Deformity, etiology, solution, sequence (DESS): Facial analysis in rhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: Rhinoplasty is amongst the most challenging surgeries to perfect and can take decades. This process begins during residency; however, residents often have limited exposure to rhinoplasty during their training and lack a standardized method for systematically analyzing and formulating a surgical plan. The DESS (Deformity, Etiology, Solution, Sequence) is a novel educational format for residents that serves to increase their pre-operative comfort with the surgical evaluation and intraoperative planning for a rhinoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study performed at a tertiary academic institution with an otolaryngology residency program evaluating three consecutive residency classes comprised of four residents per class. A 9-item questionnaire was distributed to measure change in resident comfort after utilizing the DESS during their facial plastics rotation. Questionnaire responses highlighted resident comfort with facial nasal analysis, identifying deformities, suggesting surgical maneuvers, and synthesizing a comprehensive surgical plan. RESULTS: Ten of the twelve residents surveyed responded. Of those that responded, comfort in facial nasal analysis, identification of common nasal deformities, surgical planning, and development of an overall surgical plan were significantly improved after completion of the facial plastic rotation. These residents largely attributed their success to the systematic educational format, with an average score of 4.8/5.0 (SD 0.42). CONCLUSION: While rhinoplasty is a challenging artform to master, systematic approaches to analysis and operative planning are vital for teaching and guiding residents. Through this novel methodology, residents display significant improvement in their comfort with facial nasal analysis and overall surgical preparation.

Sublabial excision versus transnasal endoscopic marsupialization for nasolabial cysts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of sublabial excision and transnasal endoscopic marsupialization, the two primary surgical approaches for nasolabial cysts. DESIGN AND SETTING: A comprehensive meta-analysis of studies identified from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with nasolabial cysts who underwent surgical treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative time, postoperative pain, overall postoperative complications, admission rate, length of hospital stay, use of general anaesthesia, medical costs, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: The pooled analysis revealed that the transnasal endoscopic marsupialization group had shorter operative time (mean differences [MD], -32.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], -38.52 to -26.51), reduced postoperative pain (MD, -4.25; 95% CI, -7.62 to -0.89), fewer overall postoperative complications (risk difference [RD], -0.68; 95% CI, -0.90 to -0.46), lower admission rates (RD, -0.86; 95% CI, -1.11 to -0.61), shorter hospital stays (MD, -1.74; 95% CI, -2.58 to -0.89), decreased use of general anaesthesia (RD, -0.40; 95% CI, -0.76 to -0.03), and reduced medical costs (MD, -229.69; 95% CI, -338.64 to -120.75). The recurrence rate between the two groups showed no significant difference (RD, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.04). CONCLUSION: Transnasal endoscopic marsupialization presents as a promising alternative to sublabial excision in the treatment of nasolabial cysts. It offers advantages like reduced operative time, decreased postoperative pain, fewer complications, lower admission rates, shorter hospital stays, diminished need for general anaesthesia, and cost savings. Clinicians can leverage these findings to select the most suitable surgical approach for their patients.

Management of chronic exogenous rhinolith with gingivonasal fistula: A case report.

Recurrent rhinorrhoea that occurs chronically, needs to consider the possibility of a fistula in the nasal cavity, which has the potential to form a rhinolith. We report the case of a 39-year-old man with complaints of recurrent rhinorrhoea since four years ago, accompanied by thick secretions, symptoms of post-nasal drips, and olfactory disturbances. The patient had a history of removing the left upper molar (molar I), which causes a fistula in the tooth extraction site, making it more likely for food and drink to enter the left nasal cavity. Anterior rhinoscopy examination revealed a white mass in the left inferior meatus and a purulent odour discharge. In addition, there were gingival defects of the first molar teeth, multi-sinusitis, and nasal septum deviation. Rinolith extraction was performed using functional endoscopic sinus surgery, submucosal resection, and repair of gingivo-nasal defects with rotational flaps. Follow-up for one week showed that the flap was in place and there were no complications.

Utility of Serum Interleukine-6 Level in Empty Nose Syndrome.

