title: Effect of nose skin on the columellar incision scar in a Turkish population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the causes of columellar scar formation in a Turkish population in relation to nasal skin thickness, texture, and type and discuss possible solutions for better results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otorhinolaryngology department of a tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The preoperative dermal thickness of 50 consecutive patients undergoing "external approach" septorhinoplasty was measured (using a 14 MHz ultrasound probe) at the midportion of the right and left nostril, tip, supratip, and columella. Surgery was performed using a middle columellar gullwing incision. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months after surgery. Assessment of the columellar scar was performed according to the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale modified for columellar scars. The mean values of skin thickness measurements, skin type (according to the Fitzpatrick skin classification scale), skin texture (oily, combination, normal, dry, and sensitive types), smoking habit, and patient gender were recorded and compared with the columellar incision scar scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference in healing between the skin thickness of the tip, supratip, left nostril, right nostril, columella and mean skin thickness values, skin types (Fitzpatrick 2, 3, 4, 5), skin textures, and smoking with regard to columellar scar formation (P > .05). However, men healed significantly better than women (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The columellar incision heals independently of the influence of skin thickness; texture; Fitzpatrick skin types 2, 3, 4, and 5; and smoking. Male gender seems to be a significant factor in healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Haydarpaşa Numune Educational and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. aysegulverim@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Aysegül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verim
authors.forename: Recai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duymuş
authors.forename: Ömer Faruk
authors.initials: ÖF
authors.lastname: Çalim
authors.forename: Çiğdem Tepe
authors.initials: ÇT
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: M Haluk
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Özkul
authors.forename: Hüsamettin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bahadir
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bakal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: columella; columellar incision; columellar scar; external approach septorhinoplasty; scar evaluation; septorhinoplasty; skin thickness