Assessing the Nasal Midline in Rhinoplasty: How Good Are We?

Abstract

Background: The challenge of assessing nasal alignment and asymmetry can contribute to high revision rates in rhinoplasty.Comparing to a validated computer algorithm for nasal alignment, the accuracy with which plastic surgeons can assess deviation of the nasal midline from the facial midline was measured. Methods: Using 20 faces from the Binghamton University 3-dimensional face database, deviation was evaluated from facial midline of the middorsal line for the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the nose. Surgeons were asked to assess extent of deviation from facial midline for each third of the nose using a linear analog scale. Spearman correlations were performed comparing the surgeons' results to the algorithm measurements. Eleven residents and 9 consultant surgeons were tested. Results: Surgeons' assessment of deviation correlated poorly with the algorithm in the upper third (r = 0.32, P < 0.0001) and moderately in the middle third (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001) and lower third (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001) of the nose. No difference in accuracy was found between trainee and consultant surgeons (P = 0.51), and greater experience ( > 10 y performing nasal surgery) did not significantly affect performance (P = 0.15).The effect of fatigue on the accuracy of assessment was found to be significant (P = 0.0009). Conclusions: Surgeons have difficulty in visually assessing the 3-dimensional nasal midline irrespective of experience, and surgeon fatigue was found to be adversely affect the accuracy of assessments.

The Isosceles Nasal Tip—Laser-Assisted Midline Assessment in Rhinoplasty

“…Achieving symmetry poses the foremost challenge in rhinoplasty, and the determination of the most appropriate reference line for evaluating facial asymmetry in these patients remains an ongoing discussion. 11,12 To our knowledge, no comparative studies have been conducted to establish the optimal reference line for assessing facial asymmetry in individuals undergoing rhinoplasty. Nevertheless, numerous valuable methods have been proposed to facilitate this task.…”