Mardini, Samir

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of soft tissue filler procedures in the nasal region has been reported. Concomitant with demand, the number of complications has risen due to the difficulty in administering filler in a region where soft tissue layering is complex.ObjectivesThe authors sought to describe the layered soft tissue arrangement of the nose as it relates to the underlying arterial vasculature and to define safer zones for nasal filler enhancement.MethodsA total of 60 (28 males and 32 females) study participants were investigated with respect to their layered anatomy in the midline of the nose utilizing ultrasound imaging. The presence and extent of the layered arrangement was examined as well as the depth of the arterial vasculature.ResultsIn the mid-nasal dorsum, a 5-layer arrangement was observed in 100% (n = 60) of all investigated cases, whereas it was found to be absent in the nasal radix and tip. The 5-layer arrangement showed an average extent of 26.7% to 67.5% in relation to nasal length. The nasal arteries coursed superficially in 91.7% of all cases in the nasal radix, in 80% in the mid-nasal dorsum, and in 98.3% in the nasal tip.ConclusionsSoft tissue filler administration in the nose carries the highest risk for irreversible vision loss compared with any other facial region. The safety of soft tissue filler rhinoplasty procedures is enhanced by knowledge of the layered anatomy of the nose, the location and depth of the major nasal vasculature, and employment of maneuvers to decrease the risk of blindness.

Purpose: Examining the outcomes and progression of face transplants has expanded to include the recent advancements in artificial intelligence. This novel methodology has allowed for the objective exploration of emotional expression. To our knowledge, this examined emotional expression has yet to be correlated to the hypothesized functioning of the allograft. We have combined the result of the AI software with a software analyzing smile excursion; demonstrating the progression of the allograft in our face transplant patient. This study helps illuminate the software possibilities for objective measures in transplant progression. Methods: Images were analyzed from our face transplant patient post-operatively at approximately 6-month intervals for four years. The still images for each time interval include both a neutral facial expression and a full-face smile with teeth. The images were taken from video clips of the patient and then analyzed using the FACEgram software (Hadlock & Urban, 2012). The measurements of the smile excursion were standardized based off of the pupil diameter and excursion was measured relative to the neutral expression of each time period. The emotional expression data was acquired using FaceReader AI software from Noldus Information Technology (Wageningen, The Netherlands). The emotional analysis was done on 2 second clips from clinical videos of the patient, the same videos used for the still images. This data was correlated with the smile excursion measurements. Results: The post-operative smile excursion analysis from 6 to 49 months demonstrated a near double in smile excursion from 3.58mm to 6.04mm. The smile excursion data has a squared correlation of 0.705; a strong upward linear trend of excursion. From 6 to 35 months, the happy emotion increased gradually from 0% to 15.8% (49-month data unavailable). Performed correlative analysis showed a positive correlation coefficient of 0.63. This moderate to strong correlation demonstrates the intuitive relationship of happy emotion and lip excursion during full face smiling. The findings also substantiate the AI software’s detection of increasing activity in the lip corner puller action unit from zero to 3/5 intensity over the same period. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the correlation of smile excursion to happy emotional expression in our face transplant patient. The correlation square of the lip excursion shows a trend of increased functioning of the allograft over time; substantiating the AI’s finding. This data provides evidence for the use of artificial intelligence as a measure of transplant strength progression. The conjoined analysis of patient images and videos has supported proof for the ability to analyze transplant healing progression and efficacy in an objective form. Hadlock, T. A., & Urban, L. S. (2012). Toward a Universal, Automated Facial Measurement Tool in Facial Reanimation. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery,14(4). doi:10.1001/archfacial.2012.111

Abstract Background The objective assessment of beauty remains challenging despite ongoing research efforts. A new method of objectively determining the aesthetic appeal of body features by analyzing gaze patterns and eye movements has recently been investigated. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess, by means of objective eye-tracking technology, differences in the gaze patterns of observers presented with standardized 3-dimensional images showing different degrees of breast asymmetry. Methods A total of 83 Caucasian study participants with a mean age of 38.60 (19.8) years were presented with 5 images depicting varying degrees of breast asymmetry. In addition to the assessment of eye movements, participants were asked to rate the aesthetic appeal and the asymmetry of the breasts on a 5-point Likert scale. Results Overall, the data showed that participants’ rating of the breasts’ aesthetic appeal was inversely related to the level of asymmetry. The mean [standard deviation] time until fixation was shortest for the image depicting the greatest breast asymmetry (50 cc) at 0.77 [0.7] seconds (P < 0.001). In addition, the mammary region was also viewed longest in this image at 3.76 [0.5] seconds (P < 0.001). A volume difference of 35 cc between breasts deflected the observers’ gaze significantly toward the larger of the asymmetric breasts (P < 0.001). Conclusions Surgeons should focus on achieving symmetric breast volume (ie, differences <35 cc between breasts) to avoid noticeable asymmetry with regard to breast size.

