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

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

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