Twelve Steps to Optimize Scar Outcomes in External Rhinoplasty.

A well-healed scar extends beyond a mere superficial concern, reflecting the precision and care underlying the surgery. This study addresses the lack of recent literature on the complete closure technique for external rhinoplasty scars, emphasizing its potential impact on patient satisfaction and overall aesthetic quality. The main purpose of this article is to introduce and assess the efficacy of a novel closing suture technique for external rhinoplasty and emphasize on twelve specific steps for wound closure. A cohort of 104 patients, who underwent external rhinoplasty utilizing the proposed closing suture technique were evaluated. Standardized photographic documentation and scar assessment were performed using the Vancouver-Manchester scale, considering notching, skin level differences, pigmentation, and overall appearance. The surgical approach involved a combination of vertical mattress and interrupted simple sutures, creating an effective closure framework. Analysis revealed an absence of poor scars, with 83.6% classified as good. 65.5% of the good scars achieved a perfect 6-point score. While one moderate scar scored 3 points, the majority demonstrated optimal outcomes. Clinical photographs further illustrated the technique's success, showcasing imperceptible scars and reinforcing the efficacy of the complete closure approach. Our study introduces and assesses the efficacy of the complete closure technique for external rhinoplasty scars. The approach consistently yields positive outcomes, with an emphasis on almost imperceptible scars. While not achieving a 100% imperceptible scar rate, this study underscores the need for ongoing research to refine techniques and enhance patient satisfaction in external rhinoplasty. The proposed technique contributes significantly to scar management practices and encourages further exploration within the evolving landscape of rhinoplasty.

Apaydin Classification of Spreader Flaps Updated.

The use of spreader flaps (SFs) is very helpful in middle vault reconstruction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the versatility of Apaydin classification of SFs on a patient population. This was a retrospective analysis which included 120 rhinoplasty cases. Thorough preoperative planning adhering to precision profileplasty principles was conducted for all patients. The study employed six primary variants of SFs. SFs' types were utilized as follows: type 1 in 41 patients (34.2%), type 2 in 2 patients (1.7%), type 3A in 38 patients (31.7%), types 3B and 3D in 10 cases each (8.3%), type 3C in 2 cases (1.7%), type 4 in 5 cases (4.2%), type 5 in 7 cases (5.8%), and type 6 in 5 cases (4.2%). This study highlights that different SF techniques should be tailored according to the need of the patient when dealing with middle vault reconstruction during reduction rhinoplasty.

Effect of Dorsal Preservation Techniques on Septum Strength: An Experimental Animal Study.

This experimental animal model study investigates the impact of different methods employed in preservation rhinoplasty (PR) on the strength of the nasal roof, focusing on three techniques: high strip, low strip, and intermediate strip. Using 15 lamb heads as surgical models, the study addresses key questions related to the strengths of each PR techniques, the influence of septal cartilage harvesting on septum strength, and the effectiveness of spreader grafts for stability. The research involves detailed dissection steps and measurements at various nasal points, evaluating the resistance at each stage. Results indicate that the low strip technique demonstrates the most significant reduction in strength. Furthermore, the combination of PR techniques with structural grafts, specifically spreader grafts, is assessed, revealing the classical rectangular spreader graft to be more effective in stabilizing the dorsum. Despite the limitation of using the lamb heads as models, this study offers valuable insights into the effects of PR on nasal septum strength and provides a foundation for further research on the biomechanics of preservation techniques.

ChatGPT and Rhinoplasty Recovery: An Exploration of AI's Role in Postoperative Guidance.

The potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care have garnered significant interest in recent years. This study presents the first published exploration of ChatGPT, an AI language model, as a tool for providing postoperative guidance during rhinoplasty recovery. The primary objective was to shed light on the role of ChatGPT in augmenting patient care during the critical postoperative phase. Using the Rhinobase database, standardized questions were formulated to evaluate AI-generated responses addressing pain management, swelling, bruising, and potential asymmetries. Results demonstrated that ChatGPT has the potential to enhance patient education and alleviate emotional distress by providing general information and reassurance during the recovery process. However, the study emphasized that AI should not replace personalized advice from qualified health care professionals. This pioneering investigation offers valuable insights into the integration of AI and human expertise, paving the way for optimized postrhinoplasty recovery care.

Effectiveness of ChatGPT in Identifying and Accurately Guiding Patients in Rhinoplasty Complications.

Postoperative complications in rhinoplasty require prompt intervention for optimal outcomes. ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, offers potential for assisting in postoperative care.This study aims to assess ChatGPT's effectiveness in providing guidance for various rhinoplasty complications.Different complication scenarios were input into ChatGPT. Responses were categorized into "Contact Surgeon" or "Follow Postoperative Instructions."ChatGPT consistently advised immediate surgeon contact for infection. For other complications, it recommended monitoring and adhering to instructions while suggesting surgeon contact if concerns persisted.ChatGPT shows promise in aiding patients' postoperative care by accurately identifying cases necessitating communication with surgeons or emergency care. This research underscores AI's potential in enhancing patient-centered care and contributes to the evolving landscape of health care practices.

Standardizing Septocolumellar Sutures: A New Practical Classification.

The septocolumellar sutures are very helpful to obtain planned rotation and projection. The goal of this study is to revitalize the septocolumellar techniques described before and present an easy new classification for these sutures, and to present their multiple uses on the same patient as a new option for surgeons. Eighty patients were involved in this retrospective study. All the patients were females except one. A detailed preoperative preparation was performed on all patients by following the principles of precision profileplasty. In this study, five main types of septocolumellar sutures were used. Type 4 septocolumellar suture was used in 39 cases, type 3 in 33, type 2 in 22, type 1 in 5, and type 5 in 2 cases. In 21 cases, more than one suture was used. In conclusion, the new practical classification presented in this study gives the surgeon powerful tools to reshape the tip during surgery.

Paramedian Forehead Flap in Large Nasal Skin Defects: Twenty-years' Experience.

Objective: Skin cancers occur most commonly in the head and neck region where the nose is the most commonly affected unit. The nose is the part of the face that is most exposed to trauma, sunlight, and other environmental factors. From the aesthetic and functional point of view, reconstruction of the defects occurring after skin cancer removal creates a great challenge for the surgeon. In this retrospective study, we present the success rates achieved in the past 20 years with paramedian forehead flaps used for repairing large defects of the nose. Methods: The study included 62 patients who underwent paramedian forehead flap due to nasal skin tumor [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] in Ege University Faculty of Medicine Otolaryngology Department between 2000 and 2020. Data on follow-up time, patients' age and gender, defect sizes, and tumor types were obtained retrospectively from patient files, histopathologic examination results and patient photographs. Additional diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease that could affect flap success, were noted. Results: Out of 62 patients 29 (46.8%) were female and 33 (53.2%) were male. Their mean age was 61.4 (range: 46-88) years. Mean follow-up period was 125.6 (8-244) months. Of the 62 patients 33 (53.2%) were operated on for BCC and 29 (46.8%) for SCC. Four patients (6.5%) had recurrences during their follow-up. There was no loss of the paramedian forehead flap. Conclusion: Paramedian forehead flap is a reliable option in the reconstruction of larger defects of the nose even in smokers and elderly patients who have comorbid diseases.

Biomechanics of Septal L-Strut on Lamb Head Models.

It is very crucial to know the biomechanics of the septal cartilage and adjacent structures during septoplasty. The aim of this study was to investigate the strength changes of different L-strut models after mucoperichondrium elevation, application of septal extension grafts and spreader grafts on an experimental lamb model. Ten lamb heads were dissected according to a dissection protocol and septal resistances were measured with the newton meter at six zones. Three different L-strut types were designed, and all the L-strut models were created at different widths of 15mm, 10mm, and 5mm. In addition, effects of two different types of septal extension grafts and spreader grafts were compared. After mucoperichondrium elevation and harvesting the septum cartilage, there was a significant decrease in the septum resistance (p <0.05). As the width of the L-strut decreased, the septum strength decreased significantly (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between three chondrotomy types at different widths (p >0.05). There was no significant difference between the overlapping SEG and end-to-end SEG in terms of septum resistance (p >0.05). This was the first study to measure septal resistance in lamb heads. The mucoperichondrium and L-strut width were important structures for maintaining septal resistance. Chondrotomy style was not crucial, but as the width of the L-strut increased, the septal resistance increased. The septal extension grafts regardless of suturing style and the spreader grafts added strength to the caudal septum.

