Potential Risk of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Due To Traumatic Effect of Osteotomy in Septorhinoplasty Patients

Abstract

We investigated the effect of osteotomy on the vestibular system in septorhinoplasty patients and determined the potential risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in these patients. In the present prospective study, 47 primary septorhinoplasty patients were evaluated as the study group and 50 septoplasty patients as the control group. Osteotomy was performed in all septorhinoplasty patients. No hammer and osteotomes were used in the control group. All patients underwent static balance tests (tandem stance test, 1-leg standing test, and Romberg test), dynamic balance tests (tandem walking test and Fukuda test), positional balance tests (Dix-Hallpike test and supine roll test), head impulse test, and the adult dizziness handicap inventory (ADHI) preoperatively and during the first postoperative week. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of the static balance tests, dynamic balance tests, positional balance tests, or head impulse test results. The postoperative ADHI scores were significantly worse in the septorhinoplasty patient group than in the control group. Posterior semicircular canal BPPV was observed in 2 patients in the septorhinoplasty group but none in the control group. BPPV is one of the possible early postoperative complications of rhinoplasty. In patients with vertigo after rhinoplasty, surgeons should evaluate the semicircular canals using the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll tests. To avoid the traumatic effect of osteotomy reflected on the inner ear, attention should be given to the applied force, and sharp osteotomes should be used.