Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo on hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars: A randomized, double- blinded, split-scar controlled trial

@#OBJECTIVE/strong: Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel is one of the many non-invasive scar treatments available to improve the appearance and physical attributes of scars. This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo based on appearance and physical attributes of hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars.br /br /strongMETHODS/strong:br /strongDesign/strong: Randomized, double-blinded, split-scar controlled trialbr /strongSetting/strong: Out-Patient Department of a tertiary government hospitalbr /strongPatient/strong: 20 patients with hypertrophic thyroidectomy scars had each side of the scar randomly assigned treatment with topical extract cepae-heparin sodium-allantoin gel or placebo (glycerine gel). Each product was applied two times daily for six weeks, and scars were evaluated prior to initiation of treatment and after six weeks by patients and one observer. Pre- and post- treatment photo documentation and scar evaluation using a local language translation of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were completed for each side of the scar.br /br /strongRESULTS/strong: There was no significant difference in effectiveness of topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel versus placebo for both the patient scale (p = 0.91) and observer scale (p = 0.87) in appearance and physical attributes of a thyroidectomy scar.br /br /strongCONCLUSION/strong: Topical cepae extract-heparin sodium-allantoin gel was not proven to be superior to the placebo as scar therapy in all parameters assessed by the Filipino translation of POSAS. The small sample size, duration of hypertrophic scar, duration of treatment, and validity and reliability of the Filipino translation of POSAS may have affected our results; and periodic subjective and objective assessments with multi-observer evaluation of scars and pre- and post- treatment photographs may be considered for further studies./p

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene as dorsal augmentation material in rhinoplasty on Southeast Asian noses: three-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implants in Southeast Asian patients from the Philippines. METHODS: Retrospective review of 1054 patients. RESULTS: Of the 1054 patients, 90.61% were women and 9.39% were men. One thousand eight patients (95.64%) underwent primary rhinoplasty; 46 (4.36%), secondary or revision rhinoplasty. One thousand thirty (97.72%) had desirable and 24 (2.28%) had undesirable outcomes. The most common undesirable outcome was implant deviation (1.04%), followed by a visible ePTFE implant (0.47%). Implant infection occurred in 0.38% of the patients, and 0.38% of the patients were not satisfied with their aesthetic outcome because of the presence of a high nasal bridge. CONCLUSIONS: We find ePTFE to be an excellent synthetic material with proven outcomes for augmenting the dorsum in rhinoplasty of the Southeast Asian patient. However, prudent use of this material is warranted to avoid undesirable outcomes.

The sail excision technique: A modified alar lift procedure for Southeast Asians noses

p style=text-align: justify;strongOBJECTIVE:/strong To describe a new sail shaped excision technique for alar lift surgery and present the outcome of this technique through photo documentation. br /br /strongMETHODS:/strongbr /strongDesign:/strong Surgical Innovation; Case series br /strongSetting:/strong Tertiary Government Hospital br /strongParticipants:/strong Four patients underwent alar rim lift procedure using sail excision technique performed by the senior co-author. The indication for sail excision technique was a hanging ala (type IV) based on the classification of alar-columellar discrepancies by Gunter emet al/em. The outcomes were described with comparison of pre-operative and post-operative photographs.br /br /strongRESULTS:/strong Post-operative improvement of the alar-columellar relationship and counter-rotation of the tip, the gull's wing in flight was further enhanced. There were no scar contracture or vestibular stenosis, and scars were aesthetically acceptable.br /br /strongCONCLUSION: /strongAlar lift surgery demands an accurate diagnosis and analysis of the alar-columellar discrepancies. In Southeast Asian noses, unlike Caucasian noses, the most common indication for alar surgery are wide and overhanging ala. Our proposed technique is an easy and safe method of correcting alar overhang. This procedure with its advantages represents a new, reliable and simple way of achieving predictable results in many rhinoplasty cases./p