Objectives: Empty nose syndrome (ENS), a complication resulting from surgical procedures on turbinate tissue, is characterized by paradoxical nasal obstruction with wide nasal airways. Patients with ENS often also experience psychiatric symptoms, and psychiatric disorder detection remains dependent on subjective evaluation. Objective biomarkers for mental status assessment in patients with ENS are unestablished. This study aimed to evaluate the role of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the mental status of patients with ENS. Methods: Overall, 35 patients with ENS who underwent endonasal submucosal implantation surgery were prospectively included in the study. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were used to assess the physical and psychiatric symptoms of these patients preoperatively, and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Serum IL-6 levels were analyzed 1 day before surgery. Results: All subjective assessments significantly improved 3 months after surgery and plateaued at 12 months. Patients with higher serum preoperative IL-6 levels tended to experience more severe depression. Regression analysis showed that a preoperative serum IL-6 level > 1.985 pg/mL was significantly correlated with severe depression status in patients with ENS (odds ratio = 9.76, p = 0.020). Conclusions: ENS patients with higher preoperative serum IL-6 levels were more likely to have severe depressive burden. Since more suicidal thoughts or attempts were noted in these patients, timely treatment plan for patients with high levels of serum IL-6 is crucial and may consider psychotherapy after surgical treatment.

Success rate of external, endonasal, and transcanalicular laser DCR with or without silicone stent intubation for NLD obstruction: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: To define and compare the effectiveness of external dacryocystorhinostomy (EX-DCR), endonasal (EN-DCR), and transcanalicular laser-assisted (TL-DCR) with or without silicone stent (S) intubation. METHODS: Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and WoS. Frequentist and Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed and pooled estimations were expressed as risk ratio (RR). We included all original investigations of prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing success rate for any two of the following six surgical procedures: standard EX-DCR with or without S, cold EN-DCR with or without S, and TL-DCR with or without S. The primary outcome measure was the objective success rate. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies with 3277 cases were included in the final quantitative analysis. TL-DCR with S was inferior to EN-DCR with S (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.05-1.37), EX-DCR with S (RR: 1.17 95% CI: 1.05-1.29), EN-DCR without S (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.35), and EX-DCR without S (RR: 1.15; 95%CI: 1.05-1.26) in frequentist statistics. No other statistical difference was found between other surgeries. When we excluded studies with additional interventions (nasal and revision surgery) for sensitivity analysis, 23 studies with 2468 cases were included to analysis. The success rates of TL-DCR with S and EN-DCR without S became similar (RR: 1.14 95% CI: 0.99-1.30) but there was no change in other outcomes. Similar results were found in Bayesian statistics. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve was higher for EN-DCR with S (0.75), whereas it was higher for EX-DCR with S (0.56) after sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Between endoscopic and external and transcanalicular laser without S procedures, there is no statistical difference. The rank probability showed that EN-DCR with S was a more appropriate surgical option when patients with nasal disease were included, whereas EX-DCR with S was a more appropriate surgical option when patients with nasal disease were excluded from the analysis.

Two novel mutations within FREM1 gene in patients with bifid nose.

BACKGROUND: Bifid nose is a rare congenital deformity and the etiology is unknown. The purpose of this study was to report genetic variation in family of patients with bifid nose. METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients who were diagnosed with mild bifid nose were operated with z-plasty from 2009 to 2021. Three underage patients (a pair of twins and a girl) from two family lines, who came to our hospital for surgical treatment, were enrolled. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were conducted. Z-shaped flaps were created and the cartilago alaris major were re-stitched. Photographs and CT scan before and after surgery were obtained. Clinical outcomes, complications and patients' satisfaction were evaluated and analyzed. The follow-up time ranges from 2 to 3 years (2.4 ± 1.2 years). RESULTS: Most patients were satisfied with the outcome (96.2%). The nasal deformities were corrected successfully with z-plasty technique in one-stage. FREM1 c.870_876del and c.2 T > C were detected with Whole exome sequencing, which have not been reported before. The results of Sanger sequencing were consistent with those of Whole exome sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: The newly detected mutations of FREM1 have a certain heritability, and are helpful to make an accurate diagnosis and provide a better understanding of bifid nose mechanism. Z-plasty technique can be an effective technical approach for correcting mild bifid nose deformity.

Vertical Alar Lengthening technique in correcting short noses.

