This research compares the efficacy of subcutaneous soft tissue and temporalis fascia in tympanic membrane grafting for large tympanic membrane perforations.

A retrospective cohort study compared tympanic membrane graft success rate and hearing outcomes in 248 patients who underwent tympanoplasty using subcutaneous soft tissue (n = 118) or temporalis fascia (n = 130) via the post-auricular approach.

Comparable results were observed in both groups. Tympanic membrane graft success rate was 98.3 per cent (116 ears) in the subcutaneous soft tissue group and 98.5 per cent (128 ears) in the temporalis fascia group. The rate of air–bone gap closure within 20 dB was 54.2 per cent (64 ears) and 60.0 per cent (78 ears) in the soft tissue and temporalis fascia groups, respectively (p = 0.360).

Subcutaneous soft tissue is a reliable and readily available tympanic membrane graft material in both revision and primary tympanoplasty for large tympanic membrane perforations.

To determine the length and position of a thyroidectomy scar that is cosmetically most appealing to naïve raters.

Images of thyroidectomy scars were reproduced on male and female necks using digital imaging software. Surgical variables studied were scar position and length. Fifteen raters were presented with 56 scar pairings and asked to identify which was preferred cosmetically. Twenty duplicate pairings were included to assess rater reliability. Analysis of variance was used to determine preference.

Raters preferred low, short scars, followed by high, short scars, with long scars in either position being less desirable (p < 0.05). Twelve of 15 raters had acceptable intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.

Naïve raters preferred low, short scars over the alternatives. High, short scars were the next most favourably rated. If other factors influencing incision choice are considered equal, surgeons should consider these preferences in scar position and length when planning their thyroidectomy approach.

A simple subcutaneous lesion such as an epidermoid cyst can present a challenge when located in the nasal tip, as regards aesthetic surgical management. Even when performed parallel to relaxed skin tension lines, a direct transcutaneous incision (commonly used for epidermoid cyst removal) distorts the nasal tip subunit, resulting in a conspicuous, disfiguring scar. This should be avoided, especially in children.

A 13-year-old girl was referred by her dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of a slowly progressive dermoid cyst located on the tip of her nose. The cyst was removed using a subcutaneous open rhinoplasty approach, leaving the aesthetic nasal tip subunit intact.

For aesthetic reasons, open rhinoplasty should be considered as a treatment option in patients with subcutaneous lesions in the nasal tip.