Anthropometric Outcomes Of Nasal Molding As A Non-surgical Adjunct In Nasal Reconstruction: A 20-year Retrospective Review
Erin M. Wolfe, BS1, Marta L. Mejia, DDS2, S. Anthony Wolfe, MD2.
1University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA, 2Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.
PURPOSE: Surgical procedures intended to reconstruct or improve nasal morphology, such as forehead flap nasal reconstruction or correction of cleft lip nasal deformities, may conversely result in nasal deformities such as nasal stenosis due to the formation of scar tissue and soft tissue contraction. Nasal orthopedic appliances can maintain patency of the nostril, as well as elongate and thin soft tissue. Our institution has designed a nasal molding appliance and "orthonostric approach" for correction of nasal soft-tissue deformities. We evaluate soft tissue elongation and symmetry following application of our nasal molding appliances.
METHODS: Patients were identified via retrospective chart review. Anthropometric evaluation was conducted to evaluate differences in symmetry, morphology and tissue elongation. Mean anthropometric measurements were compared to mean Farkas anthropometric values for normal patients. The ratio of the columella length/nasal tip protrusion ratio for the ipsilateral affected nostril and the contralateral nostril was compared pre- and post- treatment.
RESULTS: Forty-two patients were identified. Mean duration of molding was 6.4±3.6 months. Results fell within normative Farkas values for columella length/nasal tip protrusion. Mean ratio of columella length/nasal tip projection of the affected nostril to the contralateral nostril was 0.66±0.17 pre-treatment and 0.98±0.06 post-treatment (p < 0.05). The ratio of alar side wall width of affected to unaffected nostril was 2.08±0.31 pre-treatment and 1.07±0.06 post-treatment (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate improvements in symmetry and soft tissue length following treatment. The orthonostric approach can be used to correct nasal stenosis and to thin and elongate the nasal alar side-wall.
Back to 2022 Posters