Facial Plast Surg 2024; 40(05): 648-654
DOI: 10.1055/a-2235-7142
Original Research

Aesthetic Outcomes of Rhinoplasty Performed in the Early Posttrauma Period after Nasal Bone Fracture

Pei-Hsun Liao
1   Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2   School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
4   College of Pharmacy and Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
,
Junyong Go
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
,
Chak Yuen Fung
5   Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
,
Yong Ju Jang
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The optimal timing of rhinoplasty for patients with nasal bone fractures remains controversial. We investigated whether the timing of rhinoplasty after nasal trauma affects the aesthetic outcome of the procedure. A total of 41 adult patients with nasal bone fractures who underwent rhinoplasty between 2006 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to indicate the assessor's satisfaction with the surgical outcome after a comparison of the pre- and postoperative facial photographs of each patient. Of the 41 patients, 28 underwent rhinoplasty within 14 days after nasal trauma (early rhinoplasty group), whereas 13 underwent rhinoplasty more than 14 days after nasal trauma (late rhinoplasty group). The rate of receiving spreader and shield graft was higher in the late rhinoplasty group (p = 0.043 and 0.018, respectively). Patients with type IV or V nasal bone fracture and patients with preoperative saddle noses had higher VAS scores than those with types I to III fractures and those without preoperative saddle nose (p = 0.003 and 0.020, respectively). There was no significant difference in overall aesthetic outcome between the early and late rhinoplasty groups. Both groups achieved significantly better radix height, dorsal height, and tip projection after rhinoplasty. The aesthetic outcome of rhinoplasty performed in the early posttrauma period is comparable with that of rhinoplasty performed more than 2 weeks after nasal bone fracture. Rhinoplasty can be considered a safe surgical treatment option for nasal bone fracture, even in the early posttrauma period.

Level of Evidence: 4.



Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
27 December 2023

Article published online:
29 January 2024

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