title: The efficacy of melilotus extract in the management of postoperative ecchymosis and edema after simultaneous rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melilotus extract has been used as a folk medicine in inflammation-related therapy. This study was undertaken to determine the potential benefits of this herbal extract in treating postoperative ecchymosis and edema after simultaneous rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Augmentation rhinoplasty and double-eyelid blepharoplasty were performed in one procedure by the same surgeon on 46 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative edema and ecchymosis were evaluated independently by two investigators checking the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, and paranasal area at postoperative days 1, 4, and 7. Our data showed that the patients receiving melilotus extract (n = 16) had lower scores not only in upper-eyelid and lower-eyelid ecchymosis, but also in paranasal ecchymosis at postoperative day 7 when compared with those in the control group. No significant difference in postoperative ecchymosis was detected in the group receiving dexamethasone treatment (n = 16) when compared with the control group (n = 14) at postoperative days 1, 4, and 7. The mean scores of upper-eyelid, lower-eyelid, and paranasal edema at postoperative days 1 and 4 were significantly lower in the group receiving dexamethasone treatment (n = 16) than that in the control group. Although the scores of eyelid edema reduction in the patients receiving melilotus extract showed no difference when compared with the control group, paranasal edema was reduced much more at postoperative days 4 and 7 when compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest the appropriate use of melilotus extract based on its beneficial effects on the postoperative results after simultaneous rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Fengzhi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Guo-Kang
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044466:Asian People; D019882:Blepharoplasty; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005143:Eyelids; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D029903:Melilotus; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012225:Rhinoplasty
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003907:Dexamethasone