A Comparison of the Aesthetic Appeal and Functional Consequences of Spreader Flaps and Grafts in Patients with Humps Larger than Three mm

Abstract

Introduction: Rhinoplasty is the effective procedure for altering and reconstructing the nose. In many cases, surgeons use a spreader graft to prevent nasal airway obstruction in nasal hump reduction. There are limitations related to using the spreader technique. The aim of this study was to compare the aesthetic appeal and respiratory effects of using and not using spreader (graft or flap) in patients with rhinoplasty with humps larger than three mm.

Methods: This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study population consisted of patients who had undergone rhinoplasty from 2019 to 2021. Sixty patients were randomly divided into two control groups (spreader graft and spreader flap) and one non-intervention group (no spreader). The research recorded the patients' satisfaction with aesthetic appeal and respiratory function in 2-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Results: The intervention type had no effect on rhinomanometric indices, cottle sign, obstruction, restriction and satisfaction with nasal respiratory function in 2-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. However, there was a significant difference between control and non-intervention groups in terms of frequency distribution of satisfaction with nasal beauty (P <0.05). Fifteen percent of the patients in the spreader graft group, 20% in the spreader flap and 70% in the non-intervention group were totally satisfied with the aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion: Compared to using a spreader, not using it in the rhinoplasty in patients with humps larger than three mm could increase satisfaction from nasal surgery.