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BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to present a novel application and use of Kirschner wire-guided suturing that is less invasive and allows permanent fixation for nasal dorsal reconstruction. METHODS A total of 23 patients, who underwent surgery between 2009 and 2013, were included in this study: 19 with saddle nose deformity and 4 patients with keystone area damage, or collapse of the dorsal nasal support during primary septoplasty or rhinoplasty. The patients were asked to fill out a nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale preoperatively and at the postoperative sixth month to assess breathing quality. The patients were followed up for complications such as nasal dorsal contour irregularity, dorsal collapse, as well as graft malposition and infections. The results of the surgeries were assessed on the basis of preoperative and postoperative examinations, septal support test, NOSE scale results, and photographic comparison. RESULTS The mean (SD) NOSE scales were 78.91 (10.09) and 30.48 (10.71) in the preoperative and postoperative periods, respectively. The difference of mean NOSE scale was statistically significant (P < 0.001). None of the patients experienced nasal dorsal collapse or graft malposition. Two patients had nasal dorsal irregularity complaints owing to inadequate costal cartilage edge beveling. None of the patients had complications of suture reaction, suture visibility, or suture extrusion. All of the patients stated that they were happy with the cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSIONS Permanent sutures introduced through channels made with the Kirschner wire provide a less invasive, cosmetically pleasing, and functional solution, promising more reliable results in the long term.

WOS: 000347418800005 PubMed ID: 25422366 Halitosis and olfactory dysfunction may disrupt an individual's quality of life remarkably. One may ask whether halitosis has effects on olfactory functions or not? Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the olfactory abilities of subjects with chronic halitosis evaluated using the measurements of volatile sulfur compounds. This study was carried out in 77 subjects, with a mean age of 40.1 +/- 13.3 years, ranging from 18 to 65 years. Forty-three participants were diagnosed as halitosis according to the gas chromatography results and constituted the halitosis group. Also, a control group was created from individuals without a complaint of halitosis and also who had normal values for volatile sulfur compounds. Each subject's orthonasal olfactory and retronasal olfactory functions were assessed using "Sniffin' Sticks" and retronasal olfactory testing. The results showed that odor threshold scores were lower in participants with halitosis compared with controls. Also, hyposmia was seen more common in the halitosis group than in controls. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was found between odor threshold scores and volatile sulfur compounds levels, particularly with hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl sulfide levels. The results suggest that the chronic presence of volatile sulfur compounds may have a negative effect on olfactory function.

Patients with olfactory dysfunction benefit from repeated exposure to odors, so-called olfactory training (OT). This does not mean occasional smelling but the structured sniffing of a defined set of odors, twice daily, for a period of 4 months or longer. In this prospective study, we investigated whether the effect of OT might increase through the use of more odors and extension of the training period.This study shows OT results when performed with four or 12 odors for 36 weeks in patients with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction. A total of 85 subjects participated (mean age 45.6 ± 10.5 years, range 24-68 years). Three groups were formed: 1) In the modified olfactory training (MOT) group, patients used three sets of four different odors sequentially. 2) Participants in the classical odor training (COT) group used four odors. 3) Participants in the control group did not perform OT. All groups were matched for age and sex distribution of participants.Both participants in the COT and MOT groups reached better scores than controls in terms of odor discrimination and odor identification. Continuing OT with four different odors after the 12th and 24th weeks produced better results in terms of odor discrimination and odor identification scores as compared to using the same four odors throughout the entire study.This study confirmed the effectiveness of OT. Increasing the duration of OT and changing the odors enhances the success rate of this therapy.2b. Laryngoscope, 125:1763-1766, 2015.

Objective To evaluate long-term results of septal bone grafting and to show sustainable viability of bone grafts with objective parameters such as computed tomography. Methods Nasal septal bones were used as splinting grafts during septo/rhinoplasty operations in 27 patients (Male = 16; Female = 11) between 2009 and 2013. Of these, only the 21 patients who were monitored long-term and who had computed tomography (CT) records were included in this investigation. The average duration of monitoring for the patients reported here was 17 (12–37 months) months. Patients were excluded for the following reasons: pregnancy; morbid obesity; uncontrolled diabetes; long-term oral steroid or chemotherapeutic agent use; inflammatory, systemic or immunodeficiency disease or acute local infections at the operative site. Bone graft positions, lengths and respective resorption were evaluated and compared pre-postoperatively for each patient. Results Bone grafts retained 90% of their lengths in 14 of the 21 (66.6%) patients. In other cases, control computed sinus tomography showed four bone grafts at 80%, two grafts with 70%, and one graft retained 60% of the original lengths. None of the grafts showed resorption less than 50%. Conclusion Bone grafts are reliable grafts and can be used as an alternative to cartilage grafts.