The Need for Innovation in Rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is a challenging surgery and results are not always perfect. There are many obstacles to achieving optimal results. Among these are inadequate instrumentation, the unpredictability of healing, imprecise planning, and many more. Furthermore, selecting patients who can most benefit from surgery is equally important. In this article, some of the more pressing areas of rhinoplasty that need innovation are discussed. From proper patient selection, to advances in education, to the standardization of training programs, to the development of sophisticated implants, the future of rhinoplasty surgery lies in continued creativity and innovation.

Promising Implants in Rhinoplasty.

Many dilemmas in rhinoplasty tempt surgeons to use exogenous materials. We have long looked toward implants to decrease operative time, to achieve a more reliable result, or when there is a paucity of autologous material. More than ever, the innovative and highly lucrative field of nasal implantology is developing technologically advanced products. This article looks at some popular nasal implant choices with a look toward what might be on the horizon.

Powered versus Cold Instruments in Rhinoplasty: A Perspective.

Rhinoplasty surgeons must continually strive to refine and improve their results. Improvement may be borne out of new surgical techniques, alternative perioperative medicines, or through the application of new technologies. One technology that has recently gained popularity are piezoelectric osteotomes (POs). These instruments offer a powered alternative to the traditional chisel osteotome. This article provides a history of these two modalities, reviews the most recent data surrounding piezoelectric osteotomy, and provides a framework to compare the pros and cons of each osteotomy option.

The Twisted Nose: What to Do When It's Not Straight.

Septorhinoplasty is among the most common facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries and its complexities are reflected in a relatively high revision rate. The patient with a postoperative twisted nose presents an additional challenge and requires that the surgeon display empathy and possess a deep knowledge of the aesthetic and functional intricacies of the nose. Correction of the twisted nose should be approached in a systematic fashion with unique considerations for each "third" of the nose. While there are many options in the overall surgical armamentarium, each surgeon will find specific techniques that are most efficacious and reproducible for their individual practice. This article discusses select surgical "pearls" and techniques that can aid the surgeon in their own surgical decision-making.

Effect of allergic rhinitis on nasal obstruction outcomes after functional open septorhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis affects surgical outcomes of open septorhinoplasty (OSR) and to examine whether OSR provides the same level of improvement in quality of life to patients with and without allergic rhinitis. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 646 patients who underwent open septorhinoplasty in a tertiary otolaryngology practice between 2008 and 2015. Preoperative and postoperative quality of life (QoL) measurement using the validated Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale was performed on 307 patients meeting inclusion criteria. These patients were then divided into two groups based on a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (non-AR vs AR). Comparisons were then made based on quality of life improvements by the NOSE score. RESULTS: There were 213 patients in the non-AR group vs. 94 patients in the AR group. After OSR, patients in both groups experienced significant improvement in nasal airway obstruction. Pre-op NOSE score averages were similar for the non-AR and AR groups (69.9 vs 73.4 p = 0.087). Average improvement in NOSE score for the non-AR and AR groups at 30 days was 48.6 vs 45.9 (p = 0.41); and at 90 day of 48.1 vs 51.5 (p = 0.402). CONCLUSION: Patients with and without allergic rhinitis experience similar OSR outcomes as measured by the NOSE score. Open septorhinoplasty addresses multiple components contributing to nasal airway obstruction, and may offset the effects of allergic rhinitis. When indicated, it should be offered to patients with allergic rhinitis after complete medical management.

