Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Pain in Abdominoplasty: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain after abdominoplasty can delay postoperative ambulation, leading to life-threatening complications. Previous reports have shown the utility of quadratus lumborum block in providing adequate pain relief and avoiding side effects after numerous abdominal operations. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to demonstrate the efficacy of the quadratus lumborum block in abdominoplasty. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to receive a bilateral quadratus lumborum block with either ropivacaine or normal saline. Postoperative cumulative analgesic medication consumption, pain severity at rest and on movement, and quality of recovery were evaluated and compared in both groups. RESULTS: Twenty patients were allocated to each group. Total morphine dose received in the postanesthesia care unit was lower in the ropivacaine group than in the control group, with a mean of 3.4 mg and 6.6 mg, respectively. Cumulative tramadol consumption per patient in the first 48 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the control group (42.5 mg versus 190 mg; p = 0.0031). The Numeric Rating Scale both at rest and with effort was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the control group. The median quality of recovery for the ropivacaine group was 133 compared with 112 for the control group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Quadratus lumborum block in abdominoplasty reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption and improves the quality of recovery. Further studies are needed to compare the quadratus lumborum block to more traditional blocks. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections After Cosmetic Procedures: A Systematic Review and Management Algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection following cosmetic procedures usually results from inadequate sterile techniques and contamination from nonsterile water. These infections are difficult to diagnose and treat. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of NTM infections acquired after an aesthetic procedure, identify high-risk patients and high-risk cosmetic procedures, and provide a diagnostic and management algorithm for NTM infections occurring after cosmetic procedures. METHODS: On December 20, 2017 an online search of the Medline database was done. All articles describing NTM infection in cosmetic procedures were included in this review. RESULTS: In total, 92 patients with a mean age of 38.35 years were included in this review. Cosmetic procedures performed in the Dominican Republic were the most common source of infection and were noted in 33 patients. The procedure that resulted in the highest proportion of the infections was mesotherapy (34%). In most of the cases, the diagnosis was missed at the initial presentation and a short course of inadequate antibiotics was unsuccessful. CONCLUSION: Nontuberculous mycobacterium infections are hard to diagnose and difficult to treat, sometimes leading to severe irreversible sequalae. Aesthetic practitioners should know when to suspect and how to prevent, diagnose, and treat NTM infections.

The Impact of Upper Face Botulinum Toxin Injections on Eyebrow Height and Forehead Lines: A Randomized Controlled Trial and an Algorithmic Approach to Forehead Injection.

No previous study has objectively evaluated the effect of different forehead injection patterns on the eyebrow height and forehead lines. The patients were divided into three groups. Botulinum toxin was injected into both the lateral and medial eyebrow depressors in all groups. The frontalis was injected using either a V-pattern (group 1), a middle horizontal pattern (group 2), or a high horizontal pattern (group 3). Objective eyebrow measurements were performed using standardized preinjection and postinjection photographs. Validated photonumeric scales were used to assess the forehead lines. Fifteen patients (30 eyebrows) were included in each group. In all of the groups, 2 weeks after injection, the brow was lower at all the measured positions, with the exception of the lateral brow edge, which was higher in the three injection patterns. No difference was found when comparing group 1 to groups 2 and 3. The middle forehead injection pattern lowered the eyebrow more than the upper forehead injection pattern. The three techniques improved the forehead lines at rest and with contraction. The forehead lines with contraction were more improved in group 1 compared with both groups 2 and 3. Each forehead injection pattern yielded different results on forehead lines and eyebrow position. Upper forehead injections were less effective on forehead lines but prevented eyebrow ptosis. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Therapeutic, II.

Evaluation of the Microbotox Technique: An Algorithmic Approach for Lower Face and Neck Rejuvenation and a Crossover Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Microbotox consists of the injection of microdroplets of botulinum toxin into the dermis to improve the different lower face and neck aging components. No clinical trial has evaluated its effect on the different face and neck components and no study has compared it to the "Nefertiti lift" procedure. METHODS: In this crossover study, patients previously treated with the Nefertiti lift were injected using the microbotox technique. Using standardized preinjection and postinjection photographs, the jowls, marionette lines, oral commissures, neck volume, and platysmal bands at maximal contraction and at rest were assessed with validated photonumeric scales. In addition, the overall appearance of the lower face and neck was evaluated by the Investigators and Subjects Global Aesthetic Improvement Score. Pain and patient satisfaction rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five of the 30 patients previously treated with the Nefertiti technique were injected with a mean dose of 154 U using the microbotox technique. Platysmal bands with contraction, jowls, and neck volume reached a statistically significant improvement. The microbotox technique improved the jowls and the neck volume more than the Nefertiti technique, whereas the platysmal bands at rest and with contraction were more improved by the Nefertiti technique. One hundred percent of patients were satisfied with both techniques and rated themselves as improved. CONCLUSIONS: The microbotox technique is a useful, simple, and safe procedure for lower face and neck rejuvenation. It is mainly effective in treating neck and lower face soft-tissue ptosis, in contrast to the Nefertiti technique, which is more effective on platysmal bands. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

