Abstract
Objective
To compare the scar outcomes of two common incisions (inverted V and stair step) by using a validated scar-outcome instrument via a randomized clinical trial.
Methods
Fifty-eight consecutive cases of external rhinoplasty were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of incision. These patients were followed-up for 1 year, and the columellar scar was analyzed by using the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores by an independent reviewer.
Results
Of 58 patients, 28 received the inverted V and the rest received the stair-step incision. Thirty-four participants (58.6%) were women. The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 26.2 ± 6.6 years. After 1 month, the scar outcome was significantly better in patients with the stair-step incision (p = 0.001) by using the SBSES, but the same was not true after 1 year (p = 0.425). However, when the VAS instead of the SBSES was used to evaluate the scar, the inverted V received a better score after 12 months in this series (p = 0.005).
Conclusion
Despite the better aesthetic outcome of the stair-step incision in the first month after the surgery, there was no significant difference between the two incisions after 1 year. However, in this series, when the VAS instead of the SBSES was used to evaluate the scar, the inverted V received a better score after 12 months.
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