Evaluation of sub-brow approach to the frontozygomatic suture for Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) of Zygomatico maxillary complex (ZMC) fractures: A prospective cohort study

Introduction

Contemporary incisions used to access the frontozygomatic (FZ) sutures are the lateral brow and upper blepharoplasty incisions which are associated with specific limitations and complications. The authors describe the use of sub-brow incision as an alternate approach for exposure of the FZ region.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study involving patients requiring surgical management of zygomatico maxillary complex (ZMC) fractures with fixation at FZ suture alone or along with fixation at infra-orbital rim and/or zygomaticomaxillary buttress. A sub-brow incision was used to expose the fracture and fixation was done with a 4-hole miniplate. The parameters evaluated were specific to the FZ region (sub-brow incision), namely surgical access, bleeding, fracture exposure time, post-operative scar, and pain. Each patient was reviewed on 1st, 5th, 7th, 10th, 30th, and 90th day.

Results

The study sample included eight male patients. The mean age was 30 years. The sub-brow incision demonstrated favorable postoperative outcomes; adequate exposure was achieved in all 8 patients. The scar formation was found to be higher on the 7th day and the least scar formation was seen by the third month. The mean pain score was found to be high on first post-operative day and the least pain was seen by the 10th day. The mean score of surgical field bleeding was found to be 1.75 which signified mild bleeding according to Fromme's scale. The mean time taken for adequate exposure of the fracture was 6.62 min. All the assessment parameters were statistically significant (P value <0.01).

Conclusion

Sub-brow incision is an effective approach for ORIF of zygomatic fractures at FZ suture. The technique is quick, simple, and associated with minimal complications.

Isolated hair loss on the eyebrow: five cases with trichoscopic features

Alopecia areta (AA) and trichotillomania (TTM) are common causes for hair loss on the eyebrows. Yellow dots, vellus hairs, anisotrichosis, empty follicular openings, and black dots were observed in the present study's patients with AA. Split hairs, question mark hairs, broken hairs, flame hairs, black dots, hairs with different lengths, and hemorrhagic areas were found in the patients with TTM. Trichoscopy is a very useful and helpful technic in distinguishing AA and TTM on the eyebrows.

An Overlooked Landmark for the Crooked Nose: Eyebrow Position

BACKGROUND

Rhinoplasty is one of the most unforgiving operations in facial plastic surgery. The correction of nasal deviation in an asymmetrical face can be challenging because known facial landmarks may mislead the surgeon. Eyebrows trimmed asymmetrically in an effort to create a more symmetrical facial appearance may be overlooked by surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

To define the relationship between the eyebrow position and external nasal deviation in patients with a crooked nose.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Analysis was made of the preoperative and 6-month postoperative life-size photographs of female rhinoplasty patients who had been referred to the senior author's clinic between May 2014 and June 2019. The anthropometric landmarks on the life-size photographs were identifed. The most medial points of the eyebrows and most deviated part of the nose were marked and the distance from the mid-canthal point was measured.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURE

The direction and amount of eyebrow shift were compared with the direction and amount of nasal deviation.

RESULTS

Of the total 94 female rhinoplasty patients with at least one level external nasal deviation, 67 (71.2%) had ipsilateral eyebrow shift with external nasal deviation. The preoperative external nasal deviation amount was 1.81 ± 1.21 mm and preoperative eyebrow shift was 1.18 ± 1.06 mm (rS = 0.429, p < 0.001). The postoperative nasal deviation was 0.79 ± 0.92 mm, and the eyebrow shift was 0.54 ± 0.62 mm (rS = 0.570, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Patients may tend to trim their eyebrows towards the side of the external nasal deviation. After centralization of the crooked nose with rhinoplasty, asymmetric eyebrow shaping tendencies of the patients were also seen to be improved.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Acute surgical vs non-surgical management for ocular and peri-ocular burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Burn-related injury to the face involving the structures of the eyes, eyelids, eyelashes, and/or eyebrows could result in multiple reconstructive procedures to improve functional and cosmetic outcomes, and correct complications following poor acute phase management. The objective of this article was to evaluate if non-surgical or surgical interventions are best for acute management of ocular and/or peri-ocular burns.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared 272 surgical to 535 non-surgical interventions within 1 month of patients suffering burn-related injuries to 465 eyes, 253 eyelids, 90 eyelashes, and 0 eyebrows and evaluated associated outcomes and complications. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically and independently searched. Patient and clinical characteristics, surgical and medical interventions, outcomes, and complications were recorded.

