Samantha Zwiebel

An anatomical study of the lesser occipital nerve and its potential compression points: implications for surgical treatment of migraine headaches.

Background: This study maps the course of the lesser occipital nerve and its potential compression sites in the posterior scalp. Methods: Twenty sides of 10 fresh cadaveric heads were dissected. Two fixed anatomical landmarks were used: the y axis was the vertical midline in the posterior scalp through the midline of the cervical spine. The x axis was a horizontal line drawn between the most anterosuperior points of the external auditory meatus. A topographic map of the lesser occipital nerve and its potential compression points was created. Results: The lesser occipital nerve emerged from the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at an average of 6.4 ± 1.4 cm lateral to the y axis and 7.5 ± 0.9 cm caudal to the x axis. Branches of the occipital artery were found to interact with the lesser occipital nerve in 11 of the 20 hemiheads (55 percent). The mean location of the artery-nerve interaction was 5.1 ± 0.9 cm lateral to the y axis and 2 ± 1.45 cm caudal to the x axis. Two patterns of artery-nerve interaction were seen: a single site of artery crossing over the nerve in nine of 20 hemiheads (45 percent) and a helical intertwining relationship in two of 20 of hemiheads (10 percent). A fascial band was identified to compress the lesser occipital nerve in four of 20 hemiheads (20 percent). Conclusion: This anatomical study traced the lesser occipital nerve as it courses through the posterior scalp and mapped its potential decompression sites.

The auriculotemporal nerve in etiology of migraine headaches: Compression points and anatomical variations

Background: The auriculotemporal nerve has been identified as one of the peripheral trigger sites for migraine headaches. However, its distal course is poorly mapped following emergence from the parotid gland. In addition, a reliable anatomical landmark for locating the potential compression points along the course of the nerve during surgery has not been sufficiently described. Methods: Twenty hemifaces on 10 fresh cadavers were dissected to trace the course of the auriculotemporal nerve from the inferior border of the zygomatic arch to its termination in the temporal scalp. The compression points were mapped and the distances were measured from the most anterosuperior point of the external auditory meatus, which was used as a fixed anatomical landmark. Results: Three potential compression points along the course of the auriculotemporal nerve were identified. Compression points 1 and 2 corresponded to preauricular fascial bands. Compression point 1 was centered 13.1 ± 5.9 mm anterior and 5.0 ± 7.0 mm superior to the most anterosuperior point of the external auditory meatus, whereas compression point 2 was centered at 11.9 ± 6.0 mm anterior and 17.2 ± 10.4 mm superior to the most anterosuperior point of the external auditory meatus. A significant relationship was found between the auriculotemporal nerve and superficial temporal artery (compression point 3) in 80 percent of hemifaces, with three patterns of interaction: a single site of artery crossing over the nerve (62.5 percent), a helical intertwining relationship (18.8 percent), and nerve crossing over the artery (18.8 percent). Conclusion: Findings from this cadaver study provide information relevant to the operative localization of potential compression points along the auriculotemporal nerve.

Frequency of the preoperative flaws and commonly required maneuvers to correct them: a guide to reducing the revision rhinoplasty rate.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the most common deformities seen preoperatively in secondary rhinoplasty patients and the required surgical maneuvers to correct them. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 consecutive secondary rhinoplasty patients was performed. Preoperative variables included demographics, prior rhinoplasty data, main aesthetic/functional concerns, and the senior author’s physical examination of the nose. Details of the operative maneuvers were reviewed. Results: The average patient age was 39.2 years. All patients had previous rhinoplasties performed by other surgeons. The most common preoperative complaints were airway occlusion (65 percent), dorsum asymmetry (33 percent), nostril asymmetry (18 percent), and tip asymmetry (14 percent). The most common preoperative nasal deformities seen by the senior author (B.G.) were dorsal asymmetry (65 percent), wide dorsum (47 percent), nostril asymmetry (41 percent), wide alar base (38 percent), and dorsal hump (30 percent). The senior author saw significantly more nasal deformities than the patients themselves, especially in the following areas: dorsal asymmetry (65 percent versus 33 percent; p = 0.0002), wide dorsum (47 percent versus 13 percent; p < 0.0001), nostril asymmetry (41 percent versus 18 percent; p = 0.0003), wide alar base (38 percent versus 6 percent; p < 0.0001), dorsal hump (30 percent versus 9 percent; p < 0.0001), and columella protrusion (25 percent versus 6 percent; p = 0.0002). The most common revision rhinoplasty surgical maneuvers were septoplasty (71 percent), alar rim graft (67 percent), dorsal graft (63 percent), osteotomy (60 percent), and dorsal hump removal (46 percent). Conclusions: The high incidence of airway concerns among secondary rhinoplasty patients is alarming and emphasizes the urgent need to pay attention to the airway during primary rhinoplasty. There is often a disparity between what the patient sees and what the surgeon observes.

