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

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.