Effect of Surgical Specialty on Postoperative Complications of Rhinoplasty.

[OBJECTIVE] Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is typically performed by either otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) or plastic surgeons. This study specifically investigates the association between surgical specialty and complications in rhinoplasty.

[STUDY DESIGN] Retrospective database review.

[SETTING] US hospitals.

[METHODS] The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent rhinoplasty between 2005 and 2020. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine associations between surgical specialty and postoperative complications.

[RESULTS] In total, 2127 patients undergoing rhinoplasty were queried. Of the cohort, 1253 (58.9%) were operated on by ENT and 874 (41.1%) were operated on by plastic surgeons. ENT patients were more likely to be male (55.8% vs 46.7%, P < .001), have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (ASA class I: 13.0% vs 19.2%, P < .001), be smokers (19.2% vs 14.4%, P = .002), and have prolonged operative time (59.9% vs 44.4%, P < .001). Univariate analysis also showed a significantly lower incidence of sepsis (0.1% vs 0.8%, P = .008) among ENT patients. Multivariable analyses revealed that plastics patients had greater odds of postoperative sepsis (odds ratio: 23.716, CI: 2.025-277.764, P = .012).

[CONCLUSION] Surgical specialty has been shown to impact outcomes of other head and neck procedures. This study suggests an independent association between surgical specialty and 30-day postoperative sepsis in rhinoplasty.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE] IV.