Nasal reconstruction

Trends of rhinoplasty research in the last decade with bibliometric analysis

Background

As rhinoplasty (RP) with different requirements is becoming more and more popular in the latest decade, this study aims to quantitatively and qualitatively explore the trends in RP research, depict research hotspots, and point out the future direction with a bibliometric analysis.

Methods

All RP literature studies in the last decade (from 2012 to 2021) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core database. Annual output, institutions, authors, journals, and most-cited literature studies were analyzed by bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, bibliometric online platform, bibliometrix R language kit, BICOMB, and gCLUTO.

Results

A total of 2,590 RP research studies dated between 2012 and 2021 were included according to our criterion. As for the country, the United States, Turkey, and Korea maintained the top three in RP research. As for the institutions, the University of California, Irvine, Stanford University, and University of Ulsan ranked top three in RP research publications based on article counts. Professor Rhorich RJ, Most SP, and Jang YJ were the most contributed authors according to article counts and citation number. The top journals were The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, and Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The 10 most-cited literature studies were also listed explicitly in this study. Finally, biclustering analysis on the most frequent keywords were conducted which helped us to identify seven hotspot clusters in RP research.

Conclusions

We comprehensively summarized the publication information of RP literature studies in the past decade, highlighted the current status and trends over time, and provide guidance for in-depth research direction on RP for the future.

Modification of Skin Flaps for Single-Stage Reconstruction of the Nasal Ala Using All-Layer Suture-A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

After local flaps, it may be necessary to reconstruct the contour of the nasal ala. This is possible with a single-stage all-layer shaping suture. In the present study, the functional and aesthetic results after single-stage reconstruction of the nasal ala were prospectively evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery for skin tumors of the nose between 06/2019 and 06/2020 who required reconstruction of the nasal ala as part of the defect closure and had an all-layer suture used were prospectively included in the study. A standardized evaluation of aesthetic and functional outcome was conducted by the patient and a physician at discharge as well as 4 weeks later. Patients additionally underwent a follow-up survey 6 months later.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. Four weeks postoperatively, all flaps were found to be fully healed and vital. Aesthetic outcome at 4 weeks was rated as very good or good by physicians in 73% and by patients in 78.4%. Persistent complications due to reduced blood flow were not observed.

CONCLUSION

The reshaping of the nasal ala as part of the defect reconstruction with an all-layer suture demonstrates very good aesthetic as well as functional results and can be performed in a single-stage procedure. .

A Systematic Review and Overview of Flap Reconstructive Techniques for Nasal Skin Defects

Background: Reconstruction of nasal skin defects can be challenging due to limited skin laxity and underlying cartilage and, therefore, often require a complex repair. The aim of this review is to systematically analyze the literature on nasal skin reconstructions with specific detail to flap reconstructions. Methods: A systematic literature review of nasal skin reconstruction was performed and focused on flap reconstructions. Flap reconstructions were stratified based on defect size, nasal subunit, and reconstruction type. Complication rates (CRs) and patient outcomes were also assessed. Results: A total of 176 articles (11,370 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 59 articles showed various flap techniques. For defects ≤1.5 cm, every subunit had four to six options except the alar rim, which showed one option. Rotation-advancement flaps were mostly used for the nasal tip and sidewall, whereas bilobed flaps were used more for the ala and dorsum. Defects >1.5 cm were most commonly reconstructed with the forehead flap. The mean CR of flap reconstructions was 13.8%. Only 8 of the 176 articles (4.5%) reported patient satisfaction using a standardized questionnaire. Conclusion: This review shows various flap reconstruction options with their corresponding CR that will help guide the surgeon in choosing reconstructive options for different nasal skin defects.

Reconstruction of small soft tissue nasal defects

Nasal defect repair has been one of the more challenging areas of reconstructive surgery due to the lack of uniform nasal skin thickness and complex contours. Currently, algorithms for medium to large nasal soft tissue defects have been well defined by various authors. Small defects, arbitrarily defined as 1 cm or less, still present significant challenges. In this article, the authors examine the options available to repair small soft tissue nasal defects and the appropriate situations in which each method is best suited.

Acquired defects of the nose and naso-orbitoethmoid (NOE) region

Nasal injuries coupled with midface fractures of the orbit and ethmoids constitute a nasoorbitoethmoid (NOE) fracture pattern, which is typically the most challenging facial fracture to repair. Hard and soft tissue defects of this region may require advanced reconstruction techniques, including local rotational flaps, free tissue transfer, and even prosthetics. The restoration of form and function dictates treatment, and the success of primary repair is paramount, because secondary correction is challenging in this area of the midface. Because of the complex nature of this region, this discussion is divided into hard tissue defects, with a focus on trauma, and soft tissue defects, with a focus on oncology.

Proboscis lateralis

INTRODUCTION

Proboscis lateralis is a rare congenitally acquired facial abnormality characterized by a soft-tissue tube- or trunk-like appendage projecting from the surface of the face, most frequently rooted in the medial canthal region. Proboscis lateralis is generally associated with a wide range of concomitant craniofacial anomalies, giving rise to multiple theories describing the embryological pathogenesis and various classification systems to account for the pathological associations.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

This paper provides a literature review of the rare manifestations of proboscis lateralis and represents a summary of current literature related to embryological pathogenesis, definitive diagnosis, and surgical management approaches.

The use of three free flaps in the simultaneous reconstruction of the nose after extensive resection due to malignant cancer

Reconstructive techniques for extended posttraumatic or post-resectional nose defects are well described. Small defects can usually be closed using local flaps with a good esthetic result. Extended resections in the mentioned area require more complex reconstruction methods, including microvascular techniques. The Authors' presented a case of whole nose and partial cheek simultaneous reconstruction using three free flaps. Two auricular free flaps and one radial forearm free flap were used to cover the defect. Meticulous preoperative planning and harvesting of flaps enabled to achieve good esthetic and functional results.