Aumento do radix e da ponta na percepção de redução da convexidade do dorso nasal (GIBA)

Abstract

The systematic use of aesthetic rhinoplasty began with Jaques Joseph (end of sec XIX). It was a reducing model, which lasted for decades. As a result, there were various functional and aesthetic consequences, leading to the search for a more structured alternative. However, there is still resistance to augmentation techniques, in part for the fear of going against the patient’s ideal, which is a small and delicate nose. However, it is known that increasing the radix may cause an apparent reduction in nasal base and that increasing the chin may cause an apparent reduction of nasal projection. However, these observations have not been tested in specific studies yet. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that radix and tip augmentation procedures can cause the impression that there was a reduction of the nose, despite the augmentation. Methods: The sample consisted of 9 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with aesthetic purpose, with dorsal convexity at its proximal or middle area, who underwent radix and tip grafts and did not require further surgery. There were two subsequent phases. In the virtual phase, the shape of the preoperative nose was subjected to increasing radix and tip without any reduction procedure, through imaging software. The nine before and after pictures were presented to six examiners blinded to the methodology (total of 54 ratings) and they rated the modified images in one of five categories: -2 (much smaller than before); -1 (a little smaller than before); 0 (the same size as before); 1 (slightly bigger than before); 2 (much bigger than before). In the real phase of the study, the intervention consisted in rhinoplasty (the same patients) with radix and tip grafts and some other maneuvers required in each case. Evaluations followed the same method, but each patient evaluated their own results after three months of surgery. In addition, patients completed a questionnaire for assessment of satisfaction with the nose (ROE). Results: Virtual phase. There was an average increase of 6.5% in the size of the nose between the pre and the post intervention (p = 0.001). There was perceived decrease of size in the majority of cases (p = 0.004). Twenty four percent of evaluations indicated category (-2) and 44% indicated (-1). Real phase. There was an average increase in nasal dimensions (1%), however, this increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.392). There was perceived reduction (p = 0.004). The level of patient satisfaction with the nose had an average increase of 344%. Conclusions: The correction of the nasal dorsum, even with increased