Outcomes of Autologous Versus Irradiated Homologous Costal Cartilage Graft in Rhinoplasty.

Background: Autologous costal cartilage (ACC) and irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC) are commonly used in septorhinoplasty when there is insufficient septal cartilage for grafting. Objective: To assess the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent septorhinoplasty with either ACC or IHCC as measured by rates of infection, resorption, warping, and revision rate. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent rhinoplasty with ACC or IHCC at a single academic institution was performed. Demographic data, surgical details, antibiotic use, and outcomes, including surgical duration, infection, resorption, warping, and revision rate, were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression. Results: One hundred forty-three patients were identified. The median age was 48 years (interquartile range: 35-57.5) and 62.2% (n = 89) were female, 61 patients (42.7%) underwent ACC, and 82 (57.3%) IHCC. Revision rate in both groups was similar (ACC = 14.8%, IHCC = 14.6%; p = 0.98). There was no difference in infection rate (ACC = 4.9%, IHCC = 3.7%; p = 0.71). Postoperative deformity and nasal obstruction were the most common indications for revision surgery. Surgical time was shorter with IHCC (p < 0.01). Mean follow-up time was 26.5 months (±25) for ACC, and 16 months (±12) for IHCC. Conclusions: ACC and IHCC are similar in terms of effectiveness and safety in septorhinoplasty.

Webbed Neck Deformity Reconstruction in Patients with Turner Syndrome: Technical Considerations in Treating Congenital Pterygium Colli.

Importance: Present an excellent outcome for a rare pterygium colli reconstruction. Objective: Establish techniques that have yielded a successful aesthetic and functional outcome for a patient with pterygium colli in a procedure that lacks consensus. Design, Setting, and Participants: Surgical pearls-description of considerations for a successful reconstruction. An academic practice. Pediatric patient with Turner's syndrome who underwent neck and auricular reconstruction.

Pain management after microtia repair with costal cartilage: De-escalation and opioid use reduction.

OBJECTIVE: Complex and invasive postoperative pain regimens for microtia reconstruction with costal cartilage are often utilized. These generate added costs and invasiveness. We evaluated the effectiveness of a de-escalated pain regimen without use of invasive interventions. METHODS: Case series of patients who underwent stage 1 microtia reconstruction with a modified Nagata/Firmin technique from 2017 to 2020 at a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Patients received intraoperative bupivacaine intercostal blocks and scheduled acetaminophen. Adjunct medications administered and pain scores (Wong-Baker FACES and FLACC-Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) at intervals 2-72 h postoperatively were recorded. Narcotic use, peak and median pain scores, and length of stay were compared with published values. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. Mean age of 12 and length of stay of 2.8 days. Average postoperative FACES scores between 0 and 72 h ranged between 0.7 and 4.0. The average peak pain score was 6.1 (±2.0). FLACC scores were low. Narcotics (0.59 ±0 .35 Morphine Milligram Equivalents/kg) were given to 17 patients. Compared to Shaffer et al. (paravertebral catheter-based infusion), total narcotics use (p = 0.03), peak pain (p = 0.0001), and length of stay (p = 0.001) were less. Compared to Woo et al. (intercostal catheter-based infusion), median pain scores at identical time intervals were lower (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative intercostal nerve blocks followed by scheduled, weight-based acetaminophen, adjunctive medications (ibuprofen and lidocaine patches), and rescue narcotics are effective in managing pain following microtia repair with autologous costal cartilage. It results in decreased narcotic usage, shorter length of stay, and lower pain scores compared to more complex regimens.

Reinnervation with Selective Nerve Grafting from Multiple Donor Nerves.

Nerve substitution is an important tool in facial reanimation. The goal is to reinnervate the distal facial nerve and musculature using an alternative cranial nerve in order to achieve facial movement, symmetry, and tone. Multiple donor nerves have been used for nerve transfer procedures, the most common being hypoglossal, masseteric, and cross-facial nerve graft. Each donor nerve has its advantages and disadvantages. Multiinnervation uses the use of multiple donor nerves in order to leverage the benefits while balancing the pitfalls of each nerve. The nerve transfer depends on the type of nerve injury, time since injury, and patient factors.

Addressing the Pandemic Training Deficiency: Filling the Void with Simulation in Facial Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the use of a three-dimensional (3D) printed, multilayer facial flap model for use in trainee education as an alternative method of teaching surgical techniques of facial reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: A 3D printed facial flap simulator was designed from a computed tomography scan and manufactured out of silicone for low-cost, high-fidelity simulation. This simulator was tested by a group of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery trainees at a single institution. The simulator group was compared to a control group who completed an exercise on a traditional paper facial flap exercise. Both groups underwent didactic lectures prior to completing their respective exercises. Pre- and post-exercise Likert scale surveys measuring experience, understanding, effectiveness, and realism were completed by both groups. Central tendency, variability, and confidence intervals were measured to evaluate the outcomes. RESULTS: Trainees completing the facial flap simulator reported a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in overall expertise in facial flap procedures, design of facial flaps, and excision of standing cutaneous deformities. No statistically significant improvement was seen in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees found the facial flap simulator to be an effective and useful training tool with a high level of realism in surgical education of facial reconstruction. Surgical simulators can serve as an adjunct to trainee education, especially during extraordinary times such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which significantly impacted surgical training. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2444-E2448, 2021.

