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Highlights of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
Arch Facial Plast Surg. 1999;1:157.
The Validity of Ex Vivo Laser Skin Treatment for Histological Analysis
Laser treatment of skin samples following removal from human subjects has been a staple of laser research. In this important study, David Greene, MD, and colleagues (SEE ARTICLE) compare the histological characteristics of skin treated in vivo vs ex vivo. Results show significant differences between the 2 groups. The commonly used ex vivo model may underestimate the amount of tissue ablation that will occur in vivo and may also exhibit a higher degree of irregular ablation. These results support the use of the in vivo models for these clinically important studies.
The Effects of Resorbable Plates on Rabbit Ear Cartilage
The need to shape and fixate cartilage is critical in many facial plastic surgery procedures, including auricular, nasal, and laryngotracheal reconstruction. Matthew D. Mingrone, MD, et al (SEE ARTICLE) present a laboratory study demonstrating that resorbable plates may be useful in these clinical situations. LactoSorb plates were used to stent ear cartilage in a rabbit model and showed no deleterious effects on the cartilage. If further studies are successful, resorbable plates could be an important new clinical tool.
Facial Suspension With Acellular Human Dermal Allograft
Facial suspension with a static sling is an option for select patients with facial paralysis, including some who will undergo postoperative irradiation. Methods of dynamic reanimation are preferable but not always possible. Current materials available for facial slings include autologous tissue such as fascia lata and alloplastic material such as expanded polytef. The autogenous materials require harvesting with its attendant morbidity and undergo unpredictable stretching. Alloplastic materials have an increased risk of infection and extrusion. Edmund Fisher, MD, and John L. Frodel, MD (SEE ARTICLE) report a series of 11 consecutive patients who underwent a static sling procedure using acellular human dermal allografts. Ten patients completed the study, and 90% had good or excellent results; all had functional improvement in mastication and lip competence. There were no clinically significant complications. Further long-term studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of the technique.
Treatment of the Bifid Nose
Midline facial clefts are rare congenital deformities. Philip J. Miller, MD, and colleagues (SEE ARTICLE) present their experience with 2 patients with the bifid nose and associated malformations. They recommend an individualized plan of surgical repair, which in their cases involved a midline skin excision. The clinical spectrum and the genetic and embryologic characteristics of the anomaly are discussed.
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