The Role of Triamcinolone in Postrhinoplasty Recovery: A Systematic Review

Postoperative edema and fibrosis are key concerns following rhinoplasty, affecting outcomes and patient satisfaction. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is used for its proven anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, usage profile, and safety of TA injections after rhinoplasty, focusing on postoperative edema and supratip fullness.

A systematic review was conducted via PubMed and the Cochrane Database to identify studies on corticosteroid injections after rhinoplasty, following PRISMA guidelines and predefined selection criteria.

Nine studies were included in the analysis. These studies focused on the postoperative use of TA after rhinoplasty and assessed their impact on key outcomes, such as edema reduction, fibrosis control, and the improvement of supratip fullness following rhinoplasty.

TA injections were consistently associated with a significant reduction in postoperative edema and the incidence of pollybeak deformities. Current evidence supports the subcutaneous administration of TA at a 10 mg/mL concentration, initiated no earlier than 4 weeks following rhinoplasty. Injections are typically delivered at 4 to 6 week intervals, with a maximum volume of 0.3 mL per session, for a total of two to four administrations, depending on clinical response. TA showed a consistent safety profile with mild and infrequent side effects. Effects appeared within 7 to 14 days and lasted approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

TA is an effective adjunct in the postoperative management of rhinoplasty, particularly in patients with thick or reactive soft tissue envelopes. Standardized, personalized protocols are needed, along with better studies and objective outcome tools.