An anatomical approach to glabellar rhytids.

OBJECTIVE: To identify surface landmarks that can serve as reference points to the underlying musculature in the treatment of glabellar rhytids. METHODS: Fifty cadaver hemibrows were dissected to assess the location, disposition, and relationships of the brow muscles, along with their variations at each of several consistent locations. Particular attention was paid to the corrugator supercilii, frontal belly of the frontalis, and procerus muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The information gained here may be applied to the pharmacological or surgical treatment of glabellar rhytids. Knowledge of the frequent location of the muscles involved, relative to easily identifiable surface landmarks, allows a more precise approach.

Attitudes, knowledge, and practices of otolaryngologists treating patients infected with HIV.

The AIDS epidemic has become one of the most important public health problems of this century. As the prevalence of HIV infection continues to rise, health care practitioners in all geographic regions can expect greater clinical exposure to patients infected with HIV. We conducted an anonymous survey of all practicing otolaryngologists in Ohio and California to investigate regional differences in attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding the care of patients infected with HIV. We also examined the data with respect to year of completion of residency training to identify differences in attitudes or practices among otolaryngologists who trained in the era of AIDS (post-1982 graduates) in comparison with their predecessors (pre-1982 graduates). In comparison with Ohio otolaryngologists, California otolaryngologists reported more frequent clinical encounters with HIV-infected patients and displayed significantly better knowledge regarding the otolaryngologic aspects of HIV infection. Californians were more likely to support the right of an HIV-infected physician to maintain an unrestricted practice and would be less likely to disclose their HIV status to their patients and hospital if they were to become infected with HIV. Post-1982 graduates had more frequent encounters with HIV-infected patients than did pre-1982 graduates and demonstrated a better fund of knowledge. Although Californians were more likely than Ohioans to routinely double glove in surgery, the overall double gloving rate was low at 21%. Californians were no more likely than Ohioans to routinely use protective eyewear, water-impervious gowns, or indirect instrument-passing techniques in surgery. No differences were observed in prevalence of protective surgical precautions between pre-1982 and post-1982 graduates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Surgical management of subclavian-vein effort thrombosis as a result of thoracic outlet compression.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable variability and controversy in the current management of subclavian-vein effort thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effectiveness and the functional outcome of our preferred treatment strategy of early thrombolysis/recanalization and prompt extensive supraclavicular decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients who ranged in age from 15 to 60 years underwent operative decompression of 34 primary subclavian-vein thromboses, one of which was bilateral. There were 21 patients with acute thrombosis 7 of whom had had prior unsuccessful balloon venoplasty, 1 with stent placement and 8 patients with chronic/recurrent thrombosis 5 of whom had had 9 unsuccessful prior operations for attempted decompression. Four patients had high-grade symptomatic stenosis and positional occlusion. A supraclavicular approach was used in 32 cases and, in 23 cases, was complemented by an infraclavicular (n = 21) or transaxillary (n = 2) incision. Complete subclavian-vein decompression was achieved by first-rib resection (n = 31), scalenectomy (n = 33), and circumferential venolysis (n = 34). RESULTS: Follow-up was obtained in 30 patients at a mean of 31 months. Twenty of the 21 patients with acute thrombosis had a complete resolution of symptoms with a return to full activity; the other patient was lost to follow-up. Four of the 8 patients with chronic thrombosis reported a mild relief of symptoms but still had limitations of activities of daily living. All of the patients with high-grade symptomatic stenosis with positional occlusion had a complete relief of symptoms and a return to full activity. CONCLUSION: The optimal management of acute effort thrombosis of the subclavian vein includes anticoagulation therapy, thrombolysis/recanalization, confirmatory positional venography, and early supraclavicular decompression of the subclavian vein. In the patients with chronic subclavian-vein thrombosis and positional venographic evidence of compression of first-rib bypass graft collaterals, the initial anticoagulation therapy should be followed by the surgical decompression of the collaterals. The supraclavicular approach alone or with an infraclavicular incision provides optimal exposure for scalenectomy, total first-rib resection, and circumferential venolysis.