Rate of elective cholecystectomy and the incidence of severe gallstone disease

Background

The use of elective cholecystectomy has increased dramatically following the widespread adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We sought to determine whether this increase has resulted in a reduction in the incidence of severe complications of gallstone disease.

Methods

We examined longitudinal trends in the population-based rates of severe gallstone disease from 1988 to 2000, using a quasi-experimental longitudinal design to assess the effects of the large increase in elective cholecystectomy rates after 1991 among people aged 18 years and older residing in Ontario. We also measured the rate of hospital admission because of acute diverticulitis, to control for secular trends in the use of hospital care for acute abdominal diseases.

Results

The adjusted annual rate of elective cholecystectomy per 100 000 population increased from 201.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 197.0–205.8) in 1988–1990 to 260.8 (95% CI 257.1– 264.5) in 1992–2000 (rate ratio [RR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.32– 1.38, p 0.001). An anomalously high number of elective cholecystectomies were performed in 1991. Overall, the annual rate of severe gallstone diseases (acute cholecystitis, acute biliary pancreatitis and acute cholangitis) declined by 10% (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88– 0.91) for 1992–2000 as compared with 1988–1991. This decline was entirely due to an 18% reduction in the rate of acute cholecystitis (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.80–0.84).

Interpretation

The increase in the rate of elective cholecystectomy that occurred following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1991 was associated with an overall reduction in the incidence of severe gallstone disease that was entirely attributable to a reduction in the incidence of acute cholecystitis.After the widespread introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1991, the rate of cholecystectomy in North America increased by 30% to 60%,^1,2,3 primarily because of higher rates of elective operations.¹ Although cholecystectomy is not ordinarily indicated in people with asymptomatic gallstones,^4,5 the decision to perform the procedure is highly discretionary.⁶ It is unclear whether the increased rate of elective cholecystectomy is due to overuse of surgery among people with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic gallstones, or whether more patients with clinically important gallbladder disease are willing to undergo cholecystectomy with the availability of laparoscopic surgery.^7,8Most cholecystectomies are done in people with uncomplicated biliary colic, the most common presentation of symptomatic gallstones.⁸ Severe complications of gallbladder disease, such as acute cholecystitis, acute biliary pancreatitis and acute cholangitis, are potentially life-threatening conditions that require hospital care. Greater use of elective cholecystectomy in people at risk of severe gallstone complications should result in a lower incidence of such complications. We sought to determine whether the increase in the rate of elective cholecystectomy was associated with a reduction in the incidence of severe complications of gallbladder disease.     

Has laparoscopic cholecystectomy changed patterns of practice and patient outcome in Ontario?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on patterns of practice (number of cholecystectomy procedures, case-mix and length of hospital stay) and patient outcomes in Ontario. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based time trends using hospital discharge data. SETTING: All acute care hospitals in Ontario where cholecystectomy was provided. PATIENTS: All 119,821 Ontario residents who underwent cholecystectomy between 1989-90 and 1993-94. After exclusions (initial bile duct exploration, cancer, incidental cholecystectomy, or missing codes for age, sex or residence) 108,442 patients remained. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of cholecystectomy procedures, proportion of patients with acute or chronic gallstone disease, length of hospital stay, and rates of death, readmission, and bile duct injury and other in-hospital complications after cholecystectomy by year. RESULTS: The number of cholecystectomy procedures increased by 30.4% between 1989-90 and 1993-94. The number of patients with chronic gallstone disease increased by 33.6%, and the number who underwent elective surgery increased by 48.3%. The proportion of procedures performed as LC increased from 1.0% in 1990-91 to 85.6% in 1993-94. Patients who received LC tended to be younger female patients with chronic gallstone disease with no coexisting conditions undergoing elective operations. The mean length of stay, adjusted for case-mix differences, was significantly lower in 1993-94 than in 1989-90 (2.6 days v. 7.5 days) (p < 0.05); the values for LC and open cholecystectomy in 1993-94 were 1.8 days and 7.3 days respectively. The decrease in the crude death rate over the study period (0.3% to 0.2%) was not significant (relative odds 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72 to 1.69). In 1993-94 the adjusted risk of readmission to hospital within 30 days was 1.38 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.58) as compared with 1989-90. Over the 5 years the rate of bile duct injuries tripled (0.3% in 1989-90 v. 0.9% in 1993-94). The adjusted risk of having at least one complication after cholecystectomy in 1993-94 was 1.90 (95% CI 1.75 to 2.07) as compared with 1989-90. CONCLUSIONS: LC has had a substantial effect on the number of cholecystectomy procedures performed, the type of patient having the gallbladder removed and the length of hospital stay. Death rates are unchanged, but the odds of readmission and in-hospital complications are both increased. Future research should be directed toward determining the reasons for the overall increase in rates, developing methods to reduce bile duct injuries and identifying other relevant outcomes, such as patient satisfaction with the procedure.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗高龄患者急性胆囊炎的临床观察

