Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Manuel A Lopez.
Classic techniques of scar revision in general are ablative and remain the gold standard, although newer nonablative laser therapies, such as the frequency-doubled neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, can help. Ablative therapies and techniques are examined.
Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are commonly performed surgical procedures that have as many variables in execution as the number of surgeons that perform them. Initially, these procedures were performed using manual instrumentation. Recently, however, powered instruments have been used to perform portions of the two procedures. Powered oscillating rasps have been described for reducing dorsal bony humps during rhinoplasty, and it has been suggested that powered osteotomes may reduce tissue trauma when performing nasal osteotomies. Powered burrs have also been used for taking down dorsal bony humps and refining boney irregularities. Although septal spurs have traditionally been excised manually, powered instrumentation has proved useful in this area as well. This article reviews the indications for using powered instrumentation in rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of interventions on the degree of warping of costal cartilage. METHODS: The project was conducted at a large university animal research laboratory. The costal cartilage of eight 30-kg domestic pigs was harvested. The cartilage was cut into central and peripheral segments with a standard cutting die. Two sizes of rectangular cubes were compared. The central portions of costal cartilage were segmented and glued with octyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The shape of the cartilage was documented with both digital and film photography. The cartilage was placed into subdermal pockets on the dorsum of the pigs. The animals were killed at 4 weeks, and the cartilage was photographed. Adobe Photoshop software was used to measure the degree of warping. Statistical analysis was calculated by t test analysis. RESULTS: A total of 115 rectangular costal cartilage blocks were treated. Large blocks warped less than small blocks (P<.02). Centrally cut blocks warped less than peripherally cut blocks (P<.03). The octyl-2-cyanoacrylate incited a significant sterile inflammatory response such that the blocks could not be accurately assessed for warpage. CONCLUSION: Costal cartilage can be effectively used for grafting in rhinoplasty with minimal warping if large grafts from the central portion of cartilage are used.