BACKGROUND:Crooked nose deformities remain a surgical challenge due to complex asymmetries of bony and cartilaginous structures. The "Hybrid Technique" combines preservation and structural rhinoplasty principles to improve correction while maintaining procedural efficiency. METHODS:A retrospective study was performed on 54 patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty for crooked nose correction between January 2023 and June 2024. The first 28 consecutive patients were treated with the Pisa Tower technique, and the subsequent 26 with the Hybrid Technique. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. Objective outcomes included nasal axis deviation and R-Webster triangle symmetry measured from standardized photographs and CT scans by two blinded reviewers. Functional results were assessed using the NOSE questionnaire at 12 months.Postoperative changes were analysed using linear regression models adjusted for baseline values, and standardized effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify between-group differences. Operative time and postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS:Both techniques achieved significant improvement in nasal alignment (p < 0.001). Mean nasal deviation decreased from 8.1° to 1.6° in the Hybrid group and from 7.6° to 1.4° in the Pisa Tower group (p > 0.05). NOSE scores improved markedly in both cohorts (Hybrid: 76.8 → 19.4; Pisa Tower: 74.9 → 21.1; p < 0.001). Postoperative changes in nasal axis deviation and R-Webster triangle symmetry did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Adjusted effect sizes were small with confidence intervals crossing zero (e.g., nasal axis deviation d = -0.18, 95% CI -0.73 to 0.37), confirming the absence of meaningful between-group differences. NOSE scores improved similarly in both cohorts, and operative time and complications were comparable. Operative time was comparable (119 vs. 122 minutes; p = 0.42). Minor dorsal hump recurrence occurred in one Hybrid and three Pisa Tower cases, with no revisions required. CONCLUSIONS:The Hybrid Technique provides reproducible correction of nasal asymmetry with functional outcomes, complication rates, and operative times comparable to the Pisa Tower approach, representing a versatile option for complex nasal deviations.

Background: Foreign bodies (FBs) within the masticatory space are a rare but significant complication of oral and maxillofacial procedures. Despite advancements in orthognathic surgery, instrument breakage and accidental loss can lead to challenging secondary procedures. Clinical experience with retained foreign bodies in the masticatory space following orthognathic surgery and related dental procedures is summarized. Methods: A retrospective search was conducted in the surgical and radiological database of a tertiary referral center for maxillofacial surgery, covering procedures from January 2017 to December 2024. Patients were included if they had undergone orthognathic surgery and presented with a retained FB in the masticatory space confirmed through imaging. Clinical records, operative notes, imaging studies, and follow-up data were reviewed. Results: Out of 2092 procedures, four patients (0.19%) were identified. Two FBs were related to broken surgical instruments during orthognathic surgery (a suture needle and a burr fragment), while two were fractured local anesthesia needles during third molar extraction under local anesthesia. All FBs were located in deep compartments of the masticatory space (paramandibular or pterygopalatine region). Surgical retrieval via transoral approach under general anesthesia was successful in all cases. One patient experienced transient facial nerve dyskinesia; no long-term complications or recurrences were noted. Conclusions: Retained foreign bodies in the masticatory space are infrequent yet warrant prompt recognition and surgical management to mitigate the risk of infection, nerve damage, and repeated procedures. Thorough instrument checks, proper technique, and advanced imaging modalities are crucial for minimizing these complications in orthognathic surgery.

Introduction: This manuscript addresses the limitations of traditional orthognathic surgery in achieving both functional and aesthetic correction in patients with Class II malocclusion and severe mandibular retrusion. Current techniques often struggle to simultaneously address mandibular deficiency and inadequate transverse dimension, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes. Methods: Seven male patients underwent bimaxillary osteotomy with mandibular advancement. A novel surgical plate, Implate, was used, which was designed to facilitate precise osteotomy and stabilization. Pre-surgical planning included CBCT scanning, 3D modeling, and surgical simulation. Postoperative assessments included clinical examinations, CT and OPT scans. Results: Implate successfully addressed the challenges of conventional techniques, minimizing the formation of bony steps and achieving a more harmonious facial profile. The minimally invasive procedure, with careful periosteal and muscle management, contributed to stable outcomes, and no complications were reported. At the 6-month follow-up, OPT analysis showed a mean mandibular width increase of 18.1 ± 6.2 mm and vertical ramus height gains of 6.0 ± 3.1 mm (left) and 5.8 ± 1.7 mm (right). Conclusions: According to our preliminary experience, the integration of Implate into surgical practice offers a significant improvement in treating complex Class II malocclusions. By simultaneously correcting mandibular retrusion and width while minimizing complications, Implate provides a superior solution compared to traditional methods. This innovative approach highlights the potential of combining advanced surgical techniques with personalized 3D-printed implants to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Further prospective studies with controls and longer follow-up are needed to validate the efficacy and reproducibility of Implate in wider clinical use.