Summary: Advances in virtual surgical planning and three-dimensionally–printed guides have enabled increased precision in vascularized free fibula flap reconstruction of the mandible and valuable preoperative planning. However, virtual surgical planning currently requires high-resolution computed tomographic scans, exposing patients to ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to determine whether black bone magnetic resonance imaging can be used for accurate surgical planning and three-dimensionally–printed guide creation, thus reducing patient radiation exposure. This study included 10 cadaver heads and 10 cadaver lower extremities. A mock fibula free flap for mandible reconstruction was performed. Five operations were planned with guides created using black bone magnetic resonance imaging, whereas the other five were planned and performed using guides created with computed tomographic scan data. All specimens underwent a postoperative computed tomographic scan, and three-dimensional reconstruction of scans was performed and surgical accuracy to the planned surgery was assessed. Guides created from black bone magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated high accuracy to the surgical plan. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative deviation from the plan when black bone magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomographic scanning was used for virtual surgical planning and guide creation. Both modalities led to a postoperative positive or negative deviation from the virtual plan within 0.8 mm. This study demonstrates that virtual surgical planning and three-dimensionally–printed guide creation for free fibula flaps for mandible reconstruction can be performed using black bone magnetic resonance imaging with comparable accuracy to computed tomographic scanning. This could reduce radiation exposure for patients and enable a more streamlined imaging process for head and neck cancer patients.

Abstract Background Facial aging is a multifactorial process that involves all tissues of the face, including skin, muscles, fat, ligaments, and bone. Whereas robust evidence is available for age-related changes of bone and facial fat, the influence of age on facial muscle activity is poorly understood. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the motor unit action potential of facial muscles by utilizing surface-derived, noninvasive electromyography in young and old healthy volunteers. Methods The study investigated a total of 32 healthy volunteers with a mean [standard deviation] age of 42.6 [19.6] years (range, 21-82 years) and a mean BMI of 23.9 [2.7] kg/m2 (range, 18.5-29.7 kg/m2) by performing surface-derived, noninvasive facial electromyography. Nine facial muscles were investigated bilaterally, resulting in a total of 1632 measurements of the signal, baseline noise, and signal-to-noise ratio of these muscles. Results The results of the study revealed that age does not significantly influence the signal (P = 0.234), the baseline noise (P = 0.225), or the signal-to-noise ratio (P = 0.432) of younger individuals (<30 years) vs older individuals (>50 years) in a gender- and BMI-matched statistical model. Exceptions were the zygomaticus major muscle (reduced activity), procerus muscle (increased activity), and corrugator supercilii muscle (increased activity). Conclusions The results of this facial electromyography study may help to increase the understanding of facial aging. Future studies need to reproduce the results presented herein to further increase our understanding of facial aging.

Abstract Dermal filler injections, one of the most commonly performed procedures in facial esthetic surgery, are rising in popularity. This has also led to an increase in nonmedical grade filler injections performed by nonmedical personnel, including that of injectable silicone. Surgical removal of silicone fillers is challenging, as the hydrophobic material often disperses within the soft tissue as droplets. This can lead to a systemic inflammatory reaction requiring steroid treatment. MRI localization of the filler material does not enable intraoperative guidance, and palpitation of the material is challenging since the filler droplets are often too small to palpate and located in multiple planes. We present a case demonstrating the advantages of utilizing intraoperative ultrasound to localize and silicone filler material. Utilizing this technique, we were able to achieve a high degree of excision of silicone filler material and the patient was able to stop her previous necessary immunosuppressive steroid regimen successfully.

Introduction: Implantable Doppler devices are reliable adjuncts used for free flap monitoring. Occasionally, the probe/wire is not removed and remains in the soft tissues. The clinical safety of the retained probes and safety and compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have not been studied. We present a series of retained implantable Doppler probes examining clinic outcomes, safety and compatibility with MRI, and effect on MRI image quality. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who had an implantable Doppler device for free flap monitoring between July 2007 and August 2018. Routine post-operative imaging was reviewed for all patients to identify incidental findings of a retained probe. A subset of patients with retained implantable Doppler probes who underwent MRI was identified. Magnetic resonance images were reviewed to detect any degradation of image quality. Results: A total of 323 patients who had an implantable Doppler device placed were reviewed 18 (5.6%) patients were identified with a retained probe and were included in this study. Mean age was 49 years with mean follow-up of 34.4 months. One potential device-related complication occurred in 1 (5.6%) patient. A total of 32 MRI scans were performed in 8 patients with retained devices, including 6 patients who underwent a total of 21 MRIs of the surgical site. There were no complications related to the MRI scans, and we found no significant degradation of image quality. Conclusion: Retained implantable Doppler probes were not associated with substantial adverse clinical outcomes nor affected MRI image quality of the surgical site.

AbstractThe evaluation of neuromodulator treatment outcomes can be performed by noninvasive surface-derived facial electromyography (fEMG) which can detect cumulative muscle fiber activity deep to the skin. The objective of the present study is to identify the most reliable facial locations where the motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) of various facial muscles can be quantified during fEMG measurements. The study population consisted of five males and seven females (31.0 [12.9] years, body mass index of 22.15 [1.6] kg/m2). Facial muscle activity was assessed in several facial regions in each patient for their respective muscle activity utilizing noninvasive surface-derived fEMG. Variables of interest were the average root mean square of three performed muscle contractions (= signal) (µV), mean root mean square between those contraction with the face in a relaxed facial expression (= baseline noise) (µV), and the signal to noise ratio (SNR). A total of 1,709 processed fEMG signals revealed one specific reliable location in each investigated region based on each muscle's anatomy, on the highest value of the SNR, on the lowest value for the baseline noise, and on the practicability to position the sensor while performing a facial expression. The results of this exploratory study may help guiding future researchers and practitioners in designing study protocols and measuring individual facial MUAP when utilizing fEMG. The locations presented herein were selected based on the measured parameters (SNR, signal, baseline noise) and on the practicability and reproducibility of sensor placement.