Background Malpositioned orbital implants are an underappreciated source of significant postoperative morbidity, often necessitating revision surgery. Decision-making regarding practical frameworks to guide revision remains challenging and is not well standardized or characterized. Objective To analyze clinical presentations, radiographic failure patterns, multidisciplinary surgical strategies, and outcomes of patients undergoing revision surgery for malpositioned orbital implants. Methods A single-center retrospective consecutive case series was conducted of patients who underwent removal or replacement of malpositioned orbital implants. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, radiographic findings, surgical approaches, implant management strategies, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. Most cases were co-managed by plastic/reconstructive and oculoplastic surgeons. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings. Results Five of seven patients (71.4%) were female, with a median age of 60 years (range 29–78). Diplopia was the most common presenting symptom (5/7, 71.4%) along with pain or swelling (5/7, 71.4%) followed by globe malposition (3/7, 42.9%). CT demonstrated implant protrusion into orbital soft tissue in 4/7 patients (57.1%) and peri-implant inflammatory collections in 3/7 (42.9%). Out of our 7 revision cases, four patients (57.1%) underwent explantation alone, and three (42.9%) underwent secondary reconstruction with custom or semi-custom implants. At follow-up, diplopia improved or resolved in 4/5 affected patients (80%), and pain, swelling, and globe position improved in all symptomatic patients. Conclusion Malpositioned orbital implants demonstrate heterogeneous failure mechanisms that require individualized surgical management. A multidisciplinary approach can guide decision-making regarding implant removal versus revision of reconstruction, enabling safe revision surgery and favorable clinical outcomes. Additionally, virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation are enablers of safe and precise revision orbital surgery.
Is Topical Tranexamic Acid Effective in Reducing Hematoma and Seroma in Breast Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Background: Postoperative fluid-related complications, such as hematoma and seroma formation, are common concerns in breast surgery, adversely affecting surgical outcomes and patient recovery. Topical tranexamic acid (TXA) has emerged as a promising intervention to minimize bleeding while reducing systemic adverse effects linked to intravenous administration. However, evidence on the efficacy of topical TXA in breast surgery remains sparse. Methods: This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. English-language databases were searched through April 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials and cohort studies assessing the effects of topical TXA on postoperative outcomes in breast surgery, including hematoma, seroma, infection rates, and drain output/duration. Results: Six studies, encompassing 823 patients and 1477 breasts, were included. Subgroup meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in hematoma rates in patients who underwent mastectomy (risk ratio [RR] = 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.78; P = 0.02), but not in patients who underwent breast reduction (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.08–7.08; P = 0.24). No significant differences were found in overall hematoma rates (RR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.08–1.195; P = 0.09), seroma formation (RR = 1.22; 95% CI, 0.99–1.51; P = 0.07), or infection rates (RR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.46–1.56; P = 0.59). Conclusions: Topical TXA significantly reduced hematoma rates in patients who underwent mastectomy but showed no significant effect on other outcomes. Larger studies with standardized methodologies are required to fully establish the role of topical TXA in optimizing breast surgery outcomes.
Does Seven Days of Postoperative Enoxaparin Increase Bleeding Risk in Abdominal Contouring Surgery? A Single-center Experience
Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a major risk after abdominal contouring surgery, impacting morbidity and mortality. Despite various preventative strategies, surgeons are cautious about using enoxaparin for extended postoperative periods. This study aims to determine if a 7-day postoperative course of enoxaparin increases bleeding risks compared with a single dose of intraoperative unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing abdominal contouring surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on patients who underwent abdominoplasty or panniculectomy from August 2017 to October 2023. Patients were split into 2 groups: Group 1 received 5000 units of intraoperative unfractionated heparin in addition to 7 days of postoperative enoxaparin (40 mg daily); group 2 received only the intraoperative heparin dose. Primary outcomes included bleeding events and VTE incidence. Secondary outcomes were seroma, infection, surgical site dehiscence, necrosis, drain duration, and reoperation rates. Results: The study included 121 patients (111 women, 10 men), with 61 patients in group 1 and 60 in group 2. The average age was 49 ± 12 years, and the average body mass index was 29.8 ± 5 kg/m². No cases of VTE were reported. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 3 patients (4.9%) in group I and 2 patients (3.3%) in group 2, showing no statistically significant difference (P = 0.66). Secondary outcomes also showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: Our study of 121 patients undergoing either abdominoplasty or panniculectomy demonstrated that administering enoxaparin for 7 days postoperatively is safe and does not increase the risk of bleeding.
Midface Skeletal Sexual Dimorphism: Lessons Learned from Advanced Three-dimensional Imaging in the White Population
Background: Facial shape is significantly influenced by the underlying facial bony skeleton. Sexual dimorphisms in these structures are crucial for craniofacial, aesthetic, and gender-affirming surgery. Previous studies have examined the orbits and upper face, but less is known about the midface. This study aimed to elucidate the sexual dimorphism in the midface region, focusing on the maxilla and zygomatic bones. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted using facial computed tomography scans from 101 White patients aged 20–79 years, using Materialise Mimics and 3-Matics for segmentation and 3D reconstruction. Measurements and statistical shape modeling of the midfacial skeleton were performed. Results: Our results show a distinct sexual dimorphism in the midfacial skeletal structure across all age groups. Women typically had a narrower bizygomatic width by 1.5 mm (P = 0.04), a shallower maxillary depth by 1.6 mm (P < 0.01), and a midfacial vertical height that was 4 mm shorter than that of men (P = 0.018). In contrast, men exhibited a greater distance between the frontozygomatic sutures by 5.4 mm (P < 0.01), a 3-mm greater interorbitale distance (P < 0.01), and a 2.1-mm wider infraorbital foramina distance (P = 0.007). There were no significant differences in the pyriform and maxillary angles (P = 0.15 and P = 0.52, respectively). Conclusions: Our analysis of midfacial skeletal anatomy revealed sexual dimorphism differences. Men exhibited more pronounced facial features than women, with a broader horizontal midfacial skeleton, a longer midfacial vertical height, and greater maxillary depths compared with women.
Hyoid Position and Aging: A Comprehensive Analysis Using AI-assisted Segmentation of 282 Computed Tomography Scans
Background: With neck, aging the cervicomental angle becomes obtuse and may be influenced by hyoid bone aging. An understanding of hyoid position changes with aging will further our understanding of its role in neck contour changes. Methods: A 3D volumetric reconstruction of 282 neck computed tomography scans was performed. The cohort was categorized into three groups based on age: 20 years or older and younger than 40 years, 40 years or older and younger than 60 years, and 60 years or older and younger than 80 years. The vertical and horizontal hyoid distances in relation to the mandible were calculated for each patient. Results: A total of 282 patients (153 women, 129 men) were included in the cohort. The age groups were evenly distributed in men and women. Mean hyoid vertical and horizontal distances differed between women and men in all age groups. There was a significant difference in the hyoid vertical distance between 20–39 years old to 40–59 years old in men (P < 0.01), and 20–39 years old to 60–79 years old in both genders (women P = 0.005, men P < 0.01). Hyoid horizontal distance was not affected by age and sex (age and sex: P > 0.05), but rather by body mass index (BMI). Every 5 BMI points corresponded to a forward movement of 2 mm. Conclusions: As individuals age, the hyoid bone descends in both sexes, and an increase in BMI is associated with forward movement. Additional studies are needed to assess the correlation of the hyoid position between upright and supine positions.