Evidence-Based Dynamics in Rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty is a delicate surgical procedure that requires a thorough understanding of the dynamic interplay between the various structures of the nose. Any changes made to one part of the nose can have downstream effects on the overall harmony and appearance of the nose. For this reason, it is crucial for surgeons to be aware of these potential impacts in order to achieve predictable and aesthetically pleasing results. In this article, we aim to provide a summary of the current evidence-based conclusions on the dynamic influence of the radix, dorsum, tip, and ala during rhinoplasty. By understanding the complex relationships between these structures, surgeons can make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.

The External Rhinoplasty Approach.

The nose is a complex three-dimensional structure with critical structural and functional roles; its relationship to surrounding structures is, in part, responsible for a harmonious, pleasing visage as a whole. There are many variables and dimensions that can be adjusted to alter the esthetic appearance, structural components, and functional role of the nose and many tools and maneuvers available to the rhinoplasty surgeon to adjust these numerous variables. Although every rhinoplasty operation should be individualized, a systematic order and algorithm may be helpful in operative planning as well as establishing a logical progression of steps and maintaining stability. While each adjustment may have a primary anticipated effect, it will invariably have a secondary impact.

The Promising Effect of Nerve Decompression in Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias: Report of Case Series.

Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TAC) are excruciating headaches with limited treatment options. The chronic forms of TACs, including chronic cluster, chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, and hemicrania continua, are disabling conditions. In addition to drug therapy, there are some studies regarding nerve blocking and nerve stimulation with acceptable results. Here we report four cases of decompression nerve surgery with promising results on pain control in these difficult to treat headaches.

Surgical Options for Migraine: An Overview.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this manuscript was to provide a comprehensive review of the surgical treatment for migraine headaches with a focus on trigger points and their clinical presentations, and to emphasize the importance of appropriate patient selection. BACKGROUND: Migraine is a prevalent neurological disease with headache being a disabling component of it. Surgical treatment for migraine headache became available two decades ago, which is based on proper identification and the deactivation of the specific trigger sites in the head and neck area. DESIGN: This manuscript reviews the discovery and evolution of migraine surgery with changes in patients' selection throughout the years. CONCLUSION: Patients with migraine headaches who do not respond or cannot tolerate the medical treatment might benefit from trigger site deactivation surgery. The success of the surgery is closely related to proper identification of trigger point (s) and close collaboration with a neurologist or a headache specialist. This collaboration would enhance patients' positive outcomes and help to rule out other causes of the headache.

In-Depth Look at the Anatomical Relationship of the Lesser Occipital Nerve, Great Auricular Nerve, and Spinal Accessory Nerve and Their Implication in Safety of Operations in the Posterior Triangle of the Neck.

BACKGROUND: Migraine surgery is an increasingly popular treatment option for migraine patients. The lesser occipital nerve is a common trigger point for headache abnormalities, but there is a paucity of research regarding the lesser occipital nerve and its intimate association with the spinal accessory nerve. METHODS: Six cadaver necks were dissected. The lesser occipital, great auricular, and spinal accessory nerves were identified and systematically measured and recorded. These landmarks included the longitudinal axis (vertical line drawn in the posterior), the horizontal axis (defined as a line between the most anterosuperior points of the external auditory canals) and the earlobe. Mean distances and standard deviations were calculated to delineate the relationship between the spinal accessory, lesser occipital, and great auricular nerves. RESULTS: The point of emergence of the spinal accessory nerve was determined to be 7.17 ± 1.15 cm lateral to the y axis and 7.77 ± 1.10 caudal to the x axis. The lesser occipital nerve emerges 7.5 ± 1.31 cm lateral to the y axis and 8.47 ± 1.11 cm caudal to the x axis. The great auricular nerve emerges 8.33 ± 1.31 cm lateral to the y axis and 9.4 ±1.07 cm caudal to the x axis. The decussation of the spinal accessory and the lesser occipital nerves was found to be 7.70 ± 1.16 cm caudal to the x axis and 7.17 ± 1.15 lateral to the y axis. CONCLUSION: Understanding the close relationship between the lesser occipital nerve and spinal accessory nerve in the posterior, lateral neck area is crucial for a safer approach to occipital migraine headaches, occipital neuralgia, and new daily persistent headaches and other reconstructive or cosmetic operations.

