Surgical rhinoplasty after prior hyaluronic acid based nose remodeling

Medical rhinoplasty by hyaluronic acid injection (HA) has become nowadays a common practice. The number of patients requesting surgical rhinoplasty and having already undergone one or more injections of HA is increasing. However, the literature lacks publications regarding the management of these patients.

The aim of this study is to discuss the management of patients who have been treated with previous nasal HA injections and who seek surgical rhinoplasty, and elaborate a treatment protocol and algorithm to standardize surgical plans.

We are reporting case studies based on our clinical experience. We also reviewed the literature to suggest perioperative management for rhinoplasty with previous HA injections.

Hyaluronidase injection preoperatively allows to carry out an accurate preoperative analysis of the nasal deformities to treat, in order to make an adapted treatment plan. Postoperative course is similar to other rhinoplasty cases without the use of this enzyme.

Hyaluronidase should be used in all patients with nasal injections of HA (unless contraindications), who are willing to undergo a surgical rhinoplasty. The operation can be undertaken at one-week interval as soon as the edema subsides and no further treatments are necessary.