An Overview of Rhinoplasty Practices: European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, Collaborative Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Facial Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Rhinoplasty is a common procedure with varied techniques and indications.
• Understanding current practices is crucial for standardizing care and improving patient outcomes.
• A comprehensive overview of global rhinoplasty trends is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a broad overview of current rhinoplasty practices across Europe.
• To inform clinical decision-making and patient expectations.
• To identify trends in primary and secondary rhinoplasty, including surgical approaches and indications.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving European Academy of Plastic Surgery (EAFPS) members.
• Anonymous questionnaires collected data on rhinoplasties performed between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2022.
• Descriptive analysis of data from 115 surgeons across 33 countries, covering 41,259 procedures.

Main Results:

• 80% of procedures were primary rhinoplasties, 20% secondary. Open techniques were more common (65% primary, 56% secondary).
• Cosmetic and functional indications were combined in over 58% of primary and 59% of secondary cases.
• Revision rates were 5% for primary and 1% for secondary rhinoplasties, with dorsal asymmetry, nasal blockage, and tip dissatisfaction as key reasons.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the largest published rhinoplasty dataset, offering valuable insights into current practices.
• There is a need for enhanced pre-operative psychological assessments to minimize unsuccessful outcomes.
• Collaborative research in facial plastic surgery is powerful and should be encouraged for future advancements.