Non-surgical rhinoplasty using polydioxanone threads.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effects of PDO threads non-surgical rhinoplasty on patients' quality of life (using FACE-Q Scale) and first impression assessments.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 10 adult patients who sought non surgical rhinoplasty to improve tip rotation or reduce the appearance of a dorsal hump. All patients fulfilled the study's enrollment criteria. Prior to treatment, patients completed pre-treatment FACE-Q surveys and pre-treatment photos were obtained. Each patient was treated with the appropriate size and number of PDO threads necessary to achieve optimal correction result (OCR). Two weeks after treatment, the patient completed posttreatment FACE-Q surveys and posttreatment photos were obtained and analyzed. First impression surveys were created using pre- and posttreatment photos, and the survey was completed by 146 blinded evaluators.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement in the FACE-Q scores for social function (p = 0.02), psychological function (p = 0.0009) and satisfaction with nose (p = 0.0001). There was significant reduction in scores for appearance related psychosocial distress (p = 0.03). For the first impression surveys, there was a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.029) in the attractiveness scale posttreatment. Although not statistically significant, there was reduction of the dorsal hump (p = 0.15) and increase in the nasolabial angle (p = 0.48) and Goode's ratio (p = 0.16). There were no major adverse events or complications.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that the PDO threads alone can be used safely to achieve minor nasal changes especially in tip rotation and appearance of dorsal hump, to improve patients' quality of life, and perceived attractiveness of treated patients.