The comparison of 1-year results for mini and wide-size cap grafts applied to nasal tips.

[OBJECTIVE] In the present study, we evaluated patient satisfaction with cap grafts by Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) scores. Mini cap and wide cap grafts were applied.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] A total of 80 patients who underwent a rhinoplasty operation with cap graft application to the tip region were included in the study. According to the cap graft size, there were two groups: Group 1 consisted of 40 patients with cap graft size ≤7 cm (mini cap group). Group 2 comprised 40 patients with cap grafts ≥8 cm (wide cap group). Patients in groups 1 and 2 underwent evaluations based on the following criteria at preoperative, postoperative-1st month, and postoperative-1st year intervals: (1) Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation Questionnaire (ROE), (2) tip projection (cm), (3) nasal dorsum length (cm), (4) tip projection ratio (Goode), (5) nasofrontal angle, and (6) nasolabial angle.

[RESULTS] Postoperative 1st-month and 1st-year ROE scores of the wide cap group were significantly higher than those in the mini cap group (p<0.05). Preoperative tip projection ratio (Goode) values of the wide cap group were considerably higher than those in the mini cap group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between tip projection, nasal dorsum length, nasofrontal angle, and nasolabial angle values of the mini cap and wide cap groups (p>0.05). Correlation tests showed that as preoperative ROE scores decreased, postoperative-1st month and 1st-year ROE scores increased (p<0.05). Postoperative 1st-month and postoperative 1st-year's ROE scores increased together (p<0.05). In the wide cap group, postoperative 1st-month and postoperative 1st-year's ROE scores increased compared to the mini cap group (p<0.05). As postoperative 1st-year nasolabial angle values increased, postoperative 1st-year ROE scores also increased (p<0.05).

[CONCLUSIONS] We found that patients who received wide-cap rhinoplasty had increased postoperative ROE scores and higher satisfaction rates during the first month and first year. Postoperative higher nasolabial angle values were related to higher ROE scores and patient satisfaction in the postoperative 1st year.