Results

Eight of the 14,927 studies queried for this study were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis, with results from 33 of the possible 58 outcomes and complications using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and Cochrane guidelines. Surgery was associated with standard mean differences (SMD) 0.44 greater visual acuity on follow-up, SMD 1.63 mm shorter epithelial defect diameters on follow-up, SMD 1.55 mm greater changes in epithelial diameters from baseline, SMD 1.17 mm² smaller epithelial defect areas on follow-up, SMD 1.37 mm² greater changes in epithelial defect areas from baseline, risk ratios (RR) 1.22 greater numbers of healed epithelial defects, RR 11.17 more keratitis infections, and a 2.2 greater reduction in limbal ischemia compared to no surgical intervention.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that compared to non-surgical interventions, acute surgical interventions for ocular, eyelid, and/or eyelash burns were found to have greater visual acuity on follow-up, shorter epithelial defect diameters on follow-up, greater changes in epithelial diameters from baseline, smaller epithelial defect areas on follow-up, greater changes in epithelial defect areas from baseline, greater numbers of healed epithelial defects, more keratitis infections, and a greater reduction in limbal ischemia, possibility preventing the need of a future limbal stem cell transplantation.

Evaluation of the donor site after the median forehead flap

Background

Forehead flaps are useful for facial reconstruction. Studies of these flaps have mostly focused on the results of the reconstruction. However, due to the scarring and changes on the forehead caused by the median forehead flap (MFF), surgeons may be reluctant to perform this flap. Research into the donor site is needed for practical purposes.

Methods

We examined 42 patients who underwent an MFF at Pusan National University Hospital from 1996 to 2016. Based on a retrospective chart review, we examined the occurrence of complications. We also evaluated scars on the forehead using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and assessed changes in the eyebrow position of 22 patients.

Results

No complications occurred in the 42 patients. The mean VSS score of the 22 patients was 2.8±0.79. The ratio of the height of the eyebrow on each side to the distance between the medial canthi increased postoperatively, meaning that both the left and right brows were elevated slightly (P=0.026 and P=0.014). However, the symmetry between the left and right sides did not change (P=0.979). The ratio of the interbrow distance to the distance between the medial canthi decreased slightly, meaning that the interbrow distance narrowed mildly (P<0.001). Moreover, there were no noticeable changes in the brow position as seen in a photo overlay.

Conclusions

There were no notable complications in the forehead. Forehead scarring was acceptable. No change in brow symmetry was observed via photographic measurements and a photo overlay. Therefore, we propose that the MFF is a useful choice for minimizing scarring or deformation of the donor site.

Reduction of Closed Frontal Sinus Fractures through Suprabrow Approach

Background

The traditional approach for reduction of frontal sinus fractures is coronal incision. Inherent complications of the coronal approach include long scar, hair loss, and long operation time. We describe a simple approach for the reduction of frontal sinus anterior wall fractures using a suprabrow incision that is commonly used for brow lift.

Methods

From March 2007 to October 2016, the authors identified patients with anterior wall frontal sinus fractures treated by open reduction through a suprabrow incision. Only cases with photographic/radiographic documentation and a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. The incision line was designed to be at the upper margin of the eyebrow. Medical records and radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical outcomes, cosmetic results, and complication were assessed. The patient scale of the patient and observer scar assessment scale was used to assess patient satisfaction for incisional scar at the 6-month follow-up.

