[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.012.].

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasonic bone scalpel in nasal osteotomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from the patients who received ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted nasal osteotomy in the Nasal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent open lateral approach osteotomy using an ultrasonic bone scalpel under direct vision, combined with augmentation rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage grafting. Intraoperatively, the nasal dorsum was fully exposed, and the lateral nasal cartilage was separated from the nasal septum, followed by precise bone tissue incision using the ultrasonic bone scalpel. Parameters recorded included operative time, and postoperative complications. Based on the standardized photographs taken before the operation and during the 6-month follow-up after the operation, the observer global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) was evaluated by a third-party doctor, with a score ranging from 1 to 5. The smaller the score, the more significant the improvement compared to before the operation. The satisfaction of patients with the surgical outcome was evaluated and classified into four levels: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied.Results:A total of 25 female patients were enrolled, aged 20 to 38 years, with an average age of 27.1 years. All procedures were completed successfully, with a mean operative time of (25.4±4.2) minutes. Postoperative localized swelling of varying degrees was observed. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months, with nasal contour and curvature stabilizing by 6 months postoperatively. No complications, such as infection, nasolacrimal duct, lacrimal sac, medial canthal ligament, nerve injuries, or sensory disturbances, were reported. Two cases exhibited mild nasal bone widening at the 6-month follow-up, though no surgical revision was requested. Significant improvement in external nasal morphology was achieved in all patients, with high satisfaction rates. The patients satisfaction survey showed that 18 cases (72%) were very satisfied and 7 cases (28%) were satisfied with the surgical outcome. GAIS scores reflected positive evaluations [(1.24±0.51) points].Conclusion:The ultrasonic bone scalpel for nasal osteotomy offers the advantages of high-precision cutting and efficient hemostasis. It is highly effective in reshaping the nasal contour, with shorter osteotomy time, reduced intraoperative bleeding, and a lower postoperative complication rate. This study provides some insights into plastic surgeons in optimizing nasal bone modification strategies.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine(Dex)on bone loss in tail-suspended rats and primarily explore its regulatory mechanism on bone metabolism.Methods A total of 30 male rats were randomly divided into a control group,a model group,and a Dex group,with 10 animals in each group.Rat model of osteoporosis was established by hind limb suspension for 4 weeks.Dex at a dose of 10 μg/kg was given intraperitoneally,once every other day from the day of tail suspension.And equal amount of normal saline was given to the control and model group.Bone histological staining was used to observe the trabecular bone area fraction.Biomechanical three-point bending test was employed to measure the maximum load,stiffness,and fracture energy.Dual calcein/alizarin red fluorescence labeling and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining were applied respectively to detect the mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate as well as the number of osteoclasts on bone surfaces.Secondly,after primary osteoblasts were isolated from the tibiae of tail-suspended rats and then treated with 1 nmol/L Dex,the proportion of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)-positive osteoblasts and the activity of the enzyme were detected by ALP staining and activity test.qRT-PCR was applied to measure the expression of osteogenic activity-related factors,including osteocalcin(Ocn),Runt related transcription factor 2(Runx2),Osterix protein(Osx),and type 1 collagen(Col1).Results The animal experiments revealed that Dex treatment significantly increased the tibial trabecular bone area fraction,inhibited the decrease in bone mechanical strength,and enhanced the mineralization deposition rate and new bone formation rate of trabecular bone in the tail-suspended rats(all P＜0.001).The in vitro experiments showed that Dex treatment obviously improved ALP activity and the number of ALP-positive osteoblasts in primary osteoblasts isolated from tail-suspended rats(P＜0.01),and up-regulated the expression levels of osteogenic differentiation-related genes,such as Ocn,Runx2,Osx and Col1(P＜0.01).Conclusion Dex exerts anti-bone loss effect in tail-suspended rats,which may be associated with its stimulation on osteoblast-mediated bone formation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasonic bone scalpel in nasal osteotomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from the patients who received ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted nasal osteotomy in the Nasal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent open lateral approach osteotomy using an ultrasonic bone scalpel under direct vision, combined with augmentation rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage grafting. Intraoperatively, the nasal dorsum was fully exposed, and the lateral nasal cartilage was separated from the nasal septum, followed by precise bone tissue incision using the ultrasonic bone scalpel. Parameters recorded included operative time, and postoperative complications. Based on the standardized photographs taken before the operation and during the 6-month follow-up after the operation, the observer global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) was evaluated by a third-party doctor, with a score ranging from 1 to 5. The smaller the score, the more significant the improvement compared to before the operation. The satisfaction of patients with the surgical outcome was evaluated and classified into four levels: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied.Results:A total of 25 female patients were enrolled, aged 20 to 38 years, with an average age of 27.1 years. All procedures were completed successfully, with a mean operative time of (25.4±4.2) minutes. Postoperative localized swelling of varying degrees was observed. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months, with nasal contour and curvature stabilizing by 6 months postoperatively. No complications, such as infection, nasolacrimal duct, lacrimal sac, medial canthal ligament, nerve injuries, or sensory disturbances, were reported. Two cases exhibited mild nasal bone widening at the 6-month follow-up, though no surgical revision was requested. Significant improvement in external nasal morphology was achieved in all patients, with high satisfaction rates. The patients satisfaction survey showed that 18 cases (72%) were very satisfied and 7 cases (28%) were satisfied with the surgical outcome. GAIS scores reflected positive evaluations [(1.24±0.51) points].Conclusion:The ultrasonic bone scalpel for nasal osteotomy offers the advantages of high-precision cutting and efficient hemostasis. It is highly effective in reshaping the nasal contour, with shorter osteotomy time, reduced intraoperative bleeding, and a lower postoperative complication rate. This study provides some insights into plastic surgeons in optimizing nasal bone modification strategies.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.

