Anthropometry of Nose-Defining Normalcy and Guiding Esthetics for the Central India Population.

Abstract

Nasal anthropometry is important for rhinoplasty planning and gender-affirming surgeries, which gives a comprehensive view of the Central Indian population concerning the same. The study aims to quantify nasal anthropometry in the Central Indian population against methods of measurement derived parameters for males and females, and to test the validity of the neoclassical canon. A cross-sectional study of 200 individuals (61 females, 141 males) from Central India. Fourteen linear measurements, 2 angular measurements, and 13 proportional indices were obtained using manual anthropometry and 2D photogrammetry. From 20 parameters, 71.42% showed significant differences between the means of both methods, whereby the manual measures for 11.2% less than the photogrammetric values. The nasal bridge length was found to differ between 40.55±3.68 mm versus 48.63±10.42 mm (P<0.0001). Males recorded significantly larger measurements for 78.6% of linear parameters (11/14), which included nasal width (37.70 mm versus 34.75 mm, P<0.0001). Neoclassical canon failed to prove valid for 98.5% to 100% of subjects: naso-facial proportion achieved a 1:1 ratio in only 1% (manual) and 1.5% (photogrammetric); orbital proportion in 1% and 0.5%, respectively; orbito-nasal proportion in 0% for both methods. The population displayed predominantly mesorrhine (nasal index: 0.79 manual, 0.85 photogrammetric) nasal morphology. Population-specific anthropometric norms would give surgeons a more accurate account for optimizing outcomes in rhinoplasties and hopefully reducing the rates of revision by culturally relevant surgical planning.