Results

Thirty-one patients underwent fracture reduction through a suprabrow approach during the study period, with a mean follow-up of 41 months. No patients showed any recurrent displacement, eyebrow asymmetry, or infection during follow-up. Thirteen patients reported their forehead paresthesia postoperatively, and 12 of them had preoperative symptom. One patient complained of incisional scar and underwent scar revision. All patients were satisfied with their eyebrow and forehead contour.

Conclusion

The suprabrow approach allowed for an accurate reduction of the fractures in the anterior wall frontal sinus by providing direct visualization of the fracture. This transcutaneous approach can effectively restore forehead contour with acceptable postoperative complications and patient satisfaction.

The Science and Art of Eyebrow Transplantation by Follicular Unit Extraction

Eyebrows constitute a very important and prominent feature of the face. With growing information, eyebrow transplant has become a popular procedure. However, though it is a small area it requires a lot of precision and knowledge regarding anatomy, designing of brows, extraction and implantation technique. This article gives a comprehensive view regarding eyebrow transplant with special emphasis on follicular unit extraction technique, which has become the most popular technique.

Synophrys: Epidemiological Study

INTRODUCTION

Fusion of eyebrows above the bridge of nose is known as synophrys and is a normal variation. This variation is also recognized as a clinical feature of several genetic disorders, Cornelia De Lange syndrome being the commonest. Several studies, on aesthetics of face and eyebrows have been conducted, also on the role of eyebrows in emotional expression and nonverbal communication. A recent study has pointed a gene associated with synophrys. Surprisingly, however synophrys and its prevalence in the normal population is not known thus we conducted a study of its prevalence in Oman.

METHODS

All cases attending dermatology clinic at Saham hospital and their accompanying persons were examined for synophrys. The anonymous data was tabulated in a register and then it was transferred to computer system. Data was tabulated according to age, gender, presence of synophrys and any associated condition or genetic disorders or any chronic lifestyle disorders. It was analysed using SPSS 22 software.

RESULTS

We observed 927 subjects during the period of study. They ranged from ages of 4 months to 69 years. The males (68) outnumbered females (42). We found 110 cases (11.87%) who presented with synophrys.

DISCUSSION

The tendency of eyebrows to meet in the center of the face is known as synophrys. There is wide variation in the color, distribution and density of the eyebrow hair. Inheritance of synophrys however appears to be polygenic. Several genetic syndromes are associated with synophrys like Cornelia De Lange syndrome, which is the commonest. In our study we could not identify any genetic association in any of our cases. We studied the prevalence of synophrys in Omani population (11.87%).

A Novel Supra-Brow Combined with Infra-Brow Lift Approach for Asian Women

BACKGROUND

Direct brow lift surgery remains popular among Asian women despite its disadvantages. The traditional direct brow lift by a supra-brow incision is not suitable for Asian women because of their unique facial features, such as higher eyebrows, wider upper eyelids, and more orbital fat. Therefore, we designed a novel brow lift technique via a supra-brow combined with an infra-brow approach for Asian women.

METHODS

An area of skin above and below the eyebrow was measured, demarcated, and surgically removed. The redundant orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) was excised while keeping the frontalis muscle intact. The OOM in the inferior flap was elevated and sutured to the frontalis muscle. In cases of puffy eyelids, orbital fat was partially removed through an infra-brow incision. Finally, a series of modifications were performed to reduce post-operative scarring.

RESULTS

A total of 496 patients underwent this surgery from July 2009 to December 2013 and 432 patients were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery. Post-operative scars, in most patients (428/432), were inconspicuous. There were no facial nerve injuries documented and eight patients reported transient forehead numbness. The height of the palpebral fissure was increased but there was no marked increase observed of the distance between the upper eyelid edge and the eyebrow. In follow-up visits, 409 out of 432 patients (94.7 %) were satisfied with their surgical results.

CONCLUSIONS

This new brow lift technique via a supra-brow combined with an infra-brow approach provided a simple and safe surgical repair of lateral brow ptosis, upper eyelids hooding, and crows' feet in Asian women. The surgical outcomes were predictable and the scars were inconspicuous.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .