Nasal tip bossae in rhinoplasty. Etiology, predisposing factors, and management techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To identify preoperative risk factors and surgical techniques that influence the risk of developing postoperative nasal tip bossae in rhinoplasty. A secondary objective was to review the characteristics, management techniques, and outcomes of those study patients with postoperative bossae.


METHODS
Univariate and multivariate analysis carried out in a case series.


METHODS
Private facial plastic surgery practice.


METHODS
All patients who underwent aesthetic nasal surgery that included surgical modification of the nasal tip, and in whom documentation was complete and photographic follow-up was available, were considered eligible. The study group consisted of 875 patients of whom 37 (4.2%) developed bossae postoperatively.


METHODS
Potential risk factors for postoperative bossae included age, sex, previous nasal surgery, preoperative tip asymmetry, preoperative lobular bifidity, preoperative bossae, skin thickness, surgical tip technique, use of columellar struts, columellar battens, lobular crushed cartilage grafts, and tip shield grafts.


RESULTS
In the univariate analysis, females, patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty, younger age groups (12- to 22-year-olds), thin skin, and widened interdomal distance (bifidity) were all noted to have moderate or strong associations with nasal tip bossae. In the multivariate analysis, the younger age group, thin skin, and bifidity were statistically significant and independently associated with nasal tip bossae, independent of the type of tip surgery. In addition, clinically relevant associations were noted in females and patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty. Recognition of risk factors, preventive measures, and treatment methods is recommended.
Department of Otolaryngology, Simons Center for Nasal and Facial Plastic Surgery, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Fla., USA.
G S
GS
Gillman
R L
RL
Simons
D J
DJ
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome