Examining Preoperative Expectations and Postoperative Satisfaction in Rhinoplasty Patients: A Single-Center Study

Preservation Rhinoplasty Versus Structural Rhinoplasty in Dorsal Hump Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Background: A systematic comparison between the preservation rhinoplasty (PR) and the conventional structural rhinoplasty (SR) technique for hump nose correction is still lacking. Objective: To compare among patients undergoing rhinoplasty for dorsal hump correction using structural versus preservation techniques, as measured by functional and cosmetic patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases using medical subject heading terms. Among patients undergoing dorsal hump reduction, we analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PR and SR to assess functional and cosmetic satisfaction using the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey, and the visual analogue scale. Results: Among the 38 studies initially screened, four RCTs with 419 patients met the inclusion criteria. PR showed significant superiority over SR in both functional (standardized mean difference or SMD -0.317 [95% confidence interval or CI -0.509 to -0.124]) and cosmetic (SMD -0.460 [95% CI -0.851 to -0.069]) outcomes. Functional outcomes exhibited low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%), while cosmetic outcomes showed moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 67%). Conclusion: In this review, the data suggest that PR might provide both functional and cosmetic satisfactions in dorsal hump reduction compared with SR.

An Innovation Technique in East Asia Rhinoplasty

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application and therapeutic efficacy of a novel cartilage framework: the external septa framework in East Asian rhinoplasty.

METHODS

From November 2021 to April 2023, Department of Plastic and Aesthetic (Burn) Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, treated 41 patients with autologous costal cartilage rhinoplasty using an innovation external septal framework. The surgical open approach used an inverted V-shaped trans-columellar incision and marginal incision. The sixth or seventh costal cartilage was harvested to form the nasal columella support grafts (strut), external nasal septal graft, cap grafts, and shield grafts, in which the nasal column support graft and external nasal septal graft are connected in a way of tongue in groove to form a external septum framework to support and lengthen the tip. A cap graft is used to shape the tip of the nose, the rectus abdominis fascia is used to cover the tip of the nose, and the shield grafts are used to augment the inferior lobules. ePTFE was sculpted according to the degree of augment of the nasal dorsum and implanted on the dorsal to augment the nasal dorsum. Clinical outcomes were assessed through standard facial photographs taken during the preoperative and follow-up periods, and a postoperative satisfaction survey was completed with regular follow-up using the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation scale (ROE) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results of objective and subjective measurements before and after surgery were compared utilizing paired-sample t tests. Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. Nasal framework's objective evaluation outcomes were assessed by measuring the patients' preoperative and postoperative nasolabial angle, nasal length, and nasal tip projection. (The distance between the pronasale and the alar-cheek junction was calculated as the tip projection.) The comparison of preoperative and postoperative nasolabial angle and nasal length was performed using the paired-sample t test, and the comparison of nasal tip projection was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test for the comparison of paired samples. Values of P < 0 .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients were treated, including 9 males and 32 females, ranging in age from 17 to 48 years(32.8 ± 1.5 years old), In the study, an average follow-up period of 19.85 ± 4.88 months was observed (range 12-29 months). There was no long-term or short-term complication observed. The aesthetic outcome of all cases such as saddle nose, deviated nasal columella, bilateral asymmetry of the nose, bilateral nasal base depression, and bulbous tip was satisfactory. Patient satisfaction evaluation: The ROE scale was (11.85 ± 2.46) preoperatively and (17.43 ± 2.15) postoperatively. The VAS scores were (4.86 ± 1.60) preoperatively and (8.48 ± 1.25) postoperatively. The difference of ROE scale and VAS scores among the patients was statistically significant (P < 0. 05), and 88.9% of patients were satisfied following those procedures. In terms of nasolabial angle, preoperative and postoperative measurements of 41 patients were (86.11 ± 2.25)° and (98.66 ± 1.90)°, respectively, and the difference of nasolabial angle was statistically significant (P < 0.05); nasal length measurements were 39.43 ± 1.55 mm (37.95-43.51 mm) preoperatively and 42.17 ± 1.46 mm (40.23-45.62 mm) postoperatively; in terms of nasal tip projection, preoperative and postoperative measurements of median values were 1.84(1.73,2.01) cm and 2.15(2.02,2.32) cm, respectively; and the difference between preoperative and postoperative values was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The innovative cartilage framework-external septal framework, avoids the dissection of septa and absorption of septal cartilage with compression of ESG, it is easy to be performed, and it is also stable and strong to achieve in good aesthetic result.

