Association of Nasal Tip Rotation Outcome Estimation With the New Domes Technique in Primary Rhinoplasty.

IMPORTANCE: The postoperative changes in the rotation of the nasal tip in rhinoplasty must be estimated for the surgical planning.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the outcome in the rotation angle of the nasal tip can be estimated in patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty with the new domes technique.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective analytic cohort study included 323 patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty with the new domes technique in a private clinic in Bogotá, Colombia, by a single surgeon from January 1, 2011, through January 31, 2016. Patients undergoing secondary rhinoplasty and those with less than 6 months of follow-up were excluded.

EXPOSURES: Primary rhinoplasty using the new domes technique.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Measurement of the rotation angle of the nasal tip before and 1 week and 6 months after surgery. The main variable taken into consideration was the measurement, in millimeters, of the lateralized nasal domes.

RESULTS: A total of 323 patients (288 women [89.2%] and 35 men [10.8%]; mean age, 27.8 years; age range, 13-70 years) were included in the study. The mean (SD) preoperative nasolabial angle was 92.7° (4.4°; range, 77°-107°); at 1 postoperative week, 105.5° (4.9°; range, 92°-120°); and at 6 postoperative months, 102.1° (4.6°; range, 90°-115°). The mean (SD) increase of the rotation that was achieved per lateralized millimeter was 3.6° (2.0°). The mean (SD) rotation angle at 6 months decreased to 3.4° (2.4°).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The new domes technique was reliable and reproducible in most patients. Despite the unpredictable inflammatory changes, the exact lateralization in millimeters with the new domes technique allowed precise estimation of the long-term outcome of the rotation of the nasal tip, enabling the surgeon to determine from the preoperative plan the definitive rotation angle of the nose.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.