Long-Term Follow-up from the Treatment and Crossover Arms of a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Absorbable Nasal Implant for Dynamic Nasal Valve Collapse

We report the long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of the treatment and crossover arms of a randomized controlled trial evaluating an absorbable nasal implant to address dynamic nasal valve collapse. Participants were adults with severe/extreme nasal airway obstruction primarily due to nasal valve insufficiency who had implant placement. Follow-up visits were at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post implant. Visits included collection of the following patient-reported outcome measures: nasal obstructive symptom evaluation (NOSE), nasal obstruction visual analog scale (VAS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Adverse events were evaluated at each visit. One-hundred-eleven participants with implants were followed. Of the 111, 90 completed the 12-month visit and 70 completed the 24-month visit. NOSE responder rates are greater than 80% at all follow-ups through 24 months. Mean reduction from baseline in NOSE scores is ≥30 points and statistically significant (p <0.001) at all time points through 24 months. Mean VAS score reduction is ≥29.7 points and statistically significant (p <0.001) at all time points. The subgroup of participants with baseline ESS values >10 experienced statistically significant (p <0.001) and clinically meaningful reductions at all postimplant periods, suggesting that the reduction in nasal symptoms may reduce daytime sleepiness for patients who have problems with sleep quality. No serious device-/procedure-related adverse events were reported. Implant migration/retrieval rate was 4.5% (10/222) of total implants or 9% of participants (10/111). The implant is safe and effective for dynamic nasal valve collapse in patients with severe/extreme nasal obstruction and provides durable symptom improvement 24 months after placement.

Endoscopic Trans-Turbinal Medial Maxillectomy: A Modified Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy Technique to Preserve the Inferior Turbinate

Endoscopic medial maxillectomy (EMM) and its modifications are surgical techniques are used to treat recalcitrant maxillary sinusitis as well as maxillary sinus tumors. In this report, we propose a simple and efficient modification of EMM, called endoscopic trans-turbinal medial maxillectomy (ETTMM), by which the inferior turbinate (IT), nasolacrimal duct, and anatomical integrity of the nasal valve area are preserved. A total of 10 patients (five tumorous and five nontumorous maxillary diseases) underwent ETTMM. Briefly, a turbinate mucosal flap on the superior aspect of the IT was elevated after middle meatal antrostomy. Then a trans-turbinal window was developed to expose the inferior meatus, after which an extended maxillary antrostomy was generated. Finally, the turbinate mucosal flap was repositioned after complete removal of the antral lesions. All lesions were successfully treated using ETTMM. Our modification was easy to perform, and we achieved good endoscopic visualization and accessibility throughout the whole antrum by creating a trans-turbinal window and extended maxillary antrostomy. We could perform postoperative surveillance easily through the wide antrostomy using rigid endoscopes of various angles. ETTMM is a simple and useful modification of EMM that provides clear visualization and great accessibility to most aspects of the maxillary antrum while preserving the nasal functional units, including the IT and nasal valve area.

Addressing the Nasal Valves: The Endonasal Approach

The external and internal nasal valves are directly implicated in nasal valve collapse. A variety of endonasal techniques have been developed to address nasal dysfunction while maintaining or improving aesthetic appearance. This review discusses the biomechanics, surgical approach, indications, and evidence of functional and aesthetic results for each maneuver. While the endonasal approach is safe and effective, a thorough understanding of the advantages and limitations is fundamental to selecting the most appropriate surgery for the individual patient.

Spreader Graft Versus Spreader Flap in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes

Background Insufficient support of the nasal mid-vault during rhinoplasty can cause significant complications. Accordingly, surgeons recently pay much more attention to the preservation of nasal patency. The spreader graft is the gold standard technique for the reconstruction of nasal mid-vault. Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the spreader graft and spreader flap in terms of aesthetic and functional outcomes. Methods An inclusive search was performed using PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library databases up to April 2021. Multiple aesthetic and functional factors including dorsal aesthetic lines restoration, satisfaction rate, internal nasal valve angle improvement, nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale, and active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) were evaluated. Also, a meta-analysis was performed on included articles that provided adequate data for mentioned factors. Results After excluding papers that did not conform with the selection criteria, 10 articles with a total sample size of 567 cases with a mean age of 27.7 (range: 18- 65) were finally included. Analysis of the data revealed no statistically significant difference between the spreader graft and spreader flap techniques in terms of dorsal aesthetic lines restoration, internal nasal valve angle improvement, NOSE scale, and AAR. Conclusions However, in terms of satisfaction rate, the analyzes indicated that spreader graft has significantly superior aesthetic outcomes. Generally, in case of appropriately selected patients, there is no statistically significant difference between spreader graft and spreader flap techniques in terms of aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Inaccuracy of Standard 2D Photography for the Diagnosis of Cephalic Malposition of Lateral Crural Cartilages

Lateral crural cephalic malposition (LCCM) is a well-known deformity of the nasal tip which contributes to functional disturbances of the external nasal valve. Accurate diagnosis of this deformity helps surgeons plan for better outcomes. A total of 176 candidate patients for primary rhinoplasty underwent standard 2D medical photography of the face. Senior authors analyzed photography results and differentiated the patients with LCCM. In addition, we measured the angle between the dorsal septum and lateral end of the long axis of the alar cartilage in the operation room. Ninety-five patients were diagnosed with LCCM on photography. As much as 31.3% (55) of all the patients had LCCM in intraoperative measurements. The sensitivity and specificity of 2D photography for diagnosing LCCM were 0.7924 and 0.5391, respectively. The main surgical techniques for correction of LCCM were alar repositioning (34.3% in total, 56% in LCCM patients) and lateral crural strut graft (43.8% in total, 69% in LCCM patients). LCCM is overdiagnosed via 2D photography, and this method lacks sensitivity. The overall frequency of LCCM seems to be lower than the previously reported frequency. For optimal results in rhinoplasty, surgeons must focus on the best contouring and function rather than solely correcting angles and rotations.

Ewing Sarcoma of the Ethmoid Sinus in an Adult

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) is a relatively rare primary tumor of the soft tissues predominantly affecting men in the second and third decades of life. They are a less common form of the cancerous growth known as an Ewing sarcoma, which occurs in bones or soft tissue such as cartilage. Head and neck ESS can require intervention including endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, inferior turbinectomy, and left internal nasal valve repairs with septal cartilage This is a case report on an unusual presentation of ESS in the sinonasal region.