Ibuprofen is at least as effective as acetaminophen with codeine for postoperative pain control in children after tonsillectomy.

No abstract

uring the past 20 years, a variety of alloplastic materials have been introduced for chin augmentation. Mersilene mesh (Ethicon, Sommerville, NJ), introduced in 1950, demonstrates many qualities that make it an ideal implant. This article reviews the senior author's (S.W.P.) successful 14-year experience using Mersilene mesh chin implants. Between 1983 and 1997, 264 patients underwent chin implantation procedures. The results show a low rate of infection (0.8%) and displacement (1.5%). There were 14 temporary paresthesias and no cases of permanent anesthesia. There were no incidences of absorption, rejection, or extrusion. Mersilene provides a soft, natural appearance to the chin, and it continues to be our choice for chin implantation.

t has been a decade since the development of fractional lasers. 1 The concept of fractional laser resurfacing was first developed from lasers for hair transplantation. These lasers were used to make tiny 1-mm scalp wounds for placement of grafts. 2 Although there may be controversy over use of lasers for hair restoration, it was readily apparent that the small laser wounds healed quickly with minimal scarring. This led to fractional laser studies by Manstein et al 1 at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. Initially, they evaluated the use of groups nonablative laser "microspots" as an alternative to resurfacing or using nonablative devices to treat a broader area.From this concept, the first nonablative fractional laser, the Fraxel (Reliant Technologies Inc [now Solta, a subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals]), was developed. 1 This laser emits a 1550-nm wavelength, which is highly absorbed by water. As a nonablative laser it creates hundreds of microscopic columns of thermal injury. These have been called microthermal zones. Circumferentially surrounding each of these zones is unlasered tissue, which contributes to the rapid healing. After treatment, reepithelialization typically occurs within 24 hours.With nonablative fractional laser treatments, patients often experience mild erythema, which resolves within a week. Makeup can be applied shortly after treatment. The mild swelling that does develop resolves in a few days, and there is minimal downtime.Studies 1,3 demonstrated rhytid reduction as well as improved skin texture and skin tightening. In addition, the adverse effect profile was much improved compared with traditional laser resurfacing. Nonablative fractional technology expanded the potential suitable candidates for laser treatment. Owing to the longer wavelength of this laser, there is less melanin absorption. This allows treatment