Comparison of Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty Techniques: Functional and Aesthetic Review of Subdorsal Septal Strip Methods.

Abstract

Objective: To compare subdorsal strip excisions in patients undergoing dorsal preservation (DP) rhinoplasty using patient-related outcome measures (PROMS). Methods: Patients were treated from 2020 to 2022 using the modified subdorsal strip method (MSSM) or Z flap approach. A two-sample t-test determined whether there was a difference in functional and aesthetic scores using the NOSE, Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), SCHNOS, and ESS scales. Results: Seventy-one primary rhinoplasty patients met inclusion criteria at 12 months with an average age of 23 years (62 female, 9 male), with 35 (49%) undergoing the MSSM technique, while 36 (51%) receiving the Z flap. PROMS at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were compared. The average preoperative and postoperative NOSE score was 9.36 and -4.4 (standard deviation [SD] 3.1, p < 0.001). The average preoperative SNOT-22 score was 23.9 and -16.4 (SD 10.2, p < 0.001). ESS scores was average was 6.2 and -1.6 (SD 3.2, p = 0.01). The average SCHNOS total, functional, and cosmetic scores were 27.6 (6-47), 8.2 (0-20) and 18.7 (0-37), respectively, and -5.7 (SD 8.2, p < 0.001), -5.73 (SD 6.24, p < 0.001), -18.1 (SD 9.7, p < 0.001). No significant complications were found and no difference in PROMs among groups. Conclusion: There was no difference in septal strip techniques as evaluated by PROMS.