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 the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors  www.springer.com/00266 .

Factors Associated With Outcomes of Facial Reconstruction After Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

To determine patient, defect, and surgical factors associated with facial reconstructive outcomes.

Methods

Post-Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) facial reconstructions performed at a single institution between 2015-2020 were reviewed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, defect characteristics, type and timing of reconstruction, and postoperative complications and revisions were collected. Data was analyzed with multivariable logistic regressions.

Results

245 defects in 220 patients (median age 66 years, 143 (65%) female) were included. Most were located on the nose (68%), and median size was 3.0 cm2 (IQR 1.32-7.5 cm2). Defect size over 10 cm2 (OR 5.176, 95% CI 1.353-19.808) and two-staged melolabial flaps (OR 4.021, 95% CI 1.525-10.603) were associated with complications after univariate analysis. Nasal tip defects (OR 2.324, 95% CI 1.076-5.019) were associated with minor revisions. Major revisions were associated with nasal sidewall (OR 2.873, 95% CI 1.125-7.336) and tip (OR 2.780, 95% CI 1.145-6.749) defects, ear cartilage grafts (OR 3.373, 95% CI 1.382-8.231), two-staged paramedian forehead flaps (OR 19.273, 95% CI 6.864-54.112), and delayed reconstruction over 14 days (OR 5.727, 95% CI 1.298-25.281). On multivariable analysis, defect size over 10 cm2 (aOR 4.972, 95% CI 1.286-19.073) and two-staged melolabial flaps (aOR 4.575, 95% CI 1.628-12.857) were independently associated with complications, while two-staged paramedian forehead flaps (aOR 14.421, 95% CI 3.976-52.310) were independently associated with major revisions.

Conclusions

More complex reconstructions with larger defects and interpolated flaps were associated with revision surgery and complications of facial reconstruction following MMS.

Turkish Translation and Validation of the Expectations of Aesthetic Rhinoplasty Scale

The aim of this study was to translate, validate, and culturally adapt the original English version of the Expectations of Aesthetic Rhinoplasty Scale (EARS) into Turkish for use in Turkish-speaking communities. Fifty-one patients who wanted to undergo primary rhinoplasty and were literate in Turkish were included in the study. The control group consisted of 81 healthy volunteers who did not require rhinoplasty. A Turkish version of the EARS (EARS-T) was created. The participants completed the EARS-T questionnaire twice, 4-week apart. The internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach's α), the test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and differences between the patient and control groups (Pearson's chi-square test) were analyzed. A statistically significant difference was found between the age and gender of the patient and control groups (p = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that this significant difference did not affect the study results (age: p = 0.2; gender: p = 0.12). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the scale scores of the control and rhinoplasty groups (all p < 0.05). The EARS-T had good internal consistency, with high Cronbach's α scores ranging between 0.74 and 0.87. Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by high ICC scores ranging from 0.71 to 0.87. Our study revealed that the EARS-T has good internal consistency, reliability, and validity. Therefore, it can be used to assess the expectations of aesthetic rhinoplasty patients in preoperative consultation practice and in clinical studies related to rhinoplasty.