目的：探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗高龄患者急性胆囊炎的应用价值。方法：回顾性分析2005年1月．2011年12月我院收治的210例65岁以上因急性胆囊炎实施胆囊切除术的老年患者的临床资料,按手术方式分为腹腔镜组（LC组）和剖腹胆囊切除术组（OC组）,分析和比较两组患者的手术时间、术后肠功能恢复时间及住院时间,术中出血、腹腔引流量和术后并发症的发生情况。结果：与OC组比较,LC组的手术时间、术后肠功能恢复时间及住院时间均显著缩短,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;但两组之间术中出血、腹腔引流量和术后并发症的发生率差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。LC组中转开腹10例,占7_35％;其中粘连严重导致胆囊三角解剖不清6例,无法控制的出血2例,结石嵌顿胆囊管2例。结论：老年急性胆囊炎患者在条件合适的情况下行腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗有助于患者更快地恢复．具有较强的临床应用价值。     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a safe and effective treatment for severe acute cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severe acute cholecystitis. DESIGN--Analysis of data collected prospectively from a consecutive series of 350 laparoscopic operations. SETTING--Two general surgical units in a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--31 patients with a diagnosis of severe acute cholecystitis based on clinical examination, investigation results, and operative findings. INTERVENTIONS--Initial intravenous fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours of presentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Failure to complete the operation laparoscopically, length of postoperative stay in hospital, early postoperative morbidity, interval from operation to full activity, and return to work. RESULTS--Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 19 patients with empyema of the gall bladder and 12 who had severe cholecystitis which failed to settle on medical management. A total of 29 operations were successfully completed with two conversions to open surgery. Two minor postoperative complications occurred, and one case of retained common bile duct stones with jaundice was treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and papillotomy. Median postoperative hospital stay was two days, with return to normal activity in seven days and to work in two weeks. There were no deaths related to the operation. CONCLUSIONS--In the presence of severe acute cholecystitis laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible in most patients, with minimal risk of injury to surrounding structures and considerable benefits. It is recommended that laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be attempted in these patients when appropriate surgical skill is available.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术对急性化脓性胆囊炎患者血清SOD,MDA及肝功能的影响

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎的疗效及对患者血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)及肝功能的影响。方法:选择2014年9月至2016年9月我院接诊的92例急性化脓性胆囊炎患者,随机分为观察组(n=46)和对照组(n=46),对照组使用传统开腹式胆囊切除术,观察组使用腹腔镜下胆囊切除术。观察并比较两组患者的术中出血量、术后引流量、手术时间、术后排气时间及住院时间,治疗前后丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及丙二醛(MDA)水平,以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:观察组术中出血量、术后引流量少于对照组,手术时间、术后排气时间、排便时间、住院时间均比对照组短(P0.05);手术后,观察组丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)水平均比对照组低(P0.05);观察组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平高于对照组,丙二醛(MDA)水平低于对照组(P0.05);观察组术后并发症总发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性化脓性胆囊炎的效果显著,对患者肝功能损伤较小,术后并发症少,值得临床应用推广。     

The COVID-19 infection in children and its association with the immune system,prenatal stress,and neurological complications

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)” caused by the “severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” has caused huge losses to the world due to the unavailability of effective treatment options. It is now a serious threat to humans as it causes severe respiratory disease, neurological complications, and other associated problems. Although COVID-19 generally causes mild and recoverable symptoms in children, it can cause serious severe symptoms and death causing complications. Most importantly, SARS-CoV-2 can cause neurological complications in children, such as shortness of breath, myalgia, stroke, and encephalopathy. These problems are highly linked with cytokine storm and proinflammatory responses, which can alter the physiology of the blood-brain barrier and allow the virus to enter the brain. Despite the direct infection caused by the virus entry into the brain, these neurological complications can result from indirect means such as severe immune responses. This review discusses viral transmission, transport to the brain, the associated prenatal stress, and neurological and/or immunological complications in children.     

