Impact of Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding Outcomes and Complication Rates in Facelift: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rhytidectomy poses a significant risk of bleeding. Several studies have reported the safety profile and efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent, in minimizing perioperative sequelae, particularly hematoma and bleeding. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of TXA administration in facelift surgery, its effect with different routes of administration, and to compare different administration routes in reducing intraoperative blood loss, postoperative edema, and ecchymosis in rhytidectomy. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies that reported on TXA in facelift surgery. The primary outcomes of interest were intraoperative blood loss, time to achieve hemostasis, operation duration, and postoperative hematoma, edema, ecchymosis, drain output, and major and minor complications. Meta-analyses of hematoma, operation duration, drain output, and major and minor complications were performed, and the risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-I for nonrandomized studies, and Cochrane's RoB 2.0, a tool for randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: In total, 104 articles were included in the initial screening. Out of 388 participants 170 patients were administered TXA, predominantly female (over 91%), with ages from the late 50s to mid-60s. TXA administration varied, with subcutaneous injection being the most common method. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of minor and major hematoma in TXA recipients was remarkably low, with a significant reduction in the risk of minor hematoma (odds ratio [OR] = 0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.62, P < .001) and no significant difference in major hematoma risk. Interestingly, TXA significantly reduced postoperative drainage compared to the controls (mean difference = -25.59, 95% CI, -30.4--20.77, P < .01). Additionally, neither minor nor major complications were significantly different between the TXA recipients and controls. Specifically, the pooled odds for the incidence of major complications were not significantly different (OR = 1.47, 95% CI, 0.23-9.19, P = .68), and similar results were found for minor complications (OR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.23-1.48, P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: TXA significantly reduces postoperative drain output and minor hematomas in facelift surgery without increasing major complications. It also reduces edema, ecchymosis, and intraoperative blood loss. However, further studies are required to explore the efficacy of TXA with different dosages and administration routes.

Surgical Approaches and Outcomes of Short Nose Correction: A Descriptive Systematic Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe all published techniques of short nose correction released by surgeons over the years and summarize their outcomes in a descriptive systematic review of the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted using 5 major databases. All original studies discussing correction methods and/or outcomes of shortened noses were included. The risk of bias was evaluated blindly by 2 reviewers, and the data were descriptively presented. The study protocol was recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies including 1450 patients were included. Lengthening of the nose was performed through a cartilage-only graft in 14 studies, whereas bone graft was used in 3 studies. The mean increase in nasal tip projection in 5 reports ranged from 0.05 to 2.2 mm. The mean nasal length before and after rhinoplasty was reported in 8 studies, with a mean increase ranging from 0.28 to 6.2 mm. Regarding surgical complications, 30 patients had implant deviation or migration, 22 patients experienced postoperative infection, and 12 patients required corrective surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of a short nose is a challenging surgical procedure for rhinoplasty. There are several techniques for short nose correction; however, it is difficult to evaluate the outcomes in the absence of a standard tool of assessment. Further analytical studies are warranted to fully evaluate surgical techniques.