An Audit of Outcomes in Cosmetic Rhinoplasty with the Mandatory Psychiatric Evaluation Protocol

With the high demand of rhinoplasty surgery, careful selection and management of aspirants, as well as proper assessment of outcomes after surgery, are imperative for achieving successful outcomes and learning from it. The aim of this study was to answer two important questions: (1) What is the success rate in cosmetic rhinoplasty? (2) How can we best identify candidates who would achieve good outcomes in cosmetic rhinoplasty? In this study cohort, we excluded patients with any functional concerns and confounding factors that could in any way influence patient satisfaction with a cosmetic surgery. This study is a part of the trilogy of articles on "psychology of rhinoplasty" submitted to this volume of Facial Plastic Surgery, using mandatory psychiatric evaluation (MPE) to optimize candidacy. In total, 184 patients (144 females and 40 males) aged 16 to 63 years (M = 31.09) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study (follow-up: 3-122 months; M = 70.18 months), and outcome satisfaction was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) score and a 5-point Likert scale. The mean improvement between preoperative (M = 4.26) and postoperative VAS scores (M = 8.47) was 4.23. Most patients were happy or very happy (95.1%) about the surgical outcome. Patients who were very happy generally scored between 8 and 10 on the VAS (77.2%) and those who were happy generally scored between 6 and 7.9 (21.2%). Some patients, however, were neutral (3.3%) or unhappy (1.6%) about their surgical outcome, and generally scored around ≤7 on the VAS. Although the successful outcome in 95.1% patients reflects a carefully designed protocol for rhinoplasty candidacy, 4.9% patients reported poor satisfaction despite these efforts. An ever-present proportion of unhappy outcomes is a reality of this popular surgery.

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Appalachian Patient Satisfaction in Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting both functional and aesthetic nasal deformities, addressing issues such as trauma-induced disfigurements and patient dissatisfaction with nasal appearance. Patient satisfaction is a critical outcome measure in rhinoplasty, reflecting the success of the procedure and the quality of care provided. This study investigates factors influencing patient satisfaction among Appalachian patients undergoing rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons, considering the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural populations. A modified Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation questionnaire was utilized to assess patient satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed to analyze demographic characteristics, complications, re-operations, and satisfaction scores among rural and urban participants. While no significant differences were found in demographic characteristics, trends in satisfaction scores suggest potential disparities between rural and urban populations. Rural patients exhibited marginally lower satisfaction scores and higher rates of complications and re-operations, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in rural healthcare settings. Addressing geographic barriers, enhancing preoperative education and postoperative support, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration are essential strategies to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes in rhinoplasty procedures, particularly in rural communities. Further research with larger sample sizes and qualitative methods is warranted to explore the underlying factors contributing to patient satisfaction disparities and to inform evidence-based interventions aimed at narrowing healthcare disparities and advancing health equity in rhinoplasty care.

Outcomes of Diced Cartilage Dorsal Augmentation in Dorsal Aesthetic Deformities

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of diced cartilage graft for dorsal augmentation in rhinoplasty. Methods: In a retrospective study, patients who underwent rhinoplasty with dorsal augmentation using diced cartilage graft from June 2017 to December 2021 were identified. Patients with complete preoperative and at least one postoperative Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey-Cosmesis (SCHNOS-C) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were included in the study. Postoperative periods were classified into ≤6 and >6 months. Mean preoperative outcome scores were compared with postoperative scores utilizing a Paired t-test, and postoperative scores were compared utilizing a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: A total of 71 patients with a median age of 36 years, range (18-74) fit inclusion criteria. Majority were female patients 49 (69%). The postoperative period ranged from 17 days to 3.5 years. The mean follow-up period (standard deviation) for ≤6 and >6 months was 2.8 (1.5) and 14.2 (6.3) months, respectively. A decrease in mean SCHNOS-C, SCHNOS item 8, and an increase in VAS scores (p < 0.0001) were seen at both postoperative time periods compared with preoperative levels. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that dorsal augmentation with diced cartilage graft is an effective technique in correcting dorsal aesthetic deformities.