The incidence of vitamin, mineral, herbal, and other supplement use in facial cosmetic patients.

Background: Dietary supplement use is common in the United States. Some herbal supplements may cause coagulopathy, hypertension, or dry eyes. The goal of this study is to reveal the incidence of herbal supplement use in the cosmetic surgery population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 200 patients undergoing facial cosmetic surgery performed by a single surgeon was performed. Variables studied included patient age, sex, surgical procedure, herbal medication use, and intraoperative variables. Exclusion criteria were age younger than 15 years, noncosmetic procedures such as trauma, and incomplete preoperative medication form. Patients were subdivided into the supplement user group (herbal) and the supplement nonuser group (nonherbal). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t test, and chi-square analysis. Results: The incidence of supplement use was 49 percent in the 200 patients; 24.5 percent of patients used only vitamins or minerals, 2.5 percent of patients used only animal- and plant-based (nonvitamin/mineral) supplements, and 22 percent of patients used both types of supplements. In the herbal group, patients used an average of 2.8 supplements. The herbal and nonherbal groups differed significantly in sex (herbal, 89.8 percent female; nonherbal, 77.5 percent; p < 0.04) and age (herbal, 51.4 years; nonherbal, 38.5 years; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Herbal supplement use is prevalent in the facial cosmetic surgery population, especially in the older female population. Considering the potential ill effects of these products on surgery and recovery, awareness and careful documentation and prohibiting the patients from the consumption of these products will increase the safety and reduce the recovery following cosmetic procedures.

Augmentation of intraorbital volume with fat injection.

Background: Enophthalmos is a challenging surgical problem to correct. Standard techniques to adjust orbital volume require invasive maneuvers such as osteotomies. Fat injection may provide a simple and less-invasive way of augmenting orbital volume to correct enophthalmos. Methods: The right eye orbital volume of 10 New Zealand White rabbits was augmented with fat. Autologous fat was diced and injected into the retrobulbar space. Computed tomographic scans were evaluated for changes in globe position and retrobulbar volume. Visually evoked potentials were conducted to test the integrity of the optic tract. Rabbits were killed at 12 weeks after surgery. Orbital exenterations were performed to allow for gross and histologic evaluation. Results: Right globe position showed a mean increase in eye proptosis of 3.4 mm at postoperative day 1 and 0.9 mm at 11 weeks postoperatively in comparison with the left globe position. No significant change was noted in the left globe position. Retrobulbar volume demonstrated an initial mean increase of 31 percent and a final mean increase of 9.8 percent at 11 weeks in the right eye compared with the left eye. Visually evoked potentials revealed intact optic pathways in all animals. Gross anatomical evaluation showed deposition of fat grafts. Histologic analysis showed both revascularized and necrotic areas of fat. No retinal or optic nerve damage was identified. Conclusions: Fat injection can augment orbital volume in an animal model and preserve visual function. Further investigation is necessary to document the clinical safety and value of this technique in humans.

Perioperative antibiotic use in diabetic patients: A retrospective review of 670 surgeries

PURPOSE Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has a high incidence in diabetic patients, with a reported incidence up to 21%. In severe cases of CTS, patients may undergo carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery, which involves the risk of infection and other complications. To decrease the risk of infection, some physicians provide prophylactic antibiotics. Our study examines the effects of prophylactic antibiotic use, especially in a high-risk, diabetic population. METHODS A total of 469 CTR surgeries performed by plastic surgery specialists were reviewed for diabetic status at the time of surgery and perioperative antibiotic use. Postoperative infections occurring at the surgical site were recorded. Associations between perioperative antibiotic use and infection in diabetics and nondiabetics were then analyzed. RESULTS No significant decrease in infection rate was seen in those who were given perioperative antibiotic use. This relationship held true for diabetics as well. CONCLUSIONS No benefit of antibiotic use during CTR surgery was seen. There was, however, a trend toward a protective effect in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, suggesting that such patients may benefit from perioperative antibiotic use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III (Retrospective cohort study), Therapeutic.