Objective To analyze the long-term outcome of modified Morrow surgery (interventricular septal cardiomyectomy) in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) in children. Methods The clinical data of the children with HOCM (aged≤14 years) who underwent modified Morrow surgery from January 2010 to August 2022 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including changes in hospitalization status, perioperative period, and long-term 15-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiography. Results A total of 29 patients were collected, including 22 males and 7 females, aged 10.00 (5.00, 12.00) years. Five (17.9%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Ventricular septal cardiomyectomy was performed in all patients. All 29 patients survived and their cardiac function recovered after operation. Before discharge, right bundle branch block was observed in 2 patients and left bundle branch block in 6 patients. After surgery, in the left ventricular septal cardiomyectomy, the left atrial diameter decreased (P＜0.001), left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased (P=0.009), the peak pressure gradient of left ventricular outflow tract decreased (P＜0.001), and the thickness of ventricular septum decreased (P＜0.001). The systolic anterior motion of mitral valve disappeared and mitral regurgitent jet area decreased (P＜0.001). The flow velocity and peak pressure gradient of right ventricular outflow tract also decreased in the patients who underwent right ventricular septal cardiomyectomy. The average follow-up of the patients was 69.03±10.60 months. All the patients survived with their NYHA cardiac function grading Ⅰ or Ⅱ. No new-onset arrythmia event was found. Echocardiography indicated that the peak pressure gradient of the left ventricular outflow tract remained low (P<0.001). Moderate mitral regurgitation occurred in 2 patients, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with moderate mitral regurgitation occurred in 1 patient after simple right ventricular septal cardiomyectomy. Conclusion Right ventricular or biventricular obstruction is frequent in the children with HOCM and they usually have more symptoms before surgery. Modified Morrow surgery can effectively relieve outflow tract obstruction and improve their cardiac function. The long-term outcome is satisfactory. However, the posterior wall of the left ventricle remains hypertrophic. Also, there is an increased risk of a conduction block.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique in the treatment of alar reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who underwent alar reduction from February 2019 to June 2022. A spindle-shaped incision line was designed along the outer edge of the base of the nasal lobule, with a width of 4-5 mm and a length of 8-12 mm. The incision line was 1-2 mm away from the alar groove, and the inner side of the design line was extended to the inside of the nasal vestibule. After the incision was made, the subcutaneous tissue was undermining dissected with curved sharp scissors, and the shape of the extended excision tissue was similar to that of jujube core. After reduction, the incision was closed with vertical mattress suture. The surgical effect and complications were followed up after surgery, and an independent attending plastic surgeon evaluated the outcome and scarring based on photos before and at the last postoperative follow-up using the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and the Vancouver scar scale (VSS). GAIS is graded as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points, and the lower the score, the better the improvement(≤3 points as effective improvement). VSS includes four parameters: color (0-3 points), thickness (0-4 points), vascular distribution (0-3 points), and softness (0-5 points). The higher the score, the more significant the scar is.Results:A total of 20 patients were enrolled, including 6 males and 14 females, aged 20 to 33 years, with an average age of 24.9 years. Before the operation, there were different degrees of alar flare and alar hypertrophy. After surgery, 13 patients had mild swelling, ecchymosis, which resolved after 3 days. There were no major complications as infection, incision dehiscence, and delayed healing. After 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, 2 patients gradually developed cartilage deformation and affected the appearance of the nostrils 6 to 9 months after surgery due to the combination of rib-based rhinoplasty, and the satisfactory results were obtained after revision surgery. The symmetry of the nostrils was significantly improved. The GAIS score of 20 patients was (1.20±0.41) points, of which, 16 patients were rated as 1 point and 4 patients were rated as 2 points, all of which met the improvement criteria, and the VSS score was (1.45±0.60) points, in which the average score for color, thickness, vasculature and compliance are 0.60, 0.05, 0.55 and 0.30 points respectively.Conclusion:The application of jujube core-shaped tissue resection technique for alar reduction can increase the amount of tissue removal with the same incision width, which can not only fully narrow the alar effectively but also correct the hypertrophy of the alar tissue.