Comparing Postoperative Taping vs Customized 3D Splints for Managing Nasal Edema after Rhinoplasty.

Background: Significant swelling after rhinoplasty can temporarily obscure results and lead to distress for patients and surgeons. We recently developed three dimensional (3D)-printed nasal splints that aim to protect the nose and limit edema by applying gentle compression. This prospective, randomized study compares postoperative nasal edema in patients being treated with traditional taping versus 3D-printed splints. Methods: Patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty (2019-2020) were randomized into two groups: taping versus 3D-printed splinting. For 12 weeks, patients either applied steri-strips to the dorsum and tip, or used 3D-printed splints, which were based on nasal simulations. The percentage change in volume (cm3) was calculated for the total nose, dorsum, and nasal tip at various time points. Results: Nasal taping (n = 34) demonstrated a volume reduction of 4.8%, 9.9%, 10.0%, 10.3%, and 10.6% (compared with baseline) at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. In contrast, the resolution of swelling with 3D splints (n = 36) was 5.0%, 8.6%, 11.0%, 14.9%, and 15.1% at the same time points. Inter-group comparison showed that 3D splints led to significantly less edema of the total nose at 6 months and 1 year (P ≤ 0.05), as well as consistent reductions in the tip and dorsum, specifically (1 year, P ≤ 0.1, 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: 3D-printed splints after rhinoplasty leads to a significant reduction of edema, most noticeable at 6 months and 1 year. This study suggests that customized 3D-printed splints offer an effective clinical alternative to traditional taping to reduce postoperative edema after rhinoplasty.

Current Trends in Ideal Nasal Aesthetics Show Younger Patients Have a Preference Toward Longer Augmented Noses.

Background: Aesthetic norms fluctuate over time and often result in generational differences in preferred ideal nasal aesthetics. While some traditional concepts of the ideal nasal aesthetic have been suggested in our literature, there has been no study to date that has identified contemporary preferences across different age groups. Objectives: To understand the general population's current perception of ideal nasal profiles. Methods: Two-dimensional images of female noses (n = 10) of varying ethnicities were simulated to alter either the radix height or nasolabial angle (NLA) independently. Radix height was manipulated by increasing or decreasing the height by 5 mm relative to baseline. For NLA, 3 images were created with the following measurements: (1) 90°, (2) 100°, and (3) 110°. Groups were categorized by generation and age at the time of completing the study: Generation Z (Gen Z; age 18-23), Millennial 20s (age 24-30), Millennial 30s (age 31-39), and Generation X (Gen X; age 40-55). Each figure consisted of either 3 variations in radix height (n = 10) or 3 variations in NLA (n = 10). Within each figure, volunteers were asked to choose their preferred nose. Results: The younger generations, Gen Z and Millennial 20s and 30s, preferred a more augmented radix compared to Gen X which preferred a baseline radix height. Gen Z, Millennial 20s, and Gen X preferred a 90° NLA, while Millennial 30s preferred an NLA of 100°. Conclusions: The authors found that younger populations (Gen Z, Millennial 20s, and Millennial 30s) preferred a more augmented appearance to the nasal radix and, on average, a more acute NLA than published data suggest.

The Impact of Alar Flare Reduction Goes Beyond Just the Ala.

