Lateral Osteotomy Drainage Tubes in Rhinoplasty

Reducing Periorbital Edema and Ecchymosis after Rhinoplasty: Literature Review and Personal Approach

“…Drainage tubes were found to be ineffective, and postoperative swelling was independent of the choice between the chisel and the bone saw. 30 The use of small sharp osteotomes has frequently been advocated, and a marked reduction in edema and ecchymosis using a micro-osteotome instead of a 4-mm straight Cottle osteotome has been reported. 31 No effect of the osteotome size on postoperative edema and ecchymosis had been found in an earlier study despite the fact that intranasal mucosal tears were seen after a lateral osteotomy in 95%, 34%, and 4% with a 4-mm, 3-mm, and 2.5-mm osteotome, respectively.…”