Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate if morbidities after rhinoplasty, including edema, can be prevented if piezosurgery is employed and anti-inflammatory agents are prescribed.

METHODS: This prospective study, conducted between December 2019 and March 2020, included 96 patients (57 males, 39 females; mean age 25.6 years; range, 18 to 35 years) who underwent open rhinoplasty. Patients were randomly divided into four groups: group 1 underwent conventional osteotomy, group 2 was performed conventional osteotomy with prescription of an anti-inflammatory agent, group 3 was performed piezosurgery, and group 4 was performed piezosurgery with prescription of an anti-inflammatory agent. Postoperative edema was evaluated via lateral nasal radiography on days one, three, and seven.

RESULTS: Nasal edema scores were significantly lower when piezoelectric rather than conventional osteotomy was performed. An anti-inflammatory agent significantly reduced edema one day after conventional osteotomy but the agent had no effect at any other time after either type of surgery.

CONCLUSION: Piezosurgery effectively prevents edema after rhinoplastic osteotomy. Single dose anti-inflammatory therapy was not effective later than one day after conventional surgery and not at all after piezosurgery. Lateral nasal radiography is accurate, practical, easily accessible, inexpensive, and objective.