Disastrous Complications Following Rhinoplasty: Soft Tissue Defects

Abstract

Background: 

Rhinoplasty has become one of the most frequently performed worldwide aesthetic procedures thanks to the successful results obtained by plastic surgeons. In this study, soft tissue defects, encountered as an undesirable and fearsome complication following rhinoplasty, its causes and precautions are presented by authors.

Materials and Methods: 

Eight patients operated between December 2015 and December 2018 were enrolled in this study. According to the causes of soft tissue defects observed following rhinoplasty; patients were examined in 5 groups consisting of excessive subcutaneous adipose tissue defatting, improper dissection plane, compression of cast, splint and strip materials, pressure applied to skin by cartilage grafts, and overresection.

Results: 

Herein, while subcutaneous excessive defatting and intense cigarette smoking was responsible of the necrosis in the first patient we defined, high pressure on skin due to tight bandaging or external splint materials lead to skin necrosis in our patients 2, 3, and 4. The 5th and 6th patients were candidates of a revision rhinoplasty; however, both resulted with necrosis probably by reason of inaccurate dissection and/or possible diminished vascularity by previous rhinoplasty operations. In the 8th patient, necrosis was observed due to the compression of the bulky autologous cartilage graft used in the skin.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, skin necrosis is a rare but bothersome complication of rhinoplasty. The importance of atraumatic techniques and appropriate dissection plane during the rhinoplasty operation as well as the importance of the effect and control of the postoperative applied splint and bandage materials is so obviously seen.