Frontal sinus fracture management is still controversial and involves preserving function when feasible or obliterating the sinus and duct, depending on the fracture pattern. There is no single algorithm for the choice of management, but appropriate treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis using physical examination, computed tomography data, and the findings of intraoperative exploration. The amount and location of fixation and the need for frontonasal duct and sinus obliteration or elimination of the entire sinus depend on the anatomy of the fracture in general and the extent of involvement of the anterior wall of the sinus, the frontonasal duct, and the posterior wall in particular. This article discusses an algorithm for frontal sinus fractures that was obtained from the literature and modified according to the authors' experience. The decision-making process presented by the authors has withstood the test of time over a period of more than 20 years in their practice and has been proven to be safe and efficacious in treating frontal sinus fractures of all types.

Various materials such as autogenous bone, cartilage and alloplastic implants have been used to reconstruct orbital floor fractures. A new material is needed because of disadvantages of nonresorbable alloplastic materials and difficulties in harvesting autogenous tissues. In this study safety and value of the use of resorbable mesh plate in the treatment of orbital floor fractures are discussed. Between 2002 and 2004 a total of 17 maxillofacial trauma patients complicated with orbital floor fractures were treated with resorbable mesh plate through subciliary or transconjunctival incisions. Pure blow-out fractures were determined in 6 patients and 11 patients had accompanying maxillofacial fractures. Resorbable plate was easily shaped to fit to the orbital floor by cutting with scissors. Patients were evaluated clinically and with computed tomography scans preoperatively and at 3-, 6- and 12-month intervals postoperatively. Twelve patients had preoperative enophthalmos. Two patients had diplopia that was corrected postoperatively. In all 17 cases there was no evidence of infection, diplopia and gaze restriction postoperatively. Scleral show appeared in three patients by the second postoperative week but resolved totally within 3 to 6 weeks except one patient. In this patient anterior displacement of mesh was evident which caused ectropion and enophthalmos and required re-operation. No any other mesh related problems were seen at 15 months mean follow-up time. The advantage of the resorbable mesh system in orbital floor fracture is the maintenance of orbital contents against herniation forces during the initial phase of healing and then complete resorption through natural processes after its support is no longer needed. Our experience represents that resorbable mesh is a safe and effective material for reconstruction of the selected, non-extensive orbital floor fractures.

Although the psychological aspect of the rhinoplasty operation has been a subject of interest for a long time, with the exception of a few studies, sociological factors have been almost totally ignored. In this prospective study the personality characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds of 216 rhinoplasty patients were evaluated. Between 1994 and 2000, a questionnaire and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were given preoperatively to 157 females and 59 males. The MMPI was also given to age-matched people as a control. Six months after surgery, patients were called on the telephone and asked to rate their satisfaction. According to questionnaire, a great majority of the rhinoplasty patients were young, unmarried women with high education levels. In the rhinoplasty group, one or more scales of the inventory were not in the normal ranges in 45% of the patients, whereas this proportion in the control group was 28% (p < 0.01). When MMPI results are considered, female patients of this study could be described as egocentric, childish, highly active, impulsive, competitive, reactive, perfectionistic about themselves, talkative, and emotionally superficial. Male patients could be described as rigid, stubborn, over-sensitive, suspicious, perfectionistic, pessimistic, over-reactive, and having somatizations. Tension and anxiety with feelings of inferiority were found to be characteristics of the male patients. The satisfaction rate after six months was reported as 72%. There was no significant correlation between MMPI results and demographic variables, nor satisfaction rate. In conclusion, the rhinoplasty patients in our study are young people at the very beginning of their careers. It could be that their personalities and socioeconomic backgrounds combine to make aesthetic surgery rewarding enough, both socially and personally, to encourage them to follow through.