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Numerous methods have been used for dorsal augmentation in reconstructive and aesthetic rhinoplasty. The Tasman technique is a method for dorsal augmentation using diced cartilage solidified by tissue sealant. This article describes the author's early experience using the Tasman technique and offers some helpful suggestions to surgeons who might wish to use this unique method of preparing a cartilaginous graft.

Objective: To characterize revision surgery following V-Y subcutaneous tissue pedicle advancement flap repair of large upper lip skin defects., Methods: Retrospective review of upper lip skin defects at least 3.0 cm(2) in area that were reconstructed with a V-Y subcutaneous tissue pedicle advancement flap at an academic tertiary care center. Depth and area of the defect, as well as involvement of the vermilion and nasal ala, were recorded as independent variables. Revision techniques were analyzed to identify patterns., Results: Thirty patients were identified as having upper lip skin defects with a mean (range) area of 7.0 (3.0-14.0) cm(2) (median, 6.25 cm(2)). The defect involved the nasal ala in 4 cases and the vermilion in 3 cases. At least 1 revision surgery was performed in 14 patients (47%). Alar or vermilion involvement was a significant factor in revision by χ(2) analysis (P = .03). Larger defect size did not predict a need for revision, even among cases where the defect did not involve the ala or vermilion (P = .68)., Conclusions: Reconstruction of large upper lip skin defects with a V-Y subcutaneous tissue pedicle advancement flap is associated with a 47% revision rate, and when the defect involves the ala or vermilion, the revision rate is increased. Defect size alone cannot be used to predict the need for revision surgery. Revision techniques are demonstrated., Competing Interests: The authors have no disclosures and have no commercial interests.

Objectives: To create an algorithm that derives our preferred reconstruction technique for cutaneous defects involving the nasal tip and to review the management and outcomes of patients with nasal tip cutaneous defects after their initial reconstruction., Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing repair of cutaneous defects involving the nasal tip between January 2006 and January 2009. After data compilation, a defect-based algorithm deriving our repair technique was created., Results: Seventy-two patients were identified: 57% underwent full-thickness skin graft repair (n = 41), 19% underwent forehead flap repair (n = 14), and 17% underwent bilobe flap repair (n = 12). The remaining 7% underwent repair using nasal cutaneous flaps harvested adjacent to the defect (n = 5). Nasal tip defect involvement of an adjacent nasal aesthetic unit was the most critical factor in selecting a reconstruction technique. Further categorization by the presence of nasal ala involvement, cartilage exposure, and defect surface area allowed reliable prediction of our reconstruction technique. Dermabrasion was routinely performed early in the postoperative course (25% [18 of 72 patients]). Corticosteroid injection was commonly used for those undergoing forehead flap (71% [10 of 14 patients]) and bilobe flap (50% [6 of 12 patients]) repair. Aesthetic revision surgery was infrequently required (15% [11 of 72 patients]). All aesthetic outcomes were good or satisfactory., Conclusion: The included algorithm offers a systematic approach for managing cutaneous defects involving the nasal tip and derives our preferred technique with high reliability.

Objective: To identify demographic and psychological factors that predict satisfaction or dissatisfaction with outcomes among patients undergoing facial plastic surgery., Methods: All patients presenting to the Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery at the University of Michigan between January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2008, were asked to participate. Patients answered an initial baseline survey consisting of demographic information and an assessment of their baseline level of optimism/pessimism in addition to a surgery-specific outcome questionnaire both preoperatively and 4 to 6 months postoperatively., Results: Fifty-one patients (mean [SD] age, 53 [13.0]; 69% female; 98% white) participated. Patients over the mean age of 53 years were more satisfied with their results than those under the mean age (P = .01). Patients currently being treated for depression were more satisfied with surgical outcomes than those not being treated (P = .05). No correlation was identified between baseline optimism/pessimism or other baseline factors and patients' perceived surgical outcomes. Surgeons were decidedly less positive in their assessment of the outcome than patients., Conclusion: Despite a priori hypotheses that patients treated for depression might be more pessimistic and rate their satisfaction lower than other patients, patients treated for depression show a trend toward greater satisfaction from facial plastic surgical procedures than those not treated for depression.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of, and the complications associated with, carbon dioxide laser treatment of rhytidosis and solar aging., Methods: This retrospective report describes our experience with 47 patients who underwent entire facial carbon dioxide laser resurfacing., Results: The mean improvement in facial rhytid score at long-term follow-up was 45%. This improvement was consistent in all facial subsites. With the exception of 1 case of hyperpigmentation, which resolved within 2 years of treatment, hypopigmentation was the only long-term adverse effect. This complication was present in 6 patients (13%). The patients who developed hypopigmentation were more likely to have a greater response to treatment., Conclusion: Our findings show that carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is a safe and effective treatment for facial rhytids.

