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Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

DEPARTMENT

DIVISIONS
Audiology
Facial Plastic &
Reconstructive Surgery
Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
Laryngology
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Rhinology & Sinus Surgery
Speech-Language Pathology

EDUCATION

PATIENT SERVICES

THE BLUEGRASS

Clinical Faculty Research Faculty Residency Clinics

OTOLARYNGOLOGY FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY: PROCEDURES

BOTOX INJECTIONS
Are you afraid of surgery? Are you tired of seeing those frown lines in the mirror? Then Botox injections may be what you need. Botox is a simple, relatively easy procedure which injects this material into the muscles of the face to partially weaken muscles and relax the wrinkles. This causes the skin to flatten out and the wrinkles may completely vanish. The injections last 4-6 months and may need to be repeated at that time. Pricing varies with the amount of Botox needed and the areas to be injected. The procedure takes between 5 and 15 minutes and is done right in the office.

CHEEK IMPLANTS
High cheekbones are a hallmark of youth and beauty. Cheek implants can be used to help you attain the look that you have always wanted. In addition, cheek implantation can be combined with facelift surgery to create a more youthful appearance.

CHIN SURGERY
Chin surgery is useful for correcting disharmony in the lower portion of the face. A strong chin is considered attractive and a sign of intelligence, particularly in men. However, most patients who are candidates for chin augmentation complain of a nose that is too large in proportion to the rest of the face. The reason for this is that most people do not see themselves in profile, and are unaware that enhancement of the chin in combination with nasal surgery will give them the facial balance they seek. Chin augmentation can be achieved by the use of implants, or by advancement of the inferior portion of the lower jaw (genioplasty). Sculpting of the lower jaw can be performed for limited reduction of a chin that is too prominent.

COLLAGEN INJECTIONS
Collagen injections are used to reduce the appearance of facial lines and scars. They can also be used to create fuller lips. The effects of collagen injections are not permanent because the body absorbs the injected collagen over time. This absorption usually takes about three months. Prior to treatment with collagen, patients require skin testing to make sure that they are not allergic to collagen. This testing usually takes one month. The cost of collagen injections varies according to the amount of collagen used.

LIPS
Fuller lips are en vogue as a sign of beauty. In addition, thin lips are a sign of aging. Many models and actresses enhance their lips with the use of collagen injections or surgical augmentation.

EAR SURGERY
Otoplasty is a procedure used for correction of ear deformities. Specifically, it is used for repositioning protuberant ears and for correction of misshapen ears. Ears can also be reduced in size. Otoplasty is recommended for younger children who often suffer emotional trauma from teasing. However, adults can benefit from otoplasty as well. Otoplasty can improve self esteem by making one less self-conscious.

EYELID SURGERY
Drooping of the upper eyelid and fullness of the eye region can cause a person to look older. In some patients, excess drooping of the upper eyelids can cause loss of vision. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) involves removal of excess eyelid skin and repositioning of the protruding fat. Laser resurfacing can be combined with eyelid surgery to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles around the eyes. Patients with drooping upper eyelids may also benefit from a brow lift, as descent of the brow will also contribute to fullness of the lids. Other complementary procedures, such as facelift surgery, can increase the success of this procedure.

FACELIFT
Facelift is useful for rejuvenation of the lower and midface. It is used to correct jowls, sagging cheeks, and turkey gobbler deformities in the neck. The facelift is performed through an incision just in front of and behind the ear. Specific facelift techniques and results vary from patient to patient depending on the degree of aging, the facial regions affected by the aging process, and other physical characteristics. The facelift is almost always accompanied by facial liposuction to remove unwanted fat deposits. Cheek and chin implants can also improve a facelift result in some patients. Complete facial rejuvenation consisting of facelift, eyelid surgery, browlifting, and skin resurfacing is recommended to give the face a refreshed, natural and unscarred appearance.

FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Facial reconstructive surgery involves the repair of traumatic facial lacerations and the repair of skin defects following removal of skin cancers. It also includes the setting of facial bones following facial fractures and grafting of facial tissues following extensive loss of tissue due to trauma or removal of tumors in the head and neck. Facial reconstructive surgery also encompasses the secondary treatment of post traumatic facial deformities including scar revision, facial implants, treatment of keloids, and resetting of facial bones.

FOREHEAD AND BROW LIFT
Drooping of the eyebrows is one of the earliest signs of aging. Descent of the eyebrows can result in an angry, tired, or sad expression. Descent of the brows can also contribute to loss of vision in some patients due to overhanging eyelid skin and headaches. There are many techniques for correction of drooping brows depending on hair loss patterns and patient preference. Endoscopic browlifts are popular because of the short recovery period needed. Browlifts are often performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery or facelift surgery to create a more harmoniously rejuvenated appearance. Schedule a consultation to see which browlift method is right for you.

NASAL SURGERY: COSMETIC AND FUNCTIONAL
The nose is the most defining characteristic of the face, and slight changes in the nose can affect one's appearance significantly. We perform surgery for both cosmetic and functional nasal problems. Rhinoplasty is the surgical art of changing the shape of the nose. This involves elevation of the nasal skin and reshaping of the nasal cartilages and bones. Often, rhinoplasty will result in a more attractive and harmonious balance to the face. Rhinoplasty results vary from patient to patient depending on age, skin texture, bone and skeletal structure, and other individual factors. At times, rhinoplasty must be combined with other procedures, such as chin surgery, to achieve an aesthetically balanced facial appearance. Rhinoplasty is useful for correcting posttraumatic nasal deformities, though these are more difficult to correct due to scarring. Patients with nasal breathing problems may also benefit from correction of internal nasal deformities. This corrective functional nasal surgery can usually be combined with rhinoplasty. Internal nasal deformities can contribute to recurrent sinus infections and headaches.

SKIN RESURFACING
Premature wrinkling of the skin is more prevalent now than ever because of active outdoor lifestyles. Skin resurfacing is the practice of ablating the outer layers of the skin to allow regrowth of new, smoother, healthier, younger looking skin. It is useful to reduce fine wrinkles and age spots and to improve the appearance of scars. Skin resurfacing can be performed with dermabrasion, chemical peels, and/or lasers. The cost of resurfacing depends on the amount of skin to be treated and the treatment method used. Light chemical peels are relatively inexpensive, and provide a refreshed look to the skin; they are recommended for acne-prone skin.

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Page last updated Monday, September 12, 2011