Role of External Nasal Splinting Following Rhinoplasty: Is It Really Important? A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Following rhinoplasty, external nasal splints are used to reshape the cartilage and reposition the nasal bone. Despite the popularity of using an external nasal splint in rhinoplasty procedures, there is still a lack of evidence of the effectiveness of using the external nasal splint post-rhinoplasty. This systematic literature review aimed to evaluate the evidence regarding the use of external nasal splints following rhinoplasty. METHODS: A systematic search of Cochrane, Medline, and Embase databases was conducted in September 2022. The literature was screened independently by two reviewers, and the data were extracted. Our search terms included septorhinoplasty, rhinoplasty, osteotomy, splinting, nasal splinting, and external nasal splinting. RESULTS: Initially, 1617 articles were identified, but only four articles were included in the final review. The included studies were all published between 2016 and 2021. The included studies recruited 2425 patients, 20 of whom used external splints and 2415 did not. Out of 2415 patients who did not use an external nasal splint, there were 151 patients with moderate periorbital edema and ecchymosis. There was a decrease in nasal width in 99% of the patients who did not use external nasal splinting postoperatively. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, nasal splinting should not be routinely used following rhinoplasty, but only in certain patients. There is no clear evidence that nasal splints reduce complications, and complications occurred among both patients with and without external nasal splints. Further studies need to be conducted to confirm this conclusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A meta-analysis of pre- and postoperative corticosteroids for reducing the complications following facial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Edema and ecchymosis after facial plastic surgery are a troublesome concern for both patients and surgeons. Corticosteroid administration is thought to shorten the recovery period and reduce these sequelae. Data regarding the efficacy of corticosteroid administration remains controversial among surgeons. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of pre- and postoperative corticosteroids on postoperative complications in patients undergoing facial reconstructive surgery supported with different subgroup analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of articles was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central, SCOPUS, and EBSCO through October 2019. We included all clinical trials in which patients underwent any type of facial plastic surgery to study the effect of corticosteroids on postoperative complications. We performed subgroup analysis according to the types and doses of corticosteroid preparation, in addition to a subgroup analysis of pre- or postoperative corticosteroid usage. All statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan software. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included in this systematic review, but only 10 of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The periorbital edema and ecchymosis scores were significantly reduced in the corticosteroids group compared to placebo -0.82, 95% CI (-1.37, -0.26), and -0.95, 95% CI (-1.32, -0.57), respectively. However, these significant differences were not maintained at day 3 and 7. Smaller doses of corticosteroid (8 mg and 10 mg) were associated with smaller differences in the mean score of upper and lower eyelid edema and ecchymosis, while the higher doses were associated with greater differences. Furthermore, preoperative corticosteroid usage significantly reduced the intraoperative bleeding when compared to placebo for higher doses > 50 mg per day (p < 0.0001), but not for 8 mg corticosteroid (p = 0.06). Adding postoperative steroid dose to the preoperative one was associated with less edema and ecchymosis than preoperative administration alone. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive meta-analysis confirms a statistically significant benefit of preoperative corticosteroids. Furthermore, continuing the steroids postoperatively is associated with long-term reduction of complications. Higher doses of corticosteroids are associated with a more significant reduction in edema and ecchymosis, but further studies are recommended to determine the postoperative side effects, including surgical site infection and delayed healing.

Analysis of Cervical Angle in the Submental Muscular Medialization and Suspension Procedure.

IMPORTANCE: The submental muscular medialization and suspension (SMMS) procedure is an option for addressing an obtuse cervical angle in select patients vs the use of traditional rhytidectomy techniques. OBJECTIVE: To compare the change in position of the cervical point between groups undergoing SMMS vs the traditional rhytidectomy technique. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective review was performed of 141 patients undergoing rhytidectomy in an accredited private surgery center between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, comparing cervical point depth between patients undergoing SMMS vs those undergoing traditional rhytidectomy with platysma plication. Statistical analysis was performed from November 11, 2017, to January 5, 2018. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent either SMMS or traditional rhytidectomy with platysma plication. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was change in the cervical point distance between preoperative and postoperative standardized profile photos. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients were included in the analysis. A cohort of 46 patients (43 women and 3 men; mean age, 63.5 years [range, 49.0-79.0 years]) underwent neck contouring with the SMMS technique and a cohort of 95 patients (90 women and 5 men; mean age, 61.0 years [range, 48.0-73.0 years]) underwent traditional rhytidectomy with platysmaplasty. The cervical point distance of the SMMS cohort had a mean (SD) postoperative increase of 2.0 (1.05) cm (95% CI, 1.73-2.28; P < .001) compared with 0.78 (0.82) cm in the traditional rhytidectomy cohort (95% CI, 0.54-1.02; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest that submental muscular medialization and suspension appears to be an effective option to address the obtuse neck in select patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