急性胰腺炎患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术的时机研究

目的:探讨急性胰腺炎胆囊切除术的有效性及时机。方法:分别对患有急性胰腺炎而进行腹腔镜胆囊切除的38例患者的临床信息进行了研究。结果:首先对38例病人进行了3~15天非手术的保守治疗,当临床症状和表征基本消失,血、尿中的淀粉酶接近正常水平时,进行胆囊切除。手术时间为30分钟到90分钟(平均时间60分钟),手术中无转化和严重并发症症状发生。对这38例病人随访6到56周后无复发现象发生。结论:当临床症状和表征基本消失,血、尿中的淀粉酶接近正常水平时,急性胰腺炎胆囊切除术是有效且可行的。在中国患有急性胰腺炎的患者中,进行腹腔镜胆囊切除的占50%~70%[1]。胆结石治疗取决于患者胰腺炎的严重性,及患者是否患有梗阻性黄疸。对于非梗阻性胰腺炎的患者,早期是否要进行明确的手术治疗尚无定论。我院患有急性胰腺炎的38例患者进行腹腔镜胆囊切除术(2004年2月到2009年4月之间)后取得了满意的效果。详情如下。     

急性胰腺炎患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术的时机研究

目的：探讨急性胰腺炎胆囊切除术的有效性及时机。方法：分别对患有急性胰腺炎而进行腹腔镜胆囊切除的38例患者的临床信息进行了研究。结果：首先对38例病人进行了3-15天非手术的保守治疗,当临床症状和表征基本消失,血、尿中的淀粉酶接近正常水平时,进行胆囊切除。手术时间为30分钟到90分钟（平均时间60分钟）,手术中无转化和严重并发症症状发生。对这38例病人随访6到56周后无复发现象发生。结论：当临床症状和表征基本消失,血、尿中的淀粉酶接近正常水平时,急性胰腺炎胆囊切除术是有效且可行的。在中国患有急性胰腺炎的患者中,进行腹腔镜胆囊切除的占50％～70％。胆结石治疗取决于患者胰腺炎的严重性,及患者是否患有梗阻性黄疸。对于非梗阻性胰腺炎的患者,早期是否要进行明确的手术治疗尚无定论。我院患有急性胰腺炎的38例患者进行腹腔镜胆囊切除术（2004年2月到2009年4月之间）后取得了满意的效果。详情如下。     

Gall stones in sickle cell disease in the United Kingdom.

The prevalence of gall stones was studied prospectively by abdominal ultrasound examination in 131 patients with sickle cell disease aged 10-65 years. Of 95 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease, 55 (58%) had gall stones or had had a cholecystectomy. Gall stones were present in four out of 24 (17%) patients with haemoglobin S + C disease and two out of 12 (17%) with haemoglobin S beta thalassaemia. The presence of gall stones was not related to sex, geographical origin, or haematological variables and was not associated with abnormal results of liver function tests. Symptoms typical of biliary colic were reported by 32 out of 47 adult patients with gall stones, and cholecystitis or cholestasis was diagnosed in 18. Cholecystectomy was performed in 29 patients with good relief of symptoms in most cases. Postoperative complications were common, occurring in 10 of the 28 patients who could be evaluated, but not generally serious; they were considerably lessened by a preoperative exchange transfusion that reduced the haemoglobin S concentration to below 40%. It is suggested that all patients with sickle cell disease should be screened for gall stones and that elective cholecystectomy should be performed in those with symptoms or complications.     

Cause of pain in patients surgically treated for cholelithiasis and post-cholecystectomy syndrome]

Cholecystectomy does not mean an end of all problems in every patients because some of operated patients continue to complain. Usually such complaints are called post-cholecystectomy syndrome. Eighty three patients, who underwent cholecystectomy were examined. Postoperative complications were excluded, and post-cholecystectomy syndrome diagnosed because of persisting complaints. Definite additional disease associated with gastric and duodenal disorders was found in about 50% of all examined patients (56 cases). In further 23 patients repeated diagnostic tests enabled to establish probable reason of the disorders. The studies have shown that disorders noted after cholecystectomy and termed as post-cholecystectomy syndrome are as much as in 63% of patients not related to previous surgery. Therefore, this widely used name should not be applied to all complaints following cholecystectomy, and attempts of finding other causes of the ailments including other organs diseases should be undertaken.     

Surgical Timing in Biliary Tract Disease

Based on 991 cases of biliary tract disease managed in a recent four-year period, the authors contrast an elective operative mortality rate of 0.6% against 4.4% for acute cholecystitis. Because in 21 of 28 patients with acute cholecystitis symptoms and signs subsided within 48 hours of conservative management in hospital, they recommend a two-day trial of conservative management for patients with acute cholecystitis and operation only for those who are not definitely improving under optimal conditions. The incidence and expected mortality from acute cholecystitis increased with age. Where possible, elective operation should be done when stones are first diagnosed because in patients over 65 years of age the rate of complications was four times and the mortality rate three times that in patients under 65. The incidence of cancer in cholelithiasis was sufficiently high that it is a significant factor in the consideration of prophylactic cholecystectomy. Patients with ruptured gall-bladders can present a trap for the unwary diagnostician; they should have minimal emergency surgery.     

