Common nasal deformities among rhinoplasty patients in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia.

[BACKGROUND] Rhinoplasty has become one of the most common aesthetic procedures in the world. Few studies from the Middle East have described rhinoplasty patients in the region.

[OBJECTIVE] To investigate common nasal deformities in individuals seeking rhinoplasty at a single institution in Saudi Arabia.

[DESIGN] Retrospective study and chart review.

[SETTING] King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] All patients seeking primary rhinoplasty who were 15 years of age and older were included. The types of external nasal deformities were compared by gender and age groups.

[MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE] Types of external nasal deformities.

[RESULTS] Of the 248 patients investigated, 113 were male and 135 female. The most common external nasal deformity was a broad dorsum (n=163; 65.7%), followed by a bulbous columella (n=154; 62.1%), and deviation (n=150; 60.5%). Upward columella was most common in older patients, and deviation decreased with age.

[CONCLUSION] The most common deformity among the study population of Saudis was a wide nasal dorsum, bulbous nasal tip and deviated nose. Studying nasal deformity in some ethnic groups has an influence in selecting and practicing specific rhinoplasty approaches.

[LIMITATIONS] Study conducted in one hospital and may not be generalizable.