue changes, as well as changes in the soft tissues. Measurements could be acquired and compared to investigate the influence of maxillary movement on the soft tissues of the nose and the upper lip.

Perioral gustatory sweating: case report.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a case of perioral Frey syndrome. DESIGN: Case report. SUBJECT: A 72-year-old woman with hyperhidrosis around the mouth and chin. RESULTS: This patient suffered from bilateral perioral gustatory sweating following a mandibular osteotomy; such a case has not previously been described. Possible pathophysiological hypotheses are discussed in relation to the anatomy and innervation of the salivary glands. CONCLUSION: Perioral gustatory sweating is a rare complication of osteotomy.

Therapeutic improvement of Eustachian tube function: a review.

An impaired Eustachian tube is assumed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of different middle ear diseases. Therefore, several investigators have studied different treatment strategies to improve Eustachian tube function. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the results of these studies on improvement of tubal function. The English language literature was searched systematically to identify all articles that described the effect of different interventions on Eustachian tube function. Although the results were not uniform throughout the different studies and despite several restrictions of the reviewed studies, the results of this review indicate that the function may be improved by medical intervention. However, it seems premature to recommend any of the interventions reviewed in this paper to improve function in humans. More studies, preferably randomized, placebo-controlled trials, should be conducted to assess the efficacy of different interventions.