The chin is a key feature in facial aesthetics, contributing essential projection to the profile. Proper alignment ensures facial harmony, while misalignments can create irregularities that may require surgical correction. Over time, various genioplasty techniques have been developed to address a broad range of asymmetries. Tetris Genioplasty is a novel osteotomy technique designed to improve cases where the skeletal midline does not align with the dental midline, delivering significant corrective results. Building on extensive experience with patients presenting this condition, this technical note introduces Tetris Genioplasty 2.0, a refined version of the original “Tetris” Osteotomy. This enhanced technique minimizes the presence of edges during bone segment realignment, resulting in a more seamless facial profile. This study aims to detail the advancements in the Tetris Genioplasty technique, demonstrating how the 2.0 modification offers an optimized approach to improving facial symmetry and aesthetic outcomes in complex midline discrepancies.

The face is an extremely important feature that plays a central role in communication and social interaction of a species. The human brain has developed specific circuits to read and recognize facial patterns. On top of that, mankind, more than any other species, has developed the sense of harmony and beauty, when it comes to physical appearances, with special regards to the face. The aim of the study is to evaluate the attractive perception of neutral profile images with different maxillofacial alterations. To do so, the perspective of randomized subjects is taken into consideration, highlighting the possible implication for the maxilla facial surgery. A survey has been structured with 18 neutral profiles images, 9 female and 9 males. The profile silhouettes used were converted into black and white images using Adobe Photoshop software, which helps obtaining a better evaluation of the facial attractiveness excluding external factors. The survey was administered to 135 randomized subjects, who were asked to evaluate every single image in a scale from 1 (unattractive) to 5 (extremely attractive). The summary has shown a tendency of evaluating the normal occlusion profile as attractive, thus revealing a general constancy in the beauty standards. Among the other profiles evaluated, the maxillary protrusion also obtained a high score of evaluation, in terms of attractiveness, registering a score of 3 in 37

The authors hereby present a case of a calcified schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve, which led to hypoglossal nerve palsy initially misinterpreted as a tongue tumor. This paper reviews the presentation of schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve and offers a novel perspective on this rare condition. Diagnostic pitfalls and the diagnostic-therapeutic value are also discussed.

The chin plays a crucial role as a fundamental structural component that contributes to the overall aesthetics and harmony of the face. Recognizing its central position, medical science has seen the evolution of numerous surgical techniques over the years, all aimed at correcting the range of structural irregularities that can affect the chin. In this contribution, the authors introduce an innovative osteotomy technique, aimed at cases of chin asymmetry in which the skeletal median diverges from the dental median. This technique, called “Tetris genioplasty”, involves performing the classic rectangular osteotomy, but includes an additional vertical osteotomy in order to obtain two distinct segments. Finally, these segments are translocated and repositioned to obtain a realignment between the skeletal median and the dental median. The results were entirely satisfactory for the patients, aligning perfectly with the expected appearance after the operation. Furthermore, no complications were reported, proving the success and safety of the procedure. The Tetris genioplasty aligns itself with this progressive trend by offering a minimally invasive method that nevertheless is able to achieve excellent results with a high impact on the patient’s quality of life, presenting a promising path in the pursuit of optimal aesthetic results with minimized patient morbidity and greater overall safety.