BACKGROUND: It is crucial that the nose length must be compatible with the face in order to obtain beautiful results that suits the face. Shorter and upturned noses appear as if the tip of the nose is cut from the front and gives a piggy appearance to the patient's face. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to obtain longer noses with increased tip definition by effectively lengthening the medial and lateral crura's in patients with short nose and Asian noses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vertical Alar Lengthening (VAL) technique was applied to 17 revision and 12 primary Asian noses. VAL technique consists of three steps. In the first step, the medial crus were lengthened by stealing from the lateral crus. Later, a lateral crural extension graft was applied to the shortened lateral crus, and the lateral crus was lengthened and sutured to the medial crus. In the final stage, a subdomal graft was placed and supported in the space formed underneath the alar tip between the mucosa and the new dome. They were followed in average 12 months (between 6 and 18 months). RESULTS: VAL technique was applied to 17 revision and 12 primer Asian noses. Suggested surgical technique move the tip forward and downward reduced its cephalic rotation and lengthened the nose. Targeted tip point, rotation and projection results were achieved in all patients. All patients had satisfactory esthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: In revision cases and short nose deformities in Asian noses, the nasal tip point was extended forward and downward with the VAL technique, reducing its rotation and lengthening the nose.

Combined endoscope and low-temperature plasma knife for bilateral nasal vestibular cyst with sinus tract formation.

BACKGROUND: Nasal vestibular cyst is a non-dental cystic mass that occurs under the skin at the base of the nasal vestibule. The primary treatment is a transnasal endoscopic excision of the cyst wall at the base of the nose to open the cyst wall at the base of the nasal cavity, namely, marsupialization. METHODS: We present a patient with bilateral nasal vestibular cysts with sinus tract formation. This patient underwent marsupialization under general anesthesia because of the presence of facial swelling and other symptoms. RESULTS: After a 4-year follow-up, our studied case show a significantly improved radiological outcome and clinical prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to unilateral lesions, bilateral nasal vestibular cysts are more likely to be underdiagnosed due to the deceptive nature of the bilateral anatomy observed from the radiological findings. With this rare clinical case reported in this study, we hope our experience in diagnosis and treatment will provide a reference for otolaryngologist surgeons managing similar patients.

Functional outcomes of soft palate reconstruction after oncologic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze functional outcomes of soft palate reconstruction after oncologic surgery. METHODS: This study was conducted in conformity with the PRISMA statement. A single arm meta-analysis was performed for feeding tube dependence (FTD) (primary outcome), velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and hypernasality (HN) (secondary outcomes) incidences. RESULTS: A total of 510 patients (males: 77.75%, n = 353/454) with a median age of 58 years (n = 480/510; 95% CI 57.0-61.0) who underwent soft palate surgical resection with primary reconstruction were included. Overall, the cumulative FTD rate was 1.55% (n = 28/510; 95% CI 0.24-3.96%), the VPI rate was 22.18% (n = 119/379; 95% CI 12.99-33.02%), and the HN rate was 33.01% (n = 88/234; 95% CI 19.03-46.61%). CONCLUSIONS: Soft palate reconstruction results in a low incidence of FTD, and most patients resume a full oral diet. Both obturators, primary closure, local and free flaps seem good reconstructive options. Nevertheless, more specific postoperative functional deficiencies like VPI and HN owns higher incidences, potentially affecting the quality of the swallowing and speaking function and the patient's quality of life.

Application of External Nasal Skin Stretching in Asian Rhinoplasty.

ABSTRACT: Asian nasal characteristics include a low dorsum, short nose, and thick skin envelope, usually requiring lengthening and elevating the nose during rhinoplasty ( Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 2007;15(3):293-307, v). The increase in rhinoplasty popularity has resulted in a greater prevalence of complications. In a severely short and contracted nose, an extensively scarred or contracted soft tissue envelope results in weak laxity and extensibility of the nasal skin. For these patients, the essential component of rhinoplasty is to improve skin texture and obtain a sufficient nasal skin soft tissue envelope. Tissue expanders have previously been utilized to expand nasal skin and soft tissue ( Plast Reconstr Surg 2006;118(6):1447-1452; Facial Plast Surg 2019;35(1):68-72). However, nasal anatomical characteristics have limited the clinical application of tissue expanders. This article introduces a simple, noninvasive, and easily adopted method of external nasal skin stretching, which was first proposed by the senior author. This approach has been accepted by rhinoplasty surgeons in China and widely used in clinic. The approach can improve skin laxity, yield extra nasal soft tissue, and create adequate soft tissue coverage of the reconstructed nasal framework to reduce the difficulty of surgery with a reliable clinical effect.

