One concern during rhinoplasty procedures is that the surrounding soft tissues of the nose will be damaged during the procedure. A new tool, however, has been developed that is able to sculpt the nasal structures into a more desirable shape without damaging the soft tissues around it. The tool is an ultrasonic bone aspirator that makes use of ultrasonic waves to mold bone tissue in the nose. The ultrasonic waves are able to have an impact on bone tissue without causing changes to the soft mucous membranes nearby.
Rhinoplasty usually involves an assortment of different tools. For example, plastic surgeons regularly make use of bone saws, as well as power-assisted and carbide rasps. These tools, however, are limited in terms of what they can accomplish. A bone saw can slip and rasps can cause damage or deformities to nearby tissues or structures. Further, plastic surgeons report that sometimes it’s hard to see what they’re doing while they use these tools. The saw itself can restrict vision and make it hard to see the actual structures that they’re working with.
Ultrasound has a number of applications in plastic surgery today. Perhaps the most well-known usage is ultrasonic liposuction, though ultrasound has also been used to tighten and firm the skin. Using different wavelengths of energy such as laser light or ultrasound has caused the development of numerous new tools and technologies in the field of plastic surgery. Using these new wavelengths of energy fat can be melted and bone can be aspirated, without traumatically affecting the nearby tissues.
In a recent study, 103 patients elected to have rhinoplasty surgery done using the new ultrasonic tool. The tool was used to perform procedures that are considered conventional as well as new procedures that represent more cutting edge methodology. Mobile bone fragments have always posed an issue for plastic surgeons in the past during rhinoplasty surgery, but the ultrasonic instruments was able to deal with these fragments with more precision and without hurting nearby tissues. Both cartilage and bone were able to treated using ultrasound.
Patients were evaluated after the procedure at one week, four weeks, twelve weeks, six months, and one year after the ultrasound procedure to learn more about the long-term effects of this new technology and to follow-up with them about their satisfaction with the final results. About 7 percent of patients experience minor complications as a result of the procedure, but no patients experienced injury to the skin or soft tissues surrounding the area that was treated.
All patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the rhinoplasty procedure using the ultrasonic tool. Plastic surgeons noted that the tool was particularly useful at smoothing bony edges during the procedure. The ultrasonic tools was able to provide plastic surgeons with precision that outperformed the tools they traditionally use for the procedure, allowing them the ability to do graded removal of the bone without having to worry about hurting the nearby tissues. Risk of complications using the new tool seem to be minimal and plastic surgeons and other doctors are currently exploring the various ways in which the new tool can be used.
Ultrasonic Bone Aspirator Makes Rhinoplasty Easier, Safer is a post from: Plastic Surgery News