Comparison of Various Rhinoplasty Techniques and Long-Term Results.

[BACKGROUND] Various techniques are used in rhinoplasty. These techniques can be classified under transcolumellar approaches and endonasal procedures. Open rhinoplasty without transcolumellar incision (ORWTI) procedure can be described as a combination of these two techniques.

[METHODS] In this study, we present patients who underwent nasal surgery utilizing one of these three techniques between 1999 and 2013 and discuss some modifications to the techniques.

[RESULTS] Of a total of 1526 patients, 1131 were operated on with open rhinoplasty with transcolumellar incision, 219 were operated on with ORWTI, and 176 were operated on using the endonasal approach. With an average follow-up period of approximately 4 years, 4 % of the patients required revision. The patient satisfaction rate was more than 90 % for all of these techniques.

[CONCLUSIONS] The endonasal approach is an appropriate choice for select patients due to the lower chance of complications and a shorter procedure time. With open rhinoplasty with the transcolumellar incision technique, the type of surgery can be more easily controlled, however, extended nasal tip edema and columellar scar are some of the disadvantages of this method. ORWTI allows a patient to avoid these disadvantages and provides a more controlled procedure, similar to the open method.