Serum Anti-PGL-1 IgG, IgM, and IgA in a 3-Year Follow-up Study of 4-15-Year-old Leprosy Contacts.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the detection rate of leprosy in Santana do Ipanema municipality, Alagoas state, Brazil, was 39.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and among young people below 15 years of age, it was 32.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out from 2015 to 2017, in Santana do Ipanema city, with 69 leprosy contacts in the age group of 4-15 years. Measurement of serum IgM, IgG, and IgA against phenolic glycolipid antigen-1 (PGL-1) was done by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A high frequency of positive anti-PGL-1 IgM was found in both paucibacillary and multibacillary contacts. Twenty-three participants presented suspected lesions and 45 did not. In both groups a high frequency of positive IgM was found. In regard to anti-PGL-1 IgG, it was found a strong association between its positivity and the presence of lesions (relative risk of 3.25). Eight new cases of leprosy were diagnosed, five of which were seropositive for anti-PGL-1. Again, a striking association was found between positive IgG and leprosy (relative risk of 8.5). No significant association was found between IgM isotype and disease, nor between IgA and disease. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reinforces the importance of measuring the three anti-PGL-1 isotypes in follow-up studies of leprosy contacts. Moreover, positive anti-PGL-1 IgG is associated with a high associated risk of disease.

Association of Nasal Tip Rotation Outcome Estimation With the New Domes Technique in Primary Rhinoplasty.

IMPORTANCE: The postoperative changes in the rotation of the nasal tip in rhinoplasty must be estimated for the surgical planning. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the outcome in the rotation angle of the nasal tip can be estimated in patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty with the new domes technique. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective analytic cohort study included 323 patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty with the new domes technique in a private clinic in Bogotá, Colombia, by a single surgeon from January 1, 2011, through January 31, 2016. Patients undergoing secondary rhinoplasty and those with less than 6 months of follow-up were excluded. EXPOSURES: Primary rhinoplasty using the new domes technique. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Measurement of the rotation angle of the nasal tip before and 1 week and 6 months after surgery. The main variable taken into consideration was the measurement, in millimeters, of the lateralized nasal domes. RESULTS: A total of 323 patients (288 women [89.2%] and 35 men [10.8%]; mean age, 27.8 years; age range, 13-70 years) were included in the study. The mean (SD) preoperative nasolabial angle was 92.7° (4.4°; range, 77°-107°); at 1 postoperative week, 105.5° (4.9°; range, 92°-120°); and at 6 postoperative months, 102.1° (4.6°; range, 90°-115°). The mean (SD) increase of the rotation that was achieved per lateralized millimeter was 3.6° (2.0°). The mean (SD) rotation angle at 6 months decreased to 3.4° (2.4°). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The new domes technique was reliable and reproducible in most patients. Despite the unpredictable inflammatory changes, the exact lateralization in millimeters with the new domes technique allowed precise estimation of the long-term outcome of the rotation of the nasal tip, enabling the surgeon to determine from the preoperative plan the definitive rotation angle of the nose. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Rhytidoplasty: SMAS Imbrication Vector Comparison.

To determine if there are aesthetic differences in patients who have undergone a SMAS lifting with predominantly oblique-horizontal vectors versus predominantly oblique-vertical vectors. To determine if there are aesthetic differences in the results of the neck using sutures placed in specific areas of the platysmal muscle versus randomly placed sutures for platysmal plication to the mastoid. Comparative, retrospective, blind, and randomized study. Evaluation of preoperative and postoperative photographs of 54 patients who underwent predominantly oblique-horizontal SMAS lifting versus 53 patients who underwent predominantly oblique-vertical traction of the SMAS flap, reviewed by three external, unbiased facial plastic surgeons in a blind study. A 7-point scale was used to grade the improvement of the face and the neck. In the face, SMAS lifting with predominantly oblique-vertical vectors used during the procedure offer statistically better results (p ≤ 0.001) in comparison to predominantly oblique-horizontal vectors in the aesthetical improvement of the malar eminence, melolabial fold and jowls. In the neck, both techniques offer excellent results, but the sutures used for platysmal plication in specific areas offer no statistical differences in aesthetical results from those sutures that are randomly placed in the platysmal muscle. In our study of 107 patients, SMAS lifting using predominantly oblique-vertical vectors seem to have better results than using predominantly oblique-horizontal vectors. For the neck, we do not find statistical differences between randomly placed sutures for platysmal plication versus sutures placed in specific areas of the muscle.