Discrepancy of the subjective perception of the nasal appearance between independent individuals and patients undergoing functional rhinoplasty (fRPL)

PURPOSE

Satisfaction with the nasal appearance is a crucial outcome parameter in functional rhinoplasty (fRPL). The visual analogue scale is a suitable instrument not only for the preoperative patient assessment, but also as a patient-reported outcome measure in fRPL. In this study, we analyzed whether a high discrepancy in the preoperative subjective perception of the nasal appearance between patients and other individuals predicts a lower level of satisfaction with the postoperative result and hence a worse outcome of fRPL.

METHODS

Standardized facial pictures of patients (n = 80) who underwent fRPL were taken preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. In addition, patients were asked to complete the German version of the Utrecht Outcome Assessment Questionnaire in Aesthetic Rhinoplasty (D-OAR). The standardized facial pictures of the patients were presented to surgeons as well as to examiners without a medical background, and they were asked to evaluate the patients' nasal appearance using the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

The external evaluation of patient's nasal appearance was 1.7 points higher in median than the patient's subjective perception (range -5.7-7.00). A large discrepancy between self- and external estimation significantly correlates with higher D-OAR values (r = 0.539, p < 0.001). Patients with high scores in the D-OAR trick questions, indicating a body dysmorphic disorder, show a significant larger discrepancy between the external- and the self-assessment (2.8 ± 0.5 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3, mean ± SEM, p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Large discrepancies between the self and external assessment of the nasal appearance are associated with a high-perceived influence of the appearance of the nose on the quality of life in patients undergoing functional rhinoplasty. That might be an indicator for unrealistic expectations concerning the postoperative outcome. Knowledge about this factor helps to identify the need for intensive discussion about possibilities and limitations of the planned procedure to avoid postoperative dissatisfaction.

Patient Recovery and Satisfaction with Perioperative Care After Rhinoplasty

Background: Recovery after rhinoplasty is not well characterized in the literature. Objective: To quantify key aspects of patient recovery after rhinoplasty and characterize factors that may impact recovery and overall satisfaction with perioperative care. Methods: Prospective cohort study of rhinoplasty patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary referral center between January 2018 and January 2020, and completed a patient experience questionnaire at first postoperative visit. Results: Fifty-one patients underwent functional septorhinoplasty. Mean age was 37.8 years (standard error [SE] 2.4) with median 36.0 years (range 16-79). Fifty-three percent were female (n = 27). Patients resumed most daily activities within 4.1 days. Overall satisfaction with perioperative care was high (mean 9.6, SE 0.1), although 29% of patients (n = 15) wished they had more information regarding surgical care. Patients who did not desire additional information reported higher satisfaction and faster time to activity recovery compared with those who desired additional information. Conclusions: Rhinoplasty patients are able to resume most routine activities within 4.1 days after surgery, although patients desiring additional information about care demonstrate lower satisfaction with perioperative care and slower recovery compared to those who felt well informed.

Comparison of the Distribution of Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey Scores Between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients

Background: The Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS) is a validated patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates subjective cosmetic and functional complaints. The goal of this study was to compare scores between patients with and without nasal complaints. Methods: This is a retrospective review of SCHNOS-O (obstructive) and SCHNOS-C (cosmetic) scores in patients presenting for functional or cosmetic concerns between 2019 and 2020. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the score that best separated symptomatic from asymptomatic patients. SCHNOS scores were also subdivided to define severity of presenting complaints. Results: In total, 414 patients were included. A SCHNOS-O score of 40 differentiated patients with and without nasal obstruction. Patients may be categorized as having mild (<40), moderate (45-70), and severe (75-100) nasal obstruction based on the SCHNOS-O score. A score of 30 on the SCHNOS-C differentiated patients with and without aesthetic concerns. Patients may be categorized as having mild (<33.3), moderate (33.3-66.6), and severe (>66.6) aesthetic distress based on the SCHNOS-C. Conclusion: An understanding of SCHNOS scores that differentiate symptomatic for asymptomatic patients can aid in the preoperative evaluation of rhinoplasty patients.