Lateral Nasal Osteotomies: Does the Creation of a Periosteal Tunnel Influence the Degree of Postoperative Ecchymosis?

Abstract

In a prospective study of 20 consecutive patients, all patients underwent a closed rhinoplasty in which bilateral, lateral nasal osteotomies were performed to close an open roof following dorsal reduction. On one side, the osteotomy was performed without periosteal elevation, and on the other side, an external periosteal tunnel was created before performing the osteotomy. The side of the face with more ecchymosis was determined by another surgeon who was unaware of the side with the periosteal tunnel. Using Fisher's exact test, P=0.1, indicating that the creation of a periosteal tunnel had no significant influence on the degree of postoperative ecchymosis.