Secondary Cleft Rhinoplasty in 1720 Patients: Are National Practices Consistent With Guidelines?

[OBJECTIVE] To assess the timing, type, and associated adjunct procedures for secondary cleft rhinoplasty nationally.

[DESIGN] Data were extracted from a national database of all secondary cleft rhinoplasty procedures (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] codes 30460 and 30462). Frequency statistics were utilized to analyze demographics, comorbidities, surgical procedures, and timing. Chi-squared analysis and Fisher exact test were used for analysis.

[SETTING] National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Database.

[PARTICIPANTS] A total of 1720 patients met inclusion criteria for secondary cleft rhinoplasty repair.

[INTERVENTIONS] No relevant intervention.

[MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES] Age, demographics, comorbidities, and associated procedures.

[RESULTS] Over 5 consecutive years, 1720 patients underwent secondary cleft lip rhinoplasty nationally. Mean patient age was 9.3 ± 5.3 years. Unilateral cleft rhinoplasty patients were older (9.0 years) than bilateral patients (7.8 years; = .001). Rib grafting was performed in 6.3% of patients at a mean age of 10.6 years with a higher proportion of Asian and female patients. Auricular grafts were more commonly performed by otolaryngology than plastic surgery. The most common adjunct procedures included secondary cleft lip revision (33.1%) and tympanostomy tube placement (10.2%). When subdividing by type of cleft rhinoplasty, tip rhinoplasty was performed at a mean age of 7.3 years compared to rhinoplasty with osteotomies and a major septal component at 12.1 years ( < .001).

[CONCLUSIONS] This study reveals that a large proportion of cleft rhinoplasties are performed in skeletally immature patients. Although patients undergoing rib grafting, nasal osteotomies, and a major septal component were older, these procedures are still performed in a large proportion of patients who are younger than expected.