Simplified Septal Stabilization in Closed-Approach Low-Septal-Resection Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Septal fixation is a basic step in low-septal-resection dorsal preservation rhinoplasty. Inadequate septal stabilization can lead to supratip depression or more severe saddle nose deformity. This paper presents a simple surgical maneuver to stabilize quadrangular septal cartilage instead of suture fixation to the anterior nasal spine. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent closed-approach low-septal-resection dorsal preservation rhinoplasty between July and December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. Depending on the surgical maneuver performed to stabilize quadrangular septal cartilage, the patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: (1) a group in which the septum was stabilized with transfixion sutures (the transfixion suture group) and (2) a group in which the septum was fixed to the anterior nasal spine with suture (the anterior nasal spine suture fixation group). Standardized postoperative 12-month lateral-view photographs were scanned for the presence of supratip depression or saddle nose deformity that may indicate insufficient septum stabilization. RESULTS: Supratip depression was observed in 1 patient in the transfixion suture group (n = 16) and in 1 patient in the anterior nasal spine suture fixation group (n = 14; P > 0.05). No saddle nose deformity was observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Transfixion sutures seem effective in providing septal stabilization to prevent supratip depression or saddle nose deformity in closed-approach low-septal-resection dorsal preservation rhinoplasty. Transfixion sutures can be used for septal stabilization in closed-approach rhinoplasty, allowing the surgeon to take advantage of the ease of placement.

Primary Unilateral Cleft Lip Rhinoplasty Technique: The Melbourne Technique.

Addressing the primary nasal deformity associated with congenital cleft lip is a complex problem that ranges in severity. There are both esthetic and functional ramifications that develop over time. This paper serves to describe the novel Melbourne technique in addressing the primary cleft nasal deformity through repositioning the septal cartilage to the facial midline, reconstructing the nasal floor, and an upper lateral suture to suspend and overcorrect the lower lateral cartilage by modifying the McComb technique. The definitive aim is long-term symmetry in the correction of the cleft lip nasal deformity and these techniques have demonstrated improved nasal symmetry in our unilateral cleft patients.

Nasal Bifidity: An Unusual Pediatric Congenital Anomaly and Review of the Literature.

Congenital nasal anomalies are rare, with an estimated incidence of 1/20,000 to 40,000 live births. Hyperplasia and duplication anomalies are the most uncommon, comprising about 1% of reported cases. The authors present the case of a 6-year-old girl who presented to our institution with an isolated congenital bifid nasal septum. Parents reported a visibly abnormal nose since birth, and it had been continuously monitored by the parents and pediatrician. She demonstrated no history of difficulty breathing or other nasal concerns and was otherwise growing and developing normally. On physical examination, she was breathing comfortably through her bilateral nasal airways. Her nasal examination revealed a widened mid-vault with deep dorsal grooving and a bifid tip. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an isolated bifid nasal septum without other facial malformation or intracranial extension. She underwent an open septorhinoplasty. Intraoperatively, the authors identified an anomalous dorsal nasal bone extension with a resultant bifidity in the body and caudal portions of the septum. Ostectomy and cartilaginous repositioning allowed for an autogenous reconstruction without the need for grafting. She subsequently recovered well without postoperative complications and continues to have improved nasal appearance with maintenance of function. A review of recent literatures revealed 2 other cases that are similar in presentation. The authors proposed that embryologically there might have been a change in expression of bone morphogenetic protein in the frontonasal area leading to caudal extension of the nasal bone. This in turn interferes with the fusion of nasal septum resulting in the bifid septum and dual dome morphology.

Autologous Costal Cartilage With Expanded Polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) Implants for the Treatment of Nasal Deformity After Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To repair and reconstruct the secondary nasal deformity after unilateral cleft lip repair, we used autologous costal cartilage and expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) to get a better nasal shape. METHOD: Nineteen patients with nasal deformity after unilateral cleft lip repair were treated from July 2018 to July 2021. During the operation, autologous costal cartilage was carved and formed and then implanted into the nasal tip and nasal columella, while the back of the nose was raised with ePTFE. RESULT: Nineteen cases were followed up for 6 to 30 months. No transplanted cartilage and swelling were exposed or discharged. The appearance was good, and the patients were satisfied. CONCLUSION: Autologous costal cartilage combined with ePTFE is an ideal treatment for nasal deformity after cleft lip repair.

