Percutaneous rhinolift procedure for droopy tip

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology

Background:

• Droopy nasal tip (ptosis) can cause functional impairment, including nasal valve insufficiency.
• Existing surgical techniques often focus on cartilage correction, neglecting the skin envelope.
• The percutaneous rhinolift offers a simultaneous approach to both cartilage and skin in nasal tip ptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy of the percutaneous rhinolift procedure for isolated nasal tip ptosis.
• To assess the impact of the rhinolift on nasal obstruction symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen patients with nasal tip ptosis underwent the rhinolift procedure under local anesthesia.
• Nasal obstruction was evaluated using the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
• Preoperative, 1-month, 3-month, and long-term follow-up scores were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in NOSE Scale scores post-procedure (p < 0.001).
• Significant improvements were also noted in VAS scores post-procedure (p < 0.001).
• These improvements were sustained during long-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The percutaneous rhinolift is an effective method for correcting droopy nasal tips, particularly in cases with excess skin.
• It provides a conservative, cost-effective alternative to major invasive surgery.
• The procedure does not require general anesthesia, enhancing patient safety and accessibility.