Nasal Obstruction and Rhinoplasty: A Focused Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: There is a significant variation in the assessment, treatment, and outcomes of nasal airway obstruction and management in the published literature. This study aimed to: (1) define key components of the nasal airway, (2) identify frequent causes of nasal obstruction, and (3) review existing treatment methods. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed, and 135 studies were included via the following criteria: English, human subjects, and a primary endpoint of nasal airway improvement. Exclusion criteria were: abstract only, no airway data, pediatric patients, cleft rhinoplasty, sleep apnea, isolated traumatic nasal reconstruction, and cadaveric-only or animal studies. RESULTS: The relevant obstructive sites include the ENV, septum, inferior turbinates, INV, and nasal bones. Addressing the alar rim alone may be insufficient, and inspection of the lateral wall and crura may be indicated. Correction of septal deviation involves attention to the bony base. Mucosal sparing treatment of inferior turbinates improves outcomes. INVs are a major source of nasal obstruction, and treatment includes spreader grafts. The bony nasal vault can contribute to nasal obstruction, including due to surgical osteotomies. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic causes of airway obstruction include the alar rims and lateral nasal walls, deviated nasal septum, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, decreased INV angle, and narrowed nasal bones. Treatments include graft placement; septoplasty; mucosal sparing turbinectomy; and lateral wall support. Pitfalls include failing to address the bony septum, over-resection of inferior turbinates, and narrowing of the nasal vault. Appreciation of airway management during rhinoplasty will improve functional outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

Eleven-Year Follow-Up of Craniopagus Twins After Unsuccessful Attempt at Separation: Are They Better Off?

Craniopagus twins are a rare phenomenon and present numerous challenges in separation. Due to the paucity of data, it is paramount to evaluate outcomes based on case studies to continue improving medical and surgical management of these patients. We present a case report of craniopagus twins cared for by the senior author (A.K.G.). The patients underwent extensive surgical planning and 2 attempts at cerebroendovascular embolization to reroute shared venous sinus drainage. After the 2 endovascular procedures, attempted separation at age 41 months was aborted due to intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Eleven-year follow-up shows the twins to be developing well in regard to social and cognitive development. Nonetheless, they have had numerous physical challenges including a fall in 2016 resulting in C1-C2 subluxation in twin B leading to partial spinal cord ischemia and left-sided weakness. The separation of craniopagus twins is fraught with technical, medical, and ethical challenges. Surgical separation of the twins is not always possible without significant risk of devastating consequences to one or both twins. Follow-up of the twins 11 years later raises the question: are some craniopagus twins better off without separation?

Anatomical Look Into OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection for Chronic Migraine Headache.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While existing studies about onabotulinumtoxinA for chronic migraines have focused on injection location and appropriate dosing, little consideration has been given to patient body habitus and its potential impact on efficacy. We hypothesized that with increasing patient body mass index (BMI) there would be more subcutaneous fat separating targeted muscle groups from the skin surface, such that standard 0.5-inch needles used in existing protocols may not allow intramuscular injection. This may have implications for treatment planning. METHODS: Anatomically normal computed tomography scans of the head, neck, and face were randomly selected. Subjects were stratified into 4 groups based on BMI, with 30 patients in each group. Four standardized locations were chosen to obtain measurements from the skin surface to the underlying muscle fascia, including (1) frontalis, (2) temporalis, (3) semispinalis capitis, and (4) trapezius. RESULTS: Median depth for the temporalis was 12.65 mm (Q1 = 9.32 mm, Q3 = 15.08 mm) for the BMI greater than 35 kg/m group. Median depth for the semispinalis capitis was 13.77 mm (Q1 = 10.3 mm, Q3 = 15.7 mm) for the BMI 30 to 35 kg/m group, and 14.75 mm (Q1 = 11.00, Q3 = 17.00 mm) for the BMI greater than 35 kg/m group. Median depth for the trapezius was 13.95 mm (Q1 = 10.18 mm, Q3 = 19.00 mm) for the BMI greater than 35 kg/m group. These medians exceeded the length of the standard 0.5-inch (12.-mm) needle used in existing protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that with increasing BMI there is a greater distance between the skin surface and the muscle fascia of muscles that are targeted for injection in standard chronic migraine botulinum toxin injection protocols. Because of this, patient body habitus may be an important factor in injection technique.

American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons 2006 to 2016: Another Decade of Excellence in Education and Research.

