Inferiorly Based Preauricular Flap for Anterior Ear Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The anterior aspect of the auricle is a complex 3-dimensional structure. Each anatomical component in this region has an essential role in the aesthetic appearance of the ear and face. The reconstruction of defects in this region is challenging because of the lack of mobile, excess skin for primary closure, and the inability to skin graft overexposed cartilage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to present the planning and surgical technique of a simple, reproducible, 1-stage flap, for the reconstruction of the anterior aspect of the auricle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 11 patients, who underwent reconstruction of the anterior aspect of the auricle with 1-stage, inferiorly based, preauricular, cutaneous flap. All reconstructions were conducted under local anesthesia, and the defects were mainly due to tumor resections or skin necrosis after otoplasty. The average defect size was 1.5 cm. The flap was applied to different sites of the anterior auricle. RESULTS: All flaps survived except one, where there was partial flap loss. The aesthetic results were excellent, with no auricular deformity. CONCLUSIONS: The inferiorly based, preauricular flap is a versatile flap for a safe, simple, and reproducible, 1-stage reconstruction for almost every region of anterior ear defect, with excellent aesthetic results.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning Can Reduce Postabdominoplasty Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can improve wound healing and has been found to have positive preconditioning effects in animal models. Among esthetic surgical procedures, abdominoplasty poses the highest rate of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative HBOT as a preconditioning treatment for expected postsurgical complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients who underwent abdominoplasty at our institute and private practice between January 2012 and November 2017. Patients who received preoperative HBOT were compared with patients who did not receive HBOT. Surgical complication data and demographic, preoperative and postoperative data from patient records were collected. RESULTS: The study included 356 patients. Of them, 83 underwent HBOT preoperatively. Using preoperative HBOT, postoperative complications were significantly reduced from 32.6% (89 patients) to 8.4% (7 patients), P <0.001. Moreover, 17 (6.2%) patients in the comparison group and none in the HBOT group experienced necrosis (P = 0.016). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative HBOT was an independent protective factor against postoperative complications (odds ratio, 0.188; 95% CI, 0.082-0.432; P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the study results remained the same. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative HBOT can reduce postoperative complication rate in abdominoplasty patients. Further prospective studies are necessary to validate the findings and characterize patients who benefit the most from this treatment.

Motivational Factors in Women Seeking Augmentation Mammoplasty Across Different Age Groups: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation mammoplasty is one of the most common esthetic procedures worldwide. A wide range of motivations leads women to undergo this procedure, among them socioeconomic status and age group. The aim of this study was to identify the motivation spectrum for augmentation mammoplasty through different age groups. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional prospective survey given to Israeli women seeking augmentation mammoplasty consults in a hospital and private clinic settings, using a 17-item Motivation for Augmentation questionnaire. Three motivation domains were examined: appearance, sexuality and social. Study participants were divided into three age groups: 18-29, 30-39 and over 40 years. RESULTS: A total of 101 women participated in the study. Motivations were rated similar among all age groups. Appearance and sexuality domains were rated significantly higher compared with the social domain throughout all age groups (3.28 ± 0.91 and 3.15 ± 1.03 vs. 1.88 ± 1.16, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Motivations in Israeli women seeking breast augmentation do not change with age. The desire to improve one's appearance and sexuality is more prominent than improving social and work status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: 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 .