Fever, frontal sinus mass, and CSF pleocytosis in a 44-year-old man

Intracranial complications arising from frontal sinusitis occur infrequently. However, they can progress with such rapidity that the clinical situation becomes far advanced before they are recognized. Radiographic imaging techniques may not be definitive early in the course of these complications. The infectious disease service was asked to evaluate a middle-aged man with acute global headache and nasal discharge for two weeks. CSF pleocytosis (3,600 WBC/mm3) was documented on lumbar puncture, and a dense mass was noted on sinus radiographs. At surgery, a large bony lesion was found extending from the right frontal sinus into the adjacent ethmoid sinus and nasal-frontal duct. The authors discuss the bacteriology, pathogenesis, and potentially serious intracranial and extracranial complications of frontal sinusitis which were considered during their evaluation of this patient.     

洗胃治疗急性重度酒精中毒的疗效观察

目的：观察洗胃治疗急性重度酒精中毒的临床疗效。方法：选择91例急性重度酒精中毒患者,入院前没有呕吐。入院后催吐无效,随机分为观察组42例及对照组49例;对照组常规治疗,观察组采用洗胃联合常规治疗;对比观察两组疗效。结果：观察组神志回复时间明显少于对照组,显著性差异（P〈0．05）,观察组出现7例并发症,对照组3例,两组并发症发生率比较,无差异显著（P〉0．05）。结论：洗胃治疗急性重度酒精中毒疗效好。     

Anesthetic implications of laparoscopic surgery

Minimally invasive therapy aims to minimize the trauma of any interventional process but still achieve a satisfactory therapeutic result. The development of "critical pathways," rapid mobilization and early feeding have contributed towards the goal of shorter hospital stay. This concept has been extended to include laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hernia repair. Reports have been published confirming the safety of same day discharge for the majority of patients. However, we would caution against overenthusiastic ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the rational but unproven assumption that early discharge will lead to occasional delays in diagnosis and management of postoperative complications. Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic surgery are mostly due to traumatic injuries sustained during blind trocar insertion and physiologic changes associated with patient positioning and pneumoperitoneum creation. General anesthesia and controlled ventilation comprise the accepted anesthetic technique to reduce the increase in PaCO2. Investigators have recently documented the cardiorespiratory compromise associated with upper abdominal laparoscopic surgery, and particular emphasis is placed on careful perioperative monitoring of ASA III-IV patients during insufflation. Setting limits on the inflationary pressure is advised in these patients. Anesthesiologists must maintain a high index of suspicion for complications such as gas embolism, extraperitoneal insufflation and surgical emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Postoperative nausea and vomiting are among the most common and distressing symptoms after laparoscopic surgery. A highly potent and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, has proven to be an effective oral and IV prophylaxis against postoperative emesis in preliminary studies. Opioids remain an important component of the anesthesia technique, although the introduction of newer potent NSAIDs may diminish their use. A preoperative multimodal analgesic regimen involving skin infiltration with local anesthesia. NSAIDs to attenuate peripheral pain and opioids for central pain may reduce postoperative discomfort and expedite patient recovery/discharge. There is no conclusive evidence to demonstrate clinically significant effects of nitrous oxide on surgical conditions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy or on the incidence of postoperative emesis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proven to be a major advance in the treatment of patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease.     

Common bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Ontario: Does ICD-9 coding indicate true incidence?

BACKGROUND: Recent reports in the scientific and lay press have suggested that bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are common in Ontario. The reports were based on administrative data collected by hospital medical records departments and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The current study involved a direct inspection of hospital records to determine if the CIHI data accurately captured the rate of clinically significant bile duct complications. METHODS: For the period 1991 to 1995, records of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were independently evaluated to clarify the clinical significance of the complications. Of 21 Ontario hospitals for which data on complications had been reported in the media, 18 provided detailed information on all patients reported to have suffered bile duct complications classified by the hospital as "major". In addition, each institution provided information on a random sample of one-sixth of the patients who had suffered complications classified as "minor". The reviewer then examined each relevant hospital chart to assess the grade and significance of the reported complications. RESULTS: All 24 bile duct injuries classified by the hospitals as "major" were confirmed as major (clinically relevant) injuries. Of the 80 bile duct complications classified by the hospitals as "minor", 76 (95%) were irrelevant to patient outcome. The discrepancy between data collected and reported frequency of injury lies in the use of nonspecific coding methods. INTERPRETATION: The rate of significant bile duct injuries cannot be inferred from nonspecific codes taken from the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, and presented in hospital discharge records. Therefore, such data must be interpreted with extreme caution.     

