Orthognathic Surgery and Rhinoplasty: Simultaneous or Staged?

[BACKGROUND] Orthognathic surgery can significantly impact the nasolabial envelope, and at times requires an adjunctive rhinoplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nasal morphology in orthognathic patients, focusing on predictive variables, and the need for and timing of definitive rhinoplasty. Based on these data, an algorithm for the implementation of adjunctive rhinoplasty is proposed.

[METHODS] A review of cases over a 3-year period was completed. Information regarding demographic, diagnostic, and operative details; nasal morphology; and use of rhinoplasty was compiled. Three-dimensional images were used to quantify anatomical variables.

[RESULTS] Over 589 patients were reviewed during this period. Of these, 163 fulfilled inclusion criteria for this study. The mean age was 23.3 years. In total, 41.7 percent of orthognathic cases underwent adjunctive rhinoplasty. Of these, 82.4 percent were staged and 17.6 percent were simultaneous. The average time between staged procedures was 208 days. When simultaneous, 16.7 percent of the orthognathic procedures had significant maxillary movement (advancement >4 to 5 mm, impaction >2 mm, alar base excisions); in comparison, 92.9 percent of staged cases had significant maxillary movement (p < 0.0001). All patients had self-reported satisfaction with functional and aesthetic results during the follow-up period.

[CONCLUSIONS] Nasal and jaw deformities are intricately interlinked. In this series, the authors identified patterns requiring adjunctive rhinoplasty in the setting of orthognathic surgery. The authors present an algorithm to extensively treat the nasomaxillofacial relationship using orthognathic surgery alone, orthognathic surgery in concert with rhinoplasty, or orthognathic surgery followed by staged rhinoplasty.