A clinical retrospective study comparing two short-scar face lifts: Minimal access cranial suspension versus lateral SMASectomy

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare the short- and long-term cosmetic outcomes of two minimal incision rhytidectomies and analyze their advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: The results of minimal access cranial suspension face lift versus minimal incision rhytidectomy with lateral SMASectomy were evaluated after 1 and 24 months. Statistical analysis considered surgeon/patient satisfaction, time used in the procedures, pain, and learning curves. Photographs were sent to the patients and two plastic surgeons, unfamiliar with the cases, for evaluation of results that were assessed by an objective grading system described by Strasser. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients completed 1 and 24 months' follow-up. Complications were two hematomas, two retroauricular-lobule dog-ears, and one hypertrophic preauricular scar. Surgical time was longer for the SMASectomy. Postoperative pain was worse for minimal access cranial suspension face lift. There were no difference

Ultra HD Liposuction: Enhancing abdominal etching using Ultrasound-Guided Rectus Abdominis Fat Transfer (UGRAFT)

Background: High-definition (HD) liposuction has allowed surgeons to sculpt the abdomen, enhancing abdominal etching. To create a more athletic abdomen, fat grafting has been used subcutaneously, and rectus abdominis fat grafting has been performed in patients undergoing lipoabdominoplasty. With the objective of increasing muscle volume to obtain a natural-looking abdomen in patients who are not suitable for abdominoplasty, we propose the use of ultrasound-guided rectus abdominis fat grafting (UGRAFT) in association with HD liposuction. Patients: A prospective study with 10 consecutive patients undergoing UGRAFT was conducted. After HD liposuction, UGRAFT was performed from an incision in the umbilical region, using a blunt 2.5-mm cannula assisted by ultrasound. Fat injection was done closer to the anterior rectus sheath in the lower and middle muscle bellies. Results: UGRAFT was performed in 10 patients. The mean age was 34.8 years (range, 24-51 years). The mean body mass index was 23.83 kg/m(2)(range, 20.58-28.39 kg/m(2)). The mean volume of fat injected per "pack" was 34 cm(3)(range, 20-40 cm(3)). UGRAFT added a mean time of 20 minutes (range, 15-30 minutes) to HD liposuction. Comparing the rectus abdominis muscle thickness pre-UGRAFT and post-UGRAFT, average muscle thickness increase was 5.1 mm (55.7% +/- 37%), withP< 0.0001. Conclusion: UGRAFT showed to be helpful for obtaining muscle expansion and a more natural abdominal contour, avoiding that unnatural appearance that HD liposuction may provide in patients who gain weight or have skin laxity

EVALUACIÓN DE RESULTADOS QUIRÚRGICOS DESDE LA PERSPECTIVA DEL PACIENTE

Medir la calidad de vida relacionada a salud y los síntomas de los pacientes es un problema difícil. Las medición de los problemas de salud mediante escalas o cuestionarios se ha desarrollado para crear los Instrumentos de Evaluación desde la Perspectiva del Paciente o PRO's por su nombre en inglés: Patient-reported outcomes. Los PROs evalúan la calidad de vida en forma genérica o específica en un continuo, entregando instrumentos que pueden evaluar la gravedad de una enfermedad o el impacto de una intervención desde la perspectiva del paciente en frecuentes escenarios clínicos. El objetivo de la presente revisión es entregar a clínicos e investigadores una introducción hacia los PROs y resumir sus principales propiedades

Characterization of the orbital volume in normal population

Introduction: The aim of the study was to describe the normal orbital volume and its most important relationships with other clinical variables. Methods: We designed a correlation study and consecutive normal CTs scans were included. Orbital volume and facial anthropometrics were measured and correlated between them. Two independent and blind observers made all the measurements. Uni and multivariate statistical analysis were performed in order to create a predicting model for orbital volume. Results: A total of 199 consecutive patients were included in the study (398 orbits). The mean Orbital Volume (OV) was 24.5 ± 3.08 cc. Adequate intra and interobserver reliability was observed. There were no differences between the right and left orbit (p¼0.73). The male average OV was 24.9 ± 3.03 cc, the female OV was 23.9 ± 3.08 cc. Age group analysis demonstrated a slow increase in OV beyond thirty years, but these differences were not significant (p¼0.98). Only the age, total facial height, facial width and the interorbital distance were significant and were included in the predictive model of OV. Conclusion: We have characterized the normal orbital volume,variations and associations. In order to further advance in the understanding of the clinical implications the abnormal orbital volume must be fully studied.AO foundatio

Intravenous lidocaine for the treatment of background or procedural burn pain

Background: This is an update of the review on "Lidocaine for pain relief in burn injured patients" first published in Issue 3, 2007, and first updated in 2012. Pain is a major issue for people with many different types of wounds, in particular those people with burn injuries. Prompt, aggressive use of opioid analgesics such as morphine has been suggested as critical to avert the cycle of pain and anxiety, but adverse effects are encountered. It has been proposed that newer agents such as lidocaine could be effective in reducing pain and alleviating the escalating opioid dosage requirements in people with burn injury. Objectives: To assess the safety and effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine as a means of pain relief versus no therapy, placebo, other drugs, or a combination of these therapies in people with burn injury. Search methods: For this third update, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 11, 2013), and Ovid MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process and Ovid EMBASE (up to December 2013). Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs), published and unpublished, which assessed the efficacy of intravenous lidocaine in varying doses as a single-agent therapy with no therapy, placebo, other analgesics (such as opioids), lidocaine plus another drug, or a combination of these therapies as a means of pain relief in people with burn injury. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the studies identified. Main results: In this 2014 update, we found no new studies. The one small randomised double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial found in 2012, which included only 45 participants and compared intravenous lidocaine against placebo as a means of pain relief in people with burns still remains central to this review. We assessed this study as being at a high risk of bias due to its small size (fewer than 50 participants per treatment arm). Subjective pain ratings, as measured by the verbal rating scale, increased during procedures for both treatment arms; however, the increase was less in the lidocaine treatment group. There were no significant clinical or statistical differences regarding the effects of lidocaine and placebo on opioid requests and consumption, anxiety or level of satisfaction during a wound care procedure, but the small included study provided insufficient data to draw any conclusions. Authors' conclusions: As current clinical evidence is based on only one RCT as well as case series and reports, intravenous lidocaine must be considered a pharmacological agent under investigation in burns care, the effectiveness of which is yet to be determined with further well-designed and conducted clinical trials