Superiority of the Septal Extension Graft Technique in Rhinoplasty Patient Satisfaction Versus the Intercrural Strut

Abstract

Background: Considering that rhinoplasty is one of the most demanded surgeries nowadays, it is necessary to analyse the relationship between the final result and the satisfaction of the patients who have undergone surgery. The objective of this study was to measure patient satisfaction by comparing the results achieved 6 months after their surgery following the use of two surgical techniques: the intercrural strut type technique, in contrast to the septal extension graft technique. Methods: Ambispective analytical cohort study in two parallel groups with patients scheduled for rhinoplasty. Sample size was calculated with a confidence level of 95% and a power of 80%, resulting in a minimum of 20 subjects to be included. Fifty-three patients participated: 22 operated with the intercrural strut technique and 31 with septal extension grafting. Results: An increase in the nasolabial angle was identified, with similar results between techniques. At 6-month evaluation, a decrease in the nasolabial angle was observed in all patients. Conclusion: The nasolabial angle remained higher at 6 months in the septal extension group compared to the intercrural post group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, the patient satisfaction survey revealed that only 59.1% of individuals who underwent surgery with the intercrural strut technique expressed satisfaction with the results. Conversely, 100% of the subjects who underwent surgery using the septal extension graft technique reported being satisfied with the final outcome.