Free Flap Reconstruction of Recalcitrant Defects in Cleft Palate Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Defects of the palate can be as a result of oronasal fistula of cleft patients and the ablative surgery of tumors. There are many studies about reconstruction of the defects of plate in the literature and most of them are related to tumor surgery. Despite the use of free flaps in cleft patients being not a new approach, the articles in the literature are very few. The authors describe the experience of oronasal fistula reconstructions with free flaps with a new modification of tensionless inset of the free flap's pedicle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2019 and 2022, 2 males and 1 female, 3 consecutive cleft patients underwent free flap surgery because of recalcitrant palatal defects. One patient had 5 and each of remain had 3 unsuccessful reconstructive attempts previously. The age of patients was ranged from 20 to 23 years old. Radial forearm flap was the option of oral lining reconstruction for all patients. In 2 patients, the flap was modified as a skin tail was linked to the flap for covering the pedicle as tensionless closure. RESULTS: There was a mucosal swelling in first patient who underwent classical pedicle inset as mucosal tunneling. In 1 patient there was a spontaneous bleeding from the anterior side of the flap and it stopped without medical interventions, spontaneously. There was no additional complication. All flaps survived without anastomosis problems. CONCLUSION: Incision of the mucosa rather than tunneling provides good surgical exposure and bleeding control and modified flap design may be beneficial and reliable for tensionless pedicle inset and covering.

Sleep impairment in patients with empty nose syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is characterized by paradoxical nasal obstruction that usually occurs after turbinate surgery. Patients with ENS may also experience significant psychiatric symptoms and sleep dysfunction, which negatively affect the quality of life of affected subjects. This study aimed to evaluate sleep impairment and sleepiness in patients with ENS. METHODS: Patients with ENS and control participants were recruited prospectively. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-25 (SNOT-25), Empty Nose Syndrome 6-item Questionnaire (ENS6Q), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EpSS), and modified sleep quality index (MSQI) were used to evaluate the participants before and after nasal surgery. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with ENS and forty-eight age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled. The SNOT-25, ENS6Q, EpSS, and MSQI scores in the ENS group were all significantly higher than those in the control group before and after surgery. After surgery, ENS patients all exhibited significant improvements in SNOT-25, ENS6Q, EpSS, and MSQI scores. Regression analysis revealed that SNOT-25 score was a significant predictor of EpSS and MSQI in preoperative evaluations. ENS patients experiencing daytime sleepiness suffered from significantly more "dryness of nose" and "suffocation" than those not experiencing daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ENS experienced significantly impaired sleep quality and sleepiness. Nasal reconstruction surgery improved the sleep quality of ENS patients. The severity of sleep dysfunction is associated with the severity of ENS symptoms. Recognizing individuals with significant sleep impairment and sleepiness and providing appropriate management are critical issues for ENS patients.

Application of Auricular Cartilage Scaffold Combined With L-Shaped Prosthesis in Asian Rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is a common surgical procedure in medical cosmetology. From patients with saddle nose deformity to beauty seekers with low and short noses, this surgery is mainly sought to improve the nose's appearance. To investigate the effect of modified auricular cartilage scaffold combined with L-shaped prosthesis in rhinoplasty. This retrospective study included 54 patients who underwent auricular cartilage augmentation rhinoplasty with L-shaped implants in our hospital from July 2018 to July 2021. The function of nasal ventilation and olfaction was inspected. As a result, the degree of nasal tip protrusion and the changes in the superior lip angle of columella were improved. The patients' satisfaction was measured a year after the surgery. Patients who underwent auricular cartilage augmentation rhinoplasty with L-shaped prosthesis were satisfied with the surgery outcomes. Using a protective auricular cartilage scaffold combined with an L-shaped implant for augmentation rhinoplasty reduced the shortage of the application and reinforced the stability of the auricular cartilage augmentation rhinoplasty. At >12 months follow-up, there were no serious adverse effects on nasal ventilation and olfactory function in any of the patients. The presented method made full use of auricular cartilage so that it reduced the harvest of the cartilage. Besides, it achieved the remarkable lift of the nose tip, thus simulating the appearance of costal cartilage rhinoplasty. Furthermore, the risk of implant exposure was efficiently reduced, making it worthy of clinical application.