Objectives. The mounting of the plaster casts on articulator procedure is routinely performed in orthognathic surgery to assess canting of the maxillary occlusal plane, but the currently used protocols and reference plane could be source of errors which affect reliability. Nowadays the assessment of canting of the maxillary occlusal plane could be also performed with an entirely digital protocol.Aim of the study was to propose a method to evaluate canting in patients affected by Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia, comparing the measurements performed on digital models matched on CBCT with those made on traditional articulator. Materials and methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed on 20 patients affected by vertical Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia treated in the Units of Orthodontics and Maxillo-Facial Surgery. The canting of the maxillary occlusal plane was measured on plaster casts mounted on the conventional articulator and the measures were compared with those made on digital models matched on CBCT, according the protocol developed in our Unit. Molar, canine and basal difference were measured. To compare the two protocols and to test the agreement, we performed descriptive statistics, comparison between means and Bland Altman analysis. P value was set at 0.05. Results. Statistic comparison demonstrated agreement between measurements performed with the digital protocol and conventional physical method. Conclusion. Measurements of canting with digital protocol are comparable to the physical standard method. A total digital protocol allows faster availability and storage of patient's data and better communication between orthodontist and maxillo-facial surgeon, especially in patients affected by three-dimensional malocclusions. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Background: Submental intubation is an intubation technique used for the management of airways in patients who suffered from complex maxillofacial trauma. Few studies focused on the role of submental intubation during Full-Face Makeover, like orthognathic surgery, facial prothesis, and rhinoplasty. Methods: Authors describe a case series of 5 patients who underwent to Full-Face Makeover with submental intubation to manage the airways. The authors started with the Le Fort I subspinal osteotomy. The maxillary repositioning was guided through a 3D printed intermediate splint in all cases (previously simulated with Dolphin software). Subsequentially, the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was performed. The mandibular repositioning was guided through a 3D printed final splint. The genioplasty was performed with a horizontal osteotomy after a labial mucosa incision. After the genioplasty, the authors used the incision previously used for the Le Fort I osteotomy to bluntly dissect the tissues in order to insert a custom-made polyether ether ketone zygomatic prosthesis. Lastly, an open rhinoplasty was performed. Results: All the surgery lasted a mean less 6 hours. The submental intubation was removed in the operating room, at the end of the surgery. The patients were then discharged from the hospital 2 days after the surgery in all cases. Conclusions: Submental intubation is a valid method for the airway management in maxillofacial trauma and can be extended in case of Full-Face Makeover like orthognathic surgery combined with rhinoplasty. The absence of nasal traumatism during surgery leads to a more accurate rhinoplasty, with a greater satisfaction for the patient.

Defects in the lower border of the mandible may represent an aesthetic problem after mandibular advancement in orthognathic surgery. The use of bone grafts has been reported in the literature as a possibility to reduce these defects in the postoperative period. The objective of this systematic review is to answer the following research question: Is it necessary to use bone grafts to prevent defects at the lower border of the mandible after mandibular advancement? The literature search was conducted on MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Central Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, and Sigle via Open Gray up until December 2020. Five studies were eligible for this systematic review, considering the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. 1340 mandibular osteotomies were evaluated, with a mean advance of 8 mm, being 510 with bone graft (42 defects), 528 without graft (329 defects), and 302 with an alternative technique (32 defects). Regarding the type of bone graft used, three articles used xenogenous or biomaterial grafts and two allogenous bone grafts. The results of the meta-analysis showed a reduction in the presence of defects in the bone graft group: OR 0.04, 95

The short nose represents one of the greatest challenges in rhinoplasty. It is characterized by a reduced distance from the nasal radix to the tip-defining points, often associated with inadequate tip projection. Several techniques have been described for correction of short nose with the common objective of replacing and rebuilding the osteocartilaginous framework. One of the most effective method to correct the short nose is the septal extension graft. The authors describe the caudal septum pivot (CSP) technique, a simple method to elongate short noses by using a graft inserted in the dorsal septum after its division using as pivot the caudal portion, without detaching it from its natural anchorage to the anterior nasal spine. A retrospective analysis was performed reviewing the clinical charts and the operative records of 315 patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty from January 2015 to June 2019; among this group, 34 were considered eligible for the study. The patients (8 men, 26 women; mean age: 25.4 years; age range: 22-53 years) were divided into two groups: in 12 patients (Group 1) the CSP technique was performed, while Group 2 was composed of 22 patients who received a more classic treatment with a septal extension graft. To evaluate the outcomes, nasal length, tip projection, and tip rotation were measured pre- and 1 year postoperatively on digital photographs of each patient. Nasal anthropometric measurements revealed, at 12-month visit follow-up, an improvement in nasal length, tip projection, and nasolabial angle was achieved in all the patients. The comparison of the pre- and postoperative values showed a statistically significant reduction in the nasolabial angle (p < 0.05) and an increase in the tip projection (p < 0.05) and in the nasal lengthening (p < 0.05) in both groups. In authors' experience, the CSP technique could be considered a safe, reliable, and effective alternative technique in selected patients.

