Comparison of Different Suture Techniques on Nasal Soft Tissue Envelope to Prevent Supratip Deformity: A Histologic Study


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ŞİBAR S., ERDAL A. I., ŞİBAR D., ÖZKOÇER S. E.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00266-024-04041-x
  • Journal Name: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
  • Keywords: Rabbits, Rhinoplasty, Scarring, Supratip deformity, Sutures
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Studies have described various surgical maneuvers in rhinoplasty to limit thickening from excessive scarring in the supratip region. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three maneuvers—a simple suture, a U suture, and bolster dressing—used to avoid supratip deformity in a rabbit model. Methods: Thirty-two male New Zealand white rabbits were included. The animals were divided into four groups, and dissection was performed in the supra-perichondrial plane up to the supratip region through an open rhinoplasty incision. After dissection, the following approaches were applied to the supratip region: Group 1, simple approximation suture; Group 2, U suture; Group 3, bolster dressing; and Group 4 (control group), no suture. All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Histological analysis was performed. Results: In Group 4, scar thickness was significantly greater than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Group 3 had greater scar thickness than Group 2 (p < 0.05). The ratio of scar thickness to skin thickness was higher in Group 4 compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Finally, there was no difference in the ratio of scar thickness to skin thickness between Groups 1, 2, and 3 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was concluded that surgical methods using sutures in the supratip region reduced scar thickness in a rabbit model, and these surgical methods had similar levels of effectiveness. No Level Assigned: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.