Assessment of Different Middle Vault Reconstruction Techniques in Rhinoplasty from Multiple Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

It is important to assess the patient satisfaction with shape and function by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following structural or dorsal preservation rhinoplasty (DPR) techniques on the middle nasal vault. To analyze the results of different middle vault rhinoplasty techniques with multiple PROMs and compare their differences according to the findings of PROMs. Four different techniques were performed for the middle vault: spreader graft, L-strut graft, DPR with high strip (DPRwHS), DPR with low strip. The outcomes were evaluated preoperatively, 2 and 12 months postoperatively with the following PROMs: Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation, and Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey. This study included 129 patients. All techniques provided significant improvements in all PROMs (p < 0.001), except DPRwHS in NOSE. Between postoperative short- and longer-term, no significant differences were observed in DPR groups (p > 0.05), unlike structural techniques. In this comparative study of different middle nasal vault rhinoplasty techniques, we did not detect a difference in the improvement of the patient-reported outcomes of DPR techniques from as early as 2 months to 1 year postoperative.

Cartilage Chips in Rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: This study reveals that the cartilage chips can be a good solution for camouflage and augmentation in rhinoplasty. METHODS: In this study, 64 patients who had undergone rhinoplasty from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively studied. The average age was 31. Forty-nine patients had primary and 15 revision rhinoplasties. Cartilage chips were cut into less than 0.5-mm thickness dimensions changing from 2 to 10 mm. They were used to fill deep radix, depressions at the key area, supratip area, around the grafts to prevent their visibility at the tip. In addition, they were used in the fascia for augmentation. The cartilage chips were sculpted from the septal cartilage in 47, rib in 16, and ear cartilage in one case. RESULTS: They were applied on the radix in 25, middle vault in 37, supratip area in 32, and on the tip in 12 cases. In 30 cases, cartilage chips were mixed with cartilage dust for better fixation and camouflage. They were placed in the fascia in three cases for dorsal augmentation. Complications were seen in three cases in the form of irregularities. CONCLUSION: Cartilage chips are found to be a powerful solution in terms of camouflage and augmentation.

Lamb Head as a Training Model for Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty.

Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are difficult operations to learn and teach. Many modalities have been proposed to make the teaching process of these operations easier. In this study, it was investigated if lamb heads were good training models to teach septoplasty and rhinoplasty to trainees or experienced surgeons. In the first part of the study, 21 lamb heads were dissected according to a dissection protocol and several anatomical distances were measured to compare them with human cadavers. In the second part, eight lamb heads were dissected and different preservation rhinoplasty techniques were practiced. The study on 21 lamb heads used showed that the lateral crura were 17.8 × 11.6, the average interdomal distance was 8.1 mm, and the average domal width was 3.7 mm. The average length of the upper lateral cartilages was 31.1 mm laterally and 21.2 medially. The average length of the nasal bones was 63.9 mm, and the width was 16 mm. In the second part of the study, 8 lamb heads were used to experience where high-strip techniques were used in 5 and the Cottle technique in 3. This study revealed that lamb heads should be considered as an excellent training model for septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Its very low cost, ease of availability, and close similarity to the human cadavers can be counted as the main advantages. This study also proved that it was not only a tool for beginners, but also a very helpful tool for experienced surgeons to try new methods.

Which Lighting Option Is the Best for Photography in Rhinoplasty?

Photography for preoperative analysis and follow-up is indispensable for the facial plastic surgeon. The use of strobe flash units, light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, and their position related to axis of the patient can affect the nasal contours and nasal measurements. The aim of this study was to compare the rhinoplasty pictures taken under three different lighting settings and two different positioning at 30- and 45-degree angles, and with direct measurements taken by caliper from the subjects. Standardized rhinoplasty pictures from 10 patients were taken in frontal view in a studio. These pictures were taken under three different lighting settings: built-in flash of the camera, two strobe flashes, and two LED continuous lights placed at 30 to 45 degree angles to the patient. All the pictures were uploaded to Rhinobase 2.0. In five subjects, direct measurements were done by using a Vernier caliper and compared with the computer measurements. In this study, when comparing the light sources and the angles without taking single flash into account, no relation was found between strobe lights at 30 and 45 degrees and between LED lights at 30 and 45 degrees regarding tip width, base bony width, dorsum width, interalar width, and nasal length. However, a statistically significant difference was found when the angle was changed from 30 to 45 degrees for tip width, interalar width and nasal length. The use of two LED continuous lights or two strobe lights in a studio setting has given similar results. Changing the angles of the light sources from 30 to 45 degrees affected only the tip width and the interalar width; otherwise the rest of the nasal measurements did not show any significant changes. The pictures taken at 45-degree angles to the subject showed the closest values to the direct measurements done on the patient.

L-Strut Graft: A Very Versatile Graft in the Management of Crooked and Traumatic Noses.

