Weissman, Joshua P.

Background: There are different types of grafts for rhinoplasty, each with certain advantages and disadvantages. Fresh frozen cadaveric costal allograft (CCA) provides an alternative to rhinoplasties. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of fresh frozen CCA and traditional autologous costal cartilage in cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty procedures. Methods: This is a prospective, single-center, nonrandomized, open-label clinical trial. Objective assessment to evaluate warping, resorption, and displacement of the cartilage was achieved by measuring the differences of standardized values (deviation angle, nasofrontal angle, total facial convexity, nasofacial angle, and nasolabial angle) obtained at 6-months and 12-months postoperative follow-up on standard two-dimensional photographs (Δ = ∣measurement6 − measurement12∣). Subjective assessment was measured by the FACE-Q assessment. Results: Fifty eligible patients between March 2017 and October 2020 were included. The average age was 43.9 ± 16.6 years and the mean follow-up period was 14.8 months. In the control group, the changes (Δ) in the deviation angle and nasolabial angle were greater than in the CCA group (P < 0.05). In the CCA group, the mean score of satisfaction with nose improved at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.05). The mean score of satisfaction with nostrils and overall facial appearance also increased in the CCA group at 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Six patients from the CCA group and 10 patients from the control group experienced postoperative complications. Conclusions: Fresh frozen CCA is a safe and reliable source of rhinoplasty grafts. It is aseptic, readily available, and free of donor site complications.

Summary: Asian rhinoplasty generally requires augmentation procedures rather than reduction. Alloplastic grafts are fraught with higher complication rates. Autologous cartilage grafts are safer. However, Asian patients typically do not have adequate septal cartilages, and other autologous cartilage grafts may cause surgical site morbidities, prolonged surgical time, and complications, including warping and infection. Asian rhinoplasties were performed using fresh frozen cartilage by the senior author. Patients’ demographics and medical histories were recorded. Anthropometric measurements (nasofrontal angle, nasofacial angle, nasolabial angle, and Goode ratio) were taken on two-dimensional photographs. FACE-Q scales were used to assess patient-reported outcomes. Five Asian patients underwent rhinoplasty using the fresh frozen cartilage and were followed up for an average period of 14.2 ± 3.35 months. There was no resorption, warping, or infection. Anthropometric measurements showed no significant changes 2–4 months or 8–20 months after surgery. At the time of the 1-year follow-up, mean FACE-Q Satisfaction with Nose, and Satisfaction with Nostrils scores improved from 35.2 ± 10.06 to 60 ± 15.48 (P = 0.0002), and 42.6 ± 20.31 to 59.8 ± 38.21 (P = 0.12), respectively. Fresh frozen cadaveric cartilage is a novel option for Asian rhinoplasty. Our study demonstrated its safety and satisfying surgical outcomes.

Background: The American Board of Plastic Surgery has been collecting practice data on operative repair of flexor tendon lacerations since 2006, as part of its Continuous Certification program. Methods: Data on operative repair of flexor tendon lacerations from 2006 to 2014 were reviewed and compared with those from 2015 to 2020. National practice trends observed in these data were evaluated and reviewed alongside published literature and evidence-based medicine. Results: In total, 780 patients with flexor tendon laceration injuries were included. Mean patient age was 38 years; mean time between tendon injury and first evaluation was 4 days, and the mean time from injury to operative repair was 12 days. Four-strand sutures remain the most common technique of tendon repair (57%). In the recent cohort, there were significant decreases in tourniquet use (94% versus 89%), general anesthesia (88% versus 74%), and monofilament sutures (44% versus 35%), with a significant increase reported in preserving the A1 pulley (20% versus 29%). Postoperative movement was described as “almost full range of motion” or “good” in 70% of cases, and 74% of patients were satisfied with their results. Postoperative adverse events were reported in 26% of cases, with the most common complications being tendon adhesions (14%) and rupture (3%). Conclusions: Review of The American Board of Plastic Surgery tracer data for operative repair of flexor tendon lacerations establishes a framework by which surgeons can evaluate how their current practice aligns with that of their peers, and whether their practice patterns remain current relative to recommendations from evidence-based medicine.