Essential Anatomy and Evaluation for Functional Rhinoplasty.

The nose, a prominent facial feature in defining facial beauty, is responsible for the fundamental physiologic functions of heating, humidifying, and filtering inspired air. When the normal balance of laminar and turbulent airflow become disturbed due to anatomic abnormalities, nasal obstruction may result. To successfully restore these basic physiologic functions, the surgeon must have a detailed understanding of the nasal anatomy and be able to successfully identify the specific cause of the nasal obstruction. This article discusses the fundamental surgical anatomy and the various diagnostic techniques and instruments at the surgeon's disposal.

Use of Spreader Flaps Without Dorsal Hump Reduction and the Effect on Nasal Function.

IMPORTANCE: Internal nasal valve (INV) collapse is a common cause of nasal obstruction, and spreader grafts are the established standard of treatment. Recently, spreader flaps have gained attention in the treatment of nasal valve stenosis when performed in conjunction with dorsal hump reduction. To date, the efficacy of the spreader flap technique without dorsal hump reduction has not been previously described. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spreader flaps are equivalent to spreader grafts in correcting INV collapse in the absence of simultaneous dorsal hump reduction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective medical record review included 26 patients with nasal obstruction and INV collapse who underwent correction with spreader flaps or spreader grafts concurrently with septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction but without dorsal hump reduction. The type of graft placed was based on surgeon preference and patient anatomy. Patients were treated at a tertiary academic medical center from September 1, 2012, through August 31, 2014, and had follow-up of at least 6 months. Follow-up was completed for this study on August 12, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: All patients completed the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The latest postoperative NOSE score was compared with the preoperative score. RESULTS: Among the 26 patients included (12 men and 14 women; mean age, 38.4 years [range, 18-64 years]), 13 underwent spreader flap placement and 13 underwent spreader graft placement. No difference was found between patient demographic characteristics or mean (SD) preoperative NOSE score (spreader flap group, 81.9 [15.8]; range, 72.4-91.4; spreader graft group, 75.4 [19.3]; range, 63.7-87.1) between groups. In addition, no difference was found in mean (SD) postoperative NOSE score (spreader flap group, 18.5 [21.6]; range, 5.4-31.5; spreader graft group, 16.9 [16.4]; range, 7.0-26.8), total NOSE score improvement (spreader flap group, 63.5 [23.5]; range, 49.3-77.7; spreader graft group, 58.5 [27.8]; range, 41.7-75.3), or percentage of improvement in NOSE score (spreader flap group, 78.0% [23.8%]; range, 63.6%-92.4%; spreader graft group, 76.02% [26.31%]; range, 60.1%-91.9%) between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In appropriately selected patients, spreader flaps are equivalent to spreader grafts in correcting nasal obstruction secondary to INV collapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Relationship of hearing loss and dementia: a prospective, population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether baseline hearing loss increases cognitive decline and risk for all-cause dementia in a population of elderly individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Community-based, outpatient. PATIENTS: Men and women aged 65 years or older without dementia at baseline. INTERVENTION(S): All subjects completed the Modified Mini-Mental Status Exam (3MS-R) at baseline and over 3 triennial follow-up visits. Hearing loss (HL) at baseline was based on observation of hearing difficulties during testing or interview. Incident dementia was determined by clinical assessment and expert consensus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Dementia and 3MS-R score. RESULTS: At baseline, 4,463 subjects were without dementia, 836 of whom had HL. Of those with HL, 16.3% developed dementia, compared with 12.1% of those without HL (p < 0.001). Mean time to dementia was 10.3 years in the HL group versus 11.9 years for non-HL (log rank test p < 0.001). In Cox regression analyses controlling for sex, presence of APOE- [Latin Small Letter Open E]4 allele, education, and baseline age, and cardiovascular risk factors, HL was an independent predictor of developing dementia (hazard ratio = 1.27, p = 0.026 [95% CI, 1.03-1.56]). Linear mixed models controlling for similar covariates showed HL was associated with faster decline on the 3MS-R, at a rate of 0.26 points/year worse than those without HL. CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals with HL have an increased rate of developing dementia and more rapid decline on 3MS-R scores than their nonhearing impaired counterparts. These findings suggest that hearing impairment may be a marker for cognitive dysfunction in adults age 65 years and older.