Over the past 10 years, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) has continued to advance to meet its mission of being the premier organization to represent maxillofacial and pediatric plastic surgery in the United States. These advances are focused on education of its members, to include the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons basic course, the preconference symposium, the annual meeting, two basic maxillofacial courses per year, advanced maxillofacial courses, a boot camp for craniofacial fellows, a cleft course, quarterly webinars, sponsored fellowships, a visiting professorship, and the ASMS journal. In addition, the ASMS has continued to advance as the premier national organization representing maxillofacial and pediatric plastic surgery in the United States, thereby positioning the organization as a primary advocate for these surgical specialties. Outreach of the ASMS has grown over the past decade and now includes representatives to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Foundation, the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and most recently a seat as a governor with the American College of Surgeons. The ASMS has also initiated an annual Summer Leadership Seminar to explore topics of relevance in a changing health care environment. The present report outlines the major initiatives of the ASMS over the past 10 years.

Local Coverage for Acute Severely Herniated Brain Using Scalp and Forehead Flaps in a Pediatric Patient With Head Trauma.

A 4-year-old-boy required emergent craniectomy and drainage of a large right-sided acute subdural hematoma after head trauma, during which massive sinus hemorrhage with brain swelling occurred. Acute intraoperative management entailed dural cover using synthetic dural membrane substitute and scalp coverage over the herniated brain using acellular dermal matrix. After intensive monitoring and control of raised intracranial pressure over the next few days, the exposed brain was then covered by scalp and forehead flaps with cadaveric skin grafting to the donor site. This temporary coverage continued until adequate resolution of the intracranial swelling and control of the hydrocephalus using a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Ultimately, the flaps were derotated and the craniectomy site was reconstructed with autologous banked bone. The child had a significant functional recovery with some residual left-sided weakness. This case is the first report of local tissue flaps used for temporary coverage of malignant brain herniation in a pediatric head trauma patient and highlights their effective use. Through serial surgical procedures the brain was successfully covered without significant blood loss and the patient's local tissues returned to their original donor sites with good cosmetic outcome, without sacrifice of the patient's own skin or free flap options.

Separation of Craniopagus Twins over the Past 20 Years: A Systematic Review of the Variables That Lead to Successful Separation.

BACKGROUND: Attempted separation of craniopagus twins has continued to be associated with devastating results since the first partially successful separation with one surviving twin in 1952. To understand the factors that contribute to successful separation in the modern era of neuroimaging and modern surgical techniques, the authors reviewed and analyzed cases reported since 1995. METHODS: All reported cases of craniopagus twin separation attempts from 1995 to 2015 were identified using PubMed (n = 19). In addition, the Internet was searched for additional unreported separation attempts (n = 5). The peer-reviewed cases were used to build a categorical database containing information on each twin pair, including sex; date of birth; date of surgery; multiple- versus single-stage surgery; angular versus vertical conjoining; nature of shared cerebral venous system; and the presence of other comorbidities identified as cardiovascular, genitourinary, and craniofacial. The data were analyzed to find factors associated with successful separation (survival of both twins at postoperative day 30). RESULTS: Vertical craniopagus is associated with successful separation (p < 0.001). No statistical significance was attributed to the nature of the shared cerebral venous drainage or the other variables examined. Multiple-stage operations and surgery before 12 months of age are associated with a trend toward statistical significance for successful separation. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' analysis indicates that vertical craniopagus twins have the highest likelihood of successful separation. Additional factors possibly associated with successful separation include the nature of the shared sinus system, surgery at a young age, and the use of staged separations. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Alar Rim Deformities.

The alar rim plays an important role in nasal harmony. Alar rim flaws are common following the initial rhinoplasty. Classification of the deformities helps with diagnosis and successful surgical correction. Diagnosis of the deformity requires careful observation of the computerized or life-sized photographs. Techniques for treatment of these deformities can easily be learned with attention to detail.

Factors contributing to facial asymmetry in identical twins.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the potential contributions of environmental factors to variations in facial symmetry between identical twins. METHODS: Identical male and female twins were recruited from the Twins Days Festival in 2009 and 2010. Subjects independently completed a comprehensive questionnaire on their medical and personal history, and then posed for digital facial photography from several different angles. Eight facial features from these photographs were measured using Adobe Photoshop, and these facial features were then analyzed against survey responses between twins through multivariate regressions. RESULTS: A total of 147 pairs of identical twins were included. Twins who slept primarily prone had greater nasal midline deviation (p = 0.047) and oral commissure asymmetry (p = 0.027). Tooth extractions were significantly associated with canting of the plane of occlusion (p = 0.043), and use of dentures was associated with nasal midline deviation (p = 0.032) and oral commissure asymmetry (p = 0.007). Smoking was associated with canting of the plane of occlusion (p = 0.049) and upper eyelid ptosis (p = 0.023). Lastly, headaches were also associated with nasal midline deviation (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Exogenous factors such as prone sleep position, tooth extractions, dentures, and smoking are significant risk factors for facial asymmetry. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.