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of a cartilage graft fixation method in the context of rib-based rhinoplasty.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent costal cartilage based rhinoplasty in the Center of Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A 20 ml syringe needle was used to drill several micropores about 1 mm in diameter on the surface of the cartilage grafts prior to its placement. "septal extension grafts with micropores" were prepared, and the preparation of the remaining grafts was conventional.Results:A total of 30 female patients aged 21-45 years, with an average age of 36 years underwent primary or repaired autogenous costal cartilage rhinoplasty without severe damage to the nasal septum cartilage (at least retention of L-shaped scaffolds larger than 10 mm) were enrolled. All operations were successful, the cartilage scaffold was stable and durable. There were no serious complications such as infection, septal hematoma and cartilage exposure. Postoperative patients were followed up for a duration of 6-24 months. Two out of 30 patients were not satisfied with the postoperative appearance. During the revision surgery, the septal perichondrium was separated, mucosal tissue had grown into the bilateral holes which further verified of the feasibility of drilling. The other patients were satisfactied with the results.Conclusion:Nasal septum extension graft based on drilling technique is beneficial to maintain the long-term stability of cartilage scaffold after comprehensive costal cartilage nasal surgery, which justifies its application in comprehensive nasal plastic surgery.

Objective     To evaluate the early clinical outcomes of the Renatus® balloon-expandable valve in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Methods    From November 2021 to April 2022, a total of 38 patients who received Renatus® balloon-expandable valve for severe aortic stenosis in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were included. There were 22 males and 16 females, with an average age of 73.7±5.3 years. Mean aortic gradient and peak aortic jet velocity at baseline, post-procedure, and follow-up were compared. Clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality, perivalvular leakage, serious adverse cardiovascular events and the occurrence of permanent pacemaker implantation were assessed. Results    All patients completed the procedure successfully without conversion to thoracotomy or perioperative death. The post-implant mean aortic pressure gradient was decreased from 41.5 (27.8, 58.8) mm Hg to 6.0 (3.0, 8.0) mm Hg, and the peak aortic jet velocity was also decreased from 4.1±0.9 m/s to 1.7±0.4 m/s (P<0.001). Pacemakers were required in 2 (5.3%) patients. The median follow-up time was 27.5 (23.0, 87.5) d, with a follow-up rate of 100.0%. The mean aortic gradient was 8.0 (7.0, 10.8) mm Hg and peak aortic jet velocity was 2.0±0.3 m/s, showing significant improvement compared with those in the preoperative period (P<0.001). No severe aortic regurgitation or paravalvular leak was observed. There was no serious cardiovascular adverse event or reoperative event during the study period. Conclusion    Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the domestic Renatus® balloon-expandable valve system is a safe and effective procedure for selected patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk or not candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of a cartilage graft fixation method in the context of rib-based rhinoplasty.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent costal cartilage based rhinoplasty in the Center of Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A 20 ml syringe needle was used to drill several micropores about 1 mm in diameter on the surface of the cartilage grafts prior to its placement. "septal extension grafts with micropores" were prepared, and the preparation of the remaining grafts was conventional.Results:A total of 30 female patients aged 21-45 years, with an average age of 36 years underwent primary or repaired autogenous costal cartilage rhinoplasty without severe damage to the nasal septum cartilage (at least retention of L-shaped scaffolds larger than 10 mm) were enrolled. All operations were successful, the cartilage scaffold was stable and durable. There were no serious complications such as infection, septal hematoma and cartilage exposure. Postoperative patients were followed up for a duration of 6-24 months. Two out of 30 patients were not satisfied with the postoperative appearance. During the revision surgery, the septal perichondrium was separated, mucosal tissue had grown into the bilateral holes which further verified of the feasibility of drilling. The other patients were satisfactied with the results.Conclusion:Nasal septum extension graft based on drilling technique is beneficial to maintain the long-term stability of cartilage scaffold after comprehensive costal cartilage nasal surgery, which justifies its application in comprehensive nasal plastic surgery.