Outcomes of Facial Symmetry and Tone at Rest After Masseteric-to-Facial Nerve Transfer.

Importance: Masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer has gained popularity as a technique that provides dynamic voluntary function in unilateral facial paralysis. Despite the multiple studies that have demonstrated its efficiency in restoring dynamic facial function, there is a paucity of data on the effects on facial symmetry and tone at rest. Objective: To evaluate facial symmetry and tone at rest after masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer in patients with unilateral facial paralysis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer for unilateral facial nerve paralysis at a tertiary academic center from 2012 to 2016. Patient demographics, etiology and duration of facial nerve paralysis, intervention, and the electronic Facial Assessment by Computer Evaluation (eFACE) scores were analyzed. Intervention: Masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer. Main Outcomes and Measures: Resting facial symmetry and tone was graded preoperatively and postoperatively using eFACE. Results: The study included 11 patients with complete unilateral facial paralysis treated with masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer from 2012 to 2016. Postoperative eFACE scores across the dynamic midface and smile scores demonstrated a statistically significant increase compared with preoperative eFACE scores (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference found between preoperative and postoperative static midface and smile eFACE scores. Conclusions: Masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer has demonstrated promising results in restoration of voluntary smile. However, it has little to no effect on resting facial symmetry and tone.

Management of Flaccid Facial Paralysis of Less Than Two Years' Duration.

Flaccid facial paralysis results in disfiguring facial changes. The treatment of flaccid facial paralysis is complex and treatment approaches should be determined based on duration and the causes of paralysis, status and accessibility of the affected facial nerve, medical comorbidities, and patient-specific goals. Although primary nerve repair is the preferred treatment strategy when possible, nerve substitution procedures are the mainstay of treatment for patients with flaccid facial paralysis of less than 2 years duration.

Facial Nerve Reconstruction With Concurrent Masseteric Nerve Transfer and Cable Grafting.

IMPORTANCE: Reconstruction of the facial nerve after radical parotidectomy is commonly performed with cable grafting, which is associated with slow recovery of nerve function and synkinesis. OBJECTIVE: To describe facial nerve reconstruction after radical parotidectomy using concurrent masseteric nerve transfer and cable grafting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective medical record review at a tertiary referral hospital included 9 patients who underwent concurrent masseteric nerve transfer and cable grafting for facial nerve reconstruction performed by a single surgeon from January 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015. Final follow-up was completed on March 14, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Improvement in resting facial symmetry and oral commissure excursion and synkinesis. RESULTS: Nine patients (6 women; mean age, 62.6 years; age range, 51-73 years) underwent immediate facial nerve reconstruction after radical parotidectomy using concurrent cable grafting and masseteric nerve transposition. All patients had return of oral commissure motion within 2 to 7 months after surgery with good excursion and minimal synkinesis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Masseteric nerve transposition can be combined with cable grafting to improve outcomes in facial rehabilitation after radical parotidectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy After Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Tumors.

IMPORTANCE: Whether undergoing cervicofacial rhytidectomy after radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck is associated with increased complication rates and therefore should be avoided remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate complication rates in patients who have undergone cervicofacial rhytidectomy after radiotherapy for head and neck tumors and compare these rates with those of patients who have not undergone radiotherapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review of the medical records of 16 patients who underwent cervicofacial rhytidectomy after completing radiotherapy for head and neck tumors and those of 16 age-matched control participants who did not undergo radiotherapy. Patients underwent treatment from July 1, 2006, through February 28, 2014, with final follow-up on February 28, 2014. Complications after surgery were reviewed and data for surgery type, technique, radiation dose and delivery method, and time to surgery after radiotherapy were analyzed. Data were collected from June 1 through December 31, 2013, and analyzed from January 1, 2014, through June 1, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Rate of complications after surgery. RESULTS: The radiotherapy and control group patients were a mean of 62 years old. In the radiotherapy group, 8 of 16 were women; 14 of 16 were women in the control group. Two major complications, 1 hematoma and 1 perioperative stroke, occurred in the 16 patients who composed the study cohort. In the control group, there was 1 case of transient facial nerve weakness and 1 case of cellulitis that was successfully treated with antibiotics. Two patients experienced wound dehiscence, and no incidents of motor or sensory nerve injury occurred. Subcutaneous face-lift (3 of 3 patients [100%] vs 1 of 13 patients [8%] who underwent superficial musculoaponeurotic system and deep-plane face-lifts; P = .02) and the addition of chemotherapy (4 of 9 patients [44%] vs 0 of 7 patients who did not receive chemotherapy; P = .04) were associated with increased complications. Being older and the time from completion of radiotherapy and surgery did not show any correlation to complications. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Aesthetic facial surgery after radiotherapy has an increased risk for complication compared with facial surgery without radiotherapy. The incidence of wound dehiscence is elevated in the population undergoing radiotherapy but can be managed conservatively in most cases. Patients who undergo radiotherapy must be counseled on the increased risk for complications before proceeding with cervicofacial rhytidectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Anticoagulant complications in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