Objective: To obviate the difficulty of ruling out confounding variables (eg, age, individual variability) as the source of differences seen when comparing tumor tissue and control tissue from unrelated individuals, we examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 (interstitial collagenase) and MMP-9 (92-kDa gelatinase B) in histologically normal skin immediately adjacent to basal cell carcinomas (peritumoral tissue) after Mohs micrographic surgery and postauricular skin from the same patients., Design: Peritumoral and postauricular skin samples were obtained from 17 patients undergoing Mohs surgery. Expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 was examined in these specimens using a combination of approaches including zymography, collagen-degradation assays, and immunohistology., Results: The expression levels of MMP-1 and MMP-9 were consistently elevated in the peritumoral tissue compared with skin from the distal site., Conclusion: This finding indicates that even when potentially important variables such as age and individual variability are controlled for, tumor-specific effects on the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-1 remain.

The literature is replete with discussions outlining surgical techniques for managing nasal tip deformities. In contrast, articles devoted to specific dorsal nasal abnormalities are rare. Surgical management of the nasal dorsum has traditionally been relegated to either augmentation or reduction followed by osteotomy. Contemporary rhinoplasty demands attention to the creation of an ideal profile line, which may require dorsal reduction in some areas and augmentation in others. Treatment of the patient with an appropriate projection of the profile but with a wide nasal dorsum presents a special challenge: to narrow the nasal bridge without altering its projection. We discuss several surgical techniques to narrow the nasal dorsum, while maintaining dorsal height. Selected cases are presented to illustrate these techniques and to clarify surgical options.

Melanoma with the lentigo maligna histological pattern often provides a significant and difficult challenge to the head and neck surgeon. The lentigo maligna subtype is the most common type of melanoma on the head and neck. This potentially lethal form of cancer is associated with greater nonvisual lesional extension that is often not clinically apparent. Failure to excise the entire lesion results in a higher risk of local recurrence and a poorer prognosis. The staged excision technique described herein results in histological interpretation of 100% of the peripheral margins using formalin-fixed vertical sections. Definitive local excision and soft tissue reconstruction are performed in a subsequent stage, with an assurance that 100% of the peripheral margins have been evaluated and interpreted as free of disease.

Objective: To evaluate aesthetic and functional results of reconstruction of the nasal alar subunit using free cartilage grafts with an interpolated cheek or forehead flap and a vascularized mucosal flap when required., Setting: University-based facial plastic surgery practice., Patients: A case series of 50 patients with primary alar defects undergoing nasal alar reconstruction., Main Outcome Measures: Observer's and patient's rating of the final results, patient's rating of breathing and level of self-consciousness, and medical record review of complications., Results: Most aesthetic outcomes were excellent to good. Breathing from the reconstructed side can be returned to preoperative status in most of these patients., Conclusion: Staged reconstruction of the nasal ala using free cartilage grafts, interpolated cheek or forehead and mucosal flaps when necessary, result in a highly aesthetic and functional outcome in most patients.

The Abbe flap is most commonly used to repair full-thickness defects of the lip that do not involve the commissure. This well-perfused axial flap is based on the labial branches of the facial artery. The inferior labial vessels have been shown to support a cutaneous territory, including the entire lower lip, chin, and submental skin. Defects extending beyond the confines of the upper lip may be reconstructed with an extended lip switch flap that is based on the inferior labial artery. This "extended" Abbe flap allows functional and cosmetically acceptable repair of the upper lip, medial cheek, columella, and nasal sill. Case presentations illustrate the technique and outcome.

Scoring, morselizing, and resecting the alar cartilages in an attempt to modify the position and shape of the nasal tip may lead to postoperative distortions of the lobule. Contour grafts have the disadvantage of asymmetries, visible irregularities, and absorption. For these reasons, surgeons have adopted suture techniques as the primary method of recontouring the alar cartilages. My philosophy in dealing with mild to moderate tip deformities consists of the following principles: (1) limited or no resection of cartilages; (2) no scoring or morselization of alar cartilages, which produces irreversible change and unpredictable results; (3) use of support grafts in the form of columellar struts and lateral crural battens to supplement structure and correct intrinsic alar cartilage weaknesses; (4) reliance primarily on the use of sutures to recontour and position the tip; and (5) limited use of contour grafts for situations that cannot be corrected with sutures and support grafts. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2000;2:34-42

In the last 4 years, there have been a few reports concerning unconventional management of the fat posterior to the orbital septum (intraorbital) as well as periorbital fat located superficial to the orbital septum in a plane both superficial and deep to the orbicularis oculi muscle. With reference to intraorbital fat, some reports suggest that this fat be preserved and mobilized to other areas to recontour the lower lid, while other authors suggest repositioning the fat within the bony orbit. To address these new concepts, a discussion of the theories behind these approaches is needed.