The objective of this study was to create a standardized regimen for preoperative and postoperative analgesic prescribing patterns in rhinoplasty. A prospective study including patients (n = 35) undergoing rhinoplasty by a single surgeon at a tertiary hospital was conducted. Patients were enrolled in this study from August 2018 to November 2019. Patients then completed a diary documenting pain scores and analgesic use for 14 days postoperatively. Patient demographics, complications, rhinoplasty technique performed, and medical history were noted. At the second postoperative clinic visit, the diaries were submitted and pill counts were conducted to ensure accuracy. A total of 23 patients completed this study. The average age of the cohort was 39.07 ± 15.01 years, and 48% were females. The mean number of opioids consumed was 6.15 ± 4.85 pills (range: 0–18). Females consumed an average of 7.2 ± 5.2 pills and males consumed 4.5 ± 3.96 pills. The mean number of acetaminophen and ibuprofen tablets consumed were 7.48 ± 8.52 pills (range: 0–36) and 10.83 ± 10.99 pills (range 0–39), respectively. No postoperative nosebleeds were reported. Males had significantly higher pain scores than females on postoperative days 1 to 8. The mean pain score for postoperative days 8 to 14 was less than 1. Linear regression analysis showed that there was no association between the rhinoplasty technique used and the number of opioids consumed. Rhinoplasty is typically associated with mild pain even when osteotomies are included with the procedure. Our results suggest that surgeons can limit rhinoplasty opioid prescriptions to around seven pills and achieve sufficient pain control in most patients. Preoperative counseling suggesting a low postoperative pain level and the encouragement of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use will help reduce the risk and misuse of opioid prescriptions.

Objective To compare financial impact between patients undergoing ambulatory (same-day discharge) vs overnight admission after total thyroidectomy while showing associated surgical outcomes. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center from October 2011 and July 2017. Methods Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy without concurrent procedures were selected for review. Demographics, comorbidities, admission status, postoperative outcomes including minor and major complications, charges, and costs were collected. Admission status was categorized as inpatient (admission to hospital ≥1 night) or outpatient (discharged from the postoperative recovery unit). Costs were obtained from all related hospital, clinic, and emergency department visits at the University of Alabama at Birmingham within 30 days of the original surgery. After statistical analysis, outcomes and costs were compared between inpatient and outpatient total thyroidectomy patients. Results Of 870 total thyroidectomy patients included for analysis, 367 (42.2%) met outpatient criteria. A total of 169 patients (19.4%) had a complication, and only hypocalcemia occurred significantly more in the inpatient group (14.3% vs 9.26%; P < .05). No complications occurred more frequently in the outpatient population. There were no mortalities. There was a statistically significant difference between the total cost of inpatient and outpatient thyroidectomies, with outpatient surgery costing on average $2367.27 less per patient ( P < .0001). Conclusion Outpatient total thyroidectomy can lead to cost reduction in highly selected patients who have few comorbidities while remaining safe for the patient.

A woman in her late 40s who works as a veterinary technician represented to the emergency department with increasing headache, confusion, neck stiffness, subjective fevers and distorted hearing 2 days after diagnosis of viral infection at an outside emergency department.Diagnosis of Pasteurella multocida was made from blood cultures and lumbar puncture. Intravenous ceftriaxone was administered for 21 days. By the time of resolution of acute meningitis, she had become completely deaf bilaterally. MRI revealed faint early ossification/possible labyrinthitis ossificans of the basal cochlea, which was confirmed on surgical exploration during the placement of cochlear implants bilaterally 42 days later. We discuss how the atypical features of this infection lead to diagnostic delay and high morbidity, the unique imaging/surgical findings resulting from the infection, and the clinical utility of early and bilateral cochlear implantation in this and similar cases.