Postoperative Fillers Reduce Revision Rates in Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Background Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure with revision rates of up to 17%. Even minor imperfections after surgery can be significant. Objectives This review aims to investigate the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers post aesthetic rhinoplasty and assess the rhinoplasty practice of the senior author. Methods From the senior authors practice, case records were obtained for patients who underwent surgery followed by non-surgical rhinoplasty between 2015 and 2022. Data was retrospectively obtained and analyzed. The variables measured included number of patients treated with fillers post operatively, volume and type of filler used, locations of injection, frequency of injections and complications. Results Eight hundred patients underwent rhinoplasty between March 2015 and March 2022. 10.6% (n = 85) of these underwent non-surgical rhinoplasty using HA filler for postoperative imperfections. Juvederm 2 filler (Allergan, Irvine, CA) was mainly used with a mean volume of 0.2 mL. 11.8% (n = 10) of patients had fillers for a second time and 3.5% (n = 3) required a third filler. The majority of patients had fillers in the rhinon area (82.3% [n = 70]) and no complications were reported with good patient satisfaction. Conclusions Often there is hesitancy to use fillers after surgery due to the assumption that fillers will be required long term and complication rates can be high for post-rhinoplasty nose fillers. From our series, we conclude that after surgery, fillers last for a greater time period than those used purely for primary augmentation. Hence, the authors recommend rhinoplasty surgeons to consider HA filler use for patients troubled by post-surgery surface irregularities.