title: Measuring the nose in septorhinoplasty patients: ultrasonographic standard values and clinical correlations.
abstract: Although septorhinoplasty is the most commonly performed operation in plastic surgery, and the surgical plan as well as its outcome is directly related to the configuration of the anatomical structures in the nose, these are not routinely assessed preoperatively. The aim of our study was to evaluate the nasal soft tissue and cartilaginous structures by means of high-resolution ultrasonography to set up clinical correlations and standard values. We examined 44 patients before septorhinoplasty by high-resolution ultrasonography in noncontact mode. All pictures were quantitatively evaluated by measuring 13 lengths and 4 ratios. All patients underwent a rhinomanometry measuring the nasal air flow. Besides others, men as well as older patients have a significantly thicker alar cartilage. Patients with thinner alar cartilages have a significantly smaller interdomal distance as well as significantly thinner upper lateral cartilages. The soft tissue above the bony dorsum was significantly thicker in older patients. Younger patients have significantly thicker soft tissue in relation to their cartilage. Patients with thicker soft tissue and thinner cartilage have a smaller tip. The interdomal distance and the thickness of the cartilaginous septum significantly correlated with the nasal air flow. We set up standard values of nasal structures in septorhinoplasty patients which can be used as reference values. By judging cartilage and soft tissue characteristics preoperatively, relevant factors for distinct procedures could be analyzed and the surgical steps can be better planned. Visualization by ultrasonography enables the surgeon to achieve treatment goals in a more predictable fashion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Münster, Kardinal-von-Galen-Ring 10, 48149, Münster, Germany. markus.stenner@ukmuenster.de.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stenner
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Münster, Kardinal-von-Galen-Ring 10, 48149, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koopmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Münster, Kardinal-von-Galen-Ring 10, 48149, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rudack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012016:Reference Values; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cartilage; Facial plastic surgery; Measurement; Rhinoplasty; Standard values; Ultrasound