Spreader flaps do not change early functional outcomes in reduction rhinoplasty: a randomized control trial

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology

Background:

• Internal nasal valve collapse is a common rhinoplasty complication.
• Spreader grafts are the current gold standard for treatment.
• The spreader flap technique is a newer alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the spreader flap technique in a randomized trial.
• To compare the spreader flap technique with standard rhinoplasty procedures.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial comparing 32 patients using the autospreader (spreader flap group) with 34 controls.
• Acoustic rhinometry used preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively to measure nasal volume and minimal cross-sectional area (MCA).
• Patient subjective assessments of cosmetic satisfaction and nasal obstruction evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in MCA changes between the spreader flap and control groups (p = 0.50).
• No significant differences in subjective improvements for nasal obstruction (p = 0.68) or cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.38) between groups.
• The spreader flap group showed a slight increase in left MCA and a decrease in right MCA, with similar trends in the control group.

Conclusions:

• The spreader flap technique is a promising approach for middle nasal vault preservation in rhinoplasty.
• Further investigation is required to validate the long-term effects and clinical significance of the spreader flap technique.