Surgical Outcomes of Bilateral Technique of Septal Extension Graft in Septorhinoplasty: A Single-center Experience.

[BACKGROUND] Several studies have explored the use of septal extension grafts (SEGs). However, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the bilateral application of this technique. The present retrospective study presented the surgical outcomes of the bilateral SEG at a single center in Saudi Arabia.

[METHODS] The present study was a retrospective cohort study that retrieved data from adult patients who underwent septorhinoplasty with the bilateral SEG technique between January 2015 and December 2022 at a single center in Saudi Arabia. The retrieved data included the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) scores and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scores.

[RESULTS] The study included 58 patients with a mean age of 30.8 ± 7.4 years. The most frequent intraoperative findings were deviated nasal septum (62.1%), nasal hump (58.6%), and down rotation (62.1%). The ROE questionnaire results showed statistically significant improvements in all constituents ( < 0.0001) after surgery. The mean total ROE score improved from 9.3 ± 3.5 preoperatively to 18.7 ± 4.4 postoperatively ( < 0.001). Similarly, the mean total Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score improved from 6.6 ± 6.4 preoperatively to 2.1 ± 3.6 postoperatively ( < 0.001). None of the patients had dorsal or tip deviations. We observed tip stiffness in 8 (13.8%) patients.

[CONCLUSIONS] Bilateral SEG in septorhinoplasty has demonstrated promising results in improving both functional and aesthetic outcomes. The results of this retrospective study showed high patient satisfaction rates and a low incidence of postoperative complications.