Classification of convex nasal dorsum deformities in Asian patients and treatment outcomes

Abstract

Background: A new classification system for dorsal humps in Korean patients with nasal dorsum deformities was designed. Patients were treated based on these classifications, and their treatment outcomes were assessed.

Methods: A total of 164 patients, who underwent rhinoplasty for correction of convex nasal dorsum deformities, were analysed. Convex dorsum deformities were classified based on anthropometric measurement, nasal length, hump length and tip projection. The three classifications were generalised hump, isolated hump and relative hump because of a low tip. Postoperative photographs were analysed to assess hump reduction outcomes.

Results: Generalised hump was the most common deformity, occurring in 88 (53.7%) patients; an isolated hump was observed in 67 (40.9%) patients and a relative hump, with a low tip, was observed in nine (5.5%) patients. Successful surgical outcomes were achieved in 65.9% of generalised hump cases and 80.6% of isolated hump cases (p=0.014). Of the fair or poor outcomes, 89.6% were attributable to hump undercorrection.

Conclusion: Our classification system could help surgeons tailor management of convex nasal dorsum deformities. The present study showed that the milder the deformity, the better was the outcome. It was also found that excessive conservation in hump reduction was the main factor predictive of unsatisfactory outcome.