Nose surgery and the vomeronasal organ

Abstract

The latest reports on the anatomical and functional characteristics of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) are evaluated. The high incidence of identification of the vomeronasal organ in normal individuals indicates that the vomeronasal organ in normal individuals indicates that the vomeronasal system is a universal feature of the adult human nasal cavity. Evaluation of the neuronal connections between this organ and the central nervous system shows that the VNO is a functional chemosensory system with sexually dimorphic specificity and the ability to transduce signals that modulate certain autonomic parameters. The presence of the VNO and its clinical significance must be considered by plastic surgeons during nasal operations.

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“…The data obtained by us are superimposable to those reported in the international literature 37,38,39 . In particular, the percentages of finding the vomeronasal organ are very similar to those reported by Stoyanov 37 on the Bulgarian population, while Garcia-Velasco 38,39 in 1991 finds the vomeronasal organ in almost all the cases observed considering that among the cases in which the anatomical structure had not been highlighted, were many cases with septal deformities; after surgical correction of the septal deformity in almost all these cases it was possible to find the vomeronasal organ. In our experience we did not find any difference between preoperative and postoperative findings probably because the preoperative investigation performed with flexible endoscope is already sufficiently accurate and allows the vomeronasal organ to be identified even when it is hidden behind the nasal septum deformity that prevents its vision with the naked eye.…”

“…Electrical burning of nasal varices in this area should be limited and pinpointed as far as possible to avoid direct lesions of the vomeronasal organ. During a septoplasty the approach to this area must be as conservative as possible following an essentially extramucous technique as suggested by Garcia-Velasco 38,39 ; this allows not only to avoid injuries in the region of the vomeronasal organ which is often present even when clinically not visualized, but also to reduce the risk of iatrogenic perforations of the nasal septum frequently found especially in this area especially if the technique is not sufficiently delicate and conservative. Endoscopic septoplasty 45,46 allows an even more conservative approach to septal deformity, allowing its correction with less morbidity and a lower risk of lesion of the vomeronasal organ.…”

“…Various Authors 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36 have written case studies on the epidemiological distribution of the vomeronasal organ in the context of populations of various ethnic groups, with overlapping overall results; among these, Stoyanov 37 in 2016 studied the incidence in the Bulgarian population by analyzing a series of 966 rhinopharyngoscopies and highlighting the presence of the vomeronasal organ in 26.83% of the subjects examined. Garcia-Velasco 38,39 studied the incidence on a Mexican population of 1000 patients in 1991.…”

Anatomical evidence for an endocrine activity of the vomeronasal organ in humans

“…The presence of a human VNO in the developing fetus is well known. In spite of many years of research, the existence, location and functions of this organ in human adults is a matter of discussion (Nakashima et al, 1985; Garcia‐Velasco and Mondragon, ; Boehm and Gasser, ; Garcia‐Velasco and Garcia‐Casas, ; Berliner et al, ; Kjaer and Fischer‐Hansen, ; Jahnke and Merker,1998; Monti‐Bloch et al, ; Won et al, ; Zbar et al, ; Bhatnagar and Smith, ). Similar controversial reports regarding its persistence after fetal development have been published but the VNO is now known to exist in adults (Johnson et al, ; Bhatnagar and Smith, ).…”

Μορφολογική Μελέτη Της Εμβρυογένεσης Και Λειτουργικής Εξέλιξης Του Οσφρητικού Αισθητηριακού Συστήματος

“…Στον άνθρωπο είναι αρκετά εμφανές στην εμβρυϊκή ζωή, ωστόσο πρακτικά υποστρέφει έως και εξαφανίζεται στους ενήλικες. Εάν αναγνωριστεί κατά την διάρκεια ρινοχειρουργικής επέμβασης, είναι καλό να διατηρείται 106,107 .…”