A meta-analysis of pre-and postoperative corticosteroids for reducing the complications following facial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery / Uma meta-nálise sobre o uso de corticosteroides pré e pós-operatórios para reduzir as complicações após cirurgia estética e reconstrutiva facial

Abstract Introduction Edema and ecchymosis after facial plastic surgery are a troublesome concern for both patients and surgeons. Corticosteroid administration is thought to shorten the recovery period and reduce these sequelae. Data regarding the efficacy of corticosteroid administration remains controversial among surgeons. Objective We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of preand postoperative corticosteroids on postoperative complications in patients undergoing facial reconstructive surgery supported with different subgroup analysis. Methods A comprehensive literature search of articles was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central, SCOPUS, and EBSCO through October 2019. We included all clinical trials in which patients underwent any type of facial plastic surgery to study the effect of corticosteroids on postoperative complications. We performed subgroup analysis according to the types and doses of corticosteroid preparation, in addition to a subgroup analysis of preor postoperative corticosteroid usage. All statistical analysis was performed using the RevMan software. Results Nineteen studies were included in this systematic review, but only 10 of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The periorbital edema and ecchymosis scores were significantly reduced in the corticosteroids group compared to placebo −0.82, 95% CI (−1.37, −0.26), and -0.95, 95% CI (−1.32, −0.57), respectively. However, these significant differences were not maintained at day 3 and 7. Smaller doses of corticosteroid (8 mg and 10 mg) were associated with smaller differences in the mean score of upper and lower eyelid edema and ecchymosis, while the higher doses were associated with greater differences. Furthermore, preoperative corticosteroid usage significantly reduced the intraoperative bleeding when compared to placebo for higher doses > 50 mg per day (p < 0.0001), but not for 8 mg corticosteroid (p = 0.06). Adding postoperative steroid dose to the preoperative one was associated with less edema and ecchymosis than preoperative administration alone. Conclusion This comprehensive meta-analysis confirms a statistically significant benefit of preoperative corticosteroids. Furthermore, continuing the steroids postoperatively is associated with long-term reduction of complications. Higher doses of corticosteroids are associated with a more significant reduction in edema and ecchymosis, but further studies are recommended to determine the postoperative side effects, including surgical site infection and delayed healing.

Resumo Introdução O edema e a equimose no pós-operatório da cirurgia plástica facial constituem um problema preocupante para pacientes e cirurgiões. Considera-se que a administração de corticosteroides diminua o período de recuperação e reduza essas complicações. Os dados sobre a eficácia da administração de corticosteroides permanecem controversos entre os cirurgiões. Objetivo Fizemos essa revisão sistemática e metanálise para determinar o efeito da administração de corticosteroides nos períodos pré- e pós-operatório sobre as complicações pós-operatórias em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia reconstrutiva facial apoiada em diferentes análises de subgrupos. Método Foi feita uma busca abrangente de artigos nos bancos de dados PubMed, Cochrane Central, Scopus e Ebsco até outubro de 2019. Incluímos todos os ensaios clínicos cujos pacientes foram submetidos a qualquer tipo de cirurgia plástica facial para estudar o efeito dos corticosteroides nas complicações pós-operatórias. Fizemos a análise de subgrupos de acordo com os tipos e as doses de preparação de corticosteroides, além de uma análise de subgrupos de uso de corticosteroides pré ou pós-operatório. Todas as análises estatísticas foram feitas no software RevMan. Resultados Dezenove estudos foram incluídos nesta revisão sistemática, mas apenas 10 deles foram elegíveis para a metanálise. Os escores de edema periorbital e equimoses reduziram significantemente no grupo de corticosteroides em comparação com o placebo: -0,82, IC95% (-1,37, -0,26) e -0,95, IC95% (-1,32, -0,57), respectivamente. Essas diferenças significantes não se mantiveram nos dias 3 e 7. Doses menores de corticosteroides (8 mg e 10 mg) foram associadas a menores diferenças no escore médio de edema e equimoses palpebrais superiores e inferiores, enquanto as doses mais altas foram associadas a diferenças maiores. Além disso, o corticosteroide pré-operatório reduziu significantemente o sangramento intraoperatório quando comparado ao placebo para doses maiores > 50 mg por dia (p < 0,0001), mas não para 8 mg de corticosteroide (p = 0,06). O uso de corticosteroides no pós- e pré-operatório foi associado a uma diminuição maior de edema e equimoses do que no pré-operatório isoladamente. Conclusão Esta metanálise abrangente confirma um benefício estatisticamente significante do uso de corticosteroides no pré-operatório. Além disso, a manutenção dos esteroides no pós-operatório está associada à redução das complicações em longo prazo. Doses mais altas de corticosteroides estão associadas a uma redução mais significativa no edema e nas equimoses, mas estudos adicionais são recomendados para determinar os efeitos colaterais pós-operatórios como infecção do sítio cirúrgico e atraso na cicatrização.

