The Application of Three-Dimensional Simulation Program and Three-Dimensional Printing in Secondary Rhinoplasty

In recent years, efficacy of 3-dimensional (3D) simulation, in preoperative planning of aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries and prediction of the postoperative result, has been reported in many clinical studies. Especially in rhinoplasty, it can be used not only for prediction the outcome but also for fabricating implants that will strictly match with the anatomical needs of patient.

A 30-year-old male after traffic accident visited emergency room complaining on painful swelling and contour deformity of nose. Under the diagnosis of nasal bone fracture and deviated nose, he had been admitted to our hospital. Considering his medical history of rhinoplasty, which was performed in the local aesthetic clinic 6 years ago, the authors decided to perform the operation with 3D simulation program and 3D printed implant. There were no specific complications, such as hematoma, infection, or necrosis. Patient was discharged on fourth postoperation day.

There is no doubt that creating an ideal dorsal aesthetic line is critically important in rhinoplasty. Therefore creating individual implants for certain patient's anatomical nasal structure is highly significant in the rhinoplasty. Although usefulness of primary rhinoplasty using patient-specific 3D implant is introduced in previous study, the authors successfully applied the patient-specific 3D implant to patient who has fracture of nasal bone and primary rhinoplasty history. It means that the patient-specific implants are stable and can be used not only in primary rhinoplasty patients but also for the patients who had primary rhinoplasty previously.