The tripod graft: nasal tip cartilage reconstruction during revision rhinoplasty.

IMPORTANCE Nasal tip revision remains one of the most challenging surgical procedures for facial plastic surgeons to perform. OBJECTIVE To describe preoperative and postoperative findings related to nasal tip functional and aesthetic aspects following revision rhinoplasty using the "tripod" technique. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective descriptive study was performed in patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty between 2007 and 2012 at a clinic in Bogota, Colombia. A preoperative diagnosis of nasal tip deformity was made on the basis of photographic records and compared with postoperative nasal tip findings in patients who required the tripod technique. Photographs were evaluated before and after surgery every month for the first 3 months, and after 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Nasal projection, tip rotation, columellar and alar retraction, alar pinch, lack of tip definition, and nasal tip asymmetry. RESULTS Sixty-four of the 69 patients who received revision rhinoplasty using the tripod technique during the study period were enrolled in the study. The tripod technique improved all of the following aesthetic and functional parameters (all P < .001). Nasal tip definition improved in 43 of 49 patients (88%). After surgery, projection was normal in 28 of 40 patients (70%) who had underprojection and overprojection preoperatively, and rotation improved in 29 of 38 patients (76%) who had overrotation or underrotation preoperatively. Columellar retraction improved after surgery in 18 of 24 patients (75%). The alar region improved in 41 of 52 patients (79%) who had alar retraction and/or pinch preoperatively, and inspiratory collapse improved in 49 of 50 patients (98%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The tripod technique is an efficient surgical alternative for nasal tip reconstruction during revision rhinoplasty. This technique allows the destroyed cartilaginous framework to be recreated and returns original nasal tip appearance with stable results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.

Rhinoplasty across Latin America: case discussions.

A presentation of four different rhinoplasty cases performed by four different surgeons in Latin America is presented. For each case, presurgical photographs and discussion of the patient are presented. Intrasurgical photographs and description of surgical techniques employed as well as postsurgical pictures are included for each case. This will give readers the opportunity of seeing how different surgical techniques can be used effectively in treating patients of mixed races with good cosmetic long-term results.

Cervicofacial rhytidectomy without notorious scars: experience of 29 years.

OBJECTIVES: Presentation and evaluation of results of the surgical technique of cervicofacial rhytidectomy used by the senior author (F.P.), using the classification of facial aging to determine the stage of pre- and postsurgical age. METHODS: The surgical technique was used in 1,181 patients operated on in the past 29 years, starting in 1983. We analyzed retrospectively 318 patients operated on between the years 2001 and 2008, of whom 71 patients met the selection criteria. Postoperative follow-up period was from 6 months to 5 years. RESULTS: All patients in stage I showed clinically visible rejuvenation postoperatively. Significant improvement in facial rejuvenation in stages II and III of aging was shown, with a postoperative change of stage. CONCLUSION: The technique of cervicofacial rhytidectomy with short flap, facial superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) imbrication, cervical SMAS plication, inconspicuous incisions, and postauricular z-plasty allows for successful and sustainable results over time, with short recovery time and minimal complications. The classification of facial aging pre- and postsurgery has been useful for the assessment of surgical results.

A review of 25-year experience of nasal septal perforation repair.

