Digital Analysis of Nasal Airflow Facilitating Decision Support in Rhinosurgery.

Successful functional surgery on the nasal framework requires reliable and comprehensive diagnosis. In this regard, the authors introduce a new methodology: Digital Analysis of Nasal Airflow (diANA). It is based on computational fluid dynamics, a statistical shape model of the healthy nasal cavity and rhinologic expertise. diANA necessitates an anonymized tomographic dataset of the paranasal sinuses including the complete nasal cavity and, when available, clinical information. The principle of diANA is to compare the morphology and the respective airflow of an individual nose with those of a reference. This enables morphometric aberrations and consecutive flow field anomalies to localize and quantify within a patient's nasal cavity. Finally, an elaborated expert opinion with instructive visualizations is provided. Using diANA might support surgeons in decision-making, avoiding unnecessary surgery, gaining more precision, and target-orientation for indicated operations.

Indications and Use of Isotretinoin in Facial Plastic Surgery.

Isotretinoin is a first generation retinoid with pleiotropic effects on keratinocyte differentiation, proliferation, and activity of sebaceous glands. For years, there has been intense debate on whether the use of isotretinoin combined with cosmetic or surgical procedures is safe and potentially more efficient than either therapy alone. Due to delays in wound healing and keloid formation, conservative recommendations were not to combine isotretinoin with any plastic surgery or local treatment at 6 to 12 months after discontinuation of the drug. However, there is increasing evidence that a combination approach is not only safe, but may also provide excellent cosmetic outcomes in acne scars, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and thick-skinned patients undergoing facial plastic surgery. In particular, low-dose regimens of isotretinoin may offer advantages over standard dosage treatments because of better tolerability and safety in long-term use adjunct with surgical interventions. In this article, the authors aim to summarize the current evidence on the use of isotretinoin in facial plastic surgery and to share their experience from selected patients.

The Facial Profile in the Context of Facial Aesthetics.

Beauty has been an intriguing issue since the evolving of a culture in mankind. Even the Neanderthals are believed to have applied makeover to enhance facial structures and thus underline beauty. The determinants of beauty and aesthetics have been defined by artists and scientists alike. This article will give an overview of the evolvement of a beauty concept and the significance of the facial profile. It aims at sharpening the senses of the facial plastic surgeon for analyzing the patient's face, consulting the patient on feasible options, planning, and conducting surgery in the most individualized way.

The incision-excision technique in minor auricular deformities.

In 1972, in the search for a method to cope with all deformities in protruding ears and other common minor auricular deformities, Claus Walter published a surgical technique based on various incisions and excisions of the cartilage. The procedure consists of a complete separation of the auricle into two parts, combined with remodeling of antihelical, helical, and lobular structures without use of adjusting sutures. Thus, even in patients with stiff and unyielding cartilage and in revisional surgery, pleasing aesthetic results may be achieved. The recurrence rate has found to be reduced markedly. Considering all pros and cons and optional surgical modifications, the incision-excision technique can be adopted for every protruding ear as well as for lop ears, moderate cup ear deformities, and secondary revisions. Because of the extent of cartilage dissection, this technique is not recommended for beginners but should be restricted to experienced surgeons with profound knowledge of basic remodeling procedures.