Posts Tagged ‘rhinoplasty’

Nose Surgery May Address Breathing Issues, Improve Quality of Life

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Both facial surgeons and Otolaryngologists help patients resolve problems of airway obstruction in the nose, which are typically caused by “nasal deviation”. In a technique similar to rhinoplasty, a surgeon can correct this deviation – by straightening the airway and nose – to resolve breathing problems.

Why is this important? Because nasal deviation was recently linked to depression and lower quality of life. In a new study, plastic surgeons at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo selected 32 people with nasal deviation and 28 with normal-functioning nasal anatomy. By photographing and mapping the nasal structure, they could positively determine whether or not a patient exhibited nasal deviation. A survey was then used to measure factors such as their self-esteem and mental health.

The doctors found some interesting correlations between nasal deviation and quality of life. They write (emphasis added):

Nasal deviation was found to be a risk factor for depression, and had a negative impact on quality of life. Patients with nasal deviation reported higher depression scores [compared to the control group].

Given this assessment, surgical correction of these problems may be quite beneficial. But how is nasal deviation corrected?  If you have a deviated septum or some other form of nasal deviation, your facial surgeons may recommend e a variety of techniques for improvement of breathing. Septoplasty is one common procedure, which balances the nasal airways through surgical reshaping of the nasal cartilage and bone. Less common corrective techniques include turbinectomy or cartilage grafting.

The study referenced above can be accessed through Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, in their e-published ahead-of-print feature.

Read more about nose surgery in Cincinnati.

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16th Century Book Describes Early Rhinoplasty Surgery

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

A rare book published in 1597 describes the nose surgery technique of Gaspare Tagliacozzi, a professor of surgery at the University of Bologna. According to the UK Telegraph, the book was recently purchased by a plastic surgeon at auction for 11,000 British pounds (about 17,000 U.S. dollars).

Inside the book, De Curtorum Chirurgia Per Insitionem, you can read about (in Latin) and view illustrations of the earliest rhinoplasty techniques. The doctor would reconstruct the nose by attaching a tissue flap from the patient’s arm. He also had methods for surgical reconstruction of the ears and lips. Tagliacozzi’s techniques were typically employed for treating war injuries.

A frequently cited quotation of Tagliacozzi:

We bring back, refashion and restore to wholeness the features that nature gave but chance destroyed, not that they may be an advantage to the living soul, not as a mean artifice but as an alleviation of illness, not as becomes charlatans but as becomes good physicians and followers of the great Hippocrates. For though the original beauty is indeed restored . . . the end for which the physician is working is that the features should fulfill their offices according to nature’s decree.

If you missed the auction or if you’re one of the losing bidders, here’s some consolation: there are 3 new translated versions of the book (Surgery of Defects by Implantations) available through the online bookseller Amazon.com.

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Study Evaluates Role of Computer Imaging in Rhinoplasty

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

A growing number of cosmetic surgeons are using preoperative computer imaging during patient consultations. These systems can be especially useful for consultations prior to procedures like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, when patients are eager to visualize the expected outcome.

One popular computer imaging system (the Vectra 3D) captures six patient photos simultaneously. The computer then creates a three dimensional image that can be rotated and viewed from multiple angles. The surgeon can even overlay a ghost image of the expected outcome over the first patient photo to visually compare the differences.

But can patients expect these systems to predict their results with great accuracy? According to a study published in the current issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, their accuracy is moderately effective.

A study was performed to “quantitatively measure accuracy of preoperative computer imaging as a reflection of postoperative rhinoplasty results.” To carry out the study, the doctor enrolled 38 subjects who underwent rhinoplasty. Both surgeons and non-surgeons were asked to compare the post-operative rhinoplasty photos with the predictive results from the computer imaging system.

According to the panel of expert judges in this study, the predictive accuracy of the computer imaging system scored a moderate rating of 2.98 on a 5-point scale. Slightly higher scores were submitted by the participating patients and non-surgeon judges.