Application of Modified V-Y Advancement Flap in Alar Base Reduction.

BACKGROUND: A variety of techniques for alar base modification have been described in the literature. Limitations of these techniques include scars, recurrence, asymmetry, etc. An incorrect excision of the lateral alar wall can result in a tear-drop or Q-shaped deformity. OBJECTIVES: In this study, a modified V-Y advancement flap will be introduced that will avoid the complications discussed above as well as adjust the positional relationship between the nasal alar and the columella using this technique. In addition, this method is reversible; once the nostril is narrow due to excessive advancement of the flap, the reverse V-Y advancement method can be used to enlarge the nostril. METHODS: In this study, a retrospective review of wide nasal bases in the past 3 years was conducted. A blind analysis of anthropometric points was conducted. There were 3 outcome variables: the width of the alar base, the width of the flare, and the distance between the alar base and columellar base. RESULTS: The alar base was reduced with a modified V-Y advancement flap on 65 female patients ranging from 18 to 45 years of age. In 10 cases, an "Inclined Y-arm flap" was used to narrow alar bases and adjust columella-alar positions. In the remaining cases, a "Horizontal Y-arm flap" was performed to narrow the simple nasal alar width. In all cases, the nasal base was reduced without distortion. In the postoperative period, all the effects were seen to persist for a long time, and patients were generally satisfied with the results of the procedure. CONCLUSION: By using this modified V-Y advancement flap technique, the incision can be concealed as thoroughly as possible, thereby avoiding "tear-drop" or "Q" deformities as well as narrowing the nasal alar effectively. Furthermore, this method, in combination with rhinoplasty surgery, will greatly enhance the nasal appearance.

Tongue Flap for Closure of Complex Oronasal Fistula.

Complex oronasal fistula is one of the most frequent secondary complications of cleft palate correction and is considered a reconstructive challenge. Tongue flaps are one of the procedures for the treatment of complex fistulas associated or not with multiple previous procedures, offering a high success rate, few complications, and problems during its development. This study evaluates the efficacy in terms of functionality, esthetic, donor area morbidity and clarifies surgical technique steps. Descriptive cohort study was performed between August 2011 to August 2021 where an anteriorly based dorsal tongue flap was performed in 30 patients with complex palatal fistulas, evaluating outcomes in terms of technique reproducibility and flap viability, correction of oronasal regurgitation, speech, donor site morbidity, complications, and esthetics. The senior author has used this technique with consistent clinical outcomes to improve complex oronasal fistula with minimal complications, with a good success rate in terms of correction of the palatal defect with imperceptible alteration of the lingual donor area. In addition, establishes a specific definition of persistence and recurrence of oronasal fistula. The tongue flap is considered the gold standard in complex oronasal fistula reconstructions with satisfactory outcomes, and it offers an adequate amount of vascularized tissue achieving fistula closure without functional or esthetic impairment of the donor area and is a highly reproducible technique.

The Effectiveness of Releasing the Lower Lateral Cartilage Through Intranasal Z-plasty Incision on the Vestibular Web During Secondary Correction of Nasal Deformities in Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

The primary goal in the secondary correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity is to achieve symmetry of the nose and nostril. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of freeing the lower lateral cartilage from the pyriform ligament through an intranasal Z-plasty incision on the vestibular web in adult patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Thirty-six patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, who underwent open rhinoplasty between August 2014 and December 2021, were identified retrospectively. Five parameters for nose form and nostril symmetry were measured on basal views through 2-dimensional photographic analysis. The patients were divided into subgroups with or without septoplasty. Cleft-to-non-cleft ratios between the Z (13 patients) and non-Z groups (23 patients) were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The mean follow-up was 12.9 months (6-31 mo). In the Z group, there were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative values for nostril angulation, regardless of septoplasty (all P <0.05). Despite septoplasty, significant differences in the postoperative changes in nostril angulation were found between the Z and non-Z groups (all P <0.05). Intranasal Z-plasty on the plica vestibularis is an effective technique for releasing the lower lateral cartilage, improving the nostril asymmetry in cleft lip nose deformity.