The Impact of Age Upon Healing: Absolute Quantification of Osteogenic Genes in Calvarial Critical-Sized Defects.

Background:The current study was performed to elucidate changes in growth factor expression over time in critical-sized calvarial defects in rats from infancy to skeletal maturity. Materials and Methods:Critical-sized parietal defects of 5, 6, and 8 mm were created in postnatal day 6 (P6), postnatal day (P20), and postnatal day (P84) adult rats, respectively. Dura was harvested at 3, 7, or 14 days after surgery, and serial micro–computed tomography imaging was performed through 12 weeks postoperatively. Absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 (BMP-2), Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2), Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), and Transforming Growth Factor-&bgr;1 (TGF-&bgr;). Results:The P6 (6-d-old) rats showed the greatest difference in gene expression between the dura derived from the defect side and the dura derived from the control side, demonstrating significant differences in TGF-&bgr;1, BMP-2, IGF-1, and FGF-2 at various time intervals. Absolute gene expression in the defect dura was highest in the P6 rats and declined with age. Significant differences were noted at limited time points in the P20 rats for TGF-&bgr;1 and BMP-2 as well as in the P84 rats for TGF-&bgr;1. TGF-&bgr;1 was the only gene studied that showed significant differences at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14 in varying age groups. Conclusions:The P6 rats have a higher osteogenic potential accompanied by a more vigorous alteration in growth factor expression compared with the P20 or P84 rats. Decrease in BMP-2 and FGF-2 as well as relative increase in TGF&bgr;-1 messenger RNA were observed in healing defects. These data provide valuable insight into the mechanism of healing of critical-sized defects and may be of use to engineer factor-releasing implants to correct skull defects.

Environmental Factors That Contribute to Upper Eyelid Ptosis: A Study of Identical Twins

BACKGROUND Current literature provides little information about the impact of environmental exposures on the severity of acquired blepharoptosis. OBJECTIVE The authors assessed environmental factors that may contribute to eyelid ptosis in a population of identical twins. METHODS Photographs of 286 sets of twins from a prospectively collected database from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed. The authors identified 96 sets of identical twins (192 individual persons) who had differing severity of ptosis. Digital photographs were analyzed, and the degree of ptosis was measured in each eye of every subject. The external factors that could potentially contribute to blepharoptosis were taken into consideration. The authors then assessed the correlations of 9 different environmental risk factors with ptosis. Generalized linear mixed model were constructed to determine the associations of ptosis measurements with environmental risk factors obtained from the subject survey database. RESULTS The mean level of upper eyelid ptosis in the study population was 1.1 mm. The mean difference in ptosis between twins was 0.5 mm. Wearing contact lenses, either hard or soft, was significantly associated with ptosis. The mean ptosis measurement among twins who did not wear contact lenses was 1.0 mm; for those who wore soft contact lenses, the mean was 1.41 mm, and for those who wore hard contact lenses, the mean was 1.84 mm. CONCLUSIONS Acquired ptosis is not linked to body mass index, smoking behavior, sun exposure, alcohol use, work stress, or sleep. Wearing either hard or soft lenses was associated with an increased risk of ptosis. These influences are independent of genetic predisposition. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Diagnostic.

Abstract 85: COMPARING THE EFFICACY OF DEFEROXAMINE OR AMIFOSTINE PRE-TREATMENT IN THE PREVENTION OF OSTEORADIONECROSIS OF THE MURINE MANDIBLE

Introduction: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible and facial bones is a signi cant problem for patients who are treated for head and neck cancer. Evidence suggests that deferoxamine (DFO) and amifostine (AMFO) may have bene cial roles in the prevention and treatment of ORN. DFO has been shown to have a vasculogenic effect while Amifostine has been shown to prevent cytotoxicity and apoptosis. We hypothesize that DFO and AMFO will have bene cial effects in the prevention and treatment of ORN in a rat model, especially when used in combination.