Importance: Numerous techniques have been described on the correction of nasal septum in crooked nose or badly deviated septum. To our knowledge, no previous study has been published solely on the value of using an L-strut graft for straightening the nasal septum. Objective: To investigate the use of L-strut graft technique for septal reconstruction in patients with a crooked nose or badly deviated septum. Design: A retrospective study was performed in patients with crooked nose or badly deviated septum who underwent correction by using an L-strut graft from the 1st of January 2000 to 1st of May 2019 at a tertiary referral center and a private hospital by the senior author. Intervention: All patients with crooked noses or badly deviated septums who underwent L-strut graft repair were taken into the study group. Main Outcomes and Measures: Straightening the deviated septum was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were getting rid of crookedness: mean deviation angles and distances from the midline in perioperative/postoperative pictures in three main landmarks: rhinion, supratip, and tip; and resolution of presenting symptoms of nasal obstruction. Results: One hundred nineteen patients were included: 65 men and 54 women (mean age 30.7 years). Septorhinoplasty was performed in 71 and septoplasty in 48 cases. The material for L-strut graft was cartilaginous in 100, bony cartilaginous in 11, and bony in 8 patients. The pictures of 21 rhinoplasty patients (10 women and 11 men; mean age 33.48 years) were uploaded into Rhinobase 1.1 for measurements. There was a decrease in the mean and median values in all measurements from the midline between pre- and postoperative measurements. Conclusions: In selected cases of crooked and traumatic noses, the L-strut graft can be helpful to splint and correct the deviated L-strut framework and it can act as a caudal septal extension graft to support the tip.

Delayed Reconstruction with Full-Thickness Skin Grafts Following Defect Size Reduction in Head and Neck Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer.

Different treatment modalities have been applied for nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) of the head and neck area. One of the most important points after surgical treatment is the selection of appropriate reconstruction methods. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of the use of both defect size reduction with sutures and secondary healing with delayed reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts in NMSC patients. In total, 18 (42.8%) male and 24 (57.2%) female patients with NMSC were operated. Defect size was measured both after excision and just before repair, and the approximate defect area was calculated with ImageJ software. Reconstruction was performed after 14 days in all patients in the second session, using free skin grafts. There were 18 (42.8%) male and 24 (57.2%) female patients. The mean age was 70.5 (45-82) years. The mean follow-up period was 40.3 (16-68) months. The mean defect area measured after excision was 8.44 ± 1.91 cm2. After 14 days of delay, the mean defect area was 5.51 ± 1.28 cm2 (34.8% reduction) (p < 0.05). Defect-reduction methods applied during the first session, together with proper interval prior to placement of graft, have been shown to be beneficial and acceptable methods, providing an advantage in reconstruction with free skin graft.

Turkish Validation of the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey.

The objective of this study is to provide a valid and reliable Turkish version of the original Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). The SCHNOS questionnaire was translated from English to Turkish using standardized guidelines. Participants completed the questionnaire twice, with an interval of 7 to 10 days. Reliability and validity analyses were performed based on these answers. Differences between the rhinoplasty and control groups, the internal consistency of the instrument (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), and the strength of association between the two repeated measures (Pearson's correlation coefficient) were analyzed. Of the 188 included individuals (106 females, 82 males; mean age 28 ± 8.4 years), 97 were in the rhinoplasty group and 91 were in the control group. The mean total SCHNOS scores were 0.6 ± 0.4 and 29.4 ± 8.9 in the control and rhinoplasty groups, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference in total scores between the groups (p < 0.001). The internal consistency reliability of the scale was found to be highly significant (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96, with a lower 95% confidence interval of 0.89). The test-retest correlation value was 0.95 for the total score, and each item had a strong test-retest correlation, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96. The Turkish version of the SCHNOS is a valid and reliable scale for evaluating both functional and cosmetic outcomes in Turkish-speaking patients undergoing rhinoplasty.

Outcomes in Rhinoplasty.

In recent years, there is an increasing trend to use health-related quality of life questionnaires after surgical procedures. The idea is to prove the success of an operation by objectively measurable parameters. Rhinoplasty is by far the most frequently performed surgery of facial plastic surgery. One of the most difficult parts of rhinoplasty is to measure the outcomes after surgery. Rhinoplasty is a unique operation because the surgeon affects three aspects: shape, function, and psychology of the patient. In an ideal world, the surgeon should have objective means of screening that cover these three aspects before and after surgery to measure outcomes. The goal of this article is to review these tools and compare them.