Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Interest in Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery?: A Google Trends Analysis

Facial cosmetic surgery trends are evolving in the current climate of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate public interest in elective facial plastic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic including the period of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution using Google Trends. A Google Trends analysis was completed using popular terms related to facial cosmetic surgery and procedures from March 2017 to August 2021. Three stages were identified (baseline, pre-COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and post-COVID-19 vaccine distribution). Descriptive statistics were calculated and two-tailed t-tests were performed between the pre-vaccine and the post-vaccine phases. Linear regression analysis was also performed to determine percent deflection of search terms. There was significantly greater interest in facial aesthetic procedure search terms, except for tear trough filler, during the post-COVID-19 vaccine phase compared with the pre-COVID-19 vaccine phase. There was greater interest in lower facial procedure interest during this phase compared with upper facial procedures (p-value = 0.0011). The search terms with the greatest deflection percentage during the post-vaccine phase were lip filler, brow lift, and lip flip. There continues to be high demands of facial plastic surgery and procedures despite COVID-19 pandemic.

Rotation and transposition flaps in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

Reconstructive defects of the human face pose unique challenges to even the most experienced surgeon given their myriad of presentations and the individuality of each patient’s anatomy, clinical presentation, and perspective or preferences. A robust armamentarium of reconstructive options must be cultivated for each facial subunit so that experience and artistry can be best utilized to rebuild the patient’s structure and function. This review will outline a subset of local rotation and transposition flaps that are most useful for facial reconstruction, organized by facial subunit.

Otolaryngology Societies on Popular Social Media Platforms

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the use of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok amongst otolaryngology societies. Study Design: Online assessment of social media pages and engagement amongst otolaryngology societies. Setting: Otolaryngology societies and their online engagement with the general community as well as those in the field of otolaryngology. Methods: A list of otolaryngology societies affiliated with Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM)and American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF) were compiled. Two reviewers independently accessed popular social media platforms for societal accounts and their online engagement. Results: There is a wide range of social media participation amongst societies. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) has the highest numbers of followers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The highest follower count on Twitter and Facebook was followed by the American Otological Society (AOS). The American Laryngological Association had no social media accounts. On YouTube, The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) had the highest amount of engagement. Conclusion: Social media usage and a robust online presence can provide patients a source of reliable healthcare information, educational opportunities to residents, and may be used for recruitment. Otolaryngology societies should consider improving their social media presence as a way to educate the public, patients, and future recruits.

Validation of the Modified Rhinoplasty Assessment Scale (Photographic)

Objective: To validate the modified Rhinoplasty Assessment Scale (Photographic) (mRASP). Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Study design—Photographs for 100 rhinoplasty patients from 2 facial plastic surgeons were compiled. Photos included 6 views. Each facial plastic surgeon reviewed all views. Nasal appearance was evaluated using the mRASP. Statistical analysis—A validation study was conducted, including descriptive statistics, reliability, and construct validity. Mean and standard deviations were used to describe the scores. Results: Eighty female (mean RASP score = 14.89, SD = 7.04) and 20 male (mean RASP score = 19.83, SD = 10.09) patients were included. The mean of the total score on the instrument was 15.88 (SD = 7.98). Cronbach’s alpha was .81, and inter-rater reliability measured as a Pearson product-moment correlation was .74. The CFA model fit the frontal view (χ2 = 32.47 ( P = .04), CFI = .99, TLI = .99, RMSEA = .05, SRMR = .05), basal view (χ2 = 4.55 ( P = .33), CFI = .98, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .03, SRMR = .23), and lateral view (χ2 = 39.52 ( P = .40), CFI = 1.0, TLI = 1.0, RMSEA = .0, SRMR = .05) data well. Conclusion: The mRASP is a reliable instrument that can be used to assess nasal form via frontal, lateral, and basal photographs of patients. This provides facial plastic surgeons with a validated tool to evaluate rhinoplasty outcomes.

Preoperative Classification System Used to Determine Release Performed during Endoscopic Brow Lift

The techniques presented in article will allow the facial plastic specialist to use the anatomy of each individual patient as a guide for the surgical release of the brow performed during endoscopic brow lift. The author presents his 15 years of experience in which he developed this approach. Five different surgical releases of the brow will be demonstrated and discussed in terms of which patients would best benefit from which release. Adopting this approach has made the predictability of the authors brow lift results much better and therefore improved patient satisfaction. This concept has not been described in the literature and the author firmly believes using a preoperative anatomical approach is a better way to approach endoscopic brow lift surgery.