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term follow-up of 25 years of experience in 100 consecutive cases of septal perforation (SP) repair using the technique of the senior author (F.P.). DESIGN: From 1981 to 2006, a total of 100 consecutive patients were surgically treated and followed up for 1 to 10 years. The medical records of 68 of the patients were retrospectively examined. Outcomes were assessed based on comparison of the results of preoperative and last follow-up assessment of SP size and symptoms. The SP repair technique consists of subperichondrial/periosteal dissection, rotation of nasal mucosa for tension-free closure, with no mucosa incision if possible, and a multilayer closure with interposition graft. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were nasal obstruction (72%), crusts (50%), and epistaxis (31%). Previous nasal surgery was the pathogenetic factor in 39 cases (57%). Fifty-two patients (76%) presented with SPs measuring 1.0 to 3.0 cm in diameter. The internal approach was used in 54 cases (79%), and temporal muscle fascia and conchal cartilage were concomitantly used in 45 cases (66%). The great majority of patients (40 [59%]) received more than 5 years of follow-up. The success rate of closure was 97%. Two patients (3%) presented with reperforation measuring less than 1.0 cm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The senior author's SP repair technique is easily accomplished, provides good visualization, and is low in cost. Also, in our experience, the success rate of closure has been 97%.

Seagull wing graft: a technique for the replacement of lower lateral cartilages.

OBJECTIVES: To present and evaluate outcomes with the seagull wing technique, which was designed to replace the lower lateral cartilages and to reconstruct the nasal tip. METHODS: The seagull wing technique is illustrated and described in detail. Sixty patients who underwent surgery 1981 and 2002 were retrospectively evaluated. A preoperative diagnosis of tip deformities was made based on photographs, which were compared with the postoperative results. Patient satisfaction was subjectively evaluated. RESULTS: The postoperative results showed a significant statistical improvement in the following tip deformities: underprojected tip (P<.001), poorly defined tip (P<.001), alar retraction (P<.001), alar pinch (P<.001), overrotated tip (P<.001), and tip ptosis (P<.01). The average follow-up period was 14.6 months. Fifty-five patients (92%) stated that they were very satisfied with the surgical results; they required no additional revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The seagull wing technique is a safe and efficient reconstructive treatment for the aesthetic and functional problems that were caused by the overresection of the nasal tip cartilaginous framework. The outcomes were pleasing, and the results were stable during the follow-up period. Patient satisfaction was high.

Update on brow and forehead lifting.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide the latest findings in the constantly changing field of brow and forehead lifting. Significant articles published in the last 24 months are reviewed and discussed based on the personal experience of the senior author (F.P.). RECENT FINDINGS: Important anatomical findings have been made over the last few years which will have an impact on plastic surgery of the upper third of the face, with new ligamentous structures of the forehead and more precise landmarks of the supraorbital neurovascular bundle being described. The short-term efficacy of a new device for periosteal fixation has been evaluated and new data have been collated about the time required for forehead periosteal readhesion. SUMMARY: In the last few years there have been important anatomical findings which will allow the development of more detailed and safe techniques for forehead lift surgery. New absorbable materials are available that allow efficient mechanical fixation of the soft tissues. The senior author of this review has extensive personal experience involving more than 400 cases. In addition to commenting on recent articles, we detail the methods we have used over the last 8 years, especially regarding the fixation technique.

A 20-year review of the "new domes" technique for refining the drooping nasal tip.

OBJECTIVE: To describe in detail a technique to achieve cephalic rotation, projection, and narrowing of the nasal tip, the "new domes" technique. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of more than 3000 primary rhinoplasties performed during the last 20 years. SETTING: A private facial plastic surgery practice in Bogotá, Colombia. INTERVENTION: Through an endonasal cartilage delivery approach to the nasal tip, we mold and reorient the alar cartilages with transdomal and interdomal sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Photographic analysis with nasal and facial measurements taken directly from the patient that allows precise diagnosis and preoperative surgical planning. RESULTS: The new domes technique creates a more projected, cephalically rotated, narrowed nasal tip. The results are predictable and stable over time, and patient satisfaction is high because of the natural-appearing results. Complications such as asymmetries, pinching, or retraction of the tip are rare. CONCLUSION: The new domes technique is a conservative, predictable, and stable technique especially applicable for patients with drooped and wide nasal tips to achieve a more projected, rotated, narrowed, and natural appearance.