What does this mean for the future of computer imaging in cosmetic surgery? The accuracy of these systems could (and probably will) be improved. But predictive accuracy is not the only aspect that matters in a consultation. As the authors mention, viewing the images is a “useful exercise.” Just like your surgeon’s clinical before and after photos, PCI is a tool that facilitates in-depth discussion about aesthetics and shared goals for the procedure.

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AACS Survey Says Cosmetic Surgery Growing Among Minorities

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

cosmetic_surgery_minorityA new survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery says that cosmetic surgery is growing among minority groups in the United States.  In a survey, more than half of the respondents said they think the popularity of cosmetic surgery has increased among members of their racial group.

“Feeling better about yourself and making improvements to your looks is thankfully not limited to a specific race or culture,” comments AACS President Mark Berman MD.

According to the survey, the top cosmetic surgical procedures among specific racial groups include facelift surgery for patients of Asian descent, liposuction for patients of African descent and abdominoplasty for Hispanic patients.  Interestingly, more than 30 percent of the respondents said they when seeking a procedure, they would seek out a cosmetic surgeon of the same racial group as themselves, although many believed this would be a difficult task.

Most cosmetic surgeons are cognizant of the special needs of patients of varying racial groups.  For most surgical procedures, ethnic characteristics are not a significant factor for the doctor to consider.  However, in procedures like rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) or eyelid surgery, the surgeon must take these characteristics into account.  Most patients want to improve their appearance but few want to erase the distinct markers or traits that signify membership within a certain group.

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Preserving Ethnic Characteristics in Rhinoplasty

Monday, June 7th, 2010

As rhinoplasty continues to grow in popularity, one question seems to arise repeatedly: Can I do the operation without sacrificing my ethnic identity?  In a recent article for Modern Medicine, several cosmetic surgeons comment on how they handle this situation and communicate with their patients.

“There are subtle things that we can do to make a change in the profile, in the definition of the nose, without changing their ethnicity, without intrinsically changing their appearance,” said Charles M. Boyd M.D.

For the cosmetic surgeon, managing the patient’s expectations is important.  Likewise for the rhinoplasty patient, communicating desires and aesthetic goals is critical.  Each surgeon-patient relationship will go through this process in a different way.  One emerging trend facilitating this communication process is the use of 3-dimensional imaging to visually approximate the results that can be achieved.

“I use computer imaging and this is very helpful in pinpointing what patients are trying to achieve, and it enables them to see what’s in my mind as well,” said Steven B. Hopping M.D.

When it comes down to operating, there are also anatomical considerations for the ethnic patient.  View the article on modernmedicine.com to read how these surgeons approach rhinoplasty in patients of Asian, African American, and Middle Eastern descent.

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Considering Rhinoplasty? First Ask Your Mother.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

The mother-daughter relationship should be one in which you can find support to make the right decision about cosmetic surgery.  Given that ideal, we were happy to see these recent news stories that basically demonstrate it.

If your mother had success with rhinoplasty, would you choose to do the same?  One young woman gives her compelling nose-job story to Elle, discussing the years she spent deliberating about rhinoplasty and how she finally decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps.  After surgery, she confesses: “I hate to say it, but my mother is right: It’s the nose I was meant to have.”

[Elle]

(more…)

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Can Rib Cartilage Be Used During Rhinoplasty?

Monday, January 18th, 2010

The answer is yes, but are these grafts ideal for use in rhinoplasty?  Researchersdayton_rhinoplasty at the University of Texas published a study that sought to answer this question.

An ideal substance, according to the authors, would have these characteristics:

  • Readily available in large quantities
  • Resists infection
  • Resists absorption
  • Completely integrated into host tissues
  • Causes little patient morbidity

Analysis of long-term rhinoplasty results with these grafts revealed that patients experienced a low complication rate. Moreover, 94.2 percent of the 357 patients said they were satisfied with the results.

Other common options for rhinoplasty include cartilage from the septum or the ear.  In recent years, non-surgical options such as Radiesse have grown in popularity as some patients choose to forgo a surgical operation.

More information

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