Noses of the Middle East: Variety of Phenotypes and Surgical Approaches

Nasal Anthropometric Analysis in Turkish Rhinoplasty Patients

This study aimed to determine the mean values of the nasal anthropometric measurements through 2-dimensional photogrammetry in for rhinoplasty patients. The study group included 72 healthy individuals, 36 men, and 36 women. The patients were aged 18 to 42 years. All patients had undergone primary rhinoplasty in our clinic between 2013 and 2020. Seven landmarks were identified from the preoperative photographs taken with the patient's head in neutral position in the frontal and lateral planes. Five distances (total nasal length, nasal bridge length, morphological nose width, alar length, and nasal tip protrusion) and 2 angles (nasofrontal and nasolabial) measurements were calculated. We noted a statistically significant difference between the male and female sexes in terms of total nasal length and morphological nose width (P<0.05). The results were compared with the nasal anthropometric measurements reported in the literature for the Turkish population as well as other ethnic groups. We believe results of this study may facilitate preoperative planning in Turkish patients who request rhinoplasty and improve the success rate of the surgery.

Defining regional variation in nasal anatomy to guide ethnic rhinoplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been increasing focus on understanding nasal anatomy in ethnic populations and using it to guide rhinoplasty techniques in non-Caucasian patients. Many disparate groups have historically been inappropriately clustered based on geography. However, there has been little attention on describing regional differences within these populations.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. The search terms "African", "Asian", "Indian", "Middle Eastern", "Hispanic OR Mestizo", "rhinoplasty", "nasal", "anatomy", and "ethnic" were used in combination with the Boolean operators "AND" or "OR" to identify the initial search results. Papers were included if they originated from the specific geographic region of interest, if they specifically discussed patients of one particular nationality or sub-ethnicity, or if they discussed multiple anatomical subtypes within a specific ethnicity of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 81 papers were identified overall. The search identified 40 articles discussing Asian nasal anatomy, 8 articles discussing Indian nasal anatomy, 6 articles discussing African nasal anatomy, 9 articles discussing Middle Eastern nasal anatomy, and 19 papers discussing Latin American nasal anatomy. Numerous regional variants were described within each historic geographic phenotype. The majority of descriptions of Asian nasal anatomy were consistent with the classical definition, whereas nasal anatomy among the other ethnicities was more variable. Very little has been written about the geographic variation of nasal anatomy across the African continent. Several established sub-classification schemes exist for the Latin American nose.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the heterogeneity of ethnic nasal anatomy is critical for surgeons performing rhinoplasty on non-Caucasian patients.

An Evaluation of Racial Diversity in Craniofacial Surgery Literature

ABSTRACT

Implicit bias can lead to discrimination of certain populations within healthcare. Representation in medical literature is no exception and it is hypothesized that images with lighter skin tone are more prevalent than darker skin tones in craniofacial literature. Clinical photographs and figure graphics from 5 journals were examined for pre-defined years. Annals of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journals were reviewed. All craniofacial-focused articles containing at least one color image depicting human skin were included. 10,477 images and 627 graphics were evaluated using the Fitzpatrick scale as a guide. Most journals trended toward broader inclusion of nonwhite photographs and graphics over time. In 2016, 47% of articles published in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery included nonwhite images compared to Annals of Plastic Surgery (16%), Aesthetic Surgery Journal (40%), Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (25%), and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (7%). Comparison of domestic and international publications demonstrated that author's country of origin impacted the percentage of nonwhite clinical photographs for most journals. Comparisons of publications by country demonstrated increased diversity in Asia and the Middle East for clinical photographs but not graphics. The frequency of nonwhite figure graphics was staggeringly low, identified in only 18 articles across all journals and years. Craniofacial literature more commonly reflects white skin tones. The trend over time suggests increasing inclusion of racial diversity in clinical photographs; however, figure graphics remain less racially diverse. Time, country of origin, and publishing journal appear to play a role.

Alar Flare Preservation Using the Sandwich Technique as an Adjunct to Alar Base Reduction

Achieving an aesthetic balance and natural appearance when modifying soft tissues of the nasal tip, alae, and nostrils is fundamental to the success of rhinoplasty surgery. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of a simple “sandwich” technique combined with external alar base reduction to preserve the alar flare and achieve a natural and appealing alar contour.

Concepts of Facial Aesthetics When Considering Ethnic Rhinoplasty

Facial plastic surgeons must understand nasal aesthetics in the context of race, ethnicity, and culture. The lack of aesthetic norms and ideal standards in non-Caucasian patients and the variation in nasal anatomy and morphology among races can create a challenge in approaching ethnic rhinoplasty. Preoperative assessment of nasal and facial features that contribute to a nose that is unpleasing for a non-Caucasian patient cannot be based on neoclassical canons. This article describes the concepts of facial aesthetics important to approaching ethnic rhinoplasty. Understanding these features will allow the surgeon to achieve nasal symmetry and improved definition without effacing ethnicity.

Functional and Aesthetic Factors Associated with Revision of Rhinoplasty

Background

Surgical revision rate of rhinoplasty is from 5% to 15% in literature. The aims of our study were to define the rate and the predictive factors for surgical revision of rhinoplasty.

Methods

We have realized a single-center case/control study including 62 patients who underwent surgical revision among 732 patients who underwent closed rhinoplasty between 2005 and 2015. Data of each rhinoplasty were collected from medical records and photographs. Statistical analyses were used.

Results

The surgical revision rate was 8.6%. After multivariate analysis, 4 factors were statistically significant and independently associated with surgical revision: "preexisting respiratory functional disorder" [odds ratio OR = 3.30; 95% CI (1.47-7.76); P = 0.004], "wide nasal bone and side walls" [OR = 3.94; 95% CI (1.49-11.25); P = 0.007], "deviated nasal bone and side walls" [OR = 2.68; 95% CI [1.14-6.58]; P = 0.02] and the use of camouflage grafts [OR = 0.26; 95% CI [0.07-0.89]; P = 0.04].

Conclusions

Closed rhinoplasties have similar revision rate to open techniques. Revision surgeries are justified by functional or aesthetic disorders. The interests of this study are to better inform patients and to adapt operative management. We provide here some recommendations with focus on the keys to successful rhinoplasty surgery.