Management of acute soft tissue injury to the auricle.

The external ear is commonly involved in facial trauma. Injuries to the ear can range from simple lacerations to complete avulsions. We review the normal auricular anatomy and vascular supply, as well as the initial management of any auricular injury.

Sonic rhinoplasty: sculpting the nasal dorsum with the ultrasonic bone aspirator.

Objectives/hypothesis: Rhinoplasty often requires precise, graded bone removal without damage to surrounding nasal soft tissue and mucosa. Unfortunately, current techniques are associated with decreased visualization, heat generation, mechanical chatter, and lack of surgical precision with resultant soft tissue injury. We introduce a novel technique to sculpt the nasal dorsum in a precise fashion with the ultrasonic bone aspirator and delineate its advantages over conventional techniques.

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannoma: clinician beware.

Intraparotid facial nerve schwannomas are rare neoplasms that are challenging to diagnose and manage. Many patients present with a painless, palpable facial mass. The presence of facial paralysis is variable.

Hand-washing practices of facial plastic surgeons.

Objectives: (1) To define and characterize knowledge of effective hand hygiene and its scientific basis among practicing facial plastic surgeons; (2) to review the existing literature of, basis for, and guidelines on hand washing in clinical practice; and (3) to motivate and facilitate optimum hand hygiene among facial plastic surgeons.

Methods: National Web-based physician survey and literature review.

Results: We conducted a national Web-based survey of members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery regarding general patient safety practices.

Metastasis of prostatic adenocarcinoma to the sphenoid sinus.

The presentation, diagnosis, and management of prostatic adenocarcinoma metastatic to the sphenoid sinus are reviewed. We present a case report with a review of the literature. A 67-year-old man with a history of prostatic adenocarcinoma presented with gradual left visual loss.