Effect of Nasal Soft-Tissue Envelope Thickness on Postoperative Healing Process Following Rhinoplasty.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Facial Anatomy

Background:

• Understanding nasal soft-tissue envelope (NSTE) dynamics is crucial for successful rhinoplasty outcomes.
• Postoperative changes in NSTE thickness can influence aesthetic results and healing.
• Limited data exists on the specific impact of NSTE thickness on edema and ecchymosis post-rhinoplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in NSTE thickness after rhinoplasty.
• To determine the effect of NSTE thickness on periorbital edema and ecchymosis.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasonography measured NSTE thickness (tip, supratip, rhinion, nasion) preoperatively and at 3 and 10 months post-surgery in 35 patients.
• Patients were grouped into thin and thick NSTE based on preoperative measurements.
• Periorbital edema and ecchymosis were assessed on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7.

Main Results:

• Thin NSTE group showed lower preoperative supratip and total NSTE thickness.
• Rhinion NSTE thickness peaked at 3 months in the thin NSTE group; nasion NSTE thickness peaked at 3 months and decreased by 10 months in both groups.
• Supratip fullness was more pronounced in the thin NSTE group.

Conclusions:

• Thin NSTE is associated with increased supratip fullness and early rhinion edema.
• While early rhinion edema is greater in thin NSTE patients, it persists longer in thick NSTE patients.
• NSTE thickness does not significantly affect the severity of periorbital edema and ecchymosis.