Modification of Low-Septal-Strip Septoplasty to Reduce Hump Recurrence in Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty.

Background: Among the problems encountered in dorsal preservation rhinoplasty are residual hump and hump recurrence. In this study, the authors performed a modification to lower strip resection and fixation of the septum, and investigated the clinical results of these modifications on hump recurrence.

Methods: The study included 231 patients who underwent dorsal preservation rhinoplasty with low-septal-strip septoplasty between November of 2021 and February of 2023. Closed dorsal preservation rhinoplasty was performed with low-septal-strip septoplasty in 72 patients (31.2%), and modified low-septal-strip septoplasty was performed in 159 patients (68.8%). All cases were primary rhinoplasty. Demographic data, complication rates, revision operations, and follow-up periods were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 9.68 ± 4.02 months (range, 3 to 16 months). Patient sex and age did not differ statistically significantly between the groups ( P > 0.05). Complications were observed in 8 of 231 of the patients (3.5%). The complications in the low-septal-strip septoplasty group ( P = 0.012) were statistically significantly higher than in those in the modified low-septal-strip septoplasty group ( P < 0.05). The incidence of recurrent hump complications in the low-septal-strip septoplasty group ( P = 0.029) was statistically significantly higher than in the modified group ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Septum fixation is one of the most important parts of dorsal preservation rhinoplasty surgery and must be performed properly. In the authors' modification, the risk of recurrent hump is reduced, as sufficient septum fixation is achieved.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, III.