Development and testing for an operative competency assessment tool for nasal septoplasty surgery.

BACKGROUND: Assessing surgical competency in otolaryngology is challenging, and residency programs are now responsible for ensuring the surgical competency of their graduates. Therefore, more objective assessment tools are being incorporated into the evaluation process. Objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATSs) tools have been developed for multiple otolaryngology procedures. These include tonsillectomy, endoscopic sinus surgery, thyroidectomy, mastoidectomy, direct laryngoscopy, and rigid bronchoscopy. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a new assessment tool for septoplasty surgery and ensuring its feasibility, reliability, and construct validity. This study was designed to develop and test a valid, reliable, and feasible evaluation tool designed to measure the development of trainees' surgical skills in the operating room for septoplasty surgery. METHODS: A new OSATSs-based instrument form for septoplasty was developed. During the study period of 2 years, 21 otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents (ranging from postgraduate year 2 to 5) were evaluated intraoperatively by one faculty member obtaining a total of 175 evaluations. Surgical performance was rated using a seven-item task-specific checklist (TSC) and a global rating scale (GRS). The TSC assessed specific septoplasty technical skills, and the GRS assessed the overall surgical performance. RESULTS: Our tool showed construct validity for both components of the assessment instrument, with increasing mean scores with advancing clinical levels. Cronbach's α, a measure of internal consistency, was 0.911 for TSC and 0.898 for GRS. Strong correlation between the TSC and GRS was established (r = 0.955; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study proved our educational tool to be a valid, reliable, and feasible method for assessing competency in septoplasty surgery. It can be integrated into surgical training programs to facilitate direct formative feedback. Assessing trainees' learning curves enables insight into their progression, ensuring their appropriate development.

Acinic cell carcinoma in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: We report an observational study on the etiology and recurrence of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland that seemed to be related to pregnancy. The medical literature has never reported such an association; therefore, our case report is probably the first to mention this observation. CASE PRESENTATION: This report is of a 25-year-old Arabic female patient from the United Arab Emirates, who, during her first pregnancy, developed acinic cell carcinoma of the right parotid gland that was managed with surgical excision in the form of superficial parotidectomy. During her second pregnancy, which occurred four years later, she had a recurrence of the same malignant neoplasm associated with ipsilateral malignant cervical lymphadenopathy. The patient was managed with total parotidectomy and neck dissection, as well as postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Our observation on this particular case of acinic cell carcinoma is that the initial onset of her neoplasm was during her first pregnancy, and the recurrence of the same malignant disease was during a subsequent pregnancy. This chronologic association raised our suspicion that there might be a possible etiologic effect of pregnancy or its associated hormonal or physiologic changes or both on the pathogenesis or etiology of acinic cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Some association might exist between pregnancy and the pathogenesis or etiology of acinic cell carcinoma.