BACKGROUND: Alar flare reduction (AFR) is a widely used technique in rhinoplasty. Although the impact of AFR on the alar base has been well studied, its effect on the surrounding tissues is largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate the potential effect of AFR on the overall nasal and perinasal anatomy. METHODS: AFR was performed on cadavers ( n = 7) with sequential crescent-shaped alar excisions of 2, 4, and 6 mm. Two- and three-dimensional photographs were obtained at baseline and subsequent intervals. Analysis was performed with Adobe Photoshop and Vectra. Standardized landmarks were placed at the nasal tip point (NTP) and alar base point to quantify NTP vector distances, NTP surface distances, and alar crease angle. RESULTS: The surface and vector distances between the NTP and alar base point decreased for increasing AFR intervals. AFR created a surface decrease of 1.90 ± 1.60, 3.54 ± 1.85, and 4.91 ± 1.89 mm, respectively. AFR created a vector decrease of 1.50 ± 1.14, 2.83 ± 1.37, and 3.97 ± 1.38 mm, respectively. NTP projection decreased by 0.54 ± 0.31 mm for 6-mm excision. AFR led to cheek elevation of 0.87 ± 0.70, 1.25 ± 0.60, and 1.96 ± 0.48 mm, respectively. This alar crease elevation blunted the transition between the cheek and upper lip skin at the level of the alar rim with the angle of this transition increasing 26.62 ± 12.78 degrees from baseline to 6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional analysis demonstrates the influence of AFR on the alar base and surrounding perinasal contour. AFR results in nasal tip deprojection, alar crease elevation, and alar flare width narrowing. Further investigation into the impact of modifying the alar base on surrounding structures is warranted.

Three-Dimensional Perioral Assessment Following Subnasal Lip Lift.

BACKGROUND: The subnasal lip lift is a surgical technique that elevates the "lip line" (interface between vertical maxillary incisor height and upper lip) to achieve a more youthful aesthetic. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to offer the first ever definition, to their knowledge, of 3-dimensional (3D) changes to the upper lip due to subnasal lip lift. METHODS: A lip lift procedure was performed (on cadaveric samples) in a sequential manner from 2.5- to 5.0-mm intervals (n = 13). 3D photographs were taken with the VECTRA H1 system (Canfield Scientific, Fairfield, NJ), and 3D analysis was performed including vermillion height and width, philtral height, sagittal lip projection, vermillion surface area, and incisor show. A subset of samples (n = 9) underwent a modification of the technique by undermining the upper lip subcutaneous tissue off the underlying muscular fascia. RESULTS: Vermillion surface area (baseline range, 1.45-5.52 cm2) increased by an average of 20.5% and 43.1% with 2.5-mm and 5.0-mm lip lift, respectively. Anterior projection of the vermillion increased in all cases by an average of 2.13 and 4.07 mm at 2.5 and 5.0 mm, respectively. Philtral height decreased in all cases by an average of 3.37 and 7.23 mm at 2.5 and 5.0 mm, whereas incisal show increased on average of 1.9 and 4.09 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to our knowledge to define the 3D morphometric changes to the upper lip following subnasal lip lift. Quantifying these changes aids the surgeon in preoperative planning and guiding patient expectations.

3D Printed Surgical Guides Applied in Rhinoplasty to Help Obtain Ideal Nasal Profile.

INTRODUCTION: As computer simulation for rhinoplasty continues to rise, the technology's utility extends beyond increasing patient conversion. Virtual simulation of the surgical result can assist with surgical planning and intraoperative decision-making. 3D printed anatomic models or surgical guides based on 3D images may help align surgeons with their original surgical plan. This study aims to evaluate the utility of 3D printed surgical guides as an intraoperative tool to help establish dorsal height and tip position. METHODS: Patients undergoing rhinoplasty had preoperative virtual 3D surgical simulations performed. Simulations were used to create a 3D printed nasal kits containing ceramic models of the preoperative nose and simulated nose, sagittal contour guide, and customized postoperative nasal splint. Nasal guides were sterilized for continual intraoperative assessment of profile contour (i.e., dorsal height and tip position). Postoperative 3D images (1-3 months post-op) were then compared to preoperative simulations. The difference between z coordinates and y coordinates determined the difference in projection and rotation, respectively. RESULTS: Fifteen patients met inclusion criteria for this study. With the use of 3D printed surgical guides, the final tip position was on average of 0.8±0.7mm from simulated projection and 0.3±0.2mm from simulated rotation. Similarly, projection for the cartilaginous and bony dorsum was within 1.0±0.8 and 0.8±0.7mm of the simulation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Virtual simulation is useful in defining aesthetic goals preoperatively, but the potential clinical value extends beyond this. 3D printed rhinoplasty guides extend the simulation's utility to decision-making intraoperatively. This technology offers a novel medium for anatomic reference, which may improve adherence to desired aesthetic goals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .