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.