Discriminative Thresholds in Facial Asymmetry: A Review of the Literature.

Background: Facial symmetry is intimately correlated with attractiveness. Perfect facial symmetry is disconcerting and a degree of facial asymmetry is considered normal. There is a lack of data on the limits of normality across facial subunits. Objectives: This systematic review aims to establish categories of facial asymmetry perception for facial aesthetic units by establishing a discriminative threshold of "deformity perception" across facial subunits and a threshold for intervention (unacceptable asymmetry). Methods: A review of the literature was performed across Medline and Embase databases using OvidSP. All prospective studies evaluating the perception of progressive facial asymmetry in laymen or clinicians using a two- or three-dimensional model were included. Studies that did not evaluate rates of perception at varying degrees of asymmetry were excluded as these did not allow for the identification of a perceptive threshold. Results: Each facial feature possesses a unique threshold of perception defined by an abrupt, statistically significant increase in detection. Asymmetry of the eyelid position at rest is the most sensitive facial feature (perceptive threshold, 2 mm) (P < 0.02). This is followed by deviations of the oral commissure (3 mm) (P < 0.001), brow position (3.5 mm) (P < 0.001), nasal tip deviation (4 mm) (P < 0.001), and chin deviation (6 mm) (P < 0.001). Desire for surgery for worsening deformities beyond the intervention threshold is characterized by an exponential, rather than linear, correlation. Conclusions: Categories of facial asymmetry perception establish a framework to counsel patients with facial asymmetries, and are a valuable adjunct to clinical judgment in the management of static and dynamic facial deformities.

Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Negative Pressure Wound Therapy versus Standard-of-care Dressings in Breast Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Background: Standard breast reduction dressings such as Prineo are used to cover surgical wounds, in combination with a binder or support bra. The Prevena Restor BellaForm is a negative pressure wound therapy dressing that covers the entirety of the breast mound and is purported to provide further support and reduce swelling. The aim of this study was to compare the Restor to standard-of-care dressings. Methods: The study was a randomized control trial of women undergoing bilateral breast reduction with one breast being dressed with the Prevena Restor BellaForm dressing and the other having standard of care (Prineo). Outcomes measured were drain outputs, postoperative length of stay, quality of scarring, patient preference for dressings, and adverse events. Follow-up was at 1, 2-6, and 26 weeks. Results: The results show a reduction in postoperative days 1 and 2 average drain output on the Restor side compared with standard dressings. Patient-reported outcome measures showed less bruising. There was no difference in postoperative length of stay and no difference in appearance of scars at the 26-week follow-up period. One patient required removal of the dressing due to irritation and one patient required assistance with resealing of the vacuum. Conclusions: We have shown benefits to drain output and comfort using close incisional negative pressure therapy in breast reduction mammaplasty. We plan to continue to investigate close incisional negative pressure therapy in larger comparative trials for other breast procedures including implant-based reconstruction, where a reduction in drain output could be of great benefit to both healing and reduction of infection risk.

Sydney Facial Nerve Clinic: experience of a multidisciplinary team.

BACKGROUND: The Sydney Facial Nerve Clinic (SFNC) is a multidisciplinary clinic established in 2015, consisting of surgeons (otolaryngologists, head and neck and plastics/reconstructive), physiotherapists and speech pathologists. METHODS: We reviewed patients who attended the SFNC in the first 3 years and who had their symptoms recorded using the Facial Disability Index, and clinical staging recorded utilising the House-Brackmann (HB) score, Sydney Facial Nerve Score and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS). RESULTS: Between May 2015 and June 2018, 145 patients attended the clinic. Mean age was 44.6 ± 17.3 years with 94 (64.8%) females. Most referrals came from general practitioners (n = 75, 54.5%). The most common aetiology was iatrogenic injury (n = 55, 37.9%), followed by Bell's palsy (n = 48, 33.1%), congenital (n = 11, 7.6%), herpes zoster oticus (n = 9, 6.2%), trauma (n = 9, 6.2%) and other (n = 13, 9.0%). The median HB was 4, the mean Sydney score 7.3/15 and the mean SFGS was 45/100. Patients with iatrogenic causes had the worse facial nerve scoring in HB, Sydney and SFGS. Patients with congenital aetiology reported the least symptoms on Facial Disability Index (P < 0.001). Most patients were recommended non-surgical management (n = 92, 64.3%); 51 (35.7%) were referred for botulinum toxin + facial physiotherapy, 25 (17.2%) for physiotherapy alone, seven (4.9%) for botulinum toxin alone and nine (6.3%) for conservative management. Fifty-one patients (35.7%) were recommended surgery, generating 75 procedures; 24 oculoprotective, 22 static, 12 gracilis transfers, 10 temporalis myoplasties and seven nerve transfers. CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic injuries are the most common presentation for this clinic and have a more severe clinical presentation. Most patients presenting to the SFNC were managed non-surgically.