Abstract This study aimed to present a novel approach to correct nasal tip deviation with monolateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation, presenting as an isolated deformity or in complex nose deviations. Nasal tip deviation can be congenital or posttraumatic, due to a dislocated septum or cartilaginous septal or lower lateral cartilage malformations. Although some treatment strategies have been introduced, appropriate treatment remains a challenge because of the complexity and variability of such deformities. It had been assumed that in most nasal tip deviations, a lower lateral cartilage was longer than the contralateral one. The authors analyzed 158 patients from January 2015 to October 2019 with nasal tip deviation and corrected the deviated tip by using a monolateral interruptive technique (lateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation) on the lower lateral cartilage. Photographic comparison between preoperative and at least 1-year follow-up for nasal axis deviation variable was analyzed and a self-assessment questionnaire was administrated to the patients at 1-year follow-up. The mean nasal deviation was 6.59° (±3.1°) preoperatively and 1.56° (±0.26°) postoperatively (p < 0.05). The range of differences between pre and postoperative deviations was 2.7° to 15.1°, and the mean difference was 6.1° (±3.21°). Of the 84 patients, 47 (55.95%) were very satisfied, 33 (39.28%) were satisfied, and 4 (4.76%) were unsatisfied with surgical the results and required revision surgery. In authors' hands, monolateral interruptive techniques (lateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation) are a viable and feasible option to restore nasal tip symmetry. These techniques achieved high satisfaction rates among patients and resulted in reliable and reproducible symmetry immediately visible after surgery and stable over time (1-year postsurgery controls).

Background: The primary element of a crooked nose is a midline deviation of the nasal pyramid. To date, no surgical strategies have been described as compatible with the philosophy of dorsal preservation. The dorsal preservation technique differs from the Joseph structured rhinoplasty because it preserves both the keystone area and the continuity of the cartilaginous vault. The authors focused on the versatility of the dorsal preservation technique even for the deviated nose, introducing the “Pisa Tower concept.” Methods: From January of 2015 to June of 2019, 280 patients diagnosed as having a crooked nose underwent primary septorhinoplasty with dorsal preservation through an asymmetric bony wedge resection and lowering of the bony pyramid onto the frontal process of the maxilla (the let-down osteotomy), in accordance with the Pisa Tower concept. Inclusion criteria were a preoperative computed tomography examination, nasal axis deviation, a complete photographic examination preoperatively, and at least a 1-year follow-up. Results: The mean nasal axis deviation was 7.62 degrees preoperatively and 1.15 degrees postoperatively (p < 0.05). Of the 84 patients, 47 (55.95 percent) were very satisfied, 33 (39.28 percent) were satisfied, and four (4.76 percent) were unsatisfied with surgical results and required revision surgery. Conclusions: The authors’ opinion is that the association of “swinging door” septoplasty with the Pisa Tower concept can be a valid alterative to other techniques when working with the structured rhinoplasty philosophy in patients with a crooked nose. Although this is only a preliminary study, the decreased use of spreaders graft and less aggressive reconstructive methods look very promising. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

ABSTRACT:The chin represents one of the most important determinants of the facial aesthetics. Like many aesthetic parameters, the "ideal" chin has changed in history regarding projection and prominence. From the retrusive profiles of the Renaissance, stronger and more defined mandibular contour are nowadays desired both by masculine and feminine population.This change in the ideal references plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment planning. Various techniques for chin augmentation have been described, using both alloplastic materials and osteotomies.An interesting osteotomy variant, so-called chin shield osteotomy, has been described by Triaca et al to avoid a deep mentolabial fold. The authors describe herein the use of a shield plate, very similar in his form to Captain America's shield, that can at the same time provide bone fixation and soft tissues sustain in the mentolabial fold region, preventing the invasion of the gap between the bone fragments by the connective tissue, as it happens in a guided bone regeneration procedure.

The surgical approach to chin for esthetical purpose can be isolated or in a combination with other treatments like maxillomandibular surgery. Both possibilities include sliding genioplasty or implants of autologous or alloplastic materials. In this article, the authors present their new technique, the Pyramid Chin Augmentation.In January 2020, a 40-year-old male patient came to authors' observation asking for a great augmentation in the sagittal dimension of the chin, a better pronunciation of mandibular angles and of his cheekbones. The surgical treatment consisted in three different procedures at the same time: a chin wing osteotomy, a Pyramid Chin Augmentation and zygomatic PEEK custom-made malar implants. The pyramid was created on the body of the chin wing with a cortical bone graft from the oblique line of the ascending ramus of the mandible. The harvested bone was cut into strips of rectangular shape gradually shorter to be superimposed on the wing forming a pyramid. A fixation with 2 screws was performed and then was necessary to smoothen the edges of the bone layers.The result immediately after the end of the surgery was in line with the set goals. The mandibular angles were more prominent, the chin was more sagittal pronounced, and there was no evidence of depression in the symphysial region.The Pyramid Chin Augmentation Technique can be a valid tool in chin augmentation surgery and can also represent an effective procedure in the finishing touch of other facial surgery techniques.

