Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) without external immobilization and without internal packing: a review of 812 cases

External Splinting Is Not Mandatory After All Rhinoplasties: A Prospective Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Although casts or external splint materials are commonly applied on the external nose after rhinoplasty, their beneficial effects have not been previously demonstrated in controlled studies.

METHODS

A total of 40 adult patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty were included in this prospective study. The patients were randomized into 2 groups to use an external splint or not after surgery. Only surgical taping was applied to the nasal dorsum of the patients for whom external splints were not used. The periorbital edema and ecchymosis levels of the patients were recorded on the second and seventh days after surgery. Moreover, all patients had a computed tomography scan at the third postoperative week to measure the distance between the beginning of the osteotomy line on the right and left sides and the midline.

RESULTS

On the second and seventh postoperative days, the levels of periorbital edema and ecchymosis were significantly lower in the patients with taping than in the patients with splints (P < 0.05 for each). No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of the difference in the distance between the beginning of the osteotomy line on the right and left sides to the midline between the group with external splints and that with tape (P = 0.661).

CONCLUSIONS

External splinting may not be used in cases where osteotomy is not performed or in patients where the osteotomies are sufficiently stable. Thus, the disadvantages of external splinting are avoided, and at the same time, periorbital edema and ecchymosis are less common.

External Nasal Valve Repair in Children: Alar Batten Graft Reinforced by External Temporary Suspensory Suture

BACKGROUND

The nasal valve area is the narrowest point in the nasal airway. External nasal valve (ENV) collapse during inspiration occurs if external valve area is too narrow or its lateral component is too floppy.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Twelve patients (7 males, 5 females) aged 8 to 12 years complaining of nasal obstruction due to ENV dysfunction underwent surgical intervention using alar batten graft assisted by temporary external suspensory suture.

RESULTS

All patients showed subjective and objective improvement of the nasal airway. The mean Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) was 14 ± 1.71 before surgery and 7.83 ± 1.47 1 year after surgery (significant improvement, p ≤ .0001). The mean Peak Inspiratory Flow Rate was 29.92 ± 4.46 before surgery and 42.58 ± 4.93 1 year after surgery (significant improvement, P ≤ .0001).

CONCLUSION

External nasal valve collapse in children can be managed surgically by using alar batten graft. Temporary suspension suture can be helpful for supporting of the graft until complete healing occurs.

Do the Size and Extension of the External Nasal Splint Have an Effect on the Osteotomy, Brow Lines, and Long-Term Results of Rhinoplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of 2 Methods

PURPOSE

While performing a lateral nasal wall osteotomy during a rhinoplasty, an intentional fracture is produced and the fractured segments are medialized to narrow a wide nasal base. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of size, shape, and extension of the external nasal splint on the osteotomy, brow lines, and long-term results of rhinoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors designed a randomized prospective clinical trial. The study population was composed entirely of patients who were voluntarily referred to the authors' department from May 2012 to May 2013. They were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The primary predictor variable was splint type. For group 1, the external splint was extended beyond the osteotomy lines laterally and covered the overlying skin of the frontal process of the maxillary bone. For group 2, the external splint was trimmed above the osteotomy lines. The primary outcome variables were the levels of satisfaction with the dorsal esthetic lines, brow lines, and distinct osteotomy lines at 12 months after the operation. Demographic variables were gender and age. Mann-Whitney U test, χ(2) test, and t test were used to analyze the data. Results with a P value less than .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Forty healthy patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists status I and II; 18 men and 22 women; age range, 19 to 41 yr; mean, 31.4 yr) were selected. Although the level of satisfaction with the dorsal esthetic lines was higher in group 2, it was not significantly different from group 1 (P > .05). The levels of satisfaction with the brow lines and the distinct osteotomy lines were significantly higher in group 2 (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that when a nasal splint is extended beyond the frontal process of the maxilla rather than the base of the nasal bones, positioning of the bones and long-term results are unpredictable.

Assessment of mucosal changes associated with nasal splint in a rabbit model

INTRODUCTION

There is no consensus on duration of the nasal splint after nasal septum surgeries. The pressure of nasal splint on the mucosa may cause tissue necrosis and nasal septum perforation.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa caused by nasal splints in a rabbit model.

METHODS

No splint was used in group A. Bilateral silicone nasal splints were placed for five, ten, and 15 days in groups B, C, and D, respectively. Biopsy of the nasal mucosa was performed after removal of splint. Histopathologic evaluations were performed. The severity and depth of the inflammation were scored.