New methods of making blocked coronary arteries patent again.

The use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is limited by procedural complications and the serious drawback of restenosis, but some new techniques have been developed in an attempt to lower the complication rate for difficult lesions and reduce the rate of restenosis. These include devices to physically remove atheromatous plaque, such as the Simpson Coronary AtheroCath and the transluminal extraction catheter, as well as devices to ablate the plaque in situ, including the Rotablator and the excimer laser catheter. Although each device may have advantages in certain types of lesion, few data on their use have been reported in properly controlled randomised trials. The data available so far do not suggest that these devices will be safer than balloon angioplasty or that they will reduce restenosis. However, using metallic stents to support coronary arteries after balloon angioplasty seems to reduce acute complications and to lower the rate of restenosis, and the use of stents is likely to increase.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗胆囊结石合并急性胆囊炎的疗效及对免疫功能和生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：观察腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗胆囊结石合并急性胆囊炎的疗效及对免疫功能和生活质量的影响。方法：本次研究为回顾性研究,分析2018年3月~2021年3月期间我院收治的98例胆囊结石合并急性胆囊炎患者的临床资料,根据手术方案的不同将患者分为A组（n=46,给予开腹手术）和B组（n=52,给予腹腔镜胆囊切除术）,记录两组患者围术期相关指标、肝功能、免疫功能、生活质量和并发症发生率。结果：B组术中出血量少于A组,切口大小短于A组,手术时间长于A组,住院时间、首次排气时间短于A组（P<0.05）。两组术后3 d总胆红素 （TBIL）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）均升高,但B组低于A组（P<0.05）。B组术后3 d CD3⁺、CD4⁺、NK细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺高于A组（P<0.05）,B组术后3 d CD8⁺低于A组（P<0.05）。B组术后3个月健康生活量表简表（SF-36）各维度评分高于A组（P<0.05）。B组术后并发症发生率虽低于A组,但组间对比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗胆囊结石合并急性胆囊炎,虽然手术时间较开腹手术更长,但切口小、可促进患者术后恢复,对患者免疫功能、肝功能损害更轻,有利于提高患者生活质量。     

Complicaciones de la otitis media con parálisis del sexto par craneal contralateral en pediatría

Otitis media is a frequent infection during childhood. Complications may be present in up to 4 of 100 children including serious neurological complications, particularly in developing countries.We report the case of a 9-year-old girl with no disease history who presented with otitis media, otorrhea, intracranial hypertension syndrome, and paralysis of the VI cranial nerve contralateral to the lesion. A computed tomography scan of the skull and a brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed chronic otomastoiditis, petrous apicitis, and thrombosis of the transverse and sigmoid sinus, the jugular bulb, and the right internal jugular vein. She received antibiotics and surgical treatment.This case shows the spectrum of intra and extracranial complications associated with acute otitis media in the antibiotic era. The physical examination allows early identification of intracranial hypertension with signs such as papilledema and sixth contralateral nerve palsy as an unusual finding.     

Trends in management of acute cholecystitis.

A retrospective review has been carried out of the management of acute cholecystitis in one hospital from 1974 to 1978. The policies and outcome are compared with those of the same centre during 1953-62. In the intervening period there has been a move towards early cholecystectomy. Overall mortality has fallen from 7.7% to 1.6%. The results of early surgery are comparable with those of delayed operations. The data also compare favourably with those of controlled clinical trials and support the adoption of early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in routine practice. The saving of resources, however, may not be as great as is suggested by the results of clinical trials.     

Nasal surgery complications

This study examines the incidence of serious complications in nasal surgery and discusses the diagnosis and management of these complications. The authors review 259 consecutive cases performed between January 1, 1983, and August 31, 1988. One-hundred and ninety-five patients had septorhinoplasties, 29 had septoplasties, and 35 had rhinoplasties. Thirteen of these cases involved serious complications as follows: hemorrhage (5), perforation (4), infections (3), and pneumocephalus (1). All the patients with these serious complications had associated septal and/or turbinate surgery. The diagnosis and management of these complications will be discussed. In this small series of nasal surgery patients, the incidence of serious complications was 5.0 percent, with no fatalities reported. The higher incidence of serious complications occurred when associated septal and/or turbinate surgery was required. Awareness of these complications is essential because of the increasing number of patients presenting to plastic surgeons for nasal surgery in whom associated septal and/or turbinate surgery is necessary.