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is a condyle disorder that arises due to osteoblastic hyperactivity, resulting in facial asymmetry, malocclusion and dysfunction. Authors, in this retrospective study, compared "gold standard" manual-segmentation with a "semi-manual one" using 2 kinds of open-source software (Horos and ITK-SNAP; Penn Image Computing and Science Laboratory) to calculate volume of 80 UCH condyles (40 patients). Moreover, volumetric differences between affected condyle and unaffected 1, between males and females, ages, and classification type were also analyzed. Fifteen patients (37.5%) were male and 25 (62.5%) were female. The gender ratio was 5:2, not far from the ratio 2:1 shown in literature. The mean age was 24 (SD 8.6) years; 22.9 (SD 6.6) for males and 24.6 (SD 9.6) for females according with the mean age derived from the Raijmakers et al meta-analysis and the Nitzan et al study. Right side (60%, 24 patients) was more often affected than the left side (40%, 16 patients). The 67.5% (27 patients) were classified as trasversal type, 25% (10 patients) as vertical types and 7.5% (3 patients) as combined. Despite Horos and ITK-SNAP values presenting some differences, the data follows the same tendency. The relationship is stronger for healthy condyles than affected condyles.

On January 8, 2020, a novel coronavirus was officially announced as the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.On February 26, COVID-19 has been recognized in 34 countries, with a total of 80,239 laboratory-confirmed patients and 2700 deaths.Protecting healthcare workers from infectious hazards is paramount to ensuring their safety in delivering health care.In addition, being able to protect healthcare workers, constituting the front-line response against high-threat respiratory pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is important for reducing secondary transmission in healthcare-associated outbreaks.Authors present a simple, reliable, and cheap protocol to produce a custom-made sterilizable filtering facepiece 2/3 masks for healthcare providers during pandemic COVID-19 emergency.

In 2008, the authors presented their Security Hi-tech Individual Extra-Light Device Mask (SHIELD), a customizable protective shield based on the (soccer) player's face cast.In 2017, the authors presented an update in the realization process, based on computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology, and called it SHIELD 2.0.Now, the authors present a further update in the realization process.

Non-synostotic plagiocephaly consists in an asymmetry of the skull due to mechanical forces applied in utero or postnatally: main differential diagnosis is with true synostotic asymmetry, which is caused by the premature closure of a suture. The correction of positional forms is mostly conservative, with 3 main strategies: counterpositioning, physiotherapy and helmet therapy. There is no synthesized evidence on which is the most effective. The Authors evaluate the modification of antropometric measurments before and after a pediatric physical therapy program in a sample of patients with non-synostotic skull asymmetry, in order to evaluate the improvements in the skull shape. The hypothesis being tested was that physical therapy alone could improve the antropometric measurments. The authors enrolled in this study 24 patients diagnosed of non-synostotic asymmetry, clinically and with ultrasound, referred to the Maxillo-facial Unit of Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, within 2013 and 2016. A standardized pediatric physical therapy intervention program was designed: it consisted in a combination of excercises and manipulative procedures to reduce positional preference, musculoskeletal disorders and cranial deformity. Infants received 16 sessions of physical therapy, of 40 minutes each, once a week, for four months. The Authors evaluate the variation of four anthropometric measurments, performed before and after the physical therapy program: Argenta scale, Oblique Diameter Difference Index (ODDI), Cranial Proportional Index (CPI) or Cephalic Ratio (CR), Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI). Craniometric evaluations were extrapolated by standardized 2D digital photographs of frontal, sagittal and transverse planes, by the same physician to minimize bias. The management of positional cranial deformities is still controversially discussed and especially the effects of physiotherapy and osteopathy have been only marginally researched. Statistical analysis revealed the effectiveness of the protocol: all anthropometric measurements improved with a high rate, major in youngest children (P < 0.5) and in more severe first presentations (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results suggest manipulative approach may improve the outcome in the long term follow up of cranial asymmetries.