RESULTS

Group A had a normal histological appearance. Comparison of the results of groups B, C, and D with group A demonstrated statistically significant differences with regards to the severity of histopathological findings. There was no statistically significant difference between groups B and C. There were statistically significant differences between the groups B and D, and also between groups C and D.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer duration of nasal splint had a higher risk for septal perforation. Therefore, removal of the splint as soon as possible may be helpful for preventing potential perforations.

Internal lateral nasal osteotomy: double-guarded osteotome and mucosa tearing

For the internal lateral nasal osteotomy, a 4-mm double-guarded straight osteotome that separates the external periost and mucoperiosteum while the osteotomy is progressing is presented. Before the osteotomy, the external periost and the internal mucoperiosteum are infiltrated with local anesthesia and elevated by tunneling with an elevator. As the sharp part is behind the guards, it is not possible for the osteotome to slip away laterally or medially from the nasal bone. By tunneling just at the base of the nasal bones, arteries, veins, and lymphatics are preserved while the superior part of the external periosteum and the internal mucoperichondrium maintained the bones in a stable position with firm support to both sides. Forty consecutive rhinoplasties were studied with an endoscope. In 35 primary rhinoplasties the mucosa laceration rate was 1.5%, whereas in secondary rhinoplasties it was 80%. The approach to the piriform aperture was intranasal in the first 16 cases and intraoral in the last 24 cases. The intraoral mucosal elevation and osteotomy were easier to carry out than in the intranasal approach. In general, minor lower-lid edema and ecchymosis were observed, possibly related to the fact that the periosteum was elevated, thus preserving the supraperiosteal arteries, veins, and lymphatics. When the mucosa was elevated, the internal irrigation of the mucosa and the lymphatics was also preserved, thus avoiding intraoperative bleeding, intranasal packing, and postoperative bleeding.

Assessment of early post-operative pain following septorhinoplasty

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate pain incidence and intensity in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty, and to assess analgesic treatment effectiveness, in the first 7 days after surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective outcomes analysis using visual analogue scale assessment of pain intensity in the first 7 post-operative days.

SUBJECTS

Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study, 29 women and 28 men, aged 18 to 51 years. All were treated for post-traumatic deformity of the external nose and/or nasal septum, with either septorhinoplasty or septoplasty.

RESULTS

In the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, patients' mean visual analogue scale pain score exceeded the range denoting 'analgesic success', and showed considerable exacerbation in the evening. Patients' pain decreased to a mean score of 15.4 one hour after administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (metamizole).

CONCLUSION

Analgesia is recommended for all patients in the first 3 days after septorhinoplasty, especially in the early evening.

Nasal packs with X-ray indicators

Nasal packing is routinely performed by many surgeons following nasal surgery and is also frequently used for the treatment of epistaxis. The use of nasal packing, however, is sometimes associated with serious complications such as aspiration, bowel perforation, obstructive apnea, and hypoxia. This author has also once had the experience of losing a nasal pack during a procedure performed on a mentally impaired patient. If a nasal pack could be easily tracked by x-ray, treatment would be faster and easier. We now use x-ray indicators quilted into our nasal packs, which enable us to find the packs quickly and easily with plain x-ray film.

Nose surgery: how to prevent a middle vault collapse--a review of 50 patients 3 to 21 years after surgery

There is a conception, likely a misconception, that when performing a nasal osteotomy with a concomitant dorsal hump removal, the upper lateral cartilages are detached or damaged and, over the long-term, respiratory difficulties result because of a middle vault collapse or interference with the internal nasal valve. A follow-up of 50 patients between 3 and 21 years postoperatively provides evidence that this can be prevented. The vast majority (82 percent) reported they were breathing very well for an average of 6.5 years postoperatively. Of the authors' own 38 primary rhinoplasty patients, only two patients (5 percent) reported respiratory difficulties. The authors are unable to substantiate that either the osteotomy or the dorsal hump removal was responsible. Of the 12 patients who had their primary rhinoplasty performed elsewhere, six (50 percent) reported respiratory difficulties before the secondary rhinoplasty at this clinic. Furthermore, an appreciable improvement in breathing was reported by 66.7 percent of these patients after the secondary rhinoplasty. The authors conclude that their gentle proper surgical technique, combined with a good understanding of nasal physiology (with respect to the septum, inferior turbinates, and external and internal valves), allows them to perform a concomitant dorsal hump removal and osteotomy without interfering with nasal physiology.