Patterns of facial trauma before and after legalization of marijuana in Denver, Colorado: A joint study between two Denver hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of marijuana on human health has been studied extensively. Marijuana intoxication has been shown to affect performance, attention span, and reaction time. The public health relationship between trauma and cannabis use has also been studied, with mixed conclusions. In this report, the effect of marijuana legalization on many aspects of facial trauma at two hospitals in Denver, Colorado is examined. METHODS: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records was undertaken. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare age of patients before and after legalization, and chi squared analyses were used to compare mechanism of injury, and fracture types before and after recreational marijuana legalization in Denver, Colorado. Geographical location of patients was also considered. RESULTS: No significant increase was found in race before and after marijuana legalization (p=0.19). A significant increase in age was found before (M=39.54,SD=16.37), and after (M=41.38,SD=16.66) legalization (p<0.01). Maxillary and skull base fracture proportions significantly increased following legalization (p<0.001 and p<0.001respectively). No significant differences were seen in the proportion of patients who lived in urban and rural counties before and after legalization (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Public health efforts should be directed towards educating residents and visitors of Colorado on the effects and toxicology of marijuana. More epidemiologic studies are needed for further assessment of the long-term effects of the legalization of marijuana on the population.

Management of complications from alloplastic implants in rhinoplasty.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Alloplasts have long been used in rhinoplasty, but their use remains controversial. Many complications are associated with their implementation in rhinoplasty. This article elucidates these complications and provides recommendations for management. RECENT FINDINGS: Several recent articles have been published presenting experience and outcomes regarding alloplast use in rhinoplasty. In many of these studies, a specific section has been dedicated to outlining the complications encountered by the authors. Oftentimes, a short summary of the complications and their management is provided. By examining the data from these studies, one can conclude several things about the management of complications involving alloplastic implants in rhinoplasty: each case must be approached on an individual basis; clinical decision-making is dictated by physical exam findings and severity of the complication; removal of the implant must be strongly considered; and revision rhinoplasty after an alloplastic complication usually necessitates an autologous graft. SUMMARY: Alloplasts continue to be a controversial option in rhinoplasty. The surgeon must be cognizant of the risks and benefits of their use. A frank preoperative discussion of possible complications with the patient is important. Additionally, prompt recognition and appropriate management of complications is essential to minimize permanent sequelae.

Complications associated with alloplastic implants in rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of infection and extrusion of porous high-density polyethylene (pHDPE) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implants used in rhinoplasty at a high-volume, academic facial plastic surgery practice. METHODS: A total of 662 rhinoplasty procedures performed by 3 faculty surgeons from 1999 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, operative details, and postoperative course findings were collected from patient records. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative infection was 2.8% (19 of 662 patients). In each case of infection, alloplastic material had been used. Infections occurred in 1 in 5 rhinoplasty procedures in which pHDPE implants were used. In patients in whom ePTFE was used alone, the infection rate was 5.3%. Exposure developed in 12% of patients in whom an alloplast was used during surgery. Factors notably not associated with infection on bivariate analysis included sex, surgeon, purpose of procedure (functional vs cosmetic), current tobacco use, or history of cocaine use (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study represents the largest evaluation of the use of pHDPE implants in rhinoplasty to date. Our findings are in contrast to those of previous studies regarding the use of pHDPE in rhinoplasty and parallel to those regarding the use of ePTFE. Caution is strongly recommended when considering the use of pHDPE in rhinoplasty.

Report of a scalp arteriovenous malformation spontaneously hemorrhaging into a preauricular sinus.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the scalp are rare congenital lesions that can be extremely disfiguring and even life-threatening. Another congenital lesion is the preauricular sinus, which forms when the auricular hillocks fail to fuse. We present a case of an AVM of the scalp that ruptured into a preauricular sinus. The occurrence of these two lesions on the same side of a patient is a notable and previously unreported event. The patient was successfully treated with intravascular embolization and surgical ligation.

Aging male rhinoplasty.

Americans over the age of 65 represent one of the fastest growing segments of our population. Rhinoplasty in the elderly man presents a unique set of obstacles. In addition to the typical forces of healing and scar contracture, the aging nose features the altered anatomy and physiology of aging added to an already complicated three-dimensional structure. The heavier, thicker, and more sebaceous skin of men can exacerbate the loss of support associated with aging, creating a scenario of worse functional issues in men as compared with their female counterparts. Approaching the aging nose requires an appreciation of the nuances of the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of the patient interaction. Although functional issues predominate in this population, aesthetic concerns also need to be addressed.