Search

Background:. Perioperative bleeding is a challenge in rhinoplasty and septoplasty. Tranexamic acid (TXA) may help reduce this, but its effectiveness is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate TXA’s impact on bleeding in these procedures. Methods:. The protocol was registered a priori to PROSPERO (CRD42023393458). PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched from inception to October 2023. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of adult patients undergoing rhinoplasty or septoplasty. Primary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss, surgery duration, and surgeon satisfaction. A random-effects model was used. Methodological quality was assessed using GRADE. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane’s RoB 2 tool for randomized studies. Results:. The search yielded 154 results; 11 randomized controlled trials, with 968 patients, were included. The meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss with TXA (MD −39.67; 95% CI: −15.10 to −64.24; P = 0.002) and superior surgeon satisfaction in favor of TXA use (SMD −2.73; 95% CI: −5.33 to −0.12; P = 0.04). Subgroup analyses for intraoperative blood loss, according to administration routes, were also in favor of intravenous TXA (MD −13.02; 95% CI: −1.65 to −24.38; P = 0.02) and oral TXA (MD −44.98; 95% CI: −83.66 to −6.31; P = 0.02); no statistical difference was noted in surgery duration (MD −0.99; 95% CI: 0.63 to −2.81; P = 0.23). All studies were found to be of high quality, with low bias. Conclusions:. The findings support TXA’s efficacy in reducing blood loss during rhinoplasty and septoplasty, with high surgeon satisfaction.

Summary:. Patients undergoing extensive lymph node dissection and radiation are at high risk for not only lymphedema but also painful contracture. In a standard lymphadenectomy, immediate lymphatic reconstruction using a lymphovenous bypass is effective in reconstructing the lymphatic defect. However, a more aggressive nodal clearance leaves the patient with a large cavity and skeletonized neurovascular structures, often resulting in severe contracture, pain, cosmetic deformity, and venous stricture. Adjuvant radiotherapy to the nodal bed can lead to severe and permanent disability despite physical therapy. Typically, these patients are referred to us after the fact, where surgery will rarely restore the patient to normal function. In an effort to avoid lymphedema and contracture, we have been reconstructing both the lymphatic and soft tissue defect during lymphadenectomy, using vascularized omentum lymphatic transplant (VOLT). A total of 13 patients underwent immediate reconstruction with VOLT at the time of axillary (n = 8; 61.5%) or groin (n = 5; 38.5%) dissection. No postoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up time was 15.1 ± 12.5 months. Only one lower extremity patient developed mild lymphedema (11% volume differential), with excellent scores in validated patient-reported outcomes. All patients maintained full range of motion with no pain. None of the 13 patients required a compression garment. Immediate lymphatic reconstruction with VOLT is a promising procedure for minimizing the risk of lymphedema and contracture in the highest risk patients undergoing particularly extensive lymph node dissection and radiotherapy.

Summary:. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented a major threat to public health worldwide alongside unprecedented global economic and social implications. In the absence of a “gold standard” treatment, the rapid development of a safe and effective vaccine is considered the most promising way to control the pandemic. In recent years, traditional vaccine technologies have seemed insufficient to provide global protection against the rapid spread of emerging pandemics. Therefore, the establishment of novel approaches that are independent of whole pathogen cultivation, cost-effective, and able to be rapidly developed and produced on a large scale are of paramount importance for global health. This article summarizes the current efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, including the ongoing and future anticipated clinical trials. We also provide plastic and reconstructive surgeons with insight into the novel technologies currently utilized for COVID-19 vaccine development, focusing on the very promising viral-vector-based and gene-based vaccine technologies. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages related to its efficacy and ability to induce certain immune responses, manufacturing capacity, and safety for human use. Once the fundamental key challenges have been addressed for viral-vector-based and gene-based vaccines, these novel technologies may become helpful in winning the fight against COVID-19 and transforming the future of health care.