The Impact of Botulinum Toxin on Brow Height and Morphology: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have objectively demonstrated the efficacy of botulinum toxin for brow elevation. No clinical trial has compared the variation of the eyebrow shape and height when the lateral eyebrow depressors are injected alone or in combination with the medial eyebrow depressors. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was designed to evaluate and compare the effect of two different botulinum toxin injection techniques on brow shape and position. Patients were divided into two groups. AbobotulinumtoxinA was injected in the lateral eyebrow depressors alone (group 1) or in both the lateral and medial eyebrow depressors (group 2). Objective eyebrow measurements were performed using standardized preinjection and postinjection photographs. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (30 eyebrows) were included in each group. The brow elevated by 0.6 to 2.1 mm at all positions in group 1. In group 2, the brow elevated from the medial limbus to the lateral edge of the brow (1 to 1.7 mm), with no changes at the level of the medial brow and canthus. When comparing the two injection techniques, the authors found a statistically significant difference in the change of eyebrow height at the level of the medial brow, medial canthus, and lateral brow edge. Ninety-seven percent of patients were satisfied with their results. CONCLUSION: Different eyebrow injection techniques yield different elevation patterns. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Botulinum Toxin for Neck Rejuvenation: Assessing Efficacy and Redefining Patient Selection.

BACKGROUND: The "Nefertiti lift" consists of injecting the platysmal bands and the inferior border of the mandible with botulinum toxin. No clinical trial has evaluated its effect on the different lower face and neck aging components, and little is known about the clinical characteristics that predict treatment success. METHODS: Patients were injected with abobotulinumtoxinA along the inferior border of the mandible and into the platysmal bands. Using standardized preinjection and postinjection photographs, the jowls, marionette lines, oral commissures, neck volume, and platysmal bands at maximal contraction and at rest were assessed with validated photonumeric scales. In addition, the overall appearance of the lower face and neck was evaluated by the Investigators and Subjects Global Aesthetic Improvement Score. Pain and patient satisfaction rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients were injected with a mean dose of 124.9 U of abobotulinumtoxinA per patient. Platysmal bands at rest and with maximal tension reached a statistically significant improvement. The other components showed a tendency for improvement but did not reach statistical significance; 93.3 percent of investigators and patients rated the overall results as improved, and 96.6 percent of patients were satisfied with their results. When comparing the patients who improved the most to all the other patients, they had lower preinjection region-specific scores. CONCLUSIONS: The Nefertiti lift can be used on its own or in conjunction with other rejuvenating procedures. It is particularly helpful in younger patients with platysma muscle hyperactivity and retained skin elasticity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Comparison of microwave ablation, botulinum toxin injection, and liposuction-curettage in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Primary focal axillary hyperhidrosis is a disorder of excessive sweating that can strongly impact quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The objective if this study was to compare microwave ablation (MA), botulinum toxin (BT) injection, and liposuction-curettage (LC) in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis based on subjective and objective criteria. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature published in French or English between 1 January 1991 and 1 February 2015 was completed using PubMed and Embase databases. RESULTS: 16 of 775 articles were selected based on relevance and criteria of inclusion and exclusion. The three methods proved to be efficient and safe; however, MA and BT had better results when compared to LC in the short term. Both MA and LC showed longer lasting results when compared to BT. However, in the long term, MA was superior to LC. CONCLUSION: MA, LC, and BT injections are safe and efficient minimally invasive alternatives for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to further compare the efficacy of these techniques.

Effect of Tissue Adhesives on Seroma Incidence After Abdominoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tissue adhesives (TAs) are widely utilized in abdominoplasty to reduce postoperative seroma. However, current literature regarding TAs in abdominoplasty is limited to small studies and the findings of single institutions. OBJECTIVES: The authors reviewed the current literature regarding the effects of TAs on seroma formation and other endpoints following abdominoplasty, and summarized the types of TAs and application techniques that have been described to date. METHODS: A systematic review of the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which the numbers of patients who experienced seroma after abdominoplasty were indicated. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias was applied. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in a descriptive review, 5 of which were RCTs. Data from the 5 RCTs were pooled for a meta-analysis. Patients who received TAs following abdominoplasty had a similar incidence of seroma compared with patients who did not receive TAs. However, the total drainage volume was significantly lower for patients who received TAs. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of high-quality evidence to support the delivery of TAs to prevent seroma formation after abdominoplasty. Well-designed RCTs are needed to assess with confidence the overall effects of TAs in abdominoplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Therapeutic.

Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Excessive Gingival Display: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: To date, no standardized minimally invasive approach for the treatment of excessive gingival display exists. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to assess the evidence in the literature regarding the role of botulinum toxin injection in the management of gummy smile. METHODS: All publications through December 2014 and pertaining to the subject were electronically searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, and the bibliographies of retrieved articles were manually screened. RESULTS: Out of 33 articles, 29 were discarded based on exclusion criteria. Although all 4 selected articles were in line with a role for botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of gummy smiles and the importance of targeting the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle, studies differed in the type and the dose of toxin administered and the technique adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Injection with botulinum toxin is a novel, safe, and cosmetically effective treatment for gummy smile when performed by experienced practitioners. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: Therapeutic.