Comparison of the Effects of External and Internal Lateral Nasal Osteotomies on Ecchymosis, Periorbital Edema, and Step off Deformity After Rhinoplasty

BACKGROUND: Periorbital edema and ecchymosis are considered as the main complications of rhinoplasty. The current study was conducted to compare the effects of internal and external lateral osteotomies on ecchymosis, periorbital edema, and step off deformity after rhinoplasty. METHODS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 69 patients (including 37 and 32 cases undergoing external and internal lateral osteotomies, respectively), between the fall of 2016 and 2018. The participants were randomly divided into two groups and matched by gender and age for rhinoplasty. In addition, all surgeries were performed by the same surgeon to control the confounding variables. Edema, ecchymosis, and step off deformity were evaluated by a researcher blind to the methods of rhinoplasty 2, 7, and 21 days after the surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding postoperative edema on days 2, 7, and 21 post-operation. Similarly, the postoperative ecchymosis demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups on the 2(nd), 7(th), and 21(st) days post-surgery. No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of step off deformity on day 21(st). CONCLUSION: The obtained results demonstrated no significant difference between the internal and external lateral osteotomy techniques. Based on our findings, surgeons should apply a procedure with the lowest side effects according to their experiences.