IMPORTANCE: The decision whether to discontinue antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medications before a facial plastic surgical procedure is a complicated and multifactorial process that involves weighing the risk of perioperative thromboembolic complications with bleeding-related complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the complication rates in patients who undergo a range of facial plastic surgical procedures while receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 9204 surgical procedures from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2012, at an academic medical center and its affiliated surgical sites were analyzed, with patients who continued receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation (aspirin, clopidogrel bisulphate, and warfarin sodium) therapy during the perioperative period identified and compared with a matched case-control group of patients who did not receive antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy during this period. INTERVENTIONS: Facial plastic surgery procedures and perioperative management. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Complication rates of wound healing (dehiscence or necrosis), infection, bleeding (hematoma or ecchymosis), and return to the operating room. RESULTS: Patients who received aspirin therapy at the time of surgery were not more likely to have a complication compared with control patients (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.73 [0.45-1.17]). Patients who received warfarin had increased perioperative bleeding (odds ratio [95% CI], 3.80 [1.15-12.60]) and postoperative infections (odds ratio [95% CI], 7.29 [1.17-45.40]) compared with control patients. Serious complications (flap necrosis, dehiscence, or return to the operating room) were not increased with warfarin use. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates that patients who undergo facial plastic surgery may continue taking antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy during the perioperative period safely with minimal serious complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Age-related histologic changes in human nasal cartilage.

IMPORTANCE: Understanding age-related changes is important when considering cartilage-based implants or grafts during rhinoplasty and nasal reconstructive surgery. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the cellular and architectural changes in human nasal cartilage with aging. DESIGN: Laboratory study. PARTICIPANTS: Nasal septal cartilage was harvested from 50 consecutive patients undergoing septoplasty, rhinoplasty, or septorhinoplasty. INTERVENTION: Cartilage specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and safranin O for cartilage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A modified Mankin histologic grading scale was used to analyze each cartilage sample for H&E findings and safranin O staining. Higher H&E scores indicated more degenerative changes, while higher safranin O scores indicated reductions in proteoglycan content within the cartilage matrix, representing decreased active chondrocyte activity. Correlation between H&E and safranin O scores and patient age was determined. RESULTS: There was positive correlation between safranin O staining scores and age, with higher scores seen with advancing age (P = .01). A linear regression best-fit equation was determined to calculate a potential safranin O staining score for a given age. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We have quantitatively determined that advancing age is positively correlated with reductions in cartilage proteoglycan content and active cartilage growth. This finding not only enhances our current understanding of the natural changes that occur in cartilage with aging but may also affect surgical decision making when cartilage grafting is considered during functional, reconstructive, and aesthetic rhinoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NR.

Full-thickness skin graft overlying a separately harvested auricular cartilage graft for nasal alar reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the aesthetic and functional outcomes of a full-thickness skin graft and a separately harvested auricular cartilage graft for nasal alar defects created by Mohs micrographic surgery. DESIGN: Twenty patients with deep Mohs micrographic surgery defects of the nasal ala who underwent reconstruction with a full-thickness skin graft and an auricular cartilage graft were prospectively studied at a single tertiary care institution between 2010 and 2011 in a nonrandomized, nonblinded study. An ordinal 5-point Likert scale evaluation of overall outcomes was performed by 4 independent surgeon raters. RESULTS: The mean outcome for use of the full-thickness skin and auricular cartilage graft construct was a score of 2.3 on a scale of 1 through 5, with 1 being excellent and 5 being poor. The mean duration of follow-up was 6 months, with a range of 5 weeks to 23 months. There were no clinically meaningful losses of constructs in the patients studied. CONCLUSION: A full-thickness skin graft and a separately harvested auricular cartilage graft are valuable and reliable tools for reconstructing deep nasal alar defects that require support to prevent alar retraction or collapse, particularly when a single-stage procedure is preferred or necessary because of medical comorbidities.

Ideal female brow aesthetics.

The concept of the ideal female eyebrow has changed over time. Modern studies examining youthful brow aesthetics are reviewed. An analysis of ideal female brow characteristics as depicted in the Western print media between 1945 and 2011 was performed. This analysis provided objective evidence that the ideal youthful brow peak has migrated laterally over time to lie at the lateral canthus. There has been a nonstatistically significant trend toward lower and flatter brows. These findings are discussed in relation to current concepts of female brow aging, with repercussions regarding endoscopic brow lift and aesthetic forehead surgery.

Outcomes following temporalis tendon transfer in irradiated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare objective outcomes and complications following temporalis tendon transfer in patients with and without a history of radiation to the parotid bed. METHODS: Retrospective medical chart review comparing dynamic movement of the oral commissure and resting symmetry achieved in 7 irradiated patients (group R) and 7 nonirradiated patients (group N) after temporalis tendon transfer for unilateral facial paralysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups of patients in terms of age, additional facial reanimative procedures, baseline lip position, or follow-up time. Postoperatively, good resting symmetry was achieved in both groups. The mean commissure excursion was significantly inferior in the irradiated group of patients (-1.5 mm in group R vs 2.1 mm in group N; P < .05). Two patients in the irradiated group experienced surgical site infections requiring hospital admission and eventual debridement of their tendon transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Temporalis tendon transfer seems to produce less dynamic movement in patients who have received radiation to the parotid bed, and these patients may also be at higher risk of postoperative infection. Temporalis tendon transfer can achieve good resting symmetry in both irradiated and nonirradiated patients.

Patient assessment of psychosocial dysfunction following nasal reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative psychosocial distress is a critical aspect of surgery, particularly in aesthetically sensitive areas. In this study, the authors assess the level of psychosocial distress associated with nasal reconstruction. The authors also compare postoperative distress levels associated with different reconstructive techniques throughout the healing process. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective study of patients undergoing nasal reconstruction following excision of cutaneous malignancy. The main outcome measure was the Derriford Appearance Scale 24, a measure of psychosocial distress. The Derriford Appearance Scale was administered at preoperative assessment, 1 < x < 4 weeks, 4 ≤ x < 12 weeks, and x ≥ 12 weeks. The entire cohort was analyzed with respect to distress levels before and after surgery. Reconstructions were categorized as interpolated, local tissue, or full-thickness skin graft. Analyses were performed for reconstruction type, patient, and defect data. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. Reconstructions included 14 interpolated flaps, 17 local tissue flaps, and 28 full-thickness skin grafts. For the entire cohort, distress levels were significantly higher at the first postoperative visit (p < 0.05), with normalization at subsequent follow-up evaluations. At the first assessment, the interpolated flap group had significantly higher levels of distress in comparison with the full-thickness skin graft group (p < 0.05). At late follow-up, levels of distress were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal reconstruction is associated with short-term increases in psychosocial distress that corrects by approximately 12 weeks after surgery. Interpolated flaps cause significantly higher distress at early assessment. Distress levels at late follow-up appear to be equivalent to those following a full-thickness skin graft despite larger and deeper initial defects. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Potential of an electric prosthesis for dynamic facial reanimation.

Chronic facial paralysis is a devastating condition with severe functional and emotional consequences. The current surgical armamentarium permits the predictable reestablishment of a protective blink as well as good resting symmetry. Yet the ultimate goal of symmetric, spontaneous emotional expression remains elusive despite significant progress in the areas of peripheral nerve grafting and free tissue transfer. This commentary explores the possibility of an implantable electrical prosthesis for facial reanimation. It reviews animal studies supporting this concept as well as recent human data suggesting that such an implant could rescue denervated facial musculature, thus overcoming a major hurdle for existing reanimation techniques.

Predictors of satisfaction with facial plastic surgery: results of a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic and psychological factors that predict satisfaction or dissatisfaction with outcomes among patients undergoing facial plastic surgery. METHODS: All patients presenting to the Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery at the University of Michigan between January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2008, were asked to participate. Patients answered an initial baseline survey consisting of demographic information and an assessment of their baseline level of optimism/pessimism in addition to a surgery-specific outcome questionnaire both preoperatively and 4 to 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (mean [SD] age, 53 [13.0]; 69% female; 98% white) participated. Patients over the mean age of 53 years were more satisfied with their results than those under the mean age (P = .01). Patients currently being treated for depression were more satisfied with surgical outcomes than those not being treated (P = .05). No correlation was identified between baseline optimism/pessimism or other baseline factors and patients' perceived surgical outcomes. Surgeons were decidedly less positive in their assessment of the outcome than patients. CONCLUSION: Despite a priori hypotheses that patients treated for depression might be more pessimistic and rate their satisfaction lower than other patients, patients treated for depression show a trend toward greater satisfaction from facial plastic surgical procedures than those not treated for depression.