Application of Fillers in Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgeries are increasing in popularity at the expense of more invasive and radical surgeries. This trend is especially prevalent in facial plastic surgery; since our patients are not actually sick and are seeking quality-of-life improvements, minimizing downtime and risk is very desirable. For these reasons, the number of neurotoxin and filler injection procedures performed has grown exponentially over the past 10 years. In select cases, among some practitioners, nonsurgical filler rhinoplasty has become an option. Filler rhinoplasty is defined as the use of filling materials––including autogenous and synthetics––to correct cosmetic defects and/or to improve the nasal contours without surgical incision. Injectable filler rhinoplasty may also be used to treat contour irregularities and asymmetries following surgical rhinoplasty or trauma. Since 1980s, many types of dermal filler materials have been commercially available worldwide. Although the FDA indications for the majority of these compounds are the correction of nasolabial folds and lip augmentation, these fillers are often used for off-label facial treatments including tear trough correction, cheek augmentation, acne scars, and now rhinoplasty. Dermal fillers have been used for primary rhinoplasty as well as for the repair of postsurgical rhinoplasty defects. Following surgical rhinoplasty, contour irregularities may be present in different nasal regions, and a variety of surgical and nonsurgical techniques may be used to repair the deformities.