Effectiveness of Isotretinoin Administration in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of isotretinoin use in patients with thick nasal skin to improve rhinoplasty outcomes. Methods: The Population Intervention Comparison Outcome framework was utilized for selecting relevant studies for review. The databases of Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Central, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in June 2024. Original research in adults (≥18 years) who underwent rhinoplasty and administered Isotretinoin pre- and/or postoperatively was included. Case reports, case series (<5 patients), and other letters were excluded. Results: This review identified, 3 (50%) retrospective studies and 3 (50%) randomized controlled trials on the topic. Although four studies demonstrated an improvement in patient's aesthetic satisfaction up to at least 6 months after rhinoplasty, only two studies without control groups, demonstrated a sustained improvement in patient's aesthetic satisfaction up to a year postoperatively. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the effectiveness of isotretinoin in rhinoplasty though promising could not be determined due to inconsistent